Singer-stage actress Jenine Desiderio returns to recording after years in sabbatical via the track “Love at First Sight” in the concept album of singer-songwriter Samantha Riviera.

Desiderio duets with R&B singer Kris Lawrence in the new song.

Previously, she had released albums under Universal Records and Sony Music one of which produced the mild hit, “Di Ako Si Darna,” an adaptation of Karyn White’s 80s classic, “Superwoman.”

She is best known for being one of select Filipinos who was part of the Broadway musical, “Miss Saigon,” along with Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson.

In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Online, Desiderio admitted that despite her achievements, she has had a hard time getting a regular stint on television, thus, limiting her exposure to the mainstream audience.

“But I’m not complaining because I never ran out of shows to do, before and after ‘Darna’ and ‘Miss Saigon,’” she said. “It’s just that most of these don’t get media mileage because they are corporate shows.”

Desiderio recently did a show in Tagaytay and Subic. She is set to fly to Papua New Guinea in the coming days for a show for the OCW there.

The singer was introduced to Riviera by a relative. And though the message of “First Sight” may seem too young for her, but Desiderio avers.

“Love is ageless in that it can bring you back to the time when you first felt giddy in finding that special someone. If it is love, then age has nothing to do with it,” she said.

Desiderio knows about love, indeed. Some seven years after she parted ways with musician Juan Miguel Salvador, she said that sometimes loving oneself is as important as having someone.

“I don’t depend on anybody anymore for my happiness. Even without a man, I feel contented and happy on my own,” she said.

Part of the contentment is her having been part of “Miss Saigon.” Desiderio said that “Saigon” is one of the few real breakthroughs by Filipinos, along with the successes of Manny Pacquiao, Lea Salonga and Charise Pempengco.

“But I can’t sit on my laurels. In this business, you are only as good as your last work. However, I know that whatever I do after ‘Saigon’ will pale in comparison.”

Samantha Riviera’s CD to which Desiderio contributes, is titled, “Soul Sonata” under Universal Records. It is a 10-track collection that musically chronicles Riviera’s story of love found, love lost and how love really is all that matters to touch a universal chord.

“Soul Sonata” has an accompaniment book titled “S.A.M.” Subtitled “Chronicles of a Woman who Lives and Love,” it details the story of Sam and Robot and the uncanny circumstances that intertwined their lives.

Parts of “S.A.M.” were culled from the author’s blog entries (February to March 2009).