Plash a gentle splash.

Sitti Navarro is a local Pinay who’s just in her tender twenties, with more than ten years of singing expertise to back her up. Sitti, whose name means princess in the Muslim dialect, is truly worthy of her bossa babe title. Lithe, smart and pretty, Sitti was weaned onto song in the usual Pinoy manner: Goaded by relatives, she’d sing a couple of Whitney Houston torchers at family gatherings. The former core commander would also join singing contests and was very active in the school choir.


After graduating from high school in 2001, her neighbor, pianist and accompanist Romy San Mateo, scouted the young business economics major out, and asked if she wanted to sing at the Stonehouse jazz bar. She has also landed gigs at other lounge spots, such as Kalesa Bar and the Richmond and Makati Shangri-la Hotels, besides hosting events and touring island destinations in the Philippines in Studio23’s The Travel Show. Sitti was made to sing bossa nova.Her relaxed singing style and soothing voice lingers above the complex harmonies of the jazz and samba influenced Brazilian genre, effortlessly gelling lyric and music together. Sitti’s eyes light up when she talks about music, especially bossa.


In 2004, Sitti got another big break, this time as a recording artist for Warner Music Philippines. After hearing a few demos from Sitti, the major label decided to cut her a solo record. In 2005, Sitti found herself recording her debut album, Café Bossa. “I want people in my age bracket to be aware about jazz and bossa nova, and that there’s more to music besides the standard pop and R&B,” shares Sitti.


New converts and long time bossa fans alike will not be disappointed by Sitti’s debut offering. Café Bossa is indeed a cup of chill in 18 choice tracks. It’s a must-hear album of laid-back tunes done in the warm sounds of OPM’s bossa babe.