Philippine singer
Jessa Zaragoza released
Ibigay Mo Na (Give It Now) in 2000, her first album for Philippine independent Star Records after recording three albums for OctoArts/EMI, a joint venture between local independent OctoArts and major international label EMI.
As with her three OctoArts/EMI albums,
Ibigay Mo Na is dominated by passionate, easy listening love songs. However, there is a major difference, as
Zaragoza sings on
Ibigay Mo Na three modern, dance-styled tunes, the likes of which she has never previously performed. The three dance-styled tunes, "Close Open," "Dreamboy," and "Sayang (Phenomenal Remix)" (Wasted), are the album's last three songs, and they come as a surprise, considering the other 11 tracks are slow love songs. However,
Zaragoza's voice is difficult to hear in "Close Open," and she doesn't sound completely assured on "Dreamboy," though she manages a passable performance. Of the 11 slow love songs, "Glory of Love" from 1984 the film The Karate Kid, "I Believed in You," "If You Remember Me," and "Sayang" are standout tracks. Many other slow love songs are bland, including "Ibigay Mo Na," "Ikakasal Ka Na," "Maghihintay Sa 'Yo," "Kung Kailan Pa," and "Sino Kaya?" These tracks sound like monotonous variations of a similar theme.
Zaragoza has outstanding natural talent and her voice is in fine form here, though she still isn't completely technically accomplished. The album lacks diversity and isn't balanced or cohesive, and comes across as a motley collection of tunes. ~ David Gonzales