Divas and Friends

By Tinna Bonifacio-Mauricio
Channels Magazine
February 2000

Kuh Ledesma was watching Penthouse Live when she first caught sight of a promising young singer named Chona Velasquez.

Kuh: I saw her sing on TV, and I called Sandra (Chavez, her manager back then). I told her, "Di ba naghahanap ka ng bagong talent? Buksan mo ang TV mo, manood ka ng Penthouse-may bagong singer na kumakanta ngayon, Chona Velasquez ang pangalan. Magaling siya, mukhang may potential.

Because Regine lived in Bulacan, Sandra didn't get to her fast enough. Ronnie did, though. The next thing Kuh knew, Ronnie had signed Regine up to a contaract and was introducing her s the next big thing to hit the local music business. Eager not to be beaten to the draw, Kuh produed Regine's first major solo concert, Regine at 17, at the Grand Ballroom of the Mla. Midtown Hotel.

Regine: When Ronnie told me that Kuh wanted to produce a concert for me, umiyak ako! Na-tense ako e! I kept saying, "Ayoko, ayoko..." Then I found out that Leo Rialp was going to direct the show-lalong ayoko, kasi nabalitaan ko na mabagsik siya. I was so afraid, kaya ang bait-bait ko. Everything Leo told me to do, I did. He'd tell me to go there sing this, move this way-I memorized everything sa sobrang takot ko. Hanggang ngayon, dala-dala ko 'yon. I still have this tendency to do everything my directors tell me.

Regine was intimidated bec. she had always considered Kuh someone to look up to. Kuh was already the Pop Diva when Regine was still an aspiring amateur singer. Regine used to sing Kuh's songs and had no clue that Kuh would not only be producing her concert for her but singing onstage with her one day.

Regine: The first time we performed together was in Awit a la Carte sponsored by OPM. I was only 16. Umiyak na naman ako kasi I was supposed to wear this certain outfit, but the designer didn't deliver on time. I remember Kuh telling me, "Huwag ka na umiyak...just go out there and sing" The other singers helped me. Joey Albert lent me one of her gowns. Ivy Violan lent me a pair of stockings. Ayun, awa ng Diyos, nakakanta naman ako. Buti na lang Kuh was so encouraging.

Kuh encouraged Regine bec. she knew from the start that the young singer would go far.
Kuh: From the time I saw her that first time on Penthouse, na kulot pa ang buhok niya, I knew that she would make it. And look at her now, she's really doing well.

Regine: Ako naman, I've always admired Kuh. Besides that, I consider her a friend. you can talk to her about anything. As a performer, I can't question her talent. I've been idolizing her since I started.

Today, Kuh and Regine are considered two of the country's top female singers, deserving of the lofty title "diva". One is called the "Pop Diva". The other used to be known as "Asia Songbird", but since that monumental seven-minute performance broadcast to the world last Dec. 31, she's become known as the "Millennium Diva".

How do you feel about being calle dby those titles?

Kuh: I've been in this business for 20 years. It feels good and flattering to be called a diva, but I also attribute to a lot of hard work on my part.

Regine: Ganoon din. I feel pressured, but it's very flattering. Actually, that song I did for the Global Millennium Day broadcast, I did it for free. It was my contribution to the celebration of the millennium. Ewan ko nga kung saan nanggaling ang balita na binayaran daw ako ng 500,000 pesos para sa isang kanta na yon-wala talaga akong bayad.

But more than just "divas", they are friends too. When Kuh was conceptualizing "Power of Two" concert series, Regine was her first choice for a partner. The series was so successful that it went on an extended 12-week run and a tour of major US cities like Reno and San Francisco. The two have many fond memories of being abroad together.

Regine: Twice na kami nag-US tour. And it's been really fun. During the last tour, she (Kuh) ws in the middle of fixing this place (The Republic of Malate). So tuwing lalabas kami, ang hinahanap niya lagi, furniture and antiques. Wala na kaming pinapagusapan kung hindi ano ang biblhin niya para dito-tapos pag-uwi, kahon-kahon ang dala niya!

Kuh: I remember this one time, we were in New York and I lost my wallet in the dressing room. It was open and a lot of people were going in and out. Kaya siguro nawala. When we get back to the hotel, Regine knocked on my door. She had this really serious look on her face. Makikiramay daw siya sa pagkawala ng wallet ko. I was so touched.

Regine: Over ka naman! (Laughs!). Kuh's also very thoughtful. Almost every birthday, she sends something to me. Minsan card, minsan flowers. Sometimes she sends a gift. My favorite gifts are a skirt from her and laminates for my hair. Alam niya kasing mahilig ako mag-ayos ng buhok, e!

Kuh: It's easy to remember her b-day bec. she shares the same b-date (April 22) as my daughter Isabella.

Their most recent project was Regine's latest album, R2K. It was recorded at Bravo Records, the studio owned by Kuh based at her home in Pasay. There is talk that after a Valentime concert at Fort Santiago that they will both be starring in this month, the duo's next project will be another album by Regine, this time, of Kuh's hits, to be called Velasquez sings Ledesma.

