Red hot Pops and Regine set Atlantic City ablaze!

by Grethel Bolandrina

Pops and Regine have performed many times before, in Japan and Europe. They even performed early this year in the Philippines (February at the ULTRA), at a pre-valentine offering. This came to be what they took on a US concert Tour: Queens... on Fire. It is not your typical back to back concert where the majority of the show allows both artists to do solo acts. Here, it was really Pops and Regine, together, most of the time. It seemed that they sang 70-percent duets and songs turned into duets. Save for Star In A Million champion Erik Santos, now the Philippines' Prince of Pop. He was the only guest in this show and he held his own. Santos is all praises for both Pops and Regine. It is safe to say that, the entire audience felt the same. Queens... on Fire is indeed a collaboration showing unexpected concepts, new ideas and surprises highlighting the Queens' individual talents.

Pops and Regine are two very different performers. Regine belts out so well, while Pops is more into dance music. A wonder initially, as to how the show would flow. But it is this fact, their very diverse styles that made the show highly interesting. The variety was pleasing to everyone. There was a little bit of everything for everybody. They opened with comedic lines ala Dolphy and Panchito to which Pops was quick to claim she's Dolphy. Onwards to maybe ReyCards duet to which again, Pops maintained she'd have to be Rey! Both settled to some other comparisons like the WEA twins, if the audience could relate or even the Aldeguer sisters. We did see a more dancing-side of Regine, albeit done cornball-style. She was game and a good sport. Both Queens showed genuine onstage rapport. Just like regular friends shooting the breeze or chatting over a cup of tea, they mentioned their similarities: love of shopping, eating and mostly, their availability (that of being loveless at the moment). Both subscribing to the philosophy of constant reinvention, both dared to try new things, in music and clothes. Or the lack thereof, almost like the Kelly sisters (Chicago) in glittery tux complete with hat and a cane, Regine commented on their costumes' lack of pants. They sang "Fever" with grit and passion. Then there was the cabaret style of "Oops I Did It Again" ending with both exposing naked upper bodies a fraction of a second before the lights went out (initially behind heart shaped, high backed chairs).

Regine, as Asia's Songbird effortlessly rendered soaring ballads and show-stopping tunes like Fantasia Barrino’s "I Believe," the Metropop hit "Shine" and South Border’s "Wherever You Are" (rearranged to include a rhythm section). She did justice to "A Little Bit," "Suntok Sa Buwan" and "Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin". As for her costumes, one outfit in particular, a tan glittery dress was shorter than Pop's, showed more cleavage and cut lower in the back. One would be apt to ask, this is conservative? Those days must be gone because Regine here is anything but that. She's daring and baring!

Pops, the Concert Queen flawlessly delivered hip-hop hits, the latest dance craze and lavish production numbers. Her Beyonce (Naughty Girl, Lose My Breath and Crazy in Love) and Christina Aguilera/Britney Spears (Dirrty and My Prerogative) medleys makes one want to get up and move to the beat. True to being Concert Queen, Pops did her dance moves so well and looked extremely attractive with her fit and shapely physique emphasized in outfits that almost always showed off cleavage and legs. Her other well applauded numbers were "You take my breath away" and a medley of tunes done originally by male Filipino singers (Hanggang, Di Ko Kaya and Ikaw Nga).

Beyond all the grandeur of Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal Arena, the exciting production numbers, fresh musical arrangements, the fabulous gowns and costumes, the lively dancers, brilliant choreography, the entire show encompassed many music genres: rock, pop, dance and OPM. It was the ultimate showdown witnessed by proud Filipino Americans on this side of the US. This was highlighted by their vocal powers displayed when they did "Sana Maulit Muli" and "Kahit Isang Saglit" separately with Erik Santos only to conclude with all three artists and both songs culminating jointly in the end.

Of note, the show was a celebration of music, friendship and womanhood. Featuring songs about love, sentiments, fantasies and passions, the Queens aimed to empower women through music. "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" rendered sensual and exotic gives the males in the audience something to ponder. When someone yelled "Marteeeeen!" to Pops, she took it, tongue in cheek. Commented only on the shouter's accent. Said something about moving on. When someone else yelled "I love you" to Regine, she coyly responds "we'll talk later!"

The encore had Pops and Regine, in denims and identical white tank tops with huge red hearts, doing a medley of ’80s favorites "Gloria," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "What Have You Done For Me Lately," "I’m So Excited" and "Telephone". Pops, again was in her element, complete with cute pigtails. All in all, the Queens brought out the best in each other, even with all their personal revelations, no one was cast in bad light, there was no rivalry apparent. Having the audience privy to their shortcomings just made them more endearing. Their entire repertoire lent them most entertaining, hot and most definitely, on fire!

Kudos are in order for the powers that made Queens... on Fire possible in Atlantic City. Congratulations to Ms. Ana Puno, President of Starmedia Entertainment and Drs. Ramon and Ching Legarda of Group Ole Incorporated. Big thanks to Smart Padala, the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, Five Star Sea Cargo, Inc., Continental Airlines,and to TFC, Planet Philippines,NY, Perlas ng Silangan, and Diamond Hut Jewelers.

Queens... on Fire, a smash hit in Atlantic City, New Jersey continues on to Washington, DC, Saturday, April 23, 2005 at the DC Armory. Don't get burned, enjoy the must-see concert of the year, Queens... on Fire!