Regine Velasquez-Alcasid will continue to be everywhere, anytime even on the other side of the fence.
Regine Velasquez-Alcasid (Photo by Lester Ramos)
With that two-year exclusive contract with ABS-CBN under her belt (rumored to be to the tune of half a billion pesos which she just laughed off when the subject was brought up), she’s got her plate full, beginning with several major shows and projects.
The singer will be part of Sunday variety show “ASAP.” Then there’s a new musical sitcom with her husband Ogie Alcasid, a first in her decades-long tenure in show business. And who can scoff at her place as one of the judges on “Idol Philippines?” It’s a franchise created by no less than British Entertainment executive Simon Fuller.
Regine will record the official theme song of ABS-CBN’s upcoming drama series “The General’s Daughter” starring Angel Locsin. The song, with title yet to be revealed, is written by no less than Ogie himself.
She will appear on the comedy talk show “Gandang Gabi Vice” soon. Regine also confirmed she will participate in the much-anticipated ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID 2018. A new album? Yes, mesdames and messieurs!
Regine said she hopes to do another fund-raising concert in partnership with the Bantay Bata Foundation. She also looks forward to working with her former “SOP” colleagues Jaya, Janno Gibbs, and Lani Misalucha.
“Now that I’m here with ABS-CBN, anything is possible.”
Get it on!
Regine revealed part of the reason she transferred is that she also wants to work with Sarah Geronimo and Sharon Cuneta, and the other Kapamilya talents.
Sarah, after all, was mentored by Regine on a singing competition. She is her “first baby,” was how Asia’s Songbird put it.
The 48-year-old icon is open to the idea of having a love team partner “as long as he’s handsome!”
“Why not Jericho Rosales or Sam Milby? However, I already look like their tita,” she said in jest in Filipino.
Of course, there’s Piolo Pascual whom she worked with in the film “Paano Kita Iibigin” in 2007.
They also did a “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode in 2002, which gave Regine her very first acting award.
Among the young Kapamilya artists, Regine lauded Daniel Padilla and Morissette Amon.
“I’m very impressed with Daniel Padilla. The first time I saw him perform live was on the ABS-CBN Ball and I found him really good in singing,” she said. “Likewise, with Morissette, she’s a very good artist.”
She praised Liza Soberano’s beauty, even relating she welcomes the idea of doing the “Darna” call to action in the actress’ upcoming film.
One reporter asked if she sees herself joining Coco Martin’s “FPJ Ang Probinsyano.” Why not, she shot back.
“I find Coco Martin cute. Kidding aside, I see how hard working he is. I admire him for giving opportunities to many actors, past and present,” she shared.
Of course, she wants to share the stage with her good friend Vice Ganda, who happens to have a fan in Regine’s sister.
Known to be generous with her wisdom from years of experience, we asked Regine for tips to young Kapamilya artists so they too could last the way she did in show business.
Regine with (from left) Cory Vidanes, Carlo Katigbak, Mark Lopez, Ogie Alcasid, and Cacai Velasquez-Mitra
“It’s plain and simple. They just need to be kind to everyone that they work with. I guess, one of the reasons why I’m still here, why Gary (Valenciano) Martin (Nievera) and even my husband is still here, is because they are kind. They give credit to the people who work behind the scenes. Of course, you cannot always praise the staff and crew every time you are on TV but if you are going to be nice to them, I think that’s already a way of saying ‘Thank you,’ to them,” she said.
‘Right timing’
The network welcomed her with a grandiose red carpet event recently, and Regine turned emotional entering the Dolphy Theatre inside ABS-CBN.
Indeed, she didn’t expect that kind of reception at all.
“To be honest, I know my place in this industry. I feel that I’m not important anymore. It’s like I don’t deserve the kind of attention that I’m getting right now. But to see people clamoring and cheering for me, I’m just so overwhelmed. I’m actually having mixed emotions. I’m excited and at the same time I’m nervous of what is going to happen,” she admitted.
Regine revealed leaving her home network of two decades was a tough decision to make.
“I know at my age, this is not the time for me to experiment, to take risks. I’ve always been a risk-taker but as one gets older, you get insecurities in life that makes you just want to play it safe.
“But I realize I still have more to give. I don’t know how long I will be able to sing, so now, I want to do it as much as I can,” she said.
She doesn’t want to call her move as a “transfer,” rather a “return.” The singer recalled the time she and her late father would roam the hallways of ABS-CBN when she was just starting as a performer.
If ever she could speak to , Regine is confident he would say he is proud of her decision.
“This is where I started. This not the first time that I planned to return in ABS-CBN, I guess God is just waiting for the perfect timing. It didn’t happen before because it wasn’t meant to be. But He found a way, and now it happened,” she smiled.
Regine also appealed to the public to stop blaming her husband Ogie for her decision.
“It’s not fair. Returning to ABS-CBN was not his idea but mine.”