Regine will be reviving Kuh's hits, among w/c is a song called Wakas, her favorite of Kuh's song. (Kuh's favorite song of Regine is "You are my song"). The project is still being negotiated, but if it pushes through it would definitely be a coup. It would be the 1st recording of its kind, bringing together two of local music's divas who would normally be considered rivals for the same market.

Kuh: I've never considered her as a competitor. If I do, it becomes unhealthy. If we have that kind of attitude, we're not going to be happy. We should just support each other, knowing that we were created with individual talents and that her voice is different from mine.

Regine: Actually, it was my idea. Once, I told her, "I want to revive your songs-are you interested in producing it (the album?) We're talking about it, but we both have such busy schedules. But we both want to do it. On the point of our being considered competitors, it doesn't really matter. People will always have something to say. I'm just concerned about doing a good record.

Perhaps the talk about being rivals has to do with the fact that last year, both divas released thier own revival albums-Regine her R2K and Kuh's Akuhstic. Both released by Viva Records as part of its Viva's Divas collection, the albums both ride on the popularity of old hits. It was actually Regine who started the current craze when she released her first revival album, Retro in 1996.

Kuh: I love doing revivals. They've always been a part of my repertoire. The audience always relates easier to songs they are familiar with. I decided to revive If I Could Reach You because I used to hear that song a lot. It's nice and easy to remember, and a favorite of one of my very good friends.

Regine: It's not that we're not interested in doing original songs anymore, but it's hard to find good songs these days. We need new talents (in composers). ANd revivals are really popular. I did an album (1997 Drawn) that was mostly all-originals, and it had very good sales, but it didn'' do as well as R2K is doing. But I have nothing against original songs. In fact my next album will be all-original songs, to be produced by Ryan Cayabyab. I've always wanted to work with him.

Their lives in and out of music have run along similar paths. Kuh has ventured into other things besides singing with her Republic of Malate-a three-in-one complex that houses a Chinese restaurant (The Good Earht Tea Room), a watering hole-cum-bar (Survival Cafe) and a dance club (Republika). Regine began working behind the scenes by diecting her own concerts and music videos. Pretty soon, she intents to start producing songs for other artists.

(some quotes from Kuh not relating to Regine were omitted)Regine: It's a nice place. At masarap ang pagkain dito ha! (Regine says this while digging into a plateful of crab). Ako naman, I'm into producing. I produced R2K w/c we recorded at Kuh's studio. I did everything, from the concept to talking to the arrangers and telling them what I wanted. I hired the musicians. It was taxing, but very challenging. But for my next project I'll be working w/ Mr. C - it's also good to bring other people in nce in a while bec there are some things I can't see when I'm so close to a project. At saka maganda yung may ibang point-of-view, diba? That's why I got Louie Ignacio, my director on SOP to direct my videos for R2K. But there's something I'm really excited about, w/c is producing for other artists. I'm going to produce a song for Antonette Taus.

All throughout the pictorial, Kuh and Regine act like sisters. They laugh, they joke, they swap fashion and beauty tips-and they talk about men. They do that a lot, they say, especially when they're on concert tours abroad. Despite this, unkind rumors that more than friendship exists between them have persisted.

Kuh: Ay naku, the more we say something the more people will accuse us of being defensive. And it's ridiculous.

Regine: I can vouch that she's not gay. Alam mo ba, she advises me to go out and meet people, make more friends. She advises me pa nga to have boyfriends and not to be afraid of taking chances in love.

Kuh: Just look-she has become a better singer since (she broke off w/ Ariel Rivera). So I keep telling her, she should fall in love again! Kaya lang naman laging may tatay na nakabantay! (Looks at Regine's father, Mang Gerry, who is seated nearby, puffing away on a cigarette, oblivious to the conversation).

Regine: Hay naku, siter tama ka diyan! I agree 100% Mas nagkaroon ako ng personality (after I fell in Love).

The easy rapport is due to the fact that despite our perceiving them as rivals in the business, they consider each other friends.

Regine: Kuh is one of the most sincere persons I've known in this business. I've learned a lot of things from her, at enjoy na enjoy ako pa nagkukuwneto siya-kasi nakakarelate ako, especially when she talks about her beginnings as a singer.

Kuh: Ganoon ka rin naman, eh ! (Smiling at Regine). We're not naman super-close enough to call each other friends. And we work well together.

Regine: We can tell each other things too. Kinukuwento niya sa akin ang lovelife niya!

Kuh: Para mainspire ka at magkaroon ka rin (Dissolves into laughter).

Finally the photo shoot is over. As Regine gets ready to leave, she hands Kuh her belated X'mas present. Handshakes and hugs are exchanged, make-up kits and gowns are packed away and Kuh and Regine go back being wha they really are: two divas who just happen to be friends.