BEFORE we even heard of her
Cinderella story, there was just her voice -- the power and the intensity of which was never heard of in
Philippine music history. It became all the more incredible when one beheld the singer, a young lass whose
delicate frame and features belied her fragile aura. The frailty and timidity vanished however, within the
first bar of a song and in its place, a startling combination of raw emotion and full-bodied tones that have
impressed critics the world over.
It was no wonder that talent like this could not stay hidden in a corner of
Bulacan.
Born April 22, 1970 in Manila, this young lass was christined Regina
Encarnacion A. Velasquez but was given the old-fashioned nickname Chona. Having no money to take
formal voice lessons, her father used to take young Chona to the beach to sing. With the waves pushing
against her midsection. Chona's voice developed the strength formally trained singers could not
achieve.
She did the rounds of provincial singing contests, but got her first big break when
she garnered the top prize in the celebrated "Bagong Kampeon" singing competition. Soon after, it was
lounge acts, nightclubs and discos for the young singer until the time she was invited to sing at the popular
Penthouse Live television show.
Literally, overnight a star was born. Former manager Ida Henares gave her the
name Regine Velasquez and further developed her personality. She made her first album under Viva
Records, and followed by several more albums under another company. . A brief seven years later, with the
Asia-Pacific Singing contest crown tucked into her beit, she has become a household name. She has to her
credit seven albums, several Gold Record and Platinum Record awards. Aside from that, she has released
15 singles and one duet with Jose Mari Chan ("Please Be Careful With My Heart") whose album won eight
Platinum awards. Another duet with Gary Valenciano ("Each Passing Night") also came from an album
that bagged a Platinum award. She has also recorded a duet with Martin Nievera ("Forever") wherein they
won "Best Performance By A Duet".
In the international scene, she has recorded a duet with the legendary Paul Anka
("It's Hard To Say Goodbye") and with Asia's superstar Jacky Cheung ("In Love With You"). Having done
at least thirty one television specials, she has also guested with the country's top artists in practically every
local television show.
Regine has also received the following awards for her first international album,
"Listen Without Prejudice" a platinum award in Taiwan ROC in April 1994, a double platinum award in
Taiwan in 1995, a Platinum award in Indonesia and Gold Awards in Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and
Singapore.
What she would probably consider her greatest achievement, however, is the
phenomenal way she has come out of her shell. The timid provincial lass has learned to literally carry the
show herself -- as proven by the rave reviews of her packed major solo concerts "Narito Ako!", "A song
For You", "Music and Me", "Regine Animated", "Regine: Unplugged", "Regine Unplugged: The Repeat"
and her 10th year Anniversary Concert, "Isang Pasasalamat".
At 27, Regine has accomplished what other artists hope to achieve in their
lifetimes. But rather than lie on her laurels, the young lass from Bulacan looks forward with the same awe
and eagerness towards the challenges that life has in store for her ahead. Right now, her concentration is on
her newest upcoming album under Viva Records (her new home studio) and recorded in the United States
under the supervision of international record producer Mark Feist.
