Regine Velasquez
Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez (born April 22, 1970) is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer, and TV host.
Velasquez was the first Filipino to stage a solo concert at the Main Hall of Carnegie Hall, part of Carnegie Hall's centennial-year concert series.[1] Her album Listen Without Prejudice achieved platinum certification in several countries. In 2000, she performed the country's millennial theme[2], televised in 55 broadcast networks throughout the world to coincide with midnight in Manila. She has sold more than 5 million albums making her the best selling Filipino Artist in the Philippines and one of the best in Asia proving her title as the "Asia's Songbird".
"In Love With You," a duet with Jacky Cheung, reached MTV Asia and Channel V music charts. She has collaborated with artists such as Paul Anka[3], David Hasselhoff, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight[4], Mandy Moore, Ronan Keating, Stephen Bishop, Jim Brickman, Peabo Bryson[5], Jeffrey Osborne[6], Dave Koz , Lea Salonga, Grasshopper, Coco Lee, Michel Legrand, David Pomeranz, Eduardo Capetillo and Billy Crawford.
She embarked on several television and film projects, receiving a Best Actress Award for her portrayal of a mentally challenged woman in Maalaala Mo Kaya. Velasquez also formed IndiMusic (iMusic), a record label partnered with the late Bella Tan's Universal Records. She is currently managed by Aria Productions. Today, Velasquez is already announced as "The Most Successful Diva Of All Time" in The Philippines because of her countless achivements and dedications on her work.
1970–1986: Early life and discovery
Velasquez is the first child of Teresita and Gerardo Velasquez, born in Tondo, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 22, 1970. Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, where Velasquez studied at the Hinundayan Central School[7].
The Early Years
Music figured largely in her early development; her father sang to the children Frank Sinatra songs and her mother accompanied family sing-alongs on guitar. Her father trained her voice by having her sing while submerged neck-deep in the ocean; her mother taught her how to move on stage and interpret songs. Before she could read, her father taught her song lyrics. At six, Velasquez participated in a nationally-televised amateur singing competition, The Tita Betty's Children's Show. Her piece, "Buhat Nang Kita'y Makilala" ("Since I Met You"), won third place and "youngest contender." Velasquez joined more singing competitions in small towns around the country. By nine, Velasquez and her family had moved to Balagtas, Bulacan, where she studied at Balagtas Central School. She later studied at St. Lawrence Academy, where she won Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet for her school at the annual BULPRISA (Bulacan Private School Association) competition. Her parents saved money on competitions by designing and sewing her gowns using materials at hand and fabric from old gowns. Velasquez won the top prize in 67 of approximately 300 competitions [8]
At fourteen, Velasquez entered the senior division of Ang Bagong Kampeon, a nationally-televised singing competition, hosted by Bert "Tawa" Marcelo and Asia's "Queen of Songs", Pilita Corrales. Her father suggested that she audition with "Saan Ako Nagkamali" ("Where Did I Go Wrong"). She won for eight straight weeks and became the first grand champion of the show. The show's musical director, Dominic Salustiano, suggested her winning piece, George Benson's "In Your Eyes." She won a contract with Octoarts, recording the single "Love Me Again" as "Chona Velasquez," her nickname. She then joined the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), an organization of Filipino singers, performing in music lounges all over Metro Manila. Members of OPM helped her out by giving her industry advice and by lending their gowns for her performances.[9]
1986–1987: Debuts
At the behest of friend and fellow Octoarts recording artist, Pops Fernandez, Velasquez guested on the now defunct GMA 7 Variety TV show, 'Penthouse Live', on February 16, 1986. This is considered the biggest turning point of her career as this is where Ronnie Henares, the show's producer, noticed her potential and offered to become her manager. Martin Nievera, Pops' husband and co-host of the show, suggested to Velasquez that she drop the name Chona and use Regine as her screen name. That year, her father resigned from his job as a construction estimator to fully attend to his daughter's blossoming career.
Viva Records signed Velasquez to a contract in 1987, releasing her self-titled debut album. The album contained the hits "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang," "Isang Lahi," and "Urong Sulong."
Her first regularly televised performances were musical variety shows with ensemble casts, such as ABS-CBN's Triple Treat and the Sunday variety show Teen Pan Alley. Velasquez and Alley's Janno Gibbs continued to collaborate throughout the years, creating the musical Kenkoy at Rosing, recording the hit cover song "Magkasuyo Buong Gabi," and performing duets in concert.
