In her recent guesting on ABS-CBNs “Magandang Buhay,” Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez shared a chapter of her personal life that she experienced during months of lockdown last year.
Regine said that the passing of Ogie Alcasid's father, Herminio Alcasid Sr., was one of the biggest challenges that they had to go through as a family.
"Medyo lost kami noon. Kasi biruin mo ilang buwan 'yon na okay siya. Kasi they were just in the house and then suddenly he went out one time and then that was it," she said.
"That was the last time he saw him. And then when he passed away, wala na; nong nagkasakit, wala na as in hindi na niya nakita at all," Regine added.
The singer gave advice to viewers after sharing her personal story.
"I know that there are some people who don't believe na totoo ang COVID. I suppose some of the people would say that kasi hindi pa nila na-experience first-hand, alam mo yon?"
"Minsan kasi may mga bagay na hindi natin papaniwalaan only because hindi natin na-experience first-hand. Pero kapag nangyari sa inyo, doon mo lang masasabi na totoo talaga," she said.
The Kapamilya singer added that it is vital that "we remain vigilant against the virus and protect ourselves at all times."
"Sa akin although medyo open tayo ngayon, still be safe out there. Hugas ng kamay, magsuot ng face shield, ng mask o kung ano ang puwede niyong gawin. Mag-vitamins. Alam niyo ako hindi ako nagba-vitamins nung kabataan ko pero ngayon as in religiously I take my vitamins talaga. Exercise will help also and have fresh air," she said.
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A special virtual preview for the documentary “Call Her Ganda” was held recently for selected members of the entertainment press. The 2018 documentary tells the controversial story of Jennifer Laude and the people who love her.
It got overwhelming reviews from the international media, gaining applause and attention for its widening audience.
Nick Schager of Variety wrote that it is a well detailed documentary film.
“That straightforward narrative is proffered by not only Laude’s mother, siblings, friends, supporters, and legal team (led by Virgie Suarez), but by “Call Her Ganda” as well. While it’s a solid theory that resulted in Pemberton’s conviction, director Raval skimps so heavily on important particulars — for example, about the physical evidence against Pemberton, or the defense mounted by his lawyers — that the case hardly seems airtight. Worse still, it fails to identify any of its speakers (we’re left to catch their names via snippets of dialogue), or explicate the Philippines’ legal differentiation between “murder” and “homicide” — a crucial point in the eventual verdict.”
Unforgettable subjects from the 97-minute docu “Call Her Ganda” directed by PJ Raval was only one of the remarkable ingredients of the film, as written by Pat Mullen in the April 2018 issue of Point of View Magazine
“Call Her Ganda examines the tragic and violent murder of Filipina trans woman Jennifer Laude, who died at the hands of US Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton. Haunting images of Jennifer show a tall, proud, and vivacious woman in the prime of her life. They explain how Pemberton left the hotel alone and how Jennifer’s friend found her body in the bathroom, a victim of a violent act of rage. When Pemberton later takes the stand, his lawyers claim self-defence in a statement of outright transphobia.”
“Call Her Ganda” is now streaming at Viva Max.