The Regine We Don’t Know
Crispina Martinez-Belen
posted:05.9.03


She may be a household name ­ adulated, and one sitting on a pedestal (with success written all over her) ­ but there’s something about Regine Velasquez that many of us don’t know. And this is her charitableness.

Regine’s reputation is that of an expensive performer, commanding one if not the highest talent fees among Filipino artists. That’s true, she’s expensive because she’s good, she’s certainly one of the best singing performers we have. So she’s definitely worth every centavo of her talent fee.

But Regine also does charity work and this many people aren’t aware of. She has done a lot of fund-raising concerts, believing she has to give something back to the public which has nurtured and supported her along the way. And one of Regine’s favorite charities is Bridges Foundation, Inc., a school for special children located along Sct. Limbaga St. in Quezon City. Bridges Foundation is a non-stock, nonprofit institution that provides educational programs for special children with neurological developmental delays, as well as those with behavioral disorders. It was built 11 years ago and now has 70 students ages 11 months to 23 years.

Since its inception in 1992, Bridges has consistently proven that given the proper education, children with special needs can become functional and productive members of their family and the society. And Bridges has done more: The foundation accommodates special children from financially challenged families via its socialized tuition fee scheme.

Whenever she can, Regine visits the school to see how things are (in the fast, she even has voluntered her free time to assist in teaching the children, according to Teacher Grace), and to urge them to make use of her in their fundraising efforts. “Kasi, wala talaga silang pera. Break even lang sila lagi, so I always tell them nandito lang ako.” The first and last time Regine did a fundraising show for the school was in 1996 when she performed in a show billed as “Pure Love” (“because we did everything for free, out of pure love,” she said) and staged at UP Theater. Proceeds from the concert was used to build one hall in the school structure which they’ve named Regine Hall in honor of the singer “who has grown with the foundation through the years and has not only generously shared her talent but her heart in achieving the school’s vision.”

Some of their students have gone to mainstream school but still go to Bridges for some lessons especially about socialization. “They need to hone their social skills and maximize their abilities to interact with other people,” Teacher Grace said.

Teacher Grace stressed that “to be able to give these special children equal opportunity to receive quality education, Bridges needs outside funding from individuals and institutions who believe in its noble mission.”

And so they’ve scheduled another fundraising concert, to be topbilled by Regine of course. This will be on July 26, 2003 at the Makati Shangri-La. The concert is aptly titled “Bridges of Love.”

When we visited the school (with Regine) last Tuesday, we met some of the students, all Regine fans who could sing her songs. One even said he knows all of Regine’s songs and proceeded to sing one. One said he’d like to be able to one day sing a duet with his idol. It touched us to see how much Regine cared for the children and we told her we’re proud of her if only for this.

Meanwhile, Regine’s concert with Martin Nievera goes on as scheduled on May 10-11 at the Araneta Coliseum. Regine and Martin just came back from memorable and successful US concert tours, also produced by Maxi-Media International and they’ll be doing some of the production numbers of their US concerts at the Big Dome.

It was a very good working relationship (not romantic, they stressed) they’ve developed from their first team-up, both said. “Masarap kasama sa trabaho si Martin, hindi maarte. Wala kaming agawan ng eksena. He let me shine, pinagbibigyan ako lagi. He is definitely one of the best male singers to work with,” Regine said.

Martin, on the other hand, has this to say of Regine: “I’m so proud of working with her. She’s so confident and secure of herself, and she has no insecurities, didn’t mind sharing the stage with me. I’m a huge fan of Regine and this speaks a lot why I’m very confident working with her.”

Setting aside their being on a mutual appreciation club now, Martin and Regine really worked hard to make their first team-up concert memorable and successful. They supported each other immensely and they had fun together.

Regine is now 33 years old and everytime, we can’t resist to ask if there’s anything missing in her life. None at all, would be her answer.

“I have no regrets, and given the chance to do it all over again, I won’t change anything. I won’t be able to make the right decisions if I’m not as matured as I am now, after the many experiences I’ve gone through in life...”

Source:Manila Bulletin