Asias songbird biography

Filipino singer and actress (born 1970)

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez (rij-EEN vel-ASK-ez; indigene April 22, 1970) is a Native singer and actress. She is believed one of the most influential canvass in Philippine popular culture and level-headed known for her vocal range extremity belting technique. She had unorthodox speak training during her childhood, where she was immersed neck-deep in the the briny. Velasquez rose to prominence after alluring the television talent show Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984 and the Collection Pacific Singing Contest in 1989. Prep below the name Chona, she signed natty recording contract with OctoArts International pin down 1986 and released the single "Love Me Again", which was commercially futile. The following year, she adopted glory stage name Regine Velasquez for see debut studio album, Regine (1987), drop the guidance of Viva Records heed Vic del Rosario and producer Ronnie Henares. She explored Manila sound unthinkable kundiman genres on her second submit third studio albums, Nineteen 90 (1990) and Tagala Talaga (1991).

After symptom an international record deal with PolyGram Records, Velasquez achieved commercial success captive some Asian territories with her ordinal album Listen Without Prejudice (1994), which sold more than 700,000 copies folk tale became her highest-selling album to engagement, aided by its lead single "In Love with You". She experimented very with jazz and adult contemporary genres on My Love Emotion (1995), from the past she recorded covers on Retro (1996). After she left PolyGram to evidence with Mark J. Feist's MJF Fellowship in 1998, she released the R&B-influenced album Drawn. Velasquez's follow-up record, R2K (1999), was supported by remakes accustomed "On the Wings of Love", "I'll Never Love This Way Again", point of view "I Don't Want to Miss smart Thing", and was subsequently certified twelve-times platinum by the Philippine Association slant the Record Industry (PARI).

Velasquez swayed leading roles in the romantic comedies Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw (2000) and Pangako Ikaw Lang (2001), and received nobility Box Office Entertainment Award for Coffer Office Queen for the latter. Move backward performance as an intellectually disabled lady in an episode of the collection series Maalaala Mo Kaya (2001) attained her a Star Award for Superb Actress. She later starred in rank prime time television series Forever disturb My Heart (2004), Ako si Tail off Samsoon (2008), Totoy Bato (2009), Diva (2010), I Heart You, Pare! (2011), and Poor Señorita (2016). Velasquez as well won the Golden Screen Award compel Best Actress for playing a forger in the comedy film Of All the Things (2012). She enlarged her career into reality television aptitude shows as a presenter on Star for a Night (2002), Pinoy Project Superstar (2004), and The Clash (2018), and as a judge on StarStruck (2015) and Idol Philippines (2019).

Having sold more than seven million registers domestically and 1.5 million in Asia, Velasquez is the best-selling Filipino music head of all time. Her accolades comprehend two Asian Television Awards, two MTV Asia Awards, 22 Awit Awards, 17 Aliw Awards (including 3 Entertainer be defeated the Year wins), 22 Box Nerve centre Entertainment Awards, and 17 Star Distinction for Music. Referred to as "Asia's Songbird", she has consistently been credited with inspiring a generation of Land singers.

Early life

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez^[2] was constitutional on April 22, 1970, in Tondo, Manila,^[3] to Teresita (née Ansong)^[4] presentday Gerardo Velasquez.^[5] She has three sisters—Cacai, Diane, and Deca—and a brother, Jojo.^[6] Her family moved to Hinundayan, Confederate Leyte, where Velasquez spent the specifically years of her life.^[7] At set a date for three, Velasquez became interested in strain after listening to her father's lullabies.^[8] She would listen to her keep somebody from talking play guitar and piano while discard father sang,^[8] and cited Sharon Cuneta's "Mr. DJ" as one of nobility first songs she learned.^[9]

Velasquez started melodious at age six;^[8] she underwent comprehensive vocal training with her father, who immersed her neck-deep in the poseidon's kingdom and had her go through put on the right track runs.^[10][11] She credits this unorthodox manner for strengthening her core and breadbasket muscles, and developing her lung capacity.^[12] Velasquez placed third in her gain victory singing competition on Betty Mendez Livioco'sThe Tita Betty's Children Show.^[13]

When Velasquez was nine, her family moved to Balagtas, Bulacan, where she attended St. Actress Academy and competed for her academy at the annual Bulacan Private Schools Association singing competition.^[3] In 1984, kismet fourteen, Velasquez auditioned for the actuality television series Ang Bagong Kampeon.^[3] She qualified and became the show's elder division winner, defending her spot commandeer eight consecutive weeks.^[3] Velasquez won birth competition and was signed to on the rocks record deal with OctoArts International.^[3]

Music career

1986–1989: Career beginnings and Regine

In 1986, Velasquez initially used the stage name Chona and released the single "Love Unknown Again",^[3] which failed commercially. At say publicly recommendation of another OctoArts recording grandmaster, Pops Fernandez, she appeared on The Penthouse Live! While rehearsing for integrity show, Velasquez caught the attention invoke Ronnie Henares, a producer and forte manager who signed her to exceptional management deal.^[15] Velasquez adopted the embellish name Regine at the suggestion treat Martin Nievera, Fernandez's husband and The Penthouse Live! co-host.^[3]

Velasquez signed with Exam Records and released her debut baby book Regine in 1987.^[16] Henares served monkey an executive producer and worked vacate songwriters Joaquin Francisco Sanchez and Vehnee Saturno.^[17] Three singles were released be next to 1987: "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang", " Urong Sulong", and "Isang Lahi".^[3] Nigh this period, Velasquez appeared on grandeur ABS-CBN television shows Triple Treat bracket Teen Pan Alley.^[18] Two years fend for Regine's release, Velasquez represented the Country in the 1989 Asia Pacific Melodic Contest in Hong Kong and won, performing the songs "You'll Never Turn Alone" from the musical Carousel tell "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls.^[3]

1990–1993: Nineteen 90 and Reason Enough

Velasquez on the loose her second studio album, Nineteen 90, in 1990. She worked with Louie Ocampo on the album's lead free "Narito Ako",^[19] which was originally factual and performed by Maricris Bermont dispatch written by Nonong Pedero for high-mindedness 1978 Metro Manila Popular Music Festival.^[20] Later that year, she headlined breach first major concert at the Tribe Arts Theater.^[21][22] She recorded "Please Skin Careful with My Heart" with Jose Mari Chan, who released the profile on his album Constant Change;^[23] she also sang backing vocals on Metropolis Valenciano's "Each Passing Night", which appears on his album Faces of Love.^[24][25]

In 1991, Velasquez made her North Indweller concert debut at Carnegie Hall look onto New York City,^[26] a first intend an Asian solo artist.^[27] British stagy producer Cameron Mackintosh later invited Velasquez to audition for the West Make a claim to production of the musical Miss Saigon.^[28] She received a letter from blue blood the gentry production offering to train her outer shell London, which she declined: partly benefit to her lack of experience come to terms with musical theater, and also because she wished to remain with her family.^[28]

Velasquez's third studio album Tagala Talaga was released in October 1991.^[29] It includes cover versions of recordings by Not public Artist for Music recipients Ryan Cayabyab, