In a pop music scene dominated by Gen Z stars, Katrina Velarde, recognized for her powerful and enviable vocals, is taking steps to distinguish herself. As new artists emerge and trends shift, the “Suklay Diva” aims to maintain her relevance while showcasing her talent.
In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, the singer emphasized that she remains authentic and stays true to her core as a vocalist. That’s how she keeps herself afloat in a very dynamic music landscape.
“Back in the day, whether through online platforms or live performances, it was tough to compete, but you don’t always have to keep up with the trends,” Katrina said.
“For someone like me, we have our own established sound, and if we change our singing style to fit trends, it doesn’t feel right. We just stick to what we know, just as Regine Velasquez always says: as long as people are listening to us, we will continue to grow in the way we know how,” she added.
As part of her effort to stay relevant, Katrina is staging a concert titled SiKat V.3. It’s her third major solo show.
This concert will offer something new compared to her previous performances, as she will be singing songs originally performed by male artists.
“Now, I’m very, very excited because this is going to be so different from what I did before. I’m going to be singing men’s songs that have been ‘diva-fied,’” she revealed. “We thought about it because we needed to find songs that have not been sung by Filipino singers here.”
Katrina acknowledged that her team initially found the concept challenging, as they had to thoroughly research whether a chosen song had already been covered by another female artist.
“We tried to ensure that most of the repertoire would consist of songs I would be the first to cover,” she said.
“It’s a bit challenging because we have to figure out how to make it sound ‘diva’ or how I can make it my own, but it also depends on the arrangement. I will follow that,” she added. “But I will definitely find a way to make this ours. If a man can do it, then a woman can create her own version, too.”
Katrina commended her concert’s musical director, Mon Faustino, for his help in arranging the lineup of songs she will perform, which will span various genres.
“Actually, I will also do songs from boy bands. Imagine I’m performing solo, but I’ll include a boy band segment,” she explained. “We mixed things up. Of course, there will be classic songs, as well as some new ones.”
She also teased that her concert will feature special guests, all of whom are well-known male artists. Katrina mentioned that she and her guests will present something unique during the encore.
“Since we’ll be singing male songs, our guests will also be all male,” she said. “We have something a bit different planned for our encore. I can’t share too much because I want to keep the element of surprise.”
SiKat V.3, directed by Paolo Valenciano and with musical direction by Mon Faustino, is taking take place at the New Frontier Theater on Oct. 11. Tickets for the concert are available for purchase at www.ticketnet.com.ph.