1988–1991: International exposure
Velasquez won the grand championship of the Asia-Pacific Singing Contest, an international competition held in Hong Kong, with "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls. Her win garnered her celebrity status.
Carnegie Hall, New York at the age of 21
In 1989, Velasquez recorded two duets that boosted her career. One of the veteran singer-composers in the Philippines, Jose Mari Chan, hand-picked Velasquez to be his duet partner for his album entitled Constant Change. The song "Please Be Careful with My Heart" became one of the most requested songs at that time. The album went on to become the Philippine's biggest selling record of all time and was awarded a Certified Diamond Record Award by the PRIMA (equivalent to ten platinum awards). Another hit-maker, Gary Valenciano, one of the country's biggest singer-songwriters, penned the song 'Each Passing Night' for his album 'Faces of Love'.
Velasquez signed with Vicor records and released several albums, starting with Nineteen 90. The album included her Tagalog hit single "Narito Ako" ("Here I Am"), her first Ogie Alcasid-penned song, "I Have To Say Goodbye," and her pop hit "Promdi". Her first major solo concert, Narito Ako, was standing-room only at the Folk Arts Theater, with Gary Valenciano as a guest performer.
Velasquez's debut United States solo concert, Narito Ako sa New York (Here I Am in New York), was held at the Main Hall of Carnegie Hall on October 11, 1991, part of one hundred events of its centennial celebration. Velasquez is the first Filipino to stage a solo concert in the revered venue. (The first Filipino group act to perform is the Apo Hiking Society)[11]
The album Tagala Talaga ("A Genuine Tagalog Lady") comprised of her renditions of classic Filipino compositions by Nonong Pedero, Willy Cruz, George Canseco, Louie Ocampo, Freddie Aguilar, and National Artists for Music Awardees Ryan Cayabyab, Lucio D. San Pedro, and Levi Celerio.
1993–1998: Asian Music Scene
Her fourth album, Reason Enough, was released in 1993 and achieved platinum album status. It featured "Sana Maulit Muli," "Babalikang Muli," and her duet with Gary Valenciano, "Slip Away." It also included a duet with Paul Anka, "It's Hard to Say Goodbye," a cover of a 1986 single.
PolyGram Records released Velasquez's first pan-Asian studio album, Listen Without Prejudice in 1994. The album featured "In Love with You" with Jacky Cheung, "Follow the Sun," "What Kind of Fool Am I?," and "Reason Enough." Two more releases were My Love Emotion, featuring the cult favorite "You've Made Me Stronger," composed by Trina Belamide. Her next album, Retro, contained covers of hits from the 1970s, and an acoustic version of "Dance With Me," a duet with her mother, Teresita Velasquez.
Velasquez joined Ryan Cayabyab's musical adaptation of Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere at the CCP in 1995. She played the tragic role of Maria Clara opposite Audie Gemora's Crisostomo Ibarra, directed by Nonong Padilla. Vic Del Rosario of Viva saw her performance and offered her the lead in Wanted: Perfect Mother, a movie adaptation of the Mars Ravelo comic book series, loosely based on The Sound of Music. Martin Nievera wrote the theme song, "You Are My Song," one of Velasquez's original hit singles. The movie was her first starring role and first pairing with Christopher De Leon.
In 1996, she staged Isang Pasasalamat, a free tenth anniversary concert at the UP Sunken Garden. Janno Gibbs, Bernardo Bernardo, The Tux, Nanette Inventor, Ivy Violan, and Martin Nievera were among her special guests. In the same year, Velasquez recorded a Christmas album, Love Was Born on Christmas Day, her final album under Polycosmic Records. She also ended her contract with Primeline, Inc., opting to manage her own career.
Viva Records released her multi-platinum R&B and hip hop-album Drawn, produced by Mark J. Feist, featuring a portrait made by Velasquez herself on the cover demonstrating her background in fine arts. Songs like "How Could You Leave," "I'll Never Say Goodbye," and more upbeat songs like "Once in a Lifetime" and "Messin' With My Head" demonstrated her versatility. The Filipino track "Ikaw" ("You"), was the theme song of her movie with Aga Muhlach. During this period, Velasquez moved from her demure image to a more sexy appearance.
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