Regine Velasquez undergoes major medical operation

Regine is scheduled for operation to remove a polyp in her body on February 11.

Sasailalim sa isang operasyon ang Asia's Songbird na si Regine Velasquez sa February 11. Si Regine mismo ang nagbalita nito sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) noong re-launching ng SOP kahapon, February 4, sa GMA-7 compound.

Isang medical procedure ang gagawin kay Regine upang alisin ang polyp niya na posible raw na cause ng madalas niyang pagkakaroon ng migraine. (Ayon sa wikipedia, ang polyp ay "abnormal growth of tissue projecting from a mucous membrane." Karaniwan itong natatagpuan sa "colon, stomach, nose, urinary bladder, and uterus.")

Noon pa sanang October dapat nagpa-opera si Regine pero dahil naging busy siya sa kanyang showbiz and singing career, ngayong buwan lang isasagawa ang nabanggit na medical procedure.

Tiyempo kasing may mga commitments si Piolo Pascual na katambal ni Regine sa pelikulang Fallen ng Star Cinema at Viva Films, kaya habang wala siyang shooting, sinamantala ng Asia's Songbird na magpa-opera na.

Ito rin ang dahilan kung bakit walang Valentine show ngayon ang singer-actress. After her operation kasi, dalawang linggong pahinga ang kanyang kailangan. Hindi siya maaaring kumanta, hindi siya maaaring nakatayo nang matagal, at hindi rin maaaring maglakad.

Hindi naman tumor sa utak ang cause ng madalas na migraine ni Regine, pero kapag hindi raw inalis ang naturang polyp, malamang na mauwi ito sa kanser. Ito ang iniiwasan ni Regine kaya minabuti niya na magpa-opera na.

Ayon pa kay Regine, hindi bibiyakin o hihiwain ang anumang bahagi ng katawan niya dahil laser daw ang gagamitin na surgical procedure. Hindi man delikado ang operasyon na gagawin sa kanya, worried pa rin si Regine dahil never pa siyang naoperahan sa tanang buhay niya.

Regine, di malilimutan ang concert ni Barbra

BABYTALK Ni Salve V. Asis
Ang Pilipino STAR Ngayon 11/28/2006

Very unforgettable pala for Regine Velasquez ang panonood niya ng concert ng idol niyang si Barbra Streisand last November 20 sa Las Vegas.

"Fan na nga raw siya ni Barbra, fan pa siya ng mga nasa audience, kaya talagang panay ang kwento ni Regine tungkol sa kanyang experience," kwento ng isang friend ni Regine.

Kasamang nanood ng Asia’s songbird ang parents niya.

Nasa audience raw kasi sina Barry Manilow, Kurt Rusell, Tom Hanks, Goldie Hawn, Leonardo DiCaprio, Rosie O’Donell, Shirley Maclaine among others na sikat.

Kwento pa raw ni Regine, ang galing pa ring mag-concert ni Barbra at meron daw itong isang number na tinanggal ang shoes at umupo sa stage.

Anyway, nag-story conference na sina Regine and Piolo Pascual para sa gagawin nilang movie na may tentative title na Fallen at malamang mag-start ang shooting sa December 5 under the direction of Joyce Bernal.

Tama o mali, kagustuhan ni Regine ang nasusunod

People's Journal

by : Nel Alejandrino

Here’s one that’s straight from the horse’s mouth, wika nga. Sa isang article in Star Studio which Ronnie Henares wrote about former talent (of 13 years), Regine Velasquez, binanggit niyang the latter almost bagged the role of Miss Saigon (na napunta kay Lea Salonga), kung ginusto lang nito.

Talagang determined daw ang mga talent scout behind the Miss Saigon audition na ibigay kay Regine ang role. Lalo pa nga at narinig nila ang kapasidad nito bilang mang-aawit.

Ganunpaman, ayon kay Ronnie, from the start pa lang, hindi na interesado si Regine sa role. Palibhasa laking-probinsiya, obvious na ’di makita ni Regine ang sarili na gumaganap na isang bar girl, which is the role of the leading lady sa play.

Lalong ’di niya ma-imagine na may anak siya out of wedlock.

Lalo raw tumindi ang pag-ayaw ni Regine sa role nang sa isang eksena, dumamba si Miss Saigon sa bisig ng isang sundalo na ang tanging saplot ay underwear at T-shirt.

Did you know na para maiba ang desisyon ni Regine, dinala siya ng mga kinauukulan para manood ng nabanggit na play?

Pero ayon kay Ronnie, pagdating ni Regine ng Pilipinas, no pa rin ang naging sagot niya.

