Regine Velasquez-Alcasid highlights musical on upcoming concert

MANILA, Philippines – Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is back on doing concert series with “Regine at the Theater.”

“Ang concept is theater, so it’s all musicals,” she said about the concert. “So marami kaming Broadway pero mayro’n din kami OPM, kasi nga musical siya.”

Regine added that this is somehow a way to celebrate the growing popularity of musicals here in the country.

So aside from the Broadway songs she usually perform, she’ll be doing Ryan Cayabyab pieces and songs used on local musicals.

The planning of the series concert has been for a while now but didn’t push through because of some factors.

“Never naming nagagawa kasi first ‘yong venue, we want to find a really nice venue na pang theater talaga, given the title. So we want a nice, beautiful theater,” she explained. “Also my schedule, kasi no’ng time na nakahanap kami ng theater ako naman ‘yong…I had a hard time singing pa.”

“So ngayon naging perfect na ang mga situation kaya tinuloy na namin, finally,” she added.

Aside from doing a series concert, it has been a while since Regine starred in a soap opera. Her last TV series is “I Heart You, Pare!” in 2011, which is the same year when she got pregnant with her son Nate.

“‘Yong pag-arte, kung mayro’n talagang magandang project siyempre gagawin ko naman ‘yon,” she replied when asked if she has given up acting. “Naghihintay ako ng magandang proyekto. Ayaw ko naman gumawa ng hindi ko mapapanindigan.”

“Since I have more time, parang gusto kong kumanta muna. Kasi ‘yon naman talaga ang first love ko, ang pagkanta. So I just want to go back to singing first,” she added.

Also part of the “Regine at the Theater” concert are Jonalyn Viray and Aicelle Santos who will alternate in the two set of weekends, and Audie Gemora who’ll be present in all of the shows.

It will happen on November 6, 7, 20 and 21 at The Theater in Solaire Resort and Casino. Tickets are available at SM Tickets.

source: philstar.com

Regine Velasquez: Talkin Bout An Evolution

MANILA, Philippines—Her status as married woman and mother has prompted singer Regine Velasquez-Alcasid to sing not only for people but, well, in front of a stove.

On Oct. 6, Regine will debut her cooking talk show “Sarap Diva” on GMA-7. A homemaker and foodlover, the singer will whip up delightful dishes while making small talk with her celebrity guests. The show is made more special with the particpation of her baby, Nathaniel James a.k.a. Baby Nate, and her pet Shih Tzu named George. But of course, there will be a portion in which the  diva will sing to piano accompaniment.



Unlike other cooking shows, Regine will more likely learn from her guests about cooking and motherhood than the other way around. She who admittedly can’t even chop vegetables fast (“baka maubos daliri ko!”) at this point, said that she’s not going to pretend to be an expert in culinary arts, but one who has the passion to learn like many new mothers who’ll watch the show.

Nate and George, she added, will appear as virtual animation that would “react” to whatever it is Regine and her guests are cooking or discussing.

This is not the first time Regine has repackaged herself or at least delved ito somethine new. When she hit it big as singer, she grabbed the opportunity to branch out into acting and hosting. She also took control of her music by personally producing her albums and concerts as well as conceptualizing her music videos.

At one point, the diva also designed shirts. It is said that Regine also served as “unofficial” brainstormer behind the musical dramedy, “Diva,” a couple of years back.

Even her music has gone through different styles. Although she will always be known as belter, Regine once recorded an album that did not require her to hit the high notes at all. She also was one of the first to record an all-revivals album but with a twist---she mostly took on songs originally recorded by men. 

One of her biggest songs, “You Are My Song,” was also a sort of reinvention for Regine. Previously known for fully orchestrated songs, she had that one arranged sparsely and singing it in controlled manner. The bid proved successful and is somehow credited for reviving interest in solo stars after years of domination by Eraserheads, Rivermaya and Parokya ni Edgar.

And who can forget that phase when Regine seemigly took it upon herself to discover new talents by accepting hosting chores in talent searches such as “Pinoy Pop Superstar”?

“Sarap Diva” airs every Saturday at 10:45 a.m. right before “Eat Bulaga” on GMA-7.    

source: mb.com.ph

Regine Reveals Ogie And Michelle Still 'Sweet' Towards Each Other

MANILA, Philippines - Regine Velasquez is among those fascinated with husband Ogie Alcasid's continued show of affection towards ex-wife Michelle Van Eimeren and vice versa.

“Sweet pa rin sila. Malambing sila sa isa’t isa and I know they love each other," said she to PEP.

But the singer-actress says she is far from being jealous as she deemed the attachment far from being romantic. "Para silang magkapatid," she had said.

She revealed that it is the exact same thing that Van Eimeren told her.

