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by Jojo P. Panaligan
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Date Posted: 03:14:42 11/11/05 Fri
Author Host/IP: 203.131.80.242
Regine Velasquez Gives Nods to Influences in ‘Reflections’
by Jojo P. Panaligan
People who now see Songbird Regine Velasquez as stuck in Mariah Carey-mode
will be reminded of how expansive her influences are in ‘Reflections’ at
Aliw Theater that runs until December.
Announced without funfare as ‘Chona Velasquez’ (her real name), the show
kicked off with Hannah Mitra and Kim Flores as Regine, the child and teen
singing sensation, respectively, who was honed in several small time stints
prior to discovery. "Enough is Enough" and "Fame," with their strong
statements on breaking away and making a name for oneself, set the tone for
the show that affirms the dues the Songbird paid musically to get to where
she is now.
Next was tribute medley to her earliest influences, Angela Boffil and
Sheena Easton. Here, we get a taste of Regine minus R&B styling. Sung
simply yet still with unwavering powerful voice, it proves that genre or
technique are just aids she uses lately to challenge herself vocally and to
keep up with trends. Even bereft of both, Regine has pipes that spellbinds.
Ditto with the Sharon Cuneta medley, all movies of whom Regine professes to
have watched "because I’m a big fan of Sharon and Gabby love team." No
birit in sight, and far from sophisticated arrangement, people still gave
hearty applause.
Regine then jumps to her recent original hit songs. Rendered with guest
Jonalyn Viray, she gave a spattering of "Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw," "You Made Me
Stronger" and "Dadalhin." The thing with Regine is that her shows can never
be spoiled or preempted just by knowledge of the repertoire. These songs
were expected yet actually hearing her do these, creates the same
excitement as if it’s the first time.
The first real surprise in the repertoire is the Songbird’s hats off to the
last girl band era. In the Spice Girl medley, people see that she has a
strong pulse on what mainstream is into and that she is not at all
squeamish in embracing stuff most would deem unfit or, shall we say, subpar
for her to do. With "Holler," "Wannabe," and "Who Do You Think You Are,"
she gets away with frivolity by imbuing these with the gusto of a teenager.
And she raps—"in Pepsi Herrera gown, no less!"
Sobering up, Regine moves on to Kuh Ledesma songs; again, another
unexpected twist. Though she could’ve done more of the pop songs of the
latter, Regine opted for ones with cinematic feel, heavy Tagalog lyrics and
complicated melodic lines that necessitated mature emotional attack.
The ‘covert’ highlight of "Reflections" is Regine’s take on Anita Baker’s
"Just Because;" a breezy ditty belied by difficult series of vocal
acrobatics. Here, we finally understand why Regine sings the way she does
now. "I’ve always wanted to have a bigger voice," she confesses.
Thus, the predilection for R&B singing that’s predisposed to earthy voices.
Think Whitney Houston. And, yes, Mariah Carey.
For comic relief, Regine gave way to Ai Ai de las Alas who was hilarious in
depicting the former years from now. People lapped up the antics and
oneliners of the Comedy Queen who attempted some real singing whenever she
can. Uninhibited and thoroughly spontaneous, Ai Ai was crazy — and we mean
that in the best way.
Regine ends with showstoppers that climax one after the other. In her takes
on Whitney and Mariah songs, she went straight to vocal highlights; giving
one-two punches leading to the knock-out number, "Reflections." Originally
done by Christina Aguilera for the movie "Mulan," Regine outdid herself by
moving the key one notch higher in the end, thus, blowing the high notes
right out into the universe. Standing ovation followed.
For encores, the Songbird did a medley of dance tunes by female singing
icons from the '80s as "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "Lucky Star," "Gloria,"
among others. Had the crowd called out for more, we suspect that Regine
would’ve brought out a song by Barbra Streisand — the only diva Regine did
not acknowledge musically that night, yet one who has shaped her singing
style immensely.
If "Reflections" aimed to channel the stages of maturity the Songbird has
undergone via musical heroines, then Regine Velasquez definitely succeeds.
Here, she opens the blue print of how to become a singing icon. As usual,
copycats take note.
Manila Bulletin, Nov. 8, 2005
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