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Regine, director By Leah Salterio-Gatdula PDI. 1994

She's not just performing this time. She's also directing her show. "For the first time in my entire concert career, I became involved in my show, from the concept to the choice of songs, guests (Dessa and Jungee Marcelo) and dancers (Hotlegs)," says Regine whose concert series, "Regine Animated," is going on at Music Museum. "Even the back-up singers (Aperitif), ako ang pumili. I also helped in writing the spiels. Most of the ideas really came from me and I'm really thrilled dahil ako talaga ang nasunod for my own show. This time, no one told me what to do. I am the one who told them what I wanted to do." Regine is doing the six-night Music Museum gig (with remaining performances tonight, to morrow night and on Dec. 15, 16, 17) in lieu of a major concert, an event anticipated by many of her fans every year. "I was really se to do a big show, kaya lang, I was often out of the country so I didn't have the time to really sit down and plan about it," says Regine. "Compared to a major concert, this series is more relaxed and more candid. But it's more demanding because I am performing for three consecutive nights in a week. Ngayon ko lang ginawa ang ganitong klaseng performance schedule." For her guest in "Animated," Regine has chosen Dessa, with whom she is sharing the stage for the first time. So with the two belters onstage (duetting in "His Eyes Are on the Sparrow,"), the audience can surely expect a showdown of vocal histrionics. But Regine points out she and Dessa are not out to upstage each other. "This is not a showdown in any way, since I believe that our singing styles complement each other. I think our voices will sound good together," maintains Regine. Regine will also perform with rapper Jungee Marcelo. "Bilib ako sa kanya. He has worked with Gary and has written some of his songs. So when I told the production people I wanted a rapper for the show, I readily gave Jungee's name," says Regine. Her repertoire consists mostly of songs from the '80s which are given a '90s sound. "When we were doing the lineup, I suggested a number of songs to my musical director (Jimmy Antriporda) and to my manager (Ronnie Henares), " Regine shares. "We decided to concentrate more on the '80s because that's really my era. Most of the songs I'm going to perform are pieces which I've never done before. Ako talaga ang nag-decide ng final lineup." For the latter half of the year Regine has been busy with several trips abroad. She has gone to Taiwan and Thailand to promote her "Listen Without Prejudice" album (under PolyGram Far East), which has taken the Asian music market by storm. The pop outing contains the hit duet "In Live With You," which Regine recorded in Hong Kong with Chinese pop superstar Jacky Cheung. Last month, Regine also did a three-city performance tour in the US (Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York), with Ariel Rivera. But for this Bulakena lass who has carved her niche in the local music scene, there's no other more fitting way to end the year than with a solo concert, which also serves as a Christmas treat to her fans.

Regine and Dessa's first By Eliza J. Gotico Manila Bulletin. Fri., Dec. 2, 1994

Having already established a niche in the Philippine highly competitive music industry, Regine Velasquez will open another package full of surprises this Christmas season with a concert entitled, "Regine Animated" at the Music Museum. Slated on Dec. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17 it is expected to be a tour-de-force performance having one of the country's powerful belter - Dessa as a special guest in the show. Yes folks! Dessa - that wisp of girl whose voice seems to soar from the depths of her soul will once more prove that she is indeed a talent to reckon with. Things started to happen for her, after her victory at the Voice of Asia contest in Kazakhastan last year. She began recording her second album entitled "Gonna Make Your Day Tonight" which is now out in the market. On Regine's chance to work with Dessa for the first time, Regine says that she's impressed with Dessa's talent and that she is a good friend. "I think our voices will sound good together. This will now be a showdown in anyway since I believe that our singing styles will complement each other. I also somehow see myself in her when I was just starting," she remarked. Today, Regine's busier than ever. Aside from making the rounds of radio stations, TV shows and mall tours, she is busy promoting her new album entitled "Listen Without Prejudice," a first of its kind having been released all over Asia. However, Regine maintains up to this time a shy and simple personality after all the performances she has carried out with much aplomb these past eight years.

Regine, Naturally by Rai Bihis Woman's Home Companion, November 23, 1994

I have an appointment for an interview this afternoon. I still have to try on my dresses tonight's show. And I still have to test the sound equipment. Busy, busy, busy. Time seems to runs so fast. I hate being late. Recordings, concerts, TV appearances, tapings...a maddeningly hectic schedule. But I don't lose my direction. I go about things with a big smile. I feel terrible when I'm bitchy.

I follow a very simple rule: I just want to be peaceful and happy, and make others happy; I go along with the wind-harmony more than opposition. I don't trust people too easily, but I am deeply loyal to my friends. I also believe that one ought to be polite, even to one's enemies. Making yourself happy is done by pouring out your soul, your efforts. That is why I'm trying very hard to open up, mingle more with people. I know that I can't live in a box forever. For me to know people, they also have to know me; so I must share myself.