Sabi nga ng talent manager, noon pa man, right or wrong, ang kagustuhan pa rin niya ang pinaiiral ni Regine.

Which certainly worked naman in her favor.

Regine Velasquez, babaeng kaladkarin!

Rey Pumaloy
Abante

Matutuwa si Pops Fernandez kapag nalaman niyang hanggang ngayon ay ina-acknowledge pa rin ni Regine Velasquez ang naging partisipasyon niya (Pops) sa kanyang (Regine) career.

Discoverer ang tawag ni Regine kay Pops dahil ito raw ang naka-discover sa kanya at ito rin ang nagpakanta sa kanya sa Penthouse Live noon na ang host ay sina Pops at Martin Nievera.

Sabi ni Regine, malaki ang naitulong ni Pops sa kanyang singing career matapos siyang manalo sa Tanghalan ng Kampeon noon.

Kuwento pa ni Regine, baguhan pa lang siya noon at wala talagang pangalan nang yayain siya ni Pops at pakantahin sa nasabing programa. Doon din daw siya nakita ng kanyang unang manager na si Ronnie Henares.

Ayon pa rin kay Regine, si Pops at ang iba pang mga super-singers sa showbiz ang rason kung bakit siya tumutulong sa mga baguhang artist ngayon.

"Noong bagu-bago pa lang ako, nagkaroon na ako ng chance na makipag-duet kay Martin Nievera. Nung mag-concert si Gary V., isa ako sa mga guests niya.

"I’m so lucky and blessed dahil ang daming sumuporta sa akin noong bagu-bago pa lang ako. ‘Yung mga sumuporta sa akin nu’ng mga panahong iyon, hinding-hindi ko talaga makakalimutan.

"The reason why I want to help new artists, because of what these big names in the industry did to me when I’m just starting.

"Hindi ako nahirapan na makapasok sa industry dahil sa kanila, kaya gusto ko ring iparamdam iyon sa ibang mga baguhang artists," kuwento pa ni Regine.

‘Yun din daw ang dahilan kung bakit madalas siyang nakikitang guest sa show ng iba’t ibang baguhang singer.

"Isa akong kaladkaring babae! I don’t know, nag-i-enjoy akong mag-guest sa mga shows. I feel fulfilled kapag ganu’n.

"Dumating na ako sa point ng career at buhay ko na gusto ko namang tumulong in my own little way at mag-enjoy.

"At kapag nakikita kong may show ‘yung mga friends ko, natutuwa ako sa kanila," masaya niyang sabi.

Hindi naman kataka-taka kung bakit sa 20 years ni Regine sa industry ay marami ang nagmamahal sa kanya at umi-idolo dahil sa kanyang kakaibang malasakit sa industriya.

Siyanga pala, showing na sa October 11 ang Till I Met You, ang reunion movie nila ni Robin Padilla, na dinirek ni Mark Reyes para sa GMA Films at Viva Films.

Regine: I’m only human

Boy Abunda

Philstar

Is Twenty Regine Velasquez’s last major solo concert in Manila?

It’s an idea that has actually crossed the mind of Asia’s Songbird. Since 2000, Regine says that criticisms – most of them silly and baseless – scathed her to the point that she had to go into hiatus from doing solo shows.

"I’m not complaining, but I’m only human!" she says. "Even when I try so hard to please as many people as possible when I do shows, someone will always find something negative to say about anything, from why I wore this dress to why I chose to sing a particular song. Must everything be analyzed? And must I subject myself to nasty scrutiny year after year?" she asks.

Usually, Regine laughs these criticisms off except for some really unfair ones. An example is when a critic says she went flat or sharp on a note. Another is when people say a concert of hers did not do well commercially or she sings too much of her songs – or too little! "

The worst part is hearing these from people who don’t know how to sing, who did not even watch the show or who conveniently forgot what the concept of a show was in the first place!" She adds: "Once, someone wrote, ‘Why didn’t Regine sing this original hit song of hers in the show?’ Eh, hello, Songbird Sings Streisand nga kaya yung concept ng show! Besides, I can’t be singing Narito Ako all the time."

The Songbird wants people to know the hard work invested in each and every show she does. A Regine Velasquez show is always well-conceptualized; brought to life by the best people in the industry including Regine herself.

In Twenty, Regine will turn the Big Dome into a Roman Coliseum with a grand staircase built on stage that extends all the way to the upper box gallery. She, too, had a song about her beginnings especially written for her by her sister-manager, Cacai Velasquez and concert director (who also used to manage Regine) Ronnie Henares.

