1. From BASTA by Nitz Miralles
People's Tonight, Feb. 13, 2005
Puno ang Ultra last Friday, sa unang gabi ng Queens...On Fire concert nina Pops Fernandez at Regine Velasquez kahit mahal ang tiket. Nagdagdag ng chairs sa may ringside to accommodate the fans.
Hindi lang sa performance nagpatalbugan sina Pops at Regine, pati na sa costumes at gowns na isinuot. Para rin kaming nanood ng fashion show dahil tuwing lalabas ang dalawa'y, suot agad nila ang mapapansin. It was a daring concert mula sa kanilang suot at spiel. May costume si Pops na kita ang black thong na suot at si Regine naman, halos makita ang buong boobs sa white gown na suot na ang hati ay hanggang pusod na yata. Mabuti't hindi na sakop ng MTRCB ang concert circuit.
Pinag-usapan nila ang sex at paulit-ulit na tinanong ni Pops si Regine kung naka-experience nang makipag-sex, kaloka! Negative ang sagot ni Regine at ilang beses ding sinabing virgin pa siya. Gamit na gamit din sina Martin Nievera at Brad Turvey at nabanggit din si Ariel Rivera.
Comic relief din si Regine sa concert. Ang galing nitong mag-deliver ng punchline at para siyang hindi Asia's Songbird 'pag nagko-comedy. Kaya nitong maging comedienne. Paging GMA-7.
Gusto namin ang OPM medley ng dalawa at pati ang Martin Nievera medley ni Erik Santos. Ang ganda rin ng arrangement ng medley ng Sana Maulit Muli at Kahit Isang Saglit na kinanta nilang tatlo. Kuwela naman ang medley nila ng Tina Turner hits. Kahit mahirap pumasok at umuwi sa kapal ng tao, nag-enjoy pa rin kami sa concert.
2. Timeline posted by "2net" on a Yahoo Regine fan group
9:00 p.m. We were having a hard time finding our seats because there were lots of people. It was the first time I saw the whole stage, it was big with a backdrop of white squares. Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez stepped out when two white squares slid open. They began to sing "Fighter" (by Christina Aguilera) in pink one-piece suits. They both had hair extensions so they looked alike from a far. This number had balance (vocally).
9:15 p.m. Pops and Regine greeted the audience. Their background differences were highlighted with Regine translating into Tagalog what Pops was saying. Pops noticed that they were doing a Dolphy-Panchito routine and was quick to say her preference, "ako si Dolphy!" They told the crowd what to expect, that the show was not just for couples and they would set them up on "fire" especially with the next songs.
9:18 p.m. The two went off the stage and "Jumpin' Jumpin'" (by Destiny's Child) started playing. In every white square at the back, there was someone dancing and the back-up artists went along with the song. Whoever conceptualized this number should be congratulated because it was so cool.
9:20 p.m. Pops came out in a skin-colored short dress to do a Beyonce medley ("Naughty Girl," "Baby Boy," "Lose My Breath" and "Crazy in Love"). This was a beautifully arranged medley. Pops may have lacked thevocal power needed but she moved very well and for this, she was applauded. Her sincere rendition of "You Take My Breath Away" (her current single) followed.
9:33 p.m. Because of her ballad, Pops started talking about love. It usually begins when someone is looking for it like the next one to sing - Regine. Regine appeared onstage looking like a bride. She wore a long white gown that had a hood and an opening up to her belly button. She sang "Wherever You Are" (by South Border). Her voice was in excellent form. She was effortless in reaching those high notes.
9:39 p.m. Regine said that sometimes you get lucky and your search ends because you find someone "who brings out the best in you and who makes you...." "Shine" came next. They used a different arrangement. It was the highest version I have ever heard. The people loved it. It was astonishing that her boobs did not pop out because the song was really lung-busting. Her gown was sewn pretty good!
9:46 p.m. The skirt and train of Regine's gown were taken off. She was in a pair of pants that has slits from her hips to her ankles. She began the Kylie Minogue medley with "Can't Get You Out of My Head." So the hood was for that! Pops came out in a similar outfit and joined her in the medley.