So when I perform, I make sure I give 100% effort, 110% if possible. I owe it to myself t be the best that I can be; to my family who has led me to where I am now; most especially to my fans who deserve nothing less than the best.

When I sing, it is very hard for people to believe that it is really I singing. They cannot believe how such a lean, petite frame can yield so much power, so much energy. They can't believe my age either. I'm told that I'm too young to be true. It comes as naturally as my instincts; I simply want to sing. I just think of all the bursting joy in my heart that I want to share with people, from the thoughts of my family and my home that is ever so close in my heart. Those beautiful thoughts lead me back to my early childhood days when my father used to bring me to the sea each day to sing with the raging waves and the powerful wind. My family thought ahead; and they have supported me throughout. My hone in Tabang, Bulacan is always fresh in my mind. My memories never allow me to forget who I am. I am Regine Velasquez. Not quite a long way from wanting to help out my family though the amateur contests I joined in as a kid and a young teenager. Bagong Kampeon was the last one; Penthouse Live gave me my first appearance. And I won my first international award at the Asia Pacific Songfest in 1989. Primeline, Inc. has launched me as a professional singer since then.

I could not believe my ears when I heard my first recording; nor my eyes when I saw pictures in publicity materials. I have always wanted to sing; and I was just so overwhelmed, and thankful for the breaks I got. I know that there are so many talented artists, so many talented Filipinos. However, only a few are given a break. I am so lucky; I prayed and God replied with answers greater than I imagined.

Indeed, I am enjoying showbiz life; it's such fun. It's just that I feel uncomfortable with the recognition factor. I guess fame has not gotten into my head -- and I don't think it will. That's why I don't want to be segregated from the public the way superstars ought to be; I'd like to have a normal life outside of showbiz work. I feel flattered when fans approach me; but just like anybody else, I also want to go out with my family and friends, without having to attend to other matters. Sometimes, I need to be on my own, to have my own privacy.

I am not perfect, I also make mistakes. When I have concerts, my shoes somehow keep on slipping high in the air to the cheers of the welcoming crowd.

I'd like to believe that I am now established in showbiz so somehow, I must really be talented. But the better, and harder, part of show business is the fact that I constantly have to learn a lot of things. I try to sing different types music and keep using alternative styles. I can't be stagnant; I have to grown and find out what more I can do, what more I can share. I try not to make the changes drastic, but I make sure that I improve one way or another. One day, I will come up with a style that's my very own, a Regine Velasquez original innovation.

Showbiz, you see, is exciting but fast-paced. If you don't leave room for improvement, you become obsolete. There are some constant factors brought about by tradition, but the rest changes whether you like it or not.

Success comes with change. Success comes with timing. Each man has his own time; changes and improvements will have to be done in accordance with the proper time. Until such time when all things pass and the natural process of fading occurs. Fading, mind you, is not a failure at all. It's another phase of change, of moving to another stage, to another area. It's the next chapter of this exhilarating novel that is life.

I know I won't be around forever. So when the time comes for me to step down, I wish to do it gracefully. Others need a break, too.

One must be carefully successful even in ascending and descending from the throne. That is why it is important to keep oneself together, not to let success and fame get into one's head. Don't give up either. Those are two of the points where failure begins. And failure eats you up chunk by chunk without your even knowing it. I should know, I've felt it so many times, although I've never really been able to exactly define failure is. Trials and misfortunes may make us, to teach us to swim and struggle. failure is when you give in. You have to keep moving on. As long as you're alive, hope is there. There's always another chance to change; learn from your mistakes. You'd better be dead if you lose hope or stop trying or refuse to learn from your mistakes.

This is why even if I am given the power to change anything in the world. I'd still want to go through the same experiences all over again just to be where I am now, to be who I am now.

I still want to be the same Regine Velasquez who feels somewhat starstruck or excited when I get a chance to perform with or meet my idols (especially Gary V., Martin Nievera and Janno Gibbs).

I still want to be the same Regine Velasquez with a handwriting like possess my seven demons.

I still want to be the all-natural Regine who admits it when she's wrong, then really apologizes to the people concerned.

Five or ten years from now, I hope that I'll still be singing, that I can establish myself in the whole Asian region. Or start a business of my own. I also would like to have more time for myself. I hope to be married, too; but I don't know how I'll do that just now because I am interested in my career at the moment more than anything else.

Speaking of marriage, before I settle down, I've already thought about my Prince Charming. First, we must have chemistry; more importantly, the man must be my very good friend (couples ought to be good friends, too , so they can understand each other easily), trusty, and dependable, someone loyal and devoted, someone who'll defend me and be proud of me, rather that be jealous.

Hopefully, he'll look like Mel Gibson. Yep, just like everyone else, I also get excited when I see my crushes. I'm also afraid of certain things at times. I'm as human as everyone else, stage glamour or not. And I'll always be Regine Velasquez...naturally.