Regine Velasquez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Regine Alcasid
Velasquez in 2010
Born	Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez (1970-04-22) April 22, 1970 (age 55) Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Occupation	Singer actress record producer
Years active	1986–present
Works	Discography filmography performances songs
Spouse(s)	Ogie Alcasid ​ (m. 2010)​
Children	1
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	OPM pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	Vicor PolyCosmic PolyGram Universal Viva Star Music
Signature

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez (born April 22, 1970) is a famous Filipino singer and actress. She is known for her amazing vocal range and powerful singing style. Many people see her as one of the most important people in Philippine popular culture. She is often called "Asia's Songbird".

Regine had a unique way of training her voice when she was a child. Her father would have her stand neck-deep in the sea while she practiced singing. She became famous after winning the TV talent show Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984. Later, she won the Asia Pacific Singing Contest in 1989.

She started her music career in 1986. Since then, she has sold over seven million records in the Philippines. This makes her the best-selling Filipino music artist of all time. Regine has also starred in many popular movies and TV shows.

Early Life and First Steps to Stardom

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez was born on April 22, 1970, in Tondo, Manila. Her parents were Teresita and Gerardo Velasquez. She has three sisters and one brother. Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, where she spent her early years.

Regine loved music from a young age. At three, she enjoyed listening to her father's lullabies. She also listened to her mother play guitar and piano. One of the first songs she learned was "Mr. DJ" by Sharon Cuneta.

She started singing at age six. Her father helped her train her voice in a special way. He would make her stand in the sea with water up to her neck. This helped her strengthen her core and stomach muscles. It also improved her lung capacity. Regine came in third place in her very first singing competition.

When she was nine, her family moved to Balagtas, Bulacan. In 1984, at age 14, Regine tried out for the TV show Ang Bagong Kampeon. She won the senior division of the show. This led to her first record deal with OctoArts International.

Her Amazing Music Career

Starting Out and First Albums

In 1986, Regine first used the stage name Chona. She released a song called "Love Me Again," but it wasn't very successful. Later, she changed her stage name to Regine Velasquez. This was suggested by singer Martin Nievera.

Regine then signed with Viva Records. In 1987, she released her first album, Regine. It included popular songs like "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang." During this time, she also appeared on TV shows like Triple Treat. In 1989, she represented the Philippines in the Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong. She won by singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going".

Her second album, Nineteen 90, came out in 1990. She also had her first big concert at the Folk Arts Theater. In 1991, Regine performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She was the first Asian solo artist to do so. She was even asked to audition for the musical Miss Saigon in London, but she chose to stay with her family.

Her third album, Tagala Talaga, was released in 1991. It featured new versions of songs by famous Filipino artists. In 1993, she released "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" with Canadian singer Paul Anka. This song was part of her fourth album, Reason Enough.

International Success and Hit Albums

Velasquez at a press launch in 1996

In 1994, Regine released her fifth album, Listen Without Prejudice. This album was released in many Asian countries. The main song, "In Love with You," featured Cantonese singer Jacky Cheung. This album sold over 700,000 copies worldwide. It became her best-selling album ever.

Her sixth album, My Love Emotion, came out in 1995. In 1996, she released Retro, which had new versions of popular songs from the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1998, Regine signed a new record deal. She released the R&B-influenced album Drawn. Her next album, R2K (1999), was a huge hit. It included popular remakes like "On the Wings of Love" and "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing". R2K sold so many copies that it was certified twelve-times platinum. This made it the highest-selling album by a female artist in the Philippines.

Concerts and TV Shows

Velasquez performing "Butterfly" during her R2K Concert in April 2000

In 2000, Regine had a big concert called R2K: The Concert at the Araneta Coliseum. She also released her first live album, Regine Live: Songbird Sings the Classics. Her eleventh album, Reigne, came out in 2001.

Regine won the first MTV Asia Award for Favorite Artist Philippines in 2002. She also started hosting the TV talent show Star for a Night. In 2003, she won her second MTV Asia Award. She also went on a world concert tour with Martin Nievera.

From 2004 to 2007, Regine released two albums of cover songs, Covers, Vol. 1 and Covers, Vol. 2. She also hosted the TV show Pinoy Pop Superstar. In 2006, she had a concert called Twenty to celebrate her career.

