Regine, Naturally

by Rai Bihis
Woman's Home Companion
November 23, 1994

I have an appointment for an interview this afternoon. I still have to try on my dresses tonight's show. And I still have to test the sound equipment. Busy, busy, busy. Time seems to runs so fast. I hate being late. Recordings, concerts, TV appearances, tapings...a maddeningly hectic schedule. But I don't lose my direction. I go about things with a big smile. I feel terrible when I'm bitchy.

I follow a very simple rule: I just want to be peaceful and happy, and make others happy; I go along with the wind-harmony more than opposition. I don't trust people too easily, but I am deeply loyal to my friends. I also believe that one ought to be polite, even to one's enemies. Making yourself happy is done by pouring out your soul, your efforts. That is why I'm trying very hard to open up, mingle more with people. I know that I can't live in a box forever. For me to know people, they also have to know me; so I must share myself.

So when I perform, I make sure I give 100% effort, 110% if possible. I owe it to myself t be the best that I can be; to my family who has led me to where I am now; most especially to my fans who deserve nothing less than the best.

When I sing, it is very hard for people to believe that it is really I singing. They cannot believe how such a lean, petite frame can yield so much power, so much energy. They can't believe my age either. I'm told that I'm too young to be true. It comes as naturally as my instincts; I simply want to sing. I just think of all the bursting joy in my heart that I want to share with people, from the thoughts of my family and my home that is ever so close in my heart. Those beautiful thoughts lead me back to my early childhood days when my father used to bring me to the sea each day to sing with the raging waves and the powerful wind. My family thought ahead; and they have supported me throughout. My hone in Tabang, Bulacan is always fresh in my mind.

My memories never allow me to forget who I am. I am Regine Velasquez. Not quite a long way from wanting to help out my family though the amateur contests I joined in as a kid and a young teenager. Bagong Kampeon was the last one; Penthouse Live gave me my first appearance. And I won my first international award at the Asia Pacific Songfest in 1989. Primeline, Inc. has launched me as a professional singer since then.

I could not believe my ears when I heard my first recording; nor my eyes when I saw pictures in publicity materials. I have always wanted to sing; and I was just so overwhelmed, and thankful for the breaks I got. I know that there are so many talented artists, so many talented Filipinos. However, only a few are given a break. I am so lucky; I prayed and God replied with answers greater than I imagined.

Indeed, I am enjoying showbiz life; it's such fun. It's just that I feel uncomfortable with the recognition factor. I guess fame has not gotten into my head -- and I don't think it will. That's why I don't want to be segregated from the public the way superstars ought to be; I'd like to have a normal life outside of showbiz work. I feel flattered when fans approach me; but just like anybody else, I also want to go out with my family and friends, without having to attend to other matters. Sometimes, I need to be on my own, to have my own privacy.

I am not perfect, I also make mistakes. When I have concerts, my shoes somehow keep on slipping high in the air to the cheers of the welcoming crowd.

I'd like to believe that I am now established in showbiz so somehow, I must really be talented. But the better, and harder, part of show business is the fact that I constantly have to learn a lot of things. I try to sing different types music and keep using alternative styles. I can't be stagnant; I have to grown and find out what more I can do, what more I can share. I try not to make the changes drastic, but I make sure that I improve one way or another. One day, I will come up with a style that's my very own, a Regine Velasquez original innovation.

Showbiz, you see, is exciting but fast-paced. If you don't leave room for improvement, you become obsolete. There are some constant factors brought about by tradition, but the rest changes whether you like it or not.

Success comes with change. Success comes with timing. Each man has his own time; changes and improvements will have to be done in accordance with the proper time. Until such time when all things pass and the natural process of fading occurs. Fading, mind you, is not a failure at all. It's another phase of change, of moving to another stage, to another area. It's the next chapter of this exhilarating novel that is life.

I know I won't be around forever. So when the time comes for me to step down, I wish to do it gracefully. Others need a break, too.

One must be carefully successful even in ascending and descending from the throne. That is why it is important to keep oneself together, not to let success and fame get into one's head. Don't give up either. Those are two of the points where failure begins. And failure eats you up chunk by chunk without your even knowing it. I should know, I've felt it so many times, although I've never really been able to exactly define failure is. Trials and misfortunes may make us, to teach us to swim and struggle. failure is when you give in. You have to keep moving on. As long as you're alive, hope is there. There's always another chance to change; learn from your mistakes.
You'd better be dead if you lose hope or stop trying or refuse to learn from your mistakes.
This is why even if I am given the power to change anything in the world. I'd still want to go through the same experiences all over again just to be where I am now, to be who I am now.
I still want to be the same Regine Velasquez who feels somewhat starstruck or excited when I get a chance to perform with or meet my idols (especially Gary V., Martin Nievera and Janno Gibbs).

I still want to be the same Regine Velasquez with a handwriting like possess my seven demons.
I still want to be the all-natural Regine who admits it when she's wrong, then really apologizes to the people concerned.

Five or ten years from now, I hope that I'll still be singing, that I can establish myself in the whole Asian region. Or start a business of my own. I also would like to have more time for myself. I hope to be married, too; but I don't know how I'll do that just now because I am interested in my career at the moment more than anything else.

Speaking of marriage, before I settle down, I've already thought about my Prince Charming. First, we must have chemistry; more importantly, the man must be my very good friend (couples ought to be good friends, too , so they can understand each other easily), trusty, and dependable, someone loyal and devoted, someone who'll defend me and be proud of me, rather that be jealous.

Hopefully, he'll look like Mel Gibson.Yep, just like everyone else, I also get excited when I see my crushes. I'm also afraid of certain things at times. I'm as human as everyone else, stage glamour or not. And I'll always be Regine Velasquez...naturally.