Regine Velasquez: Celebrates 15 showbiz years

By Ruby V. Asoy
Mirror Weekly
April 3, 2000

This year is a momentous year for singer Regine. As she turns 30 this month, she is likewise celebrating her 15th year in show business.

She's making those events with a concert dubbed "R2K The Concert" which will be held at the Araneta Colisuem on April 7 & 8. The concert is also a celebration of the success of her album R2K, her 10th and the first she produced, which has turned platinum.

Regine herself will direct this concert (which she also conceptualized), in cooperation with musical director Mark Lopez and stage designer Jo Tecson. Directing and conceptualizing shows are not new to Regine. She has also directed her previous concerts "Drawn" and "Retro" and other events, like "Isang Pasasalamat." But "R2K The Concert" makes her jittery because for the first time she's holding it in a venue w/ a capacity of 17,000.

In this concert, she'll be supported by sister Cacai, the SOP co-stars Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, along w/ hunky rap artists KC Montero and Gabby Eigenmann, plus, the Hotlegs dancer.

Regine relates that the concert is not only a feast for music lovers but fashion aficionados as well. Noted fashion designer Rajo Laurel has done a marvelous set of post-modern outfits for her for the concert. Spectators are expected to see Regine metamorphose from a sexy seductress in black leather cat suit to a hip and cool trendsetter in a psychedelic miniskirt over a netted blouse. She will also wear sophisticated gowns that exemplify both elegant and high style. The concert will veritably appear like a fashion show for Asia's undisputed songbird.

A gigantic billboard featuring a sexy and sassy and hip Regine (the very first of its kind) which now stands along Guadalupe corner EDSA in Makati, serves as one of the concerts promotional strategies. The billboard affirms that she's the premiere trendsetter in the entertainment industry.

Regine has learned to show off some skin in her manner of dressing partly on the advice of designer Louie Mamengo, who taught her to be more fashionable. "With my age I should be over my pa-sweet and pa-cute image." she says.

Regine appears amenable to receiving and advice or two regarding clothes but as far as makeup is concerned she does it all by herself. She does her own makeup and maintains a traditional ritual in keeping her skin smooth and flawless. She applies Lana (an oil extract from a young coconut) during weekends. And if you think she frequents the salon to maintain her look, you're in for a surprise, because she does all her beauty regimen at home. "I prefer doing it at home so I can feel comfortable and not to be obligated to dress up. Another reason is that I don't want to hear any chismis." This way, she says she is free from the prying eyes of other people.

Longtime Dream

Becoming an international star has remained her longtime dream. Slowly, she's working on that. If it will push through that would be heaven, but if not, she has still a career here to keep busy with.

"It's really hard to make it there. A face and talent could not guarantee you can make a foothold in that market," she says. "As it is, it's not easy to make it here also. I'm hoping that at least, I could record even one international album and I would be happy if it happens.

Having established a name for herself, Regine has decided to manage herself. She used to be managed by Ronnie Henares, whom she conceives as his second father up to this day. "As far as decision making, I know I can already handle it. But I also hired people to work for me on a per project basis. What they do is that they talk to producers and other concerned individuals," she tells.

In a way, managing her own career has worked for her advantage. It makes her knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the business.

"I consider it as part of my growing up process. Eventually, I hope to master the ropes of the trade. The past two years hat I tried it on my own I have been learning a lot," she explains.

Temporarily, Regine has put her movie career on hold. Her first priority has been her singing career. The last movie she did was opposite Aga Mulach (Dahil May Isang Ikaw) under Viva Films. She relates that the original plan was for her to do two movies a year. But with her busy singing commitments, she couldn't finishes two pictures a year. "But that's good enough for me so I won't be over exposed," she says.

Hopeless romantic

As far as love life is concerned, Regine doesn't want to be pressured just because she will be turning 30. "There's no rush really," she says. "I don't know, but guys are sort of intimidated by me. But if I want to do it my way, I want my relationship to start in friendship."

She admits she's not really missing out on anything. What more can she asks for if she's living a fulfilled life?

"My career is doing good. I have a very loving and supportive family. I have friends...But real friends? I can count them in my hands. Real friendship needs proper nurturing, like taking time and effort be with one another."

Regine has been living in a condominium unit in Quezon City for two years now with her younger sister, who she has hired as production assistant. She used to live in her hometown in Bulacan with her family.

She has lost her privacy she says, because of her job. "But you know, I've sacrificed little compared to what success has given to me," she intimates. "Because of my career, I've helped my family and we are now living a comfortable life. I was able to travel for free. I don't have any complains at all.

"What I have become has surpassed even my expectations. I've never expected that I would last this long, that I would continue singing up to this day. I've no regrets at all. My career has been running smoothly. And if I decide to retire, my songs will always be there - my legacy to my fans and supporters. But I'm not ready to slow down. Not yet. I'll continue to test the waters," she concludes.