New Music and TV Projects

Velasquez on her Silver concert at the Mall of Asia Arena in 2013

In 2008, Regine released the album Low Key. It featured more relaxed versions of international songs. She also hosted the TV show Are You the Next Big Star?. Her next album, Fantasy, came out in 2010. It was a double album with both original Filipino songs and international covers.

After becoming pregnant, Regine took a break from public events. She returned to TV in 2012 with Sarap Diva, a weekly talk show. In 2013, she had a successful concert called Silver at the Mall of Asia Arena. Her album Hulog Ka Ng Langit was released in 2013.

From 2015 to 2016, Regine continued to perform in big concerts. She also became a judge on the TV talent show StarStruck. In 2017, she released her album R3.0. She also hosted the TV talent show The Clash in 2018. Later that year, she joined ABS-CBN and became a judge on Idol Philippines.

In 2019, Regine had a concert called Iconic with Sharon Cuneta. She also released songs for movie and TV soundtracks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Regine organized online concerts to raise money for charity.

Recent Projects

Velasquez on her Solo concert residency in 2023

In 2021, Regine had her first online concert, Freedom. It was a big success. She also recorded theme songs for TV shows. In 2022, she returned as a judge for Idol Philippines and became a host on the morning talk show Magandang Buhay.

In 2023, Regine had a concert series called Solo. She tried out new music styles like disco and funk. She also released a new song, "It Must Have Been Love", from her upcoming album Reginified. In November 2023, she had a rock-themed concert called Regine Rocks.

Her Acting Journey

Velasquez promoting Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw in 2000

Regine Velasquez started her acting career with a small role in the 1988 comedy film The Untouchable Family. She appeared in other comedies like Pik Pak Boom (1988). In 1995, she played the lead role of María Clara in a musical play based on José Rizal's Noli Me Tángere.

Her first starring role in a movie was in the romantic comedy Wanted: Perfect Mother (1996). She played a music teacher. She also starred in the musical comedy Do Re Mi (1996). Regine continued to play lead roles in romantic comedies like Honey Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako (1998) and Dahil May Isang Ikaw (1999).

A big moment in her film career was Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw (2000) with Robin Padilla. Her next film, Pangako Ikaw Lang (2001), was a huge success. It was the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2001. For this movie, Regine was named Box Office Queen.

In 2001, she also starred in an episode of the TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya. She played a woman with an intellectual disability. Her performance won her a Star Award for Best Single Performance by an Actress. She also starred in the superhero film Captain Barbell (2003).

Regine made her prime time TV debut in the drama series Forever in My Heart (2004). She also starred in romantic dramas like Till I Met You (2006) and Paano Kita Iibigin (2007). In 2008, she played the main character in the comedy series Ako si Kim Samsoon, based on a South Korean show. She also voiced the main character in the animated film Urduja.

In 2009, she appeared in the drama series Totoy Bato. In 2010, she starred in the musical comedy series Diva. She had to wear special makeup to look like her character. Regine also starred in the TV series I Heart You, Pare! (2011).

Her film Of All the Things (2012) earned her a Golden Screen Award for Best Actress. In the series Poor Señorita (2016), she played a powerful business owner. In 2019, she starred in the independent drama Yours Truly, Shirley.

Regine is careful about choosing dramatic roles. She has said that these roles affect her deeply. She often brings the character's feelings home with her after filming.

Her Unique Artistry

Musical Influences

Regine grew up listening to her father sing classic songs. She loved traditional songs more than nursery rhymes. She has always looked up to Sharon Cuneta and says Sharon inspired her to become a singer.

Regine's music has been influenced by artists like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. She admires Whitney Houston's R&B style and Mariah Carey's songwriting. However, she has often said that Barbra Streisand is her biggest musical inspiration. Regine loves Streisand's talent, fearlessness, and willingness to take risks. She has even performed many concerts as a tribute to Barbra Streisand.

She has also been influenced by many Filipino artists. Early in her career, she looked up to Kuh Ledesma, Joey Albert, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, and Pops Fernandez.

Musical Style and Voice

Regine's early music included traditional Filipino love songs. She once said that when she was 16, people didn't know what kind of music she should sing. They had to explain love songs to her because she hadn't experienced those feelings yet. Her first album had ballads and pop love songs about excitement and missed chances.

