Jaya

Maria Luisa Ramsey-Gotidoc (born March 21, 1970), known mononymously as Jaya, is a Filipino singer, rapper, record producer, actress, dancer and presenter. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she is known for her low, yet broad vocal range. She was a talent of GMA Network but later transferred to ABS-CBN, where she served as one of the head jury of the Tawag ng Tanghalan segment of the Philippine noontime variety show It's Showtime and performer on ASAP. Jaya is the second Filipino recording artist to chart in the United States (the first being The Rocky Fellers), with her debut single "If You Leave Me Now" peaking at number 44 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Jaya also ventured into musical theatre, playing the role of Surpanakha in the 1999 Filipino musical Rama at Sita staged at the University Theatre. Early life Maria Luisa Ramsey was born on March 21, 1970, in Manila. Her mother was Elizabeth Ramsey, a Filipina comedian and singer of Jamaican and Spanish-Filipino descent. Ramsey's father is Reynaldo Kagahastian, a Filipino. Her parents separated when she was young, and her father migrated to the United States. He now resides in Alberta, Canada. She entered show business at the age of ten as a backup dancer for her mother, and at the age of 12 was a backup singer and front act for some minor and major shows. She began performing solo in 1982, using the name Louise Ramsey.