Another special song Regine will launch in Twenty is The Gift Inside of You, a commemorative song for the 2006 National Week For The Gifted where she is accompanied by Wyeth Progifted Kids. No less than six musical directors (Gerard Salonga, Mon Faustino, Mark Lopez, Louie Ocampo, Raul Mitra and Prof. Arturo Molina) were tapped to conduct the Manila Symphonic Orchestra II for some special pieces.

The Songbird will do almost all of her hits including a medley of duets she had done with Jose Mari Chan, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs, Paul Anka, David Hasselhoff and Jackie Cheung. Regine and her team have meticulously chosen the repertoire which was revised at least thrice.

Indeed, Twenty sounds like her biggest production to date. But will that shut critics up?

"It doesn’t matter," says she. "It’s my 20th year in the business and surely, there’s more than enough reason to celebrate. God has been so good to me, giving me things that, to this day, I still could not believe I have. I was just a girl who wanted to sing. This show is for those who have stood by that girl all these times; the ones who have always believed that Maria Encarnacion has what it takes to be a Songbird."

Asked to enumerate at least 20 of them, Regine rattled off names that extend way back, proving the Songbird is where she is now because she knows how to give credit to whom it is due. "Bert Marcelo, Pilita Corrales and Dominic Salustiano who was musical director of Bagong Kampeon, the TV singing contest where I was discovered," she says. "My nanay and tatay... Cacai… Ronnie and Ida Henares… Wilma Galvante and oh, Coca-Cola!" The beverage company?

"Yes. It was because of them that I was able to buy my first car," she explains. "Who else? Pops Fernandez who had me guest in Penthouse where Ronnie saw me… Bernardo Bernardo who got me to sing regularly in his BB Inn at West Avenue where Ronnie dropped by to watch me perform live… Boss Vic del Rosario… Janno Gibbs, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Ryan Cayabyab my best friend Grace Reyes, Channel 2, Channel 7 and so much more… and Ariel Rivera."

"I remember nuong naging kami, I couldn’t imagine life could be that happy. Sure, I got hurt but, as one of my songs goes, that only made me a stronger person," she says.

So will Twenty be her last major solo concert in Manila? "No," she says. "I owe so much more to people I love and who have believed in me. Besides, singing has been and will always be my life. I was born to sing so that’s what I’ll keep doing."

The girl who just wanted to sing is now an icon, a fighter, a survivor and a winner. The girl who just wanted to sing, at 20 years in the business, reigns supreme as the one and only Songbird. Long live the Queen of Songbirds!

Regine on heartaches and ‘20’

The Manila Times
Danny Vibas






Regine Velasquez celebrates her 20th year in show biz this October and November with a two-night concert on October 13 and 14 at the Araneta Coliseum and a much-awaited movie with Robin Padilla slated to be shown next month.

And how is the Songbird of Asia taking her 20th year in show biz as a singer, actress, TV host and concert and record producer?

Joyfully, gratefully, meditatively—and with some pains and hurts on the side.

To promote the movie and the concert, Regine met with the show-biz press twice last week and the huddles were only a few days apart from each other. The second press conference was held on Thursday, the afternoon that Typhoon Milenyo was ravaging Metro Manila. It was on those two occasions that she revealed her strength and vulnerabilities as she marks two fruitful decades in show business.

The first presscon was for the movie Till I Met You, a coproduction of GMA Films and Viva Films, which reunites her with Robin five years after they teamed up in Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.

Since Till I Met You is meant to be a romantic film with touches of comedy and drama, the scribes grilled Regine about the state of her heart—and even of her virginity.

She admitted she is in love—but not with Robin, she impishly stressed. Unfortunately (for us, nosy people) she didn’t want to reveal the guy’s name. Robin, in a separate huddle in the same event revealed that Regine has admitted to him the same, but Robin also kept mum about the guy’s identity.

After so much ribbing and hedging, Regine also revealed in an intimate huddle with the media that she had already given herself to her unnamed boyfriend. At one point, she gleefully declared: “You don’t have to worry about me, guys. I do have time for sex!”

Her revelation made it to the headlines of some tabloids. And at the Thursday afternoon press huddle for her Big Dome concert (which is simply titled 20), a broadsheet columnist asked her to reconfirm her statement.

And Regine declared: “Well, I am not 18 anymore. I think for my age, it’s even an embarrassment to admit that I lost my virginity only recently—and, happily it was to a guy I really care for and who, in turn, loves and respects me a lot!

“My being not 18 anymore is the reason I have been doing kissing scenes in my movies—though, happily, despite those kissing scenes, my movies have always been considered wholesome.”

