“Bihira naman kasi akong mag-concert nang ako lang, usually may ka-back to back ako,” she says. “My last one was in Solaire singing Broadway hits which were really very challenging for me kasi they’re not my songs. My new concert will be more comfortable for me kasi I’ll sing songs na naging kakabit na ng buhay ko for the past 30 years. I feel so blessed and thankful that after 30 years, I’m still here and given the chance to celebrate my anniversary with a concert and with three new albums.”
She says her voice has changed after 30 years. “Hindi naman maiiwasan yun as we all change as we grow older. We dont have a choice, so I’m just working on what I have now. Nagsimula yung voice change ko after I gave birth. I’m doing voice lessons and exercises now to prepare me for my two-night concert.”
Will she still be doing buwis-buhay acts like hanging from a harness that she did before? “Naku, huwag na. Iiwan ko na yan sa mga bagets. This time, kakanta lang ako, and it’s more fun to do kasi alam na ng audience ang songs ko and hopefully, they’ll sing along with me.”
What does she think are the highlights of her 30 year career? “Naku marami. But isang di ko makalimutan was when I won sa Asia Pacific Singing Contest kasi after that I did my first major concert sa Folk Arts Theatre. Then doing the movie ‘Wanted Perfect Mother’ that started my acting career. Wala na akong mahihiling pa kasi lahat naman ng dinasal ko, binigay ni Lord sa akin, from my family to all the people who helped me in my career through the years.”
Is there anything she regrets or wants to change? “Wala akong gustong baguhin o balikan. Siempre, may heartaches and disappointments, but they all helped in making what I am now.”
Her husband Ogie Alcasid will be a guest in her concert, what about their son Nate? Does she and Ogie expect him to follow in their footsteps? “No expectations. He can be whatever he wants to be. He sings, but mas malaki pa rin ang interest niya sa aviation.”
She seems to be doing a good job as stepmom to Ogie’s daughter Leila. How do they maintain their good relationship between Ogie’s former and current families? “All of us naman, we know that you can’t just wish for a harmonious relationship. You should work hard on it. We know it’s much better if we could all be friends and love each other kaysa naman nag-aaway-away kami. And it’s not hard to be a good stepmom to Leila because she is such a good girl, but I still consult her dad as I don’t want to be overbearing.”
Why is she reminding those who’d watch her concert not to bring cellphones, i-pads or back packs? “For security reasons, lalo na yung backpacks na nilalagyan ng explosives. Mahigpit talaga ngayon dahil sa mga nangyayari, di ba? At di ba dati, nanonood lang naman tayo, a. Hindi tayo nagre-record sa’ting cellphones habang nanonood. So old school na lang tayo, just enjoy the moment with me kasi palalabas din naman yan ng GMA-7 sa TV later. Kaya huwag na lang tayong pasaway, please.”
Regine says she will have two different sets of songs for her two-night concert. “Iba rin yung guests sa first night on October 21, Saturday sa second night, October 22, Sunday. Aside from my husband, the guests include Mark Bautista, Jed Madela, Julie Anne San Jose, Aicelle Santos, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, Jona, Lara Maigue at Sarah Geronimo.”
As part of her 30th anniversary, Regine is also releasing a triple album. The first is “Renditions” featuring 10 covers of songs she has done in past concerts but hhas never recorded, like Up Dharma Down’s “Tadhana” that became a big hit single. The second is “Rise” with 10 all original songs led by “Hugot”, a great ballad that is a classic in the making. The third is “Reflections”, songs she has done before but given new updated versions, like “You Are My Song”, “Dadalhin” and “Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang”. This is all under Viva Records of Boss Vic del Rosario.
