Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is all set to mesmerize music fans again with her original and cover songs in the series of concerts dubbed "Reset," which will be staged at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City on Feb. 14, 15, 21, and 22.

"I'll be singing almost all my recorded songs. On Feb 14, I'll be performing the originals and then on. Feb. 15, it will be the covers. Then, the following week, the 21st, will be the originals, and Feb. 22 will be the covers," said Regine during a media conference in Makati City recently.

Regine acknowledged that her team struggled to narrow down the songs for the concert because she had many hits.

"We also asked for help from fans. So we asked people on X (Twitter) what songs they want to hear, and we will try to accommodate them," she said.

On her favorite song, Regine said: "Closest to my heart is 'Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw,' which my husband wrote for me. It's our theme song. After a long time, he did not write a song for me. So it's special to me. And then 'You Are My Song' for my first movie."

Regine's remarkable career in the entertainment industry began in the 1980s. Over the decades, she has captivated audiences with her dynamic performances, showcasing her diverse talents and deep passion for music. 

While she has enjoyed successes on bigger stages, Regine enjoys performing at smaller, more intimate venues. 

These settings allow her to connect with her audience personally, creating an atmosphere that feels warm and engaging, and she treasures the special moments that arise from these unique performances.

"I love doing shows in smaller venues because it's intimate — personally, mas appealing ito sa akin, especially when I see their reactions. Nakakausap ko rin sila. Less stress when you perform in a smaller venue. Itong show namin ganun pa rin but in a smaller scale. The work is the same. Baka nga mahirap pa because madalas ang concert namin may concept. (I also talk to them — less stress when you perform in a smaller venue. Our show is still the same but on a smaller scale. The work is the same. Maybe it's more difficult because our concerts often have a concept.)

Flattered

Regine expressed her gratitude upon learning that she inspired Sofronio Vasquez, the grand champion of The Voice USA Season 26, during his competition in the reality singing contest.

"I'm very flattered naman na pinapakinggan niya yung kanta ko. (I'm flattered he listens to my songs)," said Regine. She mentioned that she would be thrilled to do a duet with him if an opportunity arises.

Regine shared her thoughts on the admiration she receives as a singer, stating that she does not experience any pressure from the expectations placed on her by those who look up to her.

Instead of feeling burdened by this attention, Regine emphasized that she sees it as a source of motivation and inspiration to continue her craft.

"It's wonderful to inspire people. Kung meron man naidulot yung career ko sa akin, binigyan ng magandang buhay ang family ko, but at the same time, I was able to inspire people. Iba yung nai-inspire mo sila. I think it's my voice, songs, and story.

"I started from nothing; I joined amateur contests, and they knew about it. Kung meron man magandang nangyari sa career, it would be inspiring to people. It's a blessing. Priceless yung nakaka-inspire ka ng tao in a good way. They also dream of becoming someone someday," Regine also said.

Regine said that it is also a pleasure to mentor young artists, acknowledging the generosity of guidance she received from the artists who came before her.

"Other artists ahead of me were generous, like Martin (Nievera), Pops (Fernandez), Gary (Valenciano), Kuh (Ledesma, Nanette Inventor, and many more. They would invite me to their concerts to introduce me. Or guests naman sila sa concert ko. Noong naging okay na ako, feeling ko naman it was my turn (to mentor young artists). Parang, you're paying it forward. Hopefully, the young artists would do that," she said.

Valentine's Day

Regine will be spending Valentine's Day on stage, performing for her devoted fans. While she enjoys the excitement of live performances, she has grown accustomed to celebrating special occasions in this way. 

Despite her busy schedule, she and her loved ones make it a point to celebrate Valentine's Day together at home.

"Normally we celebrate it after or before. Simple lang. We have dinner at home. Lagi naman siyang nagpapa andar na meron siyang roses na kasintangkad ko. Saan kaya nakukuha ng husband ko yung mga stem ng roses kasintakgkad ko? Sabi niya, 'Secret!' (Usually, we celebrate on a different day, either before or after the actual occasion. It's quite simple: we have dinner at home. My husband always surprises me by giving me roses that are as tall as I am. I often wonder where he finds stems of roses that tall. When I ask him, he just replies, "It's a secret!")," said Regine.

She added: "I don't expect anything from him on Valentine's, but he's full of surprises. Little things. Actually kahit walang occasion, binibigyan niya ako ng gifts. (Actually, even when there's no occasion, he gives me gifts.)

"Ako talaga ang love language ko is giving gifts or to cook something. Many people don't know that cooking is hard work. I really work hard when it comes to cooking food. (My love language is really giving gifts or cooking something. Many people don't know that cooking is hard work. I really work hard when it comes to cooking food)," Regine said.

Secret to a lasting relationship

Last Dec. 22, Regine and Ogie celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary. For Regine, the cornerstone of a lasting relationship lies in open and honest communication. 

Regine believes that sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences without barriers helps to build trust and understanding between partners. 

By actively listening and encouraging dialogue, she feels that couples can navigate challenges together, celebrate successes, and foster a deeper emotional connection that stands the test of time.

"The secret to a lasting relationship is communication. May mga times na hindi kami nag-uusap pero may body language naman. Like in our case pareho kaming nasa phone. So you need to be connected all the time. What's important is being connected, even with your children. (The secret to a lasting relationship is communication. There are times when we don't talk but there is body language. Like in our case we are both on the phone. So you need to be connected all the time. What's important is being connected, even with your children.)

"Yung husband ko feeling ko yung per day niya, feeling ko kino collect niya yun para pagusapan namin. Then kakausapin niya ako. I do the same thing. Pero minsan wala akong mai-share. I feel like my husband collects many things in his mind every day so that we can talk about them. Then he'll share it with me. I do the same thing, but sometimes I have nothing to share)

"Noong bago pa lang kami nagbabasa ako ng newspapers which I never did. Nagbabasa ako ng newspaper para may natsismis ako sa kanila. (When we got married, I used to read newspapers which I never did. I read newspapers so I could talk something to him)

"My husband is sentimental. But I think mas sensitive pa rin ang mg mga babae. But he's a very sensitive guy, that's why he can write songs. He's also romantic. He has a sense of humor. A sense of humor is important in a relationship. Ayoko naman yung masungit. Gosh! Habang tumatanda tayo nagiging masungit na tayo di natin napapansin. (My husband is sentimental. But I think women are still more sensitive. But he's a very sensitive guy, that's why he can write songs. He's also romantic. He has a sense of humor. A sense of humor is important in a relationship. I don't like the grumpy one. Gosh! As we get older, we become grumpy without even realizing it)

"We don't fight but talk. I try to process everything first. Kapag okay na ako, I would point out to him what I don't like. Kung makikipag-away ako hindi ko na mapo-point sa kanya yung gusto kong sabihin. Hindi na niya malalaman yung sama ng loob ko kasi nakikipag-away lang ako. So ganun ako. But he taught me to speak up. You have to let go of what made you feel bad. Kasi he wouldn't know. Sa pagiging sensitive niya, he is a guy, and he is still insensitive. Hindi niya mahuhulaan yun hanggang hindi mo sinasabi sa kanya. Kaming mga babae kaya namin yan eh. Ang guys hindi sila ganun. (We don't fight, but we talk. I try to process everything first. When I'm okay, I would point out to him what I don't like. If I fight I won't be able to point out to him what I want to say. He won't know how I feel because I'm just fighting. So that's how I am. But he taught me to speak up. You have to let go of what made you feel bad. Because he wouldn't know. In his sensitivity, he is a guy, and he is still insensitive. He can't guess that until you tell him. We girls can do that. Guys aren't like that)," Regine added.