9:51 p.m. The 2 informed the public that this was not their first time in a show together. They had shows abroad and it was during those times that they discovered what they have in common - their love for shopping. This got sidetracked with the talk on sex. Pops was explaining that the things girls buy (shoes and bags) can be used by guys in wooing the girls after a fight. However, Regine butted in with "sex" in the "kiss and make up" part. She said, "I heard it is very interesting and it sometimes can be enjoyable." Pops looked at her, dumbfounded: "you mean you have never had sex?... You have never tried it?" Regine could not speak and pretended to walk out. It was hilarious.
9:56 p.m. Since the show had "queens," there must be a king or a prince as well. Then Pops introduced the only guest, Erik Santos. Erik did fine in a Martin Nievera medley but he started out weak. His voice was soft in "Say That You Love Me."
10:06 p.m. Pops and Regine entered the stage in black, sequined coats, panty shorts and high heels with hats and canes. There was a blunder, a strip of tissue paper got stuck in one of Regine's heels so they had to stop for a while. Pops told Regine, "ano naman kasi ang pinaggagagawa mo?" They were dancing and Regine could not do it. She blurted, "I'm kinda shy because we are not wearing pants... Mang Gerry is watching..." Pops reminded her that people paid big bucks to see them perform then she would not do her best. Regine answered, "hindi magrereklamo ang mga 'yan... wala nga tayong mga pantalon eh!" Pops was teaching her how to dance. She said that it was just like falling in love, you just go with the flow. Regine said, "ah parang Martin and Pops!" Pops retorted, "kaya hindi ka matuto-tuto eh... para maintindihan mo, it's like Regine and Ariel." Regine gave herself away with her answer: "kaya nga hanggang ngayon virgin pa 'ko eh!"
10:10 p.m. Regine was sport, she knew she would be made a laughing stock in this segment and she did it to entertain the audience. Pops continued to teach her but she still could not get it. She uttered, "oops, I did it again..." which was the beginning of the song (by Britney Spears) that they were to sing. They sang it cabaret-style.
10:12 p.m. Two chairs with heart-shaped backs were brought to the stage. Pops and Regine sat on them and sang "Fever." They were stripping while singing. What shook me was they really took off their tops at the end of the song. They covered their front with their hats when they stood up and walked off the stage.
10:17 p.m. Pops in a bright apple-green outfit went to the stage with the dancers and did a low-pitched "Dirrty" (by Christina Aguilera) and "My Prerogative" (by Britney Spears). She was urging the audience to participate. Too bad, it was a lazy crowd.
10:23 p.m. After taking a short break, Pops talked about the realities of love - that it is not always happy. "A heart... usually breaks so that we will find the right heart or the right love... I should know." The theme songs medley was soon played. It started and ended with "Hanggang" (by Wency Cornejo).
10:32 p.m. Pops tipped the guys to listen carefully to the song that was about to be sung for them to be able to understand women and make them love them. Regine came out in a printed pink dress and began "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (by Bryan Adams). Pops did the 2nd part in a printed green dress. I have heard Regine sing this song in the "Drawn" concert. No doubt about it, she muted herself this time around.
10:43 p.m. Pops asked Regine if she has been on a real date. Regine was taking a long time to answer so Pops guessed that she has not yet been on one. She asked Regine what is her type of guy. Regine gave the usual answer, "not that tall, cute, sings well." Pops shouted "si Ogie 'yan ano!" Regine threw one of her shoes to Pops. They both stressed to the people, "the good things you read in the papers are true, the bad ones are not." Regine asked the same question to Pops.
While Pops was answering, Regine said "si Martin na naman 'yan o si Brad. Ayaw mo si Brad? Type ko si Brad. Akin na lang... Parang damit, yung hand-me-down." The crowd was in stitches. Pops could only mutter, "ang sama mo!"
