Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano were the first celebrities we met when ABS-CBN held its first live media conference in two years last Feb. 23. Regine and Gary were thrilled to see their media friends once again now that the city is pushing to relax rules on COVID-19. The OPM icons shared their thoughts on being a Kapamilya and their upcoming projects.
"On being a Kapamilya, dahil sa lawak ng abot ng ABS-CBN especially online, so ang masasabi ko na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon na God has given me in the most impactful of ways to reach Filipino all around the world. Hindi ko akalain na aabot kami sa ganitong klaseng sistema but I was able to reach everybody. I think that's great - to be able to stay in the spirit in the service of Filipino with God," said Gary during the network contract signing held in ABS-CBN’s Studio 10, the first part of the "Kapamilya Strong 2022" back-to-back events that culminated with the announcement of Star Magic’s year-long 30th anniversary celebration last Wednesday.
Gary also revealed about doing new things through collaborations with other artists. "At this point in my career, I am open to doing new things. Matagal na akong hindi nakakapagsulat ng kanta. I came up with one last year but before that, ang tagal, before I came up with one. So maybe this is a unique time for me to start collaborating, especially if it's for a good cause."
"But I will be going on tour still. I think my body can still take a couple of years when I can perform, especially for the people in the Middle East kung saan grabe yung support na binigay sa amin throughout the years. So I need to go back to the Middle East and go on tours like Dubai, Bahrain. I will continue to go out, hoping that I get to meet you. So they are just a couple of things I am working on. I am also planning a major concert dito sa Pilipinas pag umabot na tayo sa face-to-face. You'll know more about it in time," Gary also said.
Regine also shared her dream projects which she hopes to pursue in being a Kapamilya.
"On dream projects, siguro to work with Gary again in a concert. I haven't worked with Lea (Salonga) in a concert before. Medyo may mga nagre-request na rin for it. Parang 4th year ko pa lang (ngayon) so marami pa akong kanta na kakantahin plus my dream of becoming a sexy star. So parang the possibilities are endless for me. And then in June or July, I will be having the 'Iconic' concert. Dream ko talaga kasi to sing with Sharon, so dream come true sa akin 'yung 'Iconic,' " she said.
Currently, Regine is the guest co-host for "Magandang Buhay" as one of its original hosts Karla Estrada gets busy with the campaign trail. Regine is also a regular host of "ASAP Natin 'To" with Gary. She enjoys being in the company of co-hosts Jolina Magdangal and Melai Cantiveros.
"I'm having a wonderful time working with Jolina and Melai. It's not really work. For me, I'm just having fun. Yung mga nanonood sa amin tuwing umaga napapansin lang nila tawa lang kami ng tawa. Para akong naglalaro. I do hosting in ASAP but iba yung format ng 'Magandang Buhay.' I am so thankful for the opportunity to do a morning show with two other girls who I love working with. They are all so game na talagang nakakatuwa at nag e-enjoy ako," she said.
Gary has encouraged aspiring songwriters to continue writing if they really want to succeed.
"With regard to writing music, hindi talaga lahat nakakapagsulat ng kanta. I highly encourage you to just keep on writing. You'll never know what will happen. Your dream for that song may not come to pass in one year, but it might happen in a few years with an artist you never expected na narinig yung kanta mo at nagustuhan yung kanta mo. So don't feel discouraged if you feel wala namang mapupuntahan yung mga kanta mo or sinusulat mo. There's a season for everything that you do. Your season now is to write music, then please continue writing. And then send some over. Maybe we can collaborate, maybe we can do something together," Gary said.
Gary also discussed the legacy he wants to leave behind.
"Umabot na ako dun sa point na when it comes to sustaining one's career, I think one great way to sustain it is to think about what I can leave behind, the legacy that I have. So the things that I will be doing will pertain to that. So now I am the ambassador for prayer.com. I know that Filipinos are prayerful. I am also working on the advocacy of face-to-face where I meet online with different university students and I just share my life with them. And I sing some of my songs. Now that's what I do that's related to legacy," he said.
Regine said it's always a blessing to mentor rising stars who listen to them and seek their advice on showbiz career.
"These kids come to us for mentoring. We don't want to die with us the good experiences we had in the past. We want to share it. Kasi, what's the point in learning it if you won't be able to share it. So as far as mentoring is concerned, I think it's such a blessing to be able to do it with the kids. And they are interested to listen to us," she added.