Regine, Ariel to Perform Together Again
Shirley Matias-Pizarro
posted:05.4.03


When we came to the press conference of Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez recently at Friday's in Glorieta, Makati to promote their May 2 show at Waterfront in Cebu City, and the two-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum on May 9 and 10 (a culmination of their very successful U.S. tour last month), we were not expecting to hear so many good news all at once.

Of course, the success of the recent tour had already been told and re-told (including in this corner), but it was Martin who whispered to us of an even better news. To all those who have given up hope of seeing Regine Velasquez and Ariel Rivera perform together in one show, we have great news for you.

Maximedia has accomplished the almost impossible task (before) and had secured the nod of both Regine and Ariel for (probably) a two-night reunion concert event of the former lovebirds at the Araneta Coliseum. Although the dates have not yet been announced, the "reconciliation concert" will definitely be held in October of this year.

Regine said she is very excited about it. "I think all of us are excited about that. It's been a long time."

The decision to finally say yes to this show came at a very opportune time. Regine said, "the idea floated around after that momentous guesting I had at 'Sis.' Parang after that, everything is okay so when the idea to hold a show together cropped up, it seemed a very nice idea. So we all said yes."

Inevitably, Regine was made to talk about that controversial guesting at "Sis" where she was interviewed by no less than Gelli de Belen and sister Janice de Belen about the "past" involving Ariel Rivera, Gelli's husband and Regine's former boyfriend (a long time ago).

Regine said "I guested in that show not because I was promoting something. I said yes primarily because of the person who asked me to guest there. Louie Ignacio, who is also my director at 'S.O.P.' asked that of me as a favor for him. He is such a good friend and it also made me happy to say yes to him."

Regine said she thought things over and came up with the decision to say yes after she realized she really wanted to put a closure to what happened between the three of them (Ariel, Gelli and her). "There were so many questions in everybody's head about what happened. That was the opportunity to tresh out every single question they have in mind. I answered all of those there. I admitted I was wrong, I said sorry, and put a closure to it. I carried that burden in my chest for the longest time. After that guesting, para akong nabunutan ng tinik. That was just that for me," she said.

Also, Regine said what made her say yes is the fact that on their own, she and Gelli would never really grab at any opportunity to sit down and talk about what happened. "So, I guess that chance was a good chance to put a closure to it. And I'm glad it did," she said.

True to form, one good thing that came out of it is the chance for the public to witness another musical history when two voices that have enthralled the country for so long will be heard again. I can almost hear sisters Lynn Agustin and Corcor Bitong (the prime movers behind Bayo) shrieking in delight! These girls are huge fans of the Regine-Ariel tandem.

That afternoon, Regine surprised us with her outspokenness. From what we know of her in the past, she was the type who would prefer to not say anything, especially about issues associated with her. But, she's changed.

When asked how is she and Bing, Regine blurted out with a straight face, "Janno and I are okay," leaving no doubts as to what she exactly meant by that.

Anyway, on top of all the things that she's busy with, Regine has a new movie coming up "Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka" under Viva Films opposite Christopher de Leon, an entry to the Manila Film Festival this June.

"I play the role of an artist here, medyo eccentric. You should watch out for my wardrobe here. Nakakatuwa. This is a very nice movie. Directed by Louie Ignacio. His style is very nice. The visuals are so rich, colorful. Ang gaganda namin lahat dito," she ended.

Source:Manila Bulletin