Reflections - A Concert Review

Regine has held her December concerts at OnStage for the past few years. This year, she staged it at the Aliw Theatre. It's my first time to see her perform here. Left my pad around 7:30 in the evening. Had my dinner already (a tinola leftover). The cab driver didn't know where Aliw Theatre is located so I just instructed him to find CCP. After asking a guard, we found the location. Even saw Mang Gerry, Reg's father, walking around.

First thing I noticed in the venue was the comfy seats. I'm used to sitting on those white monoblock chairs during her concert. But this time, it's like you're really in a moviehouse. Sweet! There was a red drape covering the stage. The place was 65% full at this point (8:15 pm). While waiting for the concert to start, they showed the GMA Kapuso theme.

Around 9, the concert started with an announcement of Chona Velasquez' presence. It's a little girl named Hannah singing "Fame" (Thanks to Amy for informing me that Hannah is a daughter of Cacai). Then Kim Flores appeared singing the same song. After her number, it's Regine who came out wearing a nice beaded white gown (as expected, with a not-too-plunging neckline). The stage was filled with Regine's gowns being auctioned. The band was wearing white. On the left side of the stage, Raul Mitra's piano was situated.

"Rhythm's Gonna Get You" (she pronounced it as "Rhythm's Gonna Get Ya") was her second song. Then she greeted her audience. She explained the concept of the show. She even informed them about the ongoing auction.

Her next number was Angela Bofill's "Break It to Me Gently". Followed by a Sheena Easton medley of "For Your Eyes Only", "I Wouldn't Beg for Water", and capped by "Almost Over You". I think she's the only singer around who sounds like Ms. Easton.

She was 5 when she first joined a singing contest. She placed third. The song she sang then was "Buhat" which her father taught her word for word. She felt good when the audience clapped after her performance. 'twas then that she realized she wanted to perform.

A Sharon Cuneta medley was next. I thought she's gonna render Cuneta's more famous songs like "Pangarap na Bituin" and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas". In fact, Regine sang her early songs like "Mr. DJ", "Dear Heart", "P.S. I Love You", and "Kahapon Lamang".

She thanked the Kapuso network for giving her the chance to help future artists through her show, "Pinoy Pop Superstar". She introduced her guest, Jonalyn Viray, who sang "Close to Where You Are". Then Regine appeared with a similar looking yellow gown that Viray was wearing. Only Reg's was more elaborate looking. They did a medley of Regine's songs: "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw", "You are My Song", "You've Made Me Stronger", and "Dadalhin". In some parts, I couldn't hear Viray's voice.

I also noticed during performance breaks that Reg drank her tea (I just assumed it's a tea; could be water too).

Reg started her spiel with the story about the era of boy bands. According to her, there's one group that shocked the world with their music. It's an introduction to a medley of Spice Girls' songs: "2 Become 1", "Say You'll Be There", "Wannabe", and "Who Do You Think You Are". It's fun to hear Reg "rap". She enjoyed this number obviously.

From one medley to another, it's Kuh Ledesma this time with her songs like "Dito Ba" and "Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon". She sang two more songs but their titles are unknown to me.

Anita Baker's "Just Because" was next. It's nice to hear this again from our Songbird.

Of course, the night won't be complete without a Mariah Carey medley. She started off with the first stanza & chorus of "Butterfly", followed by "Never Too Far" and "My All", and ended by the birit parts of "Butterfly".

She wondered how it would be like for her, 20 years from now. It's Ai-Ai de las Alas' cue to appear on stage wearing a maroon gown, complete with a baby china look. She rocked the house with her funny antics. She kept on repeating "do you like it?". That elicited laughter from the audience. She sang "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing". In the belting parts, it's Reg's voice that came out and Ai-Ai just lipsynched it. She even threw the mic at one point. That was hilarious. The audience gave her a standing ovation!

Reg appeared wearing a purple gown. Their spiels covered from Reg being a virgin even after 25 years (Ai-Ai's character commented that her vagina is now only a scar) to an accidental peek of Ai-Ai's nips the previous night. It was Reg who saw the nipple so Ai-Ai wore a bra tonight. That brought the house down. Reg was in tears from laughing. Ai-Ai attacked Faith Cuneta too. She told Reg that Faith must be envious because Reg is still a queen and a virgin even after 25 years from now =oP

Next number required a big butterfly wings to be brought down from the top part of the stage. According to the ladies, they haven't done anything like this before so they're both excited.

Ai-Ai positioned herself on a small platform (in front of the wings, ala R2K) and Reg stationed herself beside the piano. Ai-Ai sang "On the Wings of Love" with the high notes brought down (like someone was messing up with the pitch control; pretty funny). She commented that her talent fee isn't enuff to pay for her insurance just in case an accident happens. Teehee...

Regine sang her own version while Ai-Ai was pulled upward towards the back of the theatre. After this performance, Ai Ai thanked God for bringing her safe to the back.

Looking at the back portion, I noticed now that some of the rows were vacant. Hmmm... I guess the concert venue was 80-85% full. Ain't bad.

Debarge's "Rhythm of the Night" was next. She's backed up by the Hotlegs dancers.

Reg interpreted Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You", "Run To You", and "I Have Nothing". I think this is one of the highlights of the show. Whenever you hear Reg belts these songs out, you'd be truly amazed too by her lung power.

"Papa, Can You Hear Me" was her tribute to Barbra Streisand. I thought she'd sing another Streisand song but she opted to thank her band and sponsors.

"Reflections" (Christina Aguilera's version) was her finale. While she was singing this, white feathers rained. She belted this song out. A must-hear alright!

Lastly, she thanked her sister, Cacai, for compiling all her songs for the concert. The "Forever Blue" singer also had a hand in the stage design.

She then thanked everyone and left the stage. Some people started to leave. Her encore was a repeat from "Queens of Pop" concert last February. She sang "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", "Telephone", "Gloria", and "Thank You For the Music" while posing for the people who took her pictures. Celebrity sightings include Joyce Bernal, Boy Abunda, Sandara Parks, and Don Balan =oP.