Regine Velasquez was given the title “Asia’s Songbird” because of her very powerful voice. Her every belting surely elicits proper ovation from the audience, and her songs have become the eternal favorites of contenders in all kinds of singing contests ranging from amateur to professional. She has also tried a hand on acting and has starred in several blockbuster romance-comedy movies and in high-rating TV shows.
Beginning August 5, however, Regine will be donning a new tunic – that of a showbiz talk show host with the launch of GMA’s H.O.T. TV (Hindi Ordinaryong Tsimis TV). She will be joined by co-hosts Raymond Gutierrez, Jennylyn Mercado and her long-time friend, veteran comedian Roderick Paulate in the said show, which will replace the all-showbiz talk show Showbiz Central.
Unlike its predecessor, H.O.T. TV won’t go all-showbiz; it will also feature human interest stories and extraordinary feats of ordinary people. Each host will be assigned a particular type of story each week.
During the press conference of the show, Regine jokingly described herself as “intrigera” although she said that as much as possible she doesn’t want to “grill” fellow artists about sensitive and too-personal topics.
“Siguro kung may mga kaibigan akong artista na hindi masyadong mahilig magpainterview, siguro sa akin nila ibibigay thinking na ‘Oh, I will be safe kasi hindi naman siya [Regine] intrigera’ pero mali pala sila (laughs),” she quipped.
Regine understands that her being a showbiz personality herself places her in an uncomfortable position to do hard-core “intriga.”
“It’s a showbiz talk show, of course, and I know that I am expected to ask intriguing questions but as an actor and as a person who is in the same business [showbiz], I don’t think it’s proper na mamersonal ako nang ganun, although I will try my very best to ask questions na yung makahulugan naman at makabuluhan naman, yung hindi sila ma-ooffend but at the same giving them a chance also to clear whatever issue they need to clear, yun lang naman,” she said.
Regine, however, made it clear that he won’t play safe in dealing with showbiz-related stories; she’ll be just “appropriate.”
“Hindi naman sa magpapaka-safe ako pero siguro dun lang ako sa kung ano ang appropriate kasi maliit lang naman ang industriya at kilala ko silang lahat, wala namang may gusto nang may maraming kaaway,” she said.
The songbird will be staging a concert entitled “Silver” on November 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena to celebrate her 25th year in the industry.
“Actually 26th year ko na ito pero hindi ko kasi na-celebrate last year yung 25th ko bilang nabuntis ako,” explains Regine.
Almost all throughout her pregnancy, Regine rarely appeared on television. Just a few months after giving birth, she is now back and ready for work. Does she and husband Ogie Alcasid plan of having another baby soon?
“Kung bibigyan pa kami ng isang baby, then we will be very happy. Pero kung hindi ok lang naman kasi matatanda na nga kami e, hindi na kami masyadong makaporma (laughs). We’re happy enough to have a baby [Nathan], kung bibigyan kami ng isa pa siyempre ang saya diba, pero kung hindi naman happy na rin kami.”