Regine also confided how she terribly gets hurt by criticisms from strangers who may not know anything at all about performing or about looking good. She further admitted that she is affected even by mere hearsays about her performance, her choice of songs in a concert, or about her looks. She reacts to hardly identifiable bloggers in the Internet who find fault in her.

“I’ve been singing since I was five years old, so I can’t help but get hurt when I hear that some perfect stranger who probably can’t even carry a tune had commented that I was out of tune in some part of a song!

“It’s easier for me to take criticisms about my acting since I am really new to it compared to my experience as a singer. I can give up acting for months and years, which I’ve actually done, but not singing. I feel its what I do best, so I can’t help but get hurt when people talk about it as if I never had the right to sing and I had not proven anything as a singer,” she confided.

Regine asserted that as a singer, all that she really cares for is to please her audience. “It’s true what Ronnie [Henares, her ex-manager who will direct 20] said about my having changed my repertoire for the concert three times. And it’s all because in the first two line-ups, I included a lot of songs, which I thought were the people’s favorites, not necessarily mine.

“But afterward, I realized, in all my concerts in the past I sang what I felt were the peoples favorites. So, for the first time, let me sing songs that are my favorites and which had something to do with my career and with my life at one time or another.”

Regine actually began in show business as Chona Velasquez, the grand champion in the TV amateur singing contest Tanghalan ng Kampeon hosted by Pilita Corrales and the late comedian Bert Marcelo. Pilita was Regine’s first manager, followed by Ronnie Henares with whom she stayed for 13 years (before transforming her sister Cacai, a sometime singer herself, to become her manager).

It was Ronnie who had her show-biz name changed to Regine when he learned that her real name is Regina.

How the poor promdi girl Chona from Balagtas, Bulacan, became the sexy, sophisticated and wealthy Songbird of Asia is what 20 will be all about.

Songbird and Bad Boy reunited

By : Johanna Sampan

The Manila Times

3 October 2006 8:28 AM

Five years after their first film, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez and the Bad Boy of Philippine cinema Robin Padilla are back together in another romantic movie. This time around, however, Till I Met You, in cinemas on October 11, confronted the award-winning chanteuse and the action star with tougher acting sequences. Surprisingly, shooting had been a breeze, for Robin and Regine’s friendship had blossomed on the set. In this interview, the two share more about their lives, loves and acting experiences.

How is your working relationship now than when you did your first movie?

Regine Velasquez: We’re much closer now unlike before when we did Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw. I’m comfortable with him now. Every time the taping ends we’re always together chatting. I really had a great time working with him again.

Robin Padilla: We’re very happy when we are in and out of the set. Like she said, were always together and talking about our lives.

How can you compare the tandem that you have now than before?

RP: I had a hard time in the first movie because Regine was a snob back then. After taping, she would just disappear. Now, I can say that I know her much better. Every second of every minute of every hour we’re enjoying and laughing together.

RV: Same thing with me. In Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw there’s this shyness and awkwardness. He thought I was suplada (snob). Now I’m comfy with him. I shared many things to him. We got to know each other.

How do you compare the experience of doing a romantic film from an action movie?
RP: There’s a different rush when doing an action movie. In romantic movies, emotions are really needed. It’s fulfilling when you see the whole movie after doing it.

How different is Till I Met You from the other romantic movies that you did?

RP: The story is good. The location is also good. I’m with Eddie Garcia and the element and twists of the story are really interesting. It’s easy to do love story than action movies.

How is it working with direct Mark?

RP: He’s very professional and has many ideas. I want to work with him also in an action movie.
Was there a point that you almost fell for Regine?

RP: Yes! But I don’t think she wants someone (my type). When we talked about marriage, Regine wants to be the only one in her husband’s life. In Muslim tradition, we can marry more than one.

And why is that?

RV: Of course, who wouldn’t want it? I can’t go through a lot of pain. If I can prevent it, why not? I believe there’s someone out there for me. Just for me.

You remained unattached to anyone for so long. How come?

RV: That’s what you know. Seriously, I’m happy. Yes, I’m committed and yes, I’m in love.

We’re four years already and I’m just keeping it. One day, I will be happy to announce who the guy is.

And when will that be?

RV: After 10 years…

How does this special person make you happy?

RV: He balances everything for me. This person who I am with right now makes me happy. Yes, in a relationship there are sunny and rainy days and we all learn from that experience. It’s really nice to have somebody to share whatever success you have.

Why haven’t you introduced him to the public yet?