Later, her albums like Nineteen 90 and Tagala Talaga focused on Filipino love songs. When she started making international albums, her music became more "easy-listening" with modern touches. Her albums in the late 1990s and early 2000s often featured cover versions of international songs. This was because these songs were popular and sold well in the Philippines.

Regine is known as a soprano singer. People often praise her wide vocal range and technical skills. She is known for her powerful and emotional singing. However, some critics have said she sometimes uses too much belting (singing very loudly and high). Regine has explained that when she's on stage, the excitement makes her want to sing powerfully.

Her Legacy and Influence

Velasquez performing during a promotional tour for Fantasy in 2010

Regine Velasquez has had a huge impact on Filipino popular music. She is called "Asia's Songbird" and is one of the most influential Filipino artists. Many people say she created the "blueprint" for becoming a singing icon in the Philippines.

Her vocal style and powerful singing have inspired many young singers. However, her use of belting has also led to some debate. Many young singers, especially on TV talent shows, try to copy her belting technique. Some critics say that many new female singers sound too much like Regine.

Many Filipino pop, hip-hop, and R&B artists have said that Regine Velasquez influenced them. These include Sarah Geronimo, Aicelle Santos, Charice, Jona Viray, KZ Tandingan, Kyla, and Morissette. Even American Idol finalists like Ramiele Malubay and Jessica Sanchez have said they want to be like Regine.

Regine has also worked with famous international artists like Alicia Keys and Brian McKnight. French composer Michel Legrand said it was "heaven" to sing with Regine because she has such an "extraordinary technical voice." Brian McKnight called her "one of the best singers I've ever heard."

Other Activities

Helping Others

Regine Velasquez is involved with many charities. In 2001, she worked with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on a documentary about homeless children. She also performed a benefit concert called One Night with Regine to help the Bantay Bata Foundation, which supports children who have been abused.

In 2009, she headlined a TV special to help people affected by Typhoon Ketsana. In 2010, she became an ambassador for Operation Smile. This group provides surgery for children with cleft lip and palate. In 2013, money from her album Hulog Ka Ng Langit was donated to the Philippine Red Cross to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

Product Endorsements

Regine has worked with many brands. She has appeared in ads for fast-food restaurants like Wendy's and KFC. She has also promoted brands like Lux, Nokia, and Smart Communications. In 2009, she launched her own perfumes called Reigne and Songbird.

Since 2018, Regine has worked with the fast-food chain Jollibee. She has appeared in commercials with her son. They have also worked with brands like Pampers and Nestlé. In 2020, she launched her own makeup line called Reigne. She also became a spokesperson for Ariel laundry detergent and Vicks medicines.

Personal Life

Regine Velasquez announced her relationship with singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid in 2007. They got engaged in 2010 and married in December of that year in Nasugbu, Batangas. Their son, Nathaniel James, was born on November 8, 2011.

Regine is a born-again Christian. She has shared that she became a Christian after a difficult personal experience before her marriage. She attends Victory Christian Fellowship.

Awards and Recognition

Regine Velasquez has received many awards throughout her career. She won MTV Asia's Favorite Artist Philippines in 2002 and 2003. She also won the Aliw Awards' Entertainer of the Year three times (2007, 2009, and 2019).

She has received special lifetime achievement awards for her contributions to music. These include the Awit Awards' Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino and the Myx Music's Magna Award.

Regine has sold over seven million records in the Philippines and 1.5 million in Asia. This makes her the biggest-selling Filipino artist of all time. Eight of her albums have sold over 200,000 copies each.

She has also been recognized for her acting. She won the Box Office Queen award in 2002, the Star Awards for Television's Best Actress in 2002, and the Golden Screen Awards' Best Actress in 2013. In December 2007, Regine received a star on the Philippines' Walk of Fame.

Discography

Filmography

Concerts

Headlining concerts

Co-headlining concerts

Concert residencies

• Regine at the Movies (2001; 2018)
• Songbird Sings (2002)
• Songbird Sings Streisand (2003)
• Reflections (2005)
• Ang Ating Musika (2007)
• Regine at the Theater (2015)
• Solo (2023)

Images for kids

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  Velasquez at an event for Jollibee in 2015

See also

In Spanish: Regine Velásquez para niños

• List of best-selling albums in the Philippines
• List of Filipino singers
• List of Filipino actresses
• Music of the Philippines
• Philippine Association of the Record Industry