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mmJun- Interesting article by Manila Bulletin
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Date Posted: 06:25:27 10/24/05 Mon
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Celebrity World /Crispina Belen
( manila bulletin )
Regine Velasquez owes BIR R20 million?
Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez has reportedly paid more than R7-million to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), but still the case of tax evasion against her has not been lifted. The government’s tax collecting agency has reportedly pegged Regine’s tax accountability as totaling R20-million,and this she can settle only in a year’s time. We were told the singer/actress is still negotiating for something lower, like R10-million, payable within a year. We don’t know if the BIR has acceded to this. Regine is just one of the showbiz personalities who’ve been charged by the BIR and the Department of Justice (DoJ) for tax evasion. The others include Richard Gomez and Judy Ann Santos.
By the way, did you know how Regine trained to achieve her belting prowess? Through intensive and disicplined training by her father, known to all as Mang Gerry who like his wife was also a singer.
An integral part of that training was submerging Regine neck-deep in the sea while she vocalized and sang everyday. This was to strengthen and give power to her lungs. Her voice training under her father took five years. When she was 10, Mang Gerry brought his family back to Manila.
Mang Gerry hails from Tondo, Manila and it was here that Regine and siblings were born. When she was five, the family relocated to Leyte where Regine’s mom came from.
Anyway, Regine will be reflecting on her life, her music and career in her concert series to be staged at the Aliw Theater. Entitled "Reflections," which she herself will direct. it is slated on Nov. 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 and Dec. 9 and 10.
In "Reflections," the songbird will be interpreting songs that meant so much to her in her almost two-decade career and also in her personal life.
"These songs talk about my dreams, my aspirations, even my headaches," Regine said. These songs are all-time favorites from acclaimed divas - Barbra Streisand, Angela Bofill, Sheena Easton, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and our very own Kuh Ledesma, and Sharon Cuneta.
She was greatly influenced by Streisand, Regine said. The first time she saw Barbra she was singing "Evergreen" which later became Regine’s favorite Streisand song. "Natatandaan ko, sa TV pa ng kapitbahay ko pinanood ‘yon, kasi nga wala kaming TV noon araw," she laughed.
Among the local song artists, it was Kuh Ledesma who was a big influence for The Songbird. "When I started, Kuh was already a big star. I remember her ‘Ako ay Pilipino’ album, when I bought it, I would play it all the time. Instantly, I became her fan. At memoryado ko lahat ang kanta ‘dun, Side A and Side B!"
In her "Reflections" concert series, she’s singing these diva’s songs and according to her "I think I am ready to attack their songs, vocally and even emotionally," Regine added. A belter of the first order, she is a singer always in full control of her vocal instrument. Emotionally, Regine has indeed grown to be a very seasoned chanteuse that when you hear her sing, you listen to someone "who has weathered the storms of his life with grit and grace."
As the director of "Reflections," Regine promises: "I’ll certainly pull out all the stops for this new show. It may be a smaller venue but that won’t stop me and the production staff from giving our audience an A-list show!"
Regine’s special guests in the show are Comedy Concert Queen Ai Ai de las Alas and Jonalyn Viray. Also featured are Kim Flores and Wyeth’s Gifted Kids: saxophonist Jacob Sarreal; violinists Joseph Valdes and Paulina Gutierrez; and classical cellist Pocholo Gutierrez.
With Raul Mitra as musical director, "Reflections" is produced by Aria Productions, in cooperation with GMA Kapudo and is co-presented by Promil Kid and Bench. Major sponsors are Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Power House Communications, Belo Medical Group and Philippine Star.
Minor sponsors are Don Henrico’s, 91.5 Energy FM, 105.1 Crossover, 99.5 RT, 101 .1 Yes FM, 95.5 DWDM, 96.3 WRock, 94.7 Mellow Touch, rj100 and Hype fragrances and body essentials.
Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets and all SM Shoemart branches.
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