“Sabi niya, ‘I think Ogie and I used to be brother and sister before.’ Kasi that’s how they treat each other now—ang ganda ng relationship nila,” she disclosed.

The 42-year old admits she is quite proud of the ex-couple.

“Ang galing nilang dalawa kasi ‘yung transition, nagawa nila. Kasi ako, 'yung totoo, I have to deal with—sa sarili ko—kung saan ko ilalagay yung sarili ko sa pamilya na ‘yun, e," she said.

“Pamilya na 'yun before, tapos nawala, tapos biglang nandito na ako. So I have to deal with that. Pero si Ogie at si Michelle, ang galing. Naayos nila na nag-transition 'yung mga bata, na nag-asawa si Michelle, nag-transition na nandiyan na si Mark, pero tatay pa rin nila si Ogie. Ewan ko kung paano nila ginawa 'yun, pero ang galling nila," she added.

More than anything, Velasquez believes that both achieved such blissful rapport because, "they’re good parents."

“I think mas importante sa kanila ‘yung welfare ng mga anak nila," she said.

Not that the whole thing simply bloomed without effort.

 “It took a while before it became like that. Pero lagi ngang sinasabi ng asawa ko na, ‘Talagang ginawa ni God na maging okay kami.’ Kasi 'yun ‘yung kailangan naming gawin," Velasquez related.

Velasquez and Alcasid, together with baby Nate, recently met up with Van Eimeren and Alcasid's two children with the former beauty queen, Leila and Sarah, in Singapore.

Van Eimeren's current husband, businessman Mark Murrow wasn't able to make it due to a previous commitment.

According to Velasquez, everyone had a grand time together especially as Nate proved quite an entertainer.

“They were so crazy about him,” Velasquez said.

“Tapos 'yung baby, pakitang-gilas naman sa dalawang ate niya. Sobrang bibo, talon nang talon, tuma-tumbling! Naloloka ako, sabi ko, ‘Anong nangyayari, bakit tuma-tumbling ‘yung anak ko?’ Ganun. Tapos salita nang salita… ganun nang ganun, nakakatuwa. Tawa nang tawa.”

According to Velasquez, Van Eimeren immediately took to Nate as well.

“Tuwang-tuwang-tuwang-tuwa si Michelle, tuwang-tuwa siya. Tapos nagpa-picture pa, ‘I need to have a picture with him—just me and him,’” she said.

Parting was not easy for all, Velaquez said.

“You know, every time we see each other, sila Michelle and of course 'yung girls ni Ogie, it’s always very hard to leave. Pati ako, it’s very hard for me. Kasi siyempre, we don’t really get to see much of each other. So, ‘pag nagkikita, kailangan maghiwalay, it’s always emotional.”

Yet Velasquez divulged that they already plan to see each other again this December.

“Kasi last Christmas, hindi ako nakapunta kasi nanganak ako. Si Ogie lang nagpunta nun. Actually, pinaplano namin ni Michelle—at saka kaming dalawa talaga ‘yung nagpaplano."

source: mb.com.ph

Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez prepare for busier days ahead

Some changes are bound to happen in the Alcasid household.

Come August, Regine Velasquez will start leaving the house more often to fulfill television and movie commitments. While her husband Ogie Alcasid will be found more often in their new restaurant.

But Regine vows that her slipping out of the house is not going to be daily.

Asia’s Songbird tells the media, “Ayokong every day kasi hindi ko maalagaan si Nathan. At least may one day na andun ako.”

Besides, she says, “Parang nasanay na ‘ko na hinihintay ko siya,” referring to Ogie Alcasid, the father of her baby.

Regine adds, “Saka, parang I kind of like the idea na I’m home and I’m just waiting for my husband.”

So when she started shooting her upcoming movie with Aga Muhlach, she had this “weird feeling” on the first day.

The singer-actress relates, “Yun yung normal, di ba? Parang na-weirduhan ako… Buti na lang thrice a week muna siya.

“Naka-three days na kami. One week na yun talaga na three days dire-diretso, ‘tapos next week, meron ulit.

“So dire-diretso naman na yung shoot kasi para mas… Wala din lang akong ginagawa. Yun din lang ginagawa ko. So, mas magaan.

“’Tapos yun nga, every other day lang yung shooting ko. Meron pa rin naman akong time para sa asawa ko at para sa anak ko.”

On Ogie’s part, the past few months have already been hectic.

On TV, he had Daldalita, plus the still-ongoing My Daddy Dearest and Pare & Pare.

In addition, he’s regularly on Party Pilipinas and Bubble Gang.

On the big screen, after Boy Pick Up The Movie, his next film, I Do Bidoo Bidoo, with Eugene Domingo, will soon hit the theaters.

“Sunod-sunod!” remarks GMA-7’s Nelson Canlas and TV5’s Laila Chikadora.

