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Regine
Always a Big Thrill
Boy Abunda
posted:05.8.03
Believe it or not, Asia’s 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.
"It’s 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 it’s so easy," she says. "Believe me, the preparation
can be so difficult." It’s 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 don’t eat properly. Or I get mad easily. I get so harassed!"
Especially since her latest show is the summer season’s 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, it’s 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 what’s the point?" Regine argues. "You don’t 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 Demarco’s, B-B’s. Mga ihaw-ihaw in Baliuag and
Malolos, Bulacan."
(That’s 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 Demarco’s, Regine feels ecstatic.
"I’m 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."
That’s exactly why she never tires of coming up with new ideas, new
concepts to keep her loyal, longtime fans riveted all these years.
"That’s why I try to be creative, in terms of my career, my look,"
she explains. "It’s 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 one’s 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. It’s not so radical
that you would alienate your old followers. But it’s big enough to
keep them interested, to keep them excited. In a way, it’s like
they’re 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, I’ve 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. I’d 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. They’re my
barkada. I’m 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. "They’ve grown cynical already. But, not me. I always say:
It’s 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 don’t mind. Kasi if they see that you really go
the extra mile to give your best, the next time you need it, they’ll
extend the favor back to you."
It’s the Golden Rule of tinseltown, says Regine. As such, it doesn’t
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.
Source:philstar.com
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