Regine, director

By Leah Salterio-Gatdula
Inquirer
December, 1994

She's not just performing this time. She's also directing her show."For the first time in my entire concert career, I became involved in my show, from the concept to the choice of songs, guests (Dessa and Jungee Marcelo) and dancers (Hotlegs)," says Regine whose concert series, "Regine Animated," is going on at Music Museum.

"Even the back-up singers (Aperitif), ako ang pumili. I also helped in writing the spiels. Most of the ideas really came from me and I'm really thrilled dahil ako talaga ang nasunod for my own show. This time, no one told me what to do. I am the one who told them what I wanted to do."Regine is doing the six-night Music Museum gig (with remaining performances tonight, to morrow night and on Dec. 15, 16, 17) in lieu of a major concert, an event anticipated by many of her fans every year.

"I was really se to do a big show, kaya lang, I was often out of the country so I didn't have the time to really sit down and plan about it," says Regine. "Compared to a major concert, this series is more relaxed and more candid. But it's more demanding because I am performing for three consecutive nights in a week. Ngayon ko lang ginawa ang ganitong klaseng performance schedule."For her guest in "Animated," Regine has chosen Dessa, with whom she is sharing the stage for the first time. So with the two belters onstage (duetting in "His Eyes Are on the Sparrow,"), the audience can surely expect a showdown of vocal histrionics. But Regine points out she and Dessa are not out to upstage each other.

"This is not a showdown in any way, since I believe that our singing styles complement each other. I think our voices will sound good together," maintains Regine.Regine will also perform with rapper Jungee Marcelo. "Bilib ako sa kanya. He has worked with Gary and has written some of his songs. So when I told the production people I wanted a rapper for the show, I readily gave Jungee's name," says Regine.

Her repertoire consists mostly of songs from the '80s which are given a '90s sound. "When we were doing the lineup, I suggested a number of songs to my musical director (Jimmy Antriporda) and to my manager (Ronnie Henares), " Regine shares. "We decided to concentrate more on the '80s because that's really my era. Most of the songs I'm going to perform are pieces which I've never done before. Ako talaga ang nag-decide ng final lineup."

For the latter half of the year Regine has been busy with several trips abroad. She has gone to Taiwan and Thailand to promote her "Listen Without Prejudice" album (under PolyGram Far East), which has taken the Asian music market by storm. The pop outing contains the hit duet "In Live With You," which Regine recorded in Hong Kong with Chinese pop superstar Jacky Cheung.Last month, Regine also did a three-city performance tour in the US (Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York), with Ariel Rivera.

But for this Bulakena lass who has carved her niche in the local music scene, there's no other more fitting way to end the year than with a solo concert, which also serves as a Christmas treat to her fans.