RV: Because of the rumors, I want to spare him from that. He is not used to it and I want privacy.

Is he Ogie Alcasid?

RV: Ogie is a good friend and he respects me but no, it’s not Ogie.

Regine just said that she’s already committed. What can you say about it?

RP: I’m happy for her. If she’s happy then I’m happy for her.

BF, figment of Regine’s imagination?

by : Mario E. Bautista
Journal Online

AT the presscon for ‘Till I Met You,’ a talkative Regine Velasquez was game and willing to answer all questions asked of her, including about her personal life. She admitted she’s no longer a virgin and that she has a secret boyfriend for four years.

Of course, she won’t reveal the guy’s identity, and this makes the writers present suspect that she’s just making him up to deflect from the rumor linking her to Ogie Alcasid. As one writer remarked: “Buti’t sobrang martir sa bait ang BF niya at pumayag na itago siya for four years. Baka naman figment of the imagination lang ‘yan.”

“I’m just really good at keeping a secret,” Regine adds. “Gusto ko kasi, sa akin na lang muna ito. I’m sure naman you’d understand me. One day, I’ll definitely reveal who the guy is and I hope you respect na lang us muna. Sa ngayon, all I can say is that this person is the one who’s making me happy and he’s making my life so colorful. Masarap naman talaga to have somebody to share whatever success you have and to share your life with, di ba? Basta, hindi na virgin ang lola n’yo. May experience na. Hanggang dito pa lang ang kaya kong sabihin ngayon. We’re very discreet and the little privacy that I have, I wanna treasure muna, okay?”

As of now, she’s busy promoting her movie, “Till I Met You”, to be shown on October 11, and her 20th anniversary concert, “Twenty”, at the Araneta Coliseum on October 13 & 14, with the Manila Symphony Orchestra II conducted by Arturo Molina. Her concert is sponsored by Wyeth’s Promil and her special guests are pro-gifted musicians Joseph Valdes (son of Luchi Cruz-Valdes), Jacob Sarreal, Christian Tan and Paulina and Pocholo Gutierrez. Together, they have recorded the commemorative song about nurturing the gift each child has, “The Gift Inside of You”, composed by Raul Mitra who’s the concert’s musical director.

“The concert is very special,” says Regine. “For the set, we’ll have a Roman coliseum built inside the big dome, with the center stage holding a grand staircase that leads to the upper box gallery. To highlight my love affair with the movies, I’ll sing a medley of hit movie themes with film clips from my films. I’m also co-directing this with my manager of 13 years, Ronnie Henares. I’ll be doing the duets I did with Jomari Chan, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Janno Gibbs and Paul Anka.”

Tickets to the once-in-a-lifetime show are available at all SM branches or Aria Productions at 926-7868.

‘Miss Saigon’ inisnab ni Regine

by : Gerry Ocampo

Journal Online

KUNG ang ibang Pinay singers ay atat na atat mapasama sa Miss Saigon, ibahin n’yo si Regine Velasquez, na kahit anong pilit ng agent dito sa ’Pinas na mag-audition sa Saigon, ’di interesado.

Pero dahil sa pagpupumilit ng manager, pinagbigyan din ng Songbird ang kahilingan ng agent na marinig ang boses sa isang pagtatagpo sa Manila Hotel.

Pasado ang boses ni Regine sa Saigon agent, pero ayaw pa ring gawin ni Regine ang papel na nagpasikat kay Lea Salonga sa abroad.

“Hindi ko talaga forte ang forte ni Lea. Pinadalhan nga nila ako ng kopya ng tape ng Miss Saigon para makita ko raw kung ano ang gagawin.

“Naka-underwear lang at naka-T-shirt ng GI habang nakayakap sa partner na Kano,” pahayag ni Regine sa presscon ng Till I Met You kamakailan.

“Sabi ko, ayaw ko. Hindi ko forte ang role. Sa iba na lang nila ipagkatiwala, kuntento na ako sa ginagawa ko ngayon. ’Di ko na kailangang lumabas sa Miss Saigon,” dagdag pa ng Songbird.

Going back sa Till I Met You movie nila ni Robin Padilla sa GMA Films, inamin ni Regine na ngayon pa lang niya nakikilala nang husto ang action star.

Nu’ng ginagawa raw nila ang naunang pelikulang Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, pagkatapos ng eksena, bigla na lang siyang nawawala dahil nahihiya.

Sa Till I Met You lang niya nakilala nang husto kung sino talaga si Robin. Kung pagbabasehan ang sweetness ng dalawa, walang dudang may relasyon na nga sila.

