Every once in a while, a talented Pinay singer gets discovered, quickly earns a moniker, and then after a significant stretch gets lost in the pool of ever-changing faces of wannabes and hopefuls.
Interestingly, Katrina Velarde, amusingly dubbed Suklay Diva, looks poised to keep herself in the thick of the fight for long. Thanks to her noticeably strong talent in singing a la some iconic voices and her separate ability to deliver her own unique voice as a recording artist. Often, someone impersonating famous personalities won’t go beyond the act itself and loses momentum before she even gets to carve her own identity.
Katrina seems to be that type of skillful act who will eventually graduate from the impersonations and takes her career path somewhere grander. “There’s more to Katrina than singing,” said a press release that in a way stresses that point.
The think tank at Viva Live Inc. must have likewise seen this kind of career trajectory in Katrina. Small wonder she is very much in the loop, with her special solo show titled Sikati2! being staged tonight at the New Frontier Theater, Araneta City in Cubao, Quezon City.
“The famous Suklay Diva has been packing halls with adoring fans ecstatic over her powerhouse vocals,” observed insiders.
A quick check on her social media presence proved she is wowing not just compatriots, but foreign critics as well. She sings with calmness and confidence, dramatically ensuring spectators into a safe zone. She is also able to deliver her own sense of humor to entertain locals, making her organically likable and an easy-watch — not ever falling into that dead-air traps.
Katrina had been tagged Suklay Diva after a number of her videos showing her sing other artists’ hits with a plastic comb as microphone went viral. Her take on Beyonce’s “Dangerously In Love” turned out to be her defining moment as an impersonator.
As the talent of Viva Artist Agency, she released two singles “Taksil” and “Lason Mong Halik.” She interpreted the entry “Tama Na” at the PhilPop 2018 Finals Night.
Directed by Miggy Tanchanco, with Mon Faustino as musical director, Sikati2! is eyeing to bring her much-talked-about performing style to a bigger venue for her growing following. The organizer hints at never-before-seen showstopping versions of hits from divas she mimics with respect, as well as heart-pounding live renditions of her own sellers like ”Magkaibang Mundo.”
The girl has paid her dues, kicking off her long run upon joining a singing contest at age seven. Even the likes of Gary Valenciano saw her potential and mentored her.
Sikati2! is the tail-end spectacle of Viva Live Inc.’s November Treats which geared up last Nov. 8 with the Music Museum concert of pop balladeer Ronnie Liang, called Love X Romance. He was joined by movie soundtrack hit singer Janine Tenoso, social media celebrity-access Ella Cruz, and pop royalty Sarah Geronimo.
(For ticket inquiries to Sikati2!, call Viva Live at 687-7236.)