The songs playing in Julie Anne’s mind

She may not (yet) be a diva but Julie Anne San Jose can sing like one as she will prove on July 20 at her concert at The Theatre at Solaire. Produced by Sunny Side Up Productions (SSUP), Julie Sings The Divas is conceptualized by SSUP head Danny Tan who discovered Julie Anne in 2005 while she was auditioning for the GMA talent search Popstar Kids.

Julie Anne will be singing new arrangements of songs popularized by the world’s enduring divas from all eras such as Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Adele, Lady Gaga and other popular “diva songs” of the current generation such as Rise Up, A Million Dreams and Never Enough, the most applauded song in Julie’s repertoire from the movie The Greatest Showman. The participation of the internationally multi-awarded voices of the UP Concert Chorus and Arnel Pineda, lead singer of Journey as special guest, will enhance the magic of this music spectacle.

Funfare asked Julie Anne to make a list of the 20 songs that keep playing in her mind…and why.

1. Habang may Buhay by Donna Cruz. “The first song that I learned when I was two years old. It’s very special to me because it was my mom who motivated me to become a singer.”

2. I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston. “I sang this song at the talent portion in Eat, Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines in 1998. I could still remember all the laughing, singing and dancing at that moment. I was three years old.”

3. All by Myself by Celine Dion. “I used to sing it in our recital at the Center for Pop Music of the Philippines. I was three years old when I took voice lessons for six months, then I stopped because of my schooling.”

4. Tuwing Umuulan by Regine Velasquez. “The favorite song of Ate Regine. I grew up with her songs. She’s one of my inspirations; my idol then and now.”

5. More Than Words by Extreme. “The first song that I learned on guitars. My dad taught me simple chords and I learned other songs that I could play with it.”

6. Beauty and Madness by Fra Lippo Lippi. “It’s the first piano piece I learned from my dad. He got me a keyboard when I was 7. Whenever I wanted to learn new stuff, I figured I could play it by ear (ouido). I thought it’s easier and it works better for me.”

7. Canon in D by Pachelbel. “It’s not a song, but I took this one seriously, hahahaha!!! I remember taking piano lessons when I was 9.”

8. Unfaithful by Rihanna. “My favorite Rihanna song. She’s my spirit animal.”

9. If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys. “My first contest piece when I got in Popstar Kids.”

10. The Voice Within by Christina Aguilera. “My audition piece for Popstar Kids.”

11. Can’t Take That Away by Mariah Carey. “I didn’t win the contest but it didn’t drive my passion away. Instead, I decided to continue honing my craft, and just keep on singing.”

12. I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys. “I grew up to this song. I feel nostalgic whenever I hear boyband songs, because it never gets old. I’m always a fan.”

13. With You by Chris Brown. “Because I love Chris Brown, one of my childhood crushes.”

14. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. “My road-trip song. I’ll never get tired of listening to this track.”

15. Superbass by Nicki Minaj. “Back in 2012, I did a cover of this song, it was so catchy so I thought it would be cool to rap. I wasn’t really expecting it would hit many views on YouTube. From then on, I started doing more cover songs requested by my supporters.”

16. Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley. “This song makes me feel good. It lifts my spirit in all aspects.”

17. I’ll Be There. ”This song was my first original, released under GMA Records. It led me to the path of opportunities where I can share my music to the world, especially to the people who support me.”

18. Nothing Left. “This song was my first single under Universal Records. The UR guys are my family, and I’m very thankful to them for trusting me and my capabilities. They opened my doors to new opportunities.”

19. Your Song by Parokya ni Edgar. “My favorite song of Kuya Chito (Miranda). I was in high school when I first heard it. I never imagined that Kuya Chito would let me do my own version of his song, I got so stoked recording it; it’s an honor. Hopefully, we get to collaborate someday.”

20. Regrets. “My latest original song which is so personal and special because I wrote it. I wanted people to SEE me, not just a celebrity/singer/actress but as a musician, too…and that I’m also human. It reminds me that all decisions in life have consequences. Good or bad, we must take responsibility and learn from them. It will help us grow. I just wanted to share a part of me that people can relate to.”

(For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)