Kuh Ledesma a down-to-earth diva

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Kuh Ledesma looked pretty laid back and modest for one of Asia's anointed pop "divas" -- a title now seemingly pegged on everybody and her mother.

Yes, it did take the Filipino quite a while to get ready for the scheduled interview two days before her performance at the New Year's Eve party at Hotel Mulia Senayan, Central Jakarta.

But other than that, pretension was in short supply. She did not mind queries on private matters, something that many divas out there balk at or else carefully sugarcoat their answers.

So, pray tell, what becomes a diva most?

"What's a diva, everybody is a diva now," answered the 49-year-old singer/actress.

"A diva is somebody who wears this big hair," she laughed.

With long straight hair, and sporting torn denims, a white long sleeved shirt and batik scarf, Ledesma said she did not really care about being labeled the big D.

"If you're a diva and you're not getting a job, then that's bad," said Ledesma (real name Socorro Ledesma).

She does take pains to maintain a good image; she would not take the role of a villain in movies, unless the character repents at the end.

"Well, because people already think I'm a snob because of the way I look. My eyes are up like that," Ledesma said, raising her eyebrows with a finger.

"It doesn't bother me, but I'm not so crazy about the idea of people thinking I am. Because I'm not, it's not the truth."

An established talent in her homeland, Ledesma came to international attention 22 years ago when she played the role of Indonesian Tiger Lily alongside Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver in Peter Weir's The Year of Living Dangerously, telling of the 1965 abortive coup.

Yet she still maintains her look (classical Asian beauty with wide eyes, lush lips and ravishing body), her voice (deep, strong and sensuous) and her career on top.

Celebrating her silver anniversary in showbiz this year, Ledesma is still one of the Philippines' most prolific artists and the country's most important female pop act today.

The Manila Times called her the trailblazer and trendsetter in almost every aspect of the singing business, with the ability to reinvent herself.

Her concerts have always been well conceptualized. She never sticks to just one genre of music, and was one of the first artists to fuse ethnic sounds and pop songs. Long before acoustics became the trend, Ledesma already released the aKUHstic album.

Kuh is also known in other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, especially during her heyday as a Lux model back in the 1980s and 1990s.

She was one of the performers at the DIVA SOUTHEAST ASIA concert three years back.

But Ledesma has also stepped out of the comfort zone of Asia, including a concert at London's Royal Albert Hall along with other top Asian singers, and several other performances in Paris, Tokyo and the United States.

She released The Voice, The Violin in 1993 with world famous jazz violinist Noel Pointer. Precious a few years later was her American debut album and made it to the jazz charts, earning her a billboard on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles.

On her 25th anniversary, she plans to do a concert in a big venue, finish an inspirational album and a techno remake of classical Filipino songs.

All this while still doing theater work, TV shows, producing albums, finding talent and running her own production house, recording studio as well as restaurants, resort and concert venues.

Quite a handful, but Ledesma said it was singing live that she enjoyed best. She found recording sessions lonely and difficult.

"I enjoy the vibe on stage. I sing better when I see people enjoying themselves," she said.

"I don't really like acting that much because of the late night work. I don't really like staying up late."

All the beauty sleep works fine; only a year from turning 50, Ledesma only looked slightly only than her photos when she modeled for the luxury soap.

Botox? Nip/tuck? "No, no, never," she demurred.

"I think the peace is the key that comes with a lot of faith in God. Your face shows when you have problems. Confidently, I can say I have joy and faith in God," said the mother of 20-year- old Isabella, also a performer.

Finally, the F word: Ledesma claims to be a very spiritual, Bible-believing Christian, and mention of faith and the Lord popped up a lot during the interview.

Ledesma said before she found faith in religion, she was wracked by insecurity.

"I worried about not getting a job although I was on top of my career. I used to be a person who worried a lot, who had insecurities."

The turning point came six and a half years ago following a separation with her husband, when she reached "a very desperate crossroads in my life".

She sought peace through religion, and from then the change started.

"It helps a lot. I don't have insecurities anymore. I don't worry about almost anything. I'm clearer now."

It's her strong faith that has also kept her from seeking legal separation from her husband: "The Bible says God hates divorce, so I don't want to initiate it."

For the time being, Ledesma said she had no need for a man.

"I don't want to go before God. The mistake is always going before the Lord. So what I'm doing is waiting for Him. Hopefully, until God gives me one, I don't want to meet any man."

She offered some sage advice to the singletons seeking Mr. and Ms. Right out there.

"It's (marriage) very difficult. Just make sure that your partner is somebody mature. Make sure that you don't have any questions about him as a person."