Asia’s Songbird Sings

Asia’s Songbird, our very own Kapuso Miss Regine Velasquez, has a voice like no other. She is known the world over for hitting those high notes. In her latest concert series entitled “Reflections,” she will be joined by Ai Ai delas Alas, Kim Flores , Jonalyn Viray, and the Wyeth Gifted Kids namely saxophonist Jacob Sarreal, violinists Joseph Valdes and Paulina, and classical cellist Pocholo Gutierrez. The program will include songs that mark touchstone moments in her life’s path to stardom and fortune. And what a road it has been! Text by Yvette U. Tan. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. She spent time with Ricky Lo of Showbiz Stripped to talk about the past as well as the future. Regine grew up poor. Her parents made the best they could with what they had but it was not always an easy life. However, as she puts it, “We were happy. My parents made sure that we ate on time and that was enough for me.” She credits both her parents for that. Her father, who also managed her career, worked for a construction site while her mom became adept at stretching a budget. She doesn’t have to worry about any of that anymore. Aside from being one of the most loved singers in the country, Regine is also a favorite celebrity endorser. And now it is her turn to provide and care for her family. But even with all the modern trappings of her new lifestyle, Regine continues to remain a country girl at heart. Just how probinsyana is she? Well, she lived in Quezon City for a spell but has since moved back to her home province of Bulacan. If Regine didn’t have a serious love for singing, her life may have turned out a different way. As fate would have it, her talent showed early. She was about only three years old when she started to realize na marunong siyang kumanta. “The first song that I memorized was Buhat (by Rico J. Puno). It was my dad who taught me that song. As I grew older I began joining amateur contests. I must have joined more than 300 before I got to where I am now.” Her last contest was Ang Bagong Kampeon where she took the grand prize by singing the ballad “In Your Eyes.” The now role model for hordes of aspiring young singers looks up to Kuh Ledesma, Joey Albert, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. In fact, it was Martin’s then-wife Pops Fernandez that first saw Regine during mall shows and recognized her talent. This led to a guest spot on Pops’ show “Penthouse” where Ronnie Henares spotted Regine’s amazing vocals and asked to become her manager. Asia’s Songbird might not have led a charmed life but she is definitely making up for it now. She has numerous international and local awards, the accolades of thousands of fans, hit albums and an upcoming concert series. Would it be too much to ask if there is anything more that she could ask for? According to Regine, there isn’t much. “Everything that I’ve dreamed of has come true. And more! I’ve been able to travel all over and for me, bonus na ‘yon. I travel for free and get paid for performing at the same time.” She even gets to bring siblings or her parents when she travels. Lucky girl. But what about love? It’s been a decade since Regine’s last highly-publicized romance with Ariel Rivera, now Gelli de Belen’s husband. In those ten years, Regine has kept quite mum about her love life. To the point where people must wonder if she has a love life at all. Inamin ni Regine “I’m not looking; I’ll just wait for whoever he is. I don’t think it’s time for me to settle down. I still want to enjoy myself. I still want to do many other things, so that when I finally settle down, I won’t say, ‘Sayang, I should have done this, done that’." With her powerful vocals, unbending ambition and professionalism, we feel that it is safe to that there is very little that Regine won’t be able to do.