Pero itinanggi ito ni Regine, although handang maghintay si Robin sa matagalang panliligaw sa leading lady.

Hindi uso ang kasal kay Regine

by : Lito Mañago
Journal Online

HINDI raw dapat bigyan ng malisya kung bakit na-ging malapit o close si Re-gine Velasquez ngayon sa kanyang leading man sa Till I Met You na si Ro-bin Padilla na prinodyus naman ng Viva at GMA Films. Ayon kay Regine, maraming qualities si Ro-bin na katulad ng kanyang ‘secret papa.’

“Alam ninyo para si-yang si Robin. Pero, hindi siya ‘yung tipong bad boy. Very malambing. Gentleman. There’s so many qua-lities niya na he reminds me of him kaya naging close na close ako sa kanya nga-yon.

“Yun nga ‘yung gusto ko, jologs si Robin, eh. Pero, kapag nakipag-usap, ma-lalim ‘yung sinasabi. Ka-katuwa nga, eh,” tila kinikilig si Regine habang nag-kukuwento tungkol kay Robin. Is marriage in the of-fing?

“Probinsiyana ako. conservative ako in a way, pero to be honest, iba ang pananaw ko sa marriage. Sa akin, more than being married, more than the marriage itself, mas importante sa akin kung okay ka-mi.

“Kung talagang nagmamahalan kami. And we’re really meant to be together. If he asked me for a marriage, then I’ll be happy. If he doesn’t, okey lang din.

“Sa akin, hindi siya (kasal) ganu’n ka-importante sa ngayon. Unless, magkaanak ako, definitely, we’ll get married. Kawawa naman ang magiging baby ko,” sambit pa ng lea-ding lady ni Robin sa Till I Met You which is set to open on Oct. 11, a day bago ang major concert ni Regine sa Araneta Coliseum.

Regine’s virginity not a big deal

by : Bong De Leon

Jounal Online

REGINE Velasquez shocked some members of the movie press when she admitted: “I’m no longer a virgin and I have a non-showbiz boyfriend for four years now and I am happy.”

So, did it end speculations about her and singer-comedian Ogie Alcasid? No. Some doubting Thomases say it could be her way to quash the rumor once and for all, but the shock just came quick but less destructive than typhoon Milenyo.

It would not help her movie, “Till I Met You” with Robin Padilla, either. The movie shall speak for itself, as it is well-made. No need for elaborate press release, nor a love angle between Robin and Regine as we all know that GMA Films would not collaborate with Viva Films if they don’t have a good movie. Its director, Mark Reyes, has a good track record when it comes to quality, and moviegoers now know how to dissect them. In fact, the movie won’t be booked in about 150 theaters when it opens on October 11 if it is not a good one.

So what if Regine’s not a virgin anymore? She’s 30 something and that’s not a big deal. What matters to us is her talent and we love her for that.

What now, Regine Velasquez?

By Nestor Torre
Inquirer
Last updated 11:45pm (Mla time) 09/29/2006

IT’S BEEN some 20 years since Regine Velasquez launched her professional performing career. As a pretty newcomer and singing champion, she impressed audiences with her powerful voice and high notes.

At first, however, her image as a performer was a bit of a blur. Her mentors dressed her in outfits designed to make her look sophisticated and classy, but their “padded shoulder” look also made her resemble a female football linebacker.

Despite the visual kinks, Regine’s singing career rose steadily, and she soon tried her hand at something new for her -- movie acting. Alas, she did less well at her new sideline, because she didn’t photograph all that beautifully.

There was nothing wrong with her looks, the problem appeared to be with her eyes, which appeared to look a bit banlag (wall-eyed) on the silver screen.

So, after appearing in some teen flicks, Regine put her movie career on hold, and concentrated on singing and recording. With her wide range and powerful high register, she was a clear winner.

In time, however, Regine was criticized for her relentlessly birit (belting) style of singing. It was impressive, but also predictable, trying-hard and artistically limiting.

Her defenders argued that Regine was simply giving her audience what it wanted -- vocal pyrotechnics. It’s true: Pinoy listeners do delight in being blown away by a singer’s powerful high notes, and if their eardrums aren’t given an aural rinsing in this wise, they’re disappointed.

Unfortunately, there’s little that’s artistic about constant belting, so Regine’s growth as a performing artist suffered. Only much later did she heed cautionary comments about her performance, and opt for greater variety and subtlety in her singing.

She also re-launched her acting career -- and, this time, she was much more successful. Now that she was older, perfect looks were no longer absolutely required, so Regine clicked by playing kooky characters in a series of dizzy and ditzy romantic comedies.