10:47 p.m. There was a Filipino actor (Sir Lord Anthony) in the audience who is currently doing a film with Sean Connery under Miramax. Pops and Regine acknowledged his presence. Pops was even teasing him to Regine. He went to the foot of the stage and Pops prodded Regine to kiss him. Instead of kissing him, Regine placed his hand on her forehead ("mano") so a lot of people laughed. But, the guy was still able to kiss Regine - only on the side of her head though.
10:49 p.m. The topic went back to dating and Pops asked a favor to Regine ("ihanap mo 'ko"). Regine's reaction was so natural, "p_tcha, kung ako nga hindi makahanap tapos ihahanap pa kita!?! Tingnan mo ang pag-uugali nito. Hinihingi ko na nga lang yung pinaglumaan eh." Even if they had no dates, they still had a "prince" with them. They called Erik back. Pops and Erik did "Kahit Isang Saglit" (by Martin Nievera). Then Erik and Regine sang "Sana Maulit Muli." They experienced a technical problem. Regine's microphone was cut-off in a split-second a couple of times.
10:59 p.m. Pops and Erik left Regine onstage. Regine spoke about her admiration over new singer-songwriters of today and she wanted to pay tribute to them so she decided to do a medley: "A Little Bit," "'Wag na 'Wag Mong Sasabihin" (by Kitchie Nadal) and "Suntok sa Buwan" (by Session Road). I was so glad that she was the one who did this number because the energy she gives suits these songs. The medley was very much appreciated by the crowd.
11:08 p.m. Regine agreed with Pops that she is looking for love and she has faith that she will find the right guy. "I believe that one day, that perfect guy will come along and I will finally be... [in a hush tone] not a virgin anymore, thank you!" "I Believe" (by Fantasia Barrino) also had a new and higher arrangement. Regine pulled no stops. She belted as high as she could and for as long as she wanted. She definitely was happy with her voice that night. She thrilled the audience with this one.
11:13 p.m. After commenting on how high she went ("dumugo yung ilong ko 'ron"), she shifted to a party mode. Right after doing a stanza of "Addicted to Love" (by Robert Palmer), Regine went backstage to change into a bronze, sequined short dress while Pops took over. Regine came back with "Proud Mary'" (by Tina Turner). Both of them did the song complete with the dance steps.
11:19 p.m. The members of the band were introduced one by one. Regine and Pops thanked them as well as the producer and the audience for giving them the opportunity to be together. They truly enjoy not just performing but also talking and being with each other. They are basically good friends.
11:25 p.m. "Power of Love" (by Laura Brannigan) was the last song with Regine taking the high key obviously. Silver confetti and fireworks brightened the venue. The two were given flowers then they went out but immediately returned onstage. Regine told the people, "55 pa... hindi kayo makakaalis sa parking, traffic." Correct!
11:32 p.m. The encore kicked off with "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (by Cyndi Lauper). I thought they would do a Gloria Estefan medley since that was a staple in Pops' shows. Luckily, they chose other '80s songs - "What Have You Done for Me Lately," "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," "Holiday," "Telephone," etc.. The two along with the dancers were having funonstage. There were times when the dancers were the ones singing because they gave the microphones to them. Up to the end, Regine made the people laugh. The dancers decided to lift her up, she was taken aback because she was in a short dress. She kept saying, "ayyy, ayyy, ayyy..."
11:55 p.m. As I look back at the concert, I realized that I had more fun than I expected. The production numbers were well-thought out. The choice of songs and the arrangements were great. They focused more on the strengths of each performer. In addition to that, Regine and Pops were able to try new things and succeed in doing so. The show had a theme that was disrupted from time to time because of side/personal comments. I did not mind them since they were humorous. I just do not know if they were okay for those who wanted a straight concert. The show was worth watching for one could see that they worked hard to give to the audience what they deserve.
2net : )
_____
stage direction: Rowell Santiago
musical direction: Raul Mitra and Homer Flores
Bass guitar: Bobby Rasco
Drums: Tek Faustino
Percussion: Niño Regalado
Keyboards: Bond Samson and Sony Matias
guitar: Ric Mercado
1st guitar: Cesar Aguas
back-up vocals: Sylvia, Babsie, ?, ?
dancers: Hotlegs
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