Regine's Twentieth

Being a fan for 20 years, I know for a fact that Regine's show doesn't start on time so I was relaxed when I went inside the Araneta Coliseum at 7:45. I was a bit shocked that the place wasn't full yet. Some people were still buying popcorn, pizza and soda from the vendors that walk around the area. Ads of Belo, Promil and GMA Kapuso network were being flashed on a videowall. Che and two girls from RVMM forum recognized me.

There's a grand piano placed at the center of the stage. Celebrity sightings or recognizable figures include: Boss Vic del Rosario, Robin Padilla, Jaya with her hubby, and Beth Tamayo. Where's Goma & Lucy?


The show started with our Songbird singing a "Narito Ako" medley. Injected in the medley were anecdotes from her childhood days. She sang portions of "Buhat" (the first song she learned from her Papa), "Mr. DJ" & "Pangarap na Bituin" (she really loves Mega), "Bakit Ako Mahihiya" (the contest where her too-big half slip fell to her ankles), and "In Your Eyes" (her winning piece in Bagong Kampeon). She capped it off with a full version of "Narito Ako". Her gown was diva-ish, lotsa ruffles and a humongous red ribbon.


She took that off and revealed a very sexy outfit underneath. She sang "Call Me". During the first "Anytime, anyplace, anywhere, anyday", she didn't belt it out. When she finished her song and spoke for the first time, I uttered, "patay!". She excused her voice because according to her, she gave it all the night before. She thanked the audience right away for understanding her. She got teary-eyed too because she couldn't believe she has reached her 20th year. And to think when she was just starting, many thought she won't make it because she couldn't speak English and she's not that pretty.

She talked about her love affairs. First she talked about how her parents love taking pictures of her. Then behind her and on the videowall, photographs by Jun de Leon were flashed. She sang "Shine". In the last note, her voice broke a little and it was uncomfortable. I wasn't sure if she will last through the night =*o( She told the audience that she knew she would lose her voice so she opted to make herself more beautiful for the night. She modeled her gown. The fans liked it.

There's one fan who was screaming at the top of her lungs. She extended her mic to the fan and motioning to replace her ;oP

According to her, she only wanted to sing. She couldn't believe that she was given a chance to do movies as well. She thanked Boss Vic for believing in her. Incidentally, she was playing "Maria Clara" in a "Noli Me Tangere" production when Vic saw her for the first time. Her second love affair was about movies. She proceeded to singing her movie themes: "You are my Song", "Pangako", "Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka", "Ikaw", and "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw". The videowall showed scenes from her past movies.

She acknowledged Binoe's presence and the crowd shrieked. Robin walked up the stage, greeted the audience and went back to his seat afterwards.

Backed up by 5 dancers (from "Hot Legs", I assumed), she did a remix version of "Hot Stuff" and "Shake Your Groove Thing". She channeled Nicole of "The Pussycat Dolls". In fact, sections from "Buttons" and "Don't Cha" were included in the arrangement of her Retro songs. Director Louie Ignacio created an MTV just for this number.


She left the stage and a chorale group appeared in white. The minute they sang the first bar, I knew that they would sing "On the Wings of Love", reminiscent of "One Night Only". Men wearing robes and carrying lanterns appeared.


She explained that her next love affair was her collaboration with other musical directors. First on the list was Louie Ocampo. In the early 90s, Louie gave her this song that became one of her signature songs... the very-challenging-not-for-the-weak-lungs "What Kind of Fool Am I". She was sitting when she sang this song. During the belting portions, the crowd roared. And to think she's hoarse!!! A lotta people gave her a standing ovation here (including the knottydon!).

She proceeded to singing "Dadalhin" with Cesar Aguas on guitar. Clips of her crying her hearts out in her past tv shows or movies were shown. She teased Cesar for his unthinkable long hair in the old days.


Next love affair was her collaboration with other artists. She couldn't remember how many duets she's done in the past. First on the list was "Please be Careful with my Heart". Instead of Jose Mari Chan appearing, Dennis Trillo sang with Regine. The audience love this guy. While Dennis was singing, Reg mouthed the words, "Ang cute nya no?!". "Forever" was assigned to Jed Madela. Other songs in the medley were "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" (Gabby Eigenmann), "Magkasuyo Buong Gabi" (Mark Bautista), "In Love with You" (the guy from Shamrock), and "Hanggang Ngayon" (Erik Santos... I give props to this guy for belting it out with Regine). "Muli" was the last song in the medley and it was fully appreciated by the crowd. I also noticed that her voice is coming back! Yay!!!

For the past 17 years, she's worked with only one dance group, the "Hot Legs". A pair of dancers complemented her "Music of Goodbye" number. This number will remind you of the "Paalam" number in her "Reigning Still" concert.


She introduced another musical director, Mon Faustino. She sat beside the piano and sang "Sana Maulit Muli". Thank gawd it's not the acoustic version. I miss this version a lot.

She left the stage and introduced 3 guys: Geline Eugenio's son, Marky Cielo, and Mark Herras, that danced to a remix version of "Reason Enough", "You've Made Me Stronger", and "Follow the Sun". Another MTV was shown in the background.


"I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" was her comeback piece. At this point, my fear of her voice cracking up again was gone. In the first chorus, the audience sang for Reg. She thanked the audience silently.

She was thankful that her friend, Mr. Ogie Alcasid, has given her such wonderful songs. 2 of her favorite Alcasid compositions were not hers but Gary V's: "Kailangan Kita" and "Ikaw Lamang".


She then introduced another musical genius, Gerard Salonga. Salonga conducted for the song, "Love Me Again". I was hoping she would sing "Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin" similar to her version in Lani Misalucha's concert.


In her next number she became very emotional. She dedicated the song, "Bakit Ako Mahihiya?" to the 2 most important persons in her life: Mommy V and Mang Gerry. She's very proud to be their daughter. She thanked the Lord for her parents.

Regine is a product of a singing contest. Her next set of songs were her winning pieces: "In Your Eyes", "And I'm Telling You", and "You'll Never Walk Alone". They showed her winning the Asia-Pacific contest too. Ahh, I was in highschool when I saw this on tv. When she deliver these contest pieces, it's really obvious that she's the only diva who can sing such difficult songs. Another standing ovation for this medley.


The Promil gifted children and the chorale group joined our Songbird on stage. She sang "Greatest Love of All" and "I Believe". In the belting part of "I Believe", she kneeled down and dedicated the song to our Lord.


Robin went up the stage once more to give her flowers. She then sang "Till I Met You" with Robin's eyes glued to our Songbird & with their lips almost touching. Ahh, their chemistry is sooooo great!