Here again, however, she was criticized for being too kneejerk-kooky, so the effect of her performance was strained and -- that word again -- trying-hard.

Despite the brickbats, however, there’s no denying that, two decades after she launched her professional career, Regine is at the top of her game. She has many concerts, hit albums, performance tours abroad, TV shows, movies -- why, she’s a veritable one-woman entertainment conglomerate!

Now that she’s marking a major landmark, however, Regine could reevaluate her career thus far, and opt to plan it better, to meet the exigencies and realities of the next 10 or 20 years.

For starters, she could worry about her look as a performer and TV host these days, which she’s been trying to jazz and sex up with revealing outfits. Yes, if you’ve been around for a while, you’ve got to keep surprising your public -- but, the operative word is surprising, not shocking your audience.

Regine also needs to face up to rumors about her controversial love life. Whether the rumors are true or not, they tend to confound the younger members of her audience, so some clarification -- as in clearing away the debris -- is decidedly in order.

In terms of artistry, Regine could try much harder to use her popularity, not just to give her fans what they want, but also to open up new musical horizons for them, and to develop herself more determinedly as a performing artist.

She should also look for newer musical fields to conquer abroad -- not the usual Fil-Am audience, but a truly international one. That’ll take a lot of doing, but with her talent and experience, she could pull it off.

Finally, in the movies, Regine should play more age-appropriate roles, and do away with the artificially daft and ditzy acting shticks that some of her injudicious directors have foisted on her.

If she finally presents herself onscreen as her own person, Regine’s fans could love her all the more for it!

Si Regine, may mystery lover?

igma.tv
Sept. 29, 2006

Tila mukhang inspired daw ngayon si Regine Velasquez. Bukod kasi sa ice-celebrate na niya ang ika-20th year showbiz anniversary sa Oktubre, may mystery lover daw ang songbird.

Ganado si Regine sa pag-awit. Halatang inspirado. Inamin niya sa press conference nina Robin Padilla na Til I Met You na meron silang non-showbiz boyfriend at apat na taon na sila. Pero ayaw magsalita ang Songbird tungkol sa mysteryoso niyang nobyo.

Ayon kay Regine, “It’s better not to talk about him kasi.. all these years naman, hindi ko sinasabi… hayaan niyo, one day, sasabihin ko rin.”

Naging malaking issue naman ang binitawang sagot ni Regine sa press na hindi na siya virgin. Pero ayon sa Songbird, wala siyang dapat ipangamba.

“Walang issue yan. Total naman, sinabi ko yan,” sabi ni Regine.

Super Regine says . . .

Inquirer
Last updated 07:39pm (Mla time) 09/29/2006

THE THING about fame is that... you have no privacy.

The thing I love most about what I do is... it gives pleasure to a lot of people.

People might be surprised to know that... I can’t live without patis.

The most important thing I’ve ever learned is that... money can’t buy everything.

The worst thing that ever happened to me was that... Nothing. I consider everything that happened to me as a blessing.

And what taught this to me was... hardwork pays off.

My best ever outfit consisted of... anything plus my favorite Abercrombie and Fitch jeans.

My Super! Saturday night consists of... a bucket of popcorn, ice cold water and “Pretty Woman.”

The soundtrack to my life would include... songbird

If I was invisible for a day, I would... go to every mall in Manila and shop till I drop.

The thing that makes me most angry is... I hardly get annoyed, but when I do, it’s because something promised to me wasn’t fullfilled.

If I was the most powerful person on earth... I would feed and clothe every street kid in the world.

The best thing about family is that... they’re the most loyal and supportive people you can have.

When I’m gone, they’ll probably say... (hopefully) I was a great performer that brought happiness to people.

If money was no option... I would bring my family to a trip around the world.

When I retire, I would like... to become a makeup artist

The world would be a much better place if... people learn to accept each other for who they are.

My hero is... my mom and dad

The thing that makes my life worth living is... my family

My greatest hope for the future is... better economy for the country

The worst thing somebody said about me was... that I was adopted

My favorite moments are... my every Sunday get-together with my family and pamangkins

My most embarrassing moment was when... my half-slip fell during one of my amateur competitions

I’m saving up for... my house

My biggest indulgence is... shoes and bags

My current state of mind is... Excited for my upcoming concert and movie

If someone would play me in my biopic it would be... either of my two closest friends in the industry: Pops or Jaya

I aspire to be... a successful record producer

The Regine revolution

By Tim Yap
Inquirer
Last updated 07:39pm (Mla time) 09/29/2006

1986 WAS a year of revolutions. It was the year when our people kicked out a dictatorship that stifled our freedom. It was the year the first lady president stepped into power. And it was the year when the Filipino people heard the powerful voice of Regine Velasquez.

