Tootsie Guevarra: Rising Diva and Future Restaurateur

There's a collective sigh the moment Tootsie Guevara mounts the stage of O2 Bar to launch her third album, the Star Records (under its Istilo label)-released Sa Puso Ko. In a strappy red jumpsuit, while doing a take on Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud, the 20-year-old singer is declaring liberation.

Tootsie's all grown-up, ready to become a diva. She confidently dons sexy outfits to emphasize her lean and curvaceous body. She answers queries with openness and panctuates her replies with a smile. Most importantly, she's now ready to tackle more "mature" songs.

Tootsie admits that the transformation hasn't been easy. "But I've been lucky to have people who have been very supportive," she states, adding that they all helped her realize her change of image.

She's quick to point out that she's not about to join the bandwagon and start sounding naughty in her recording. Mystica, May Rivera, etc. she is not. "It's not the path I'd like to take," Tootsie points out.

When she says mature songs, she means the ones that women experience. "Sa Kaba at saka Pasulyap-sulyap (her first two hits) kasi," she blushes, "patweetums!"

Well, she was still in her teens when she recorded those sweet songs. Now that she's at the threshold of womanhood, Tootsie would like to sing about feminine sentiments and sensibilities.

In fact, she has written the lyrics of one of the tracks in Sa Puso Ko. It's called Do You?, which asks a guy if he really loves his girl. But her favorite, shares Tootsie, is the Larry Hermosa composition about an unrequited love, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig.

She's quick to add, though, that the other 10 cuts in her latest outing are worth the while of listeners, fans and first-timers alike.

Noted hitmaker Vehnee Saturno is responsible for the title track and other love-inspired tunes, Ba't Di Mo Sabihin, Dating Tagpuan and Ayaw Kong Mawalay Ka. Revival tracks include Ed Formoso's You'll Always Be My Number One and the Jose Mari Chan-Rolando Tinio's collaboration, Minsan Pa (popularized by Verni Varga and Joey Albert, respectively).

Concert King Martin Nievera, who's also a gifted songwriter, penned (with Ben Escasa) More Than Love especially for Tootsie. "I just told him how I view love and that's it," she recalls how Martin was able to write the song.

The album also features Tootsie's duet with Jose Javier, in Saturno and Nyoy Volante's Don't Say It's Over, Hermosa's other composition (Bakit Ngayon Lang) and the Escasa's collaboration with his wife Deng (I'm In Love).

Though she may not show it, there is pressure for her latest CD to at least equal the platinum status of her Kaba album. That's why she's working extra hard to promote Sa Puso Ko. And she's still enrolled in an all-girl college, taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. (She initially wanted to major in music.)

Thus, it's not surprising to find her in her bed napping whenever she has free time. Or in the kitchen where she's having her favorite (tuyo, itlog na maalat and kare-kare with bagoong) and favored beverages (fruit juices and milk).

Tootsie proudly shares that her mom is a good cook. But the That's Entertainment alumna, who started out in the biz in 1990, can likewise whip up a mean pasta dish and an assortment of to-die-for desserts.

Hmm.. Tootsie Guevara is not only a rising diva, she's also a future restaurateur.

The Chefs of The Heritage Hotel Manila prepared a special salad for Tootsie.



	Tootsie Guevarra: Rising Diva and Future Restaurateur There's a collective sigh the moment Tootsie Guevara mounts the stage of O2 Bar to launch her third album, the Star Records (under its Istilo label)-released Sa Puso Ko. In a strappy red jumpsuit, while doing a take on Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud, the 20-year-old singer is declaring liberation. Tootsie's all grown-up, ready to become a diva Tootsie's all grown-up, ready to become a diva. She confidently dons sexy outfits to emphasize her lean and curvaceous body. She answers queries with openness and panctuates her replies with a smile. Most importantly, she's now ready to tackle more "mature" songs. Tootsie admits that the transformation hasn't been easy. "But I've been lucky to have people who have been very supportive," she states, adding that they all helped her realize her change of image. She's quick to point out that she's not about to join the bandwagon and start sounding naughty in her recording. Mystica, May Rivera, etc. she is not. "It's not the path I'd like to take," Tootsie points out. When she says mature songs, she means the ones that women experience. "Sa Kaba at saka Pasulyap-sulyap (her first two hits) kasi," she blushes, "patweetums!" Well, she was still in her teens when she recorded those sweet songs. Now that she's at the threshold of womanhood, Tootsie would like to sing about feminine sentiments and sensibilities. In fact, she has written the lyrics of one of the tracks in Sa Puso Ko. It's called Do You?, which asks a guy if he really loves his girl. But her favorite, shares Tootsie, is the Larry Hermosa composition about an unrequited love, Nang Dahil Sa Pag-ibig. She's quick to add, though, that the other 10 cuts in her latest outing are worth the while of listeners, fans and first-timers alike. Noted hitmaker Vehnee Saturno is responsible for the title track and other love-inspired tunes, Ba't Di Mo Sabihin, Dating Tagpuan and Ayaw Kong Mawalay Ka. Revival tracks include Ed Formoso's You'll Always Be My Number One and the Jose Mari Chan-Rolando Tinio's collaboration, Minsan Pa (popularized by Verni Varga and Joey Albert, respectively). Concert King Martin Nievera, who's also a gifted songwriter, penned (with Ben Escasa) More Than Love especially for Tootsie. "I just told him how I view love and that's it," she recalls how Martin was able to write the song. The album also features Tootsie's duet with Jose Javier, in Saturno and Nyoy Volante's Don't Say It's Over, Hermosa's other composition (Bakit Ngayon Lang) and the Escasa's collaboration with his wife Deng (I'm In Love). Though she may not show it, there is pressure for her latest CD to at least equal the platinum status of her Kaba album. That's why she's working extra hard to promote Sa Puso Ko. And she's still enrolled in an all-girl college, taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. (She initially wanted to major in music.) Thus, it's not surprising to find her in her bed napping whenever she has free time. Or in the kitchen where she's having her favorite (tuyo, itlog na maalat and kare-kare with bagoong) and favored beverages (fruit juices and milk). Tootsie proudly shares that her mom is a good cook. But the That's Entertainment alumna, who started out in the biz in 1990, can likewise whip up a mean pasta dish and an assortment of to-die-for desserts. "Someday," she muses, "I'd like to put up my own bar or restaurant." Hmm.. Tootsie Guevara is not only a rising diva, she's also a future restaurateur. The Chefs of The Heritage Hotel Manila prepared a special salad for Tootsie.