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by Boy Abunda surprisingly..
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Date Posted: 22:20:17 05/08/03 Thu
Author Host/IP: NoHost/66.198.148.214
(Note: Now that Regine said she'll do a show with
Ariel all of a sudden Boy Abunda writes an article
again. But its appreciated regardless..)
(note2: This Papa article came from the time he escorted
his ware to Regine's house many years ago. The only time
he took to get to really know Regine's father.)
Regine Always a Big Thrill
by Boy Abunda
Believe it or not, Asias Songbird Regine Velasquez still gets nervous
before a major public performance, even after having conquered audiences
here and abroad, throughout her stellar 17-year showbiz career.
Although she has filled up such venues as the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao and
Carnegie Hall in New York City, she still feels like a fledgling newcomer
each time she goes onstage. Every time is like the first time for Regine.
"Its always exciting," says enthusiastically. "Always a thrill."
But before the pleasure comes the pain, she candidly admits.
"Once I am onstage, I am excited, but the preparation for each concert
kills me," she owns up. "Like with this big show with Martin Nievera at the
Araneta Coliseum, I am so tense!"
You read it right Regine still gets butterflies in her tummy right before
a concert.
"People think its so easy," she says. "Believe me, the preparation can be
so difficult." Its so stressful that she admits not just losing sleep, but
also a few strands of her shiny tresses.
"Because of stress," she admits. "Or I get rashes all over my body. Or I
dont eat properly. Or I get mad easily. I get so harassed!"
Especially since her latest show is the summer seasons hottest ticket. The
Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera 2003 World Tour goes on live at the
Araneta Coliseum tonight and tomorrow night.
These pre-show jitters could only mean that the lure and frenzy of the
concert stage, of singing live in front of an audience would always be an
enduring passion for her.
"I guess, its also part of the excitement," she points out. "When the time
comes that I no longer get nervous, when everything comes easy, then that
would mean that I would not feel excited about my work na. I would probably
stop singing na."
That would be the end of it, she confirms.
"Parang whats the point?" Regine argues. "You dont even want to be better
than your last performance. How boring no?"
Seems like that will never happen in the far-off future because Regine
remains just as fervent, just as passionate as that time she first wandered
into the spotlight as a Bagong Kampeon winner 17 years ago.
Regine recalls that her first talent fee as a pro was a meager P300 for
three sets every night, three nights a week.
"Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," she looks back. "I used to sing in
restaurants like Demarcos, B-Bs. Mga ihaw-ihaw in Baliuag and Malolos,
Bulacan."
(Thats why her recent concert in Bulacan was a "nostalgic homecoming" for
the Songbird.)
Whenever her kababayan in Bulacan tell her that they used to watch her
shows in Demarcos, Regine feels ecstatic.
"Im so happy that until now they still watch me," she chimes in. "That
only means that they are really following my career. That they really grew
up with me."
Thats exactly why she never tires of coming up with new ideas, new
concepts to keep her loyal, longtime fans riveted all these years.
"Thats why I try to be creative, in terms of my career, my look," she
explains. "Its important to keep reinventing yourself. Before it was just
by accident. In the past, when I cut my hair or changed my wardrobe, people
thought I was changing my image. Then, I realized that it was a good thing."
Regine expounds on the Gospel of Reinvention. She insists that reinvention
goes deeper than just ones sense of style and fashion.
"I also try to expand my repertoire," she expounds. "Or alter my sound a
bit. I introduce these changes slowly. Its not so radical that you would
alienate your old followers. But its big enough to keep them interested,
to keep them excited. In a way, its like theyre growing up with me. I
just want to let them know what stage I am now on."
After 17 triumphant years in show business, Regine exclaims that she has
learned and changed a lot, but the essential Regine has remained the same.
"As an artist, Ive changed a lot," she relates. "I am more confident, both
as a performer and as a person. I am more at ease with myself, with my own
skin. Id also like to think that I am more knowledgeable about my career,
about life. My experiences have taught me a lot."
But after all has been said and done, the seasoned Songbird is still the
same old Chona, the small-town lass who stunned the big city with her vocal
prowess.
"When people ask me to describe my real personality, I always say the same
thing," Regine remarks. "That I am plain. I am simple. At home, I wear an
old duster and rubber slippers. I eat with my hands. I still like to go out
with my family, with my siblings. Theyre my barkada. Im still child-like
in so many ways."
Proof of this is the most important lesson she has acquired in the business
of show.
"A lot of stars would probably say not to trust everybody," Regine affirms.
"Theyve grown cynical already. But, not me. I always say: Its okay to
trust, but just be careful."
She asserts that trust begets trust. That being good attracts goodness in
return.
"With the people I work with, I make it a point to adjust," Regine
concludes. "And I dont mind. Kasi if they see that you really go the extra
mile to give your best, the next time you need it, theyll extend the favor
back to you."
Its the Golden Rule of tinseltown, says Regine. As such, it doesnt come
as a surprise why she remains to be the Golden Girl (with the Golden Voice)
of local showbiz. She is a pleasure to work with, in front and behind the
camera.
Just ask her co-workers on the set of her new movie Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin
Ka, co-stars Christopher de Leon and Dingdong Dantes and first-time
filmmaker Louie Ignacio.
They all have good and kind words to say about Regine. They all concur that
she is a joy to behold not only on the concert stage, but more
importantly, offstage and off-cam.
_____
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