Twenty years after the serenade, the courtship has not waned. This chanteuse is a part of the Pinoy singing subconscious. Her songs are perennial karaoke favorites and singing contest staples. Ask any tilt contender who they look up to and chances are, they are influenced by the ever-evolving Cher of the Philippines.

Her beginnings as undisputed Bagong Kampeon winner were stuff of legend. Her vocalization technique, a neck-deep immersion in the rivers of Bulacan have reached myth status. Her vocal range, decibels higher than heaven, is a test of infinity.

So infinite is this vocal spectrum that it becomes the climax of every performance. And her audience awaits every climax, eagerly anticipating the fireworks coming from the depths of her lungs.

Her own woman

She had arrived at the shoot 30 minutes earlier than everyone. Famous for her knack of not needing any makeup artist, she walks into the North Forbes mansion where the shoot was going to be held with her trademark concealer-heavy look, ready for her closeup to be shot by photographer Steve Tirona.

We had a different idea for this shoot though, and after clearing things up with her management, we proceeded to have the Shu Uemura husband and wife hair and makeup tandem of Ricky and Claire Diokno do their Super! Regine makeover.

Out came the cotton candy Marie Antoinette wig, Angelo Villanueva corsets, net stockings and Tessa Prieto-Valdes ballgowns as styled by Bora goddess Freida Dario. The team worked quietly. Every now and then she would still take the makeup brushes and efficiently apply it her way. There was this hushed reverence on the set while Regine was being primped, only to be broken when Regine looked at the mirror, smiled and said, "I look like a drag queen." A nervous chuckle signaled the start of the photo shoot.

In between takes, we talked in depth about anything and everything from her Louie Mamengo long gown phase to her supposedly turning down the role of Kim in Miss Saigon. "I didn’t want to live in London on my own. I was young and still very much attached to my family."

Industry bull

When she warmed up she was really engaging, exuding the down-to-earth quality of someone who has worked all her life to get to and to stay where she’s at now. I somehow sensed a certain physical tiredness, like she had enough of some things in the industry where she grew up.
"People bull sh*t too much," she said.

After two decades, this girl knows what she wants and gets it. "I just want to continue working. Madami kaming ganito. We are not eaten up by the system."

She gets irked easily when nosy tabloid press members bombard her with questions regarding her love life and her supposed dates with her surgeon. "I just want to keep private what very little private life I have."

Throughout our Super! conversation, she exuded the inner strength of a woman who has had her fair share of battles. Her fighting spirit was of a warrior ready for war... anytime.

Growth as an artist

"I started singing what the record company wanted me to sing. And then I got old," she said, recalling her early years in the industry. Her self-deprecating puns endear her to her mass audiences. And even in her concerts at high-end venues, she never fails to show that side of her--the probinsyana who got lucky, the underdog who has done well. Visions of her winning the Asia Pacific Singing Contest and her dad Mang Gerry and former manager Ronnie Henares slide into the 20-year-old photo album.

"I’ve become very much involved in all aspects of producing my albums. I still like to experiment with my music style, work with various artists and composers." When talk shifted to her critics, she revealed a more vulnerable side. Suppressing what I thought were tears, she changed the topic of agitation and said, "I get upset when people criticize my singing. It’s been 20 years since I started at kung hindi ka naman si Whitney Houston, eh ano ang karapatan mo na pintasan ako? Sila kaya ang pakantahin ko dyan."

Throughout the shoot, she owned every frame she entered. She played shy, vamped it up, exuded rage and flirted with the camera with a chameleon-like quality that echoed her various style evolutions. She was one of the few who could get away with changing her look every season, or every time she felt like it. There was even a time she felt like performing barefoot, so off went the shoes.

These days though, the songbird who sings about the Philippines confesses to a designer shoe fetish. "These days, I’m crazy about my shoes. You should see my collection."

Her own title

What she’s not crazy about are labels--Concert Queen, Box Office Queen, Songbird, Maya Bird, etc. "I’m actually not comfortable with titles--I don’t like the pressure."

She glances at her makeup once again, retouches on her own, and declares proudly. "I’m still very much a probinsyana. I still go to Bulacan every day."

For somebody who has followed her career for the past two decades, I finally had the chance to see the soul behind the songs.

She is more than just the undisputed Bagong Kampeon. She is more than just Asia’s Songbird.
She is Regine Velasquez. And that’s good enough for her.