Jaya's new album titled Real Love Stories follows the concept of her last record Cool Change released in 2007 by GMA Records.

Just like its predecessor, Jaya's latest effort is a collection of cover songs composed of classic love ballads written and performed by some of the biggest names in the international recording scene.

Real Love Stories is a 14-track album containing familiar numbers such as "After All," "Anyone Can See," "Breathe Again," "Hiding Inside Myself," "I Just Can't Let Go," "I Will Survive," "I Won't Last A Day Without You," "Maybe This Time," "Old Friend," "Save The Best For The Last," among others.

There's no concrete concept behind the album other than Jaya wanting to sing some of her personal favorite tunes. She cited two songs—"I Won't Last A Day Without You" and "All Of My Life"—as the closest to her heart owing largely to her blissful family life with husband Gary Gotidoc and children Sabriya and Dylan.

Talking about the positive changes in her life, Jaya proudly offered: "Ngayon, nagkaroon ako ng focus... I wake up every morning with a sense of these two kids relying on me, so I better clean my name. Nagkaroon ako ng puso. Dati awayin ko na lang kahit sino, pero ngayon, there's a sense of being good. Nagkaroon din ako ng pagmamahal sa sarili, nagkaroon ako ng takot sa Diyos. My greatest purpose is to become a very good mom to my children."

GOING BACK TO HER ROOTS. Though Jaya undoubtedly was able to give justice to the songs found in her latest effort, she revealed to the entertainment press her intention to sing original materials again in the near future.

Some of the OPM tunes popularized by Jaya include "Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig," "Laging Naro'n Ka," and "Dahil Tanging Ikaw."

Given Jaya's reputation as a certified hitmaker of original Filipino songs, some observers openly expressed disappointment with her decision to settle doing cover tunes instead of introducing new hits to the listening public.

Jaya knows this and that's exactly her plan for the next album: "All original na 'yong katulad nung dati. Matitinding love songs that will cross all boundaries and all ages. Nami-miss ko nga din 'yon [singing original Filipino songs.]"

She fondly shared a story about an old hit to the entertainment reporters yesterday, October 12, at the launching of Real Love Stories held at the Hard Rock Café in Makati City.

"Alam ninyo po ba na 'yong 'Dahil Tanging Ikaw' ay dating cha-cha? It was sang by another artist. When it was given to me, hindi ko alam na papatok. I really want songs like that again," said Jaya with a tinge of nostalgia.

Hesitant at first, Jaya offered her thoughts on the popularity of modern singing contests prevalent on television nowadays.

"Maganda sana kung papasok sa industriya na 'to, marami nang experience. Kasi minsan, napapansin ko po 'yong kumakanta sa TV, you can tell the inexperience. Pero kasi hindi nga nasala mainly because of text voting. That's why most of these singers win. It's not because of the talent, it's because of the money in their pockets," she said.