The man who has come to be known as the country's Songwriter says, “Alam mo kasi, yung pangyayari sa buhay natin, hindi naman tayo gumagawa niyan. Whatever comes our way, we just accept it.”

SETTING PRIORITIES. But the schedules should be managed properly, according to Regine, who plans to take things “hinay-hinay lang, konti-konti” when she officially makes her comeback.

She elaborates, “Actually, pinag-uusapan namin. Kasi, yung soap yung medyo pamatay, e. Ang hirap ng soap coz that’s every day, and you shoot or tape three or four times a week.

“Medyo mahirap. So pinag-uusapan namin, na kung sino sa ‘min may soap, dapat may isa na maiiwan sa bahay. Kakatapos lang niya. Parang dapat ako, ako naman."

But, mindful of their son Nathan, she says, “Pero I’m hoping na sana next year pa nila ako i-offer ng soap, kasi para maka-one year muna siya…”

Meanwhile, as far as Regine’s career is concerned, Ogie states: “Kung ano yung gusto niya, dun ako.”

Being Mrs. Ogie Alcasid, the comedian says, doesn’t entail any form of restriction on his wife’s career.

The 44-year-old Kapuso star explains, “No, I’m not that kind of husband. My wife… I… I don’t have any limitation on her or her career.

“And… she’s responsible enough to know what her limitations are.”

Regine continues, “Yun yung isa sa mga magandang ugali ng asawa ko. Kasi ever since, talagang hindi niya ako binigyan ng, ‘O, dapat mag-asawa na tayo, ganito ka na…’ He never did that…”

Laughing, Ogie cuts in, “Basta’t sa akin, okay rin siya. Kailangan, wala ring limitation.”

Back to the Songbird, she says, “Hindi! Pero talaga parang… kasi alam din naman niya nga, na alam ko rin sa sarili ko kung hanggang saan ako.

“Hindi naman niya kailangang mag-ask, plus, kasi sa kanya, hindi din naman ako ganun.

“Wala din akong… although, ayaw din niyang gumagawa ng mga bagay na medyo ikakataas ng kilay ng marami dahil yun, alam na nila na asawa ko siya…

“Hindi, mabait talaga yung asawa ko. Wala siyang ganun.”

REGINE-AGA MOVIE. So, even for her movie with Aga, no limitations were set.

Taking on a mock-serious tone, Ogie says, “Kasi, pag si Aga, parang ako na rin yung kasama niya. Kasi hindi naman kaiba yung hitsura.”

The comment elicits chuckles from reporters and camera men.

He resumes, “Sa pangalan lang kami medyo hawig—Aga, Ogie…”

Kidding aside, Regine describes her Joyce Bernal film as “nakakatuwa.”

She relates, “Akala ko yung movie, konti pa lang yung na-shoot namin. Parang feeling ko baka outdated na. But we watched the… yung some of the scenes… Kasi, na-edit na ni Joyce, ang cute pala!

“So ngayon, puwede ko na ma-tweet na… puwede ko nang sabihin, ‘Maganda yung movie…’ Kasi cute talaga siya. Maganda talaga siya. So, abangan nila.”

REGINE AS HOST. The topic shifts to Regine’s upcoming talk show Hot TV, which will replace Showbiz Central.

When asked if Ogie gave his wife some tips, the former replies, “Hindi kailangan ng pointers dahil a… likas na madaldal ang aking asawa.

“But you know, one thing about my wife, meron siyang objective, e— to have that person, whoever she’s interviewing, lumabas yung katotohanan. Kung anuman yung gusto niyang [interviewee] ilabas dun.”

Regine’s side comment: “Naks!”

Smiling, Ogie adds, “Kumbaga, hindi naman siya yung interviewer na gustong lang niyang paiyakin yung tao. She’s not the type.

“And because artista rin siya, yung sentiment niya, nandun din sa iinterbyuhin.”

OGIE’S BUSINESS. The couple’s PEP interview takes place on July 22, at Ryu Ramen & Curry restaurant of Ogie.

“Restaurant yung pag-usapan natin,” the co-owner jokes.

Then, he goes on to reveal why he chose to put up a Japanese restaurant on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City.

“Mahilig kami sa ramen. Yung mga partners ko, ganun din. Masarap kumain. Maganda rin yung meron kang tambayan…”

Regine picks gyoza as her favorite.

She adds, “Talagang masarap. ‘Tapos hindi siya mahal, so tamang-tamang lang siya. May ramen, may miki…

Ogie personally prefers Tan Tan Ramen, which he describes as “medyo spicy and hot siya.”

Since Mr. A is the one who’s going to look after the business, he’ll be leaving their house more often as well... just like his wife.

“I’ll be here a lot,” he says about their new venture. - Pep.ph

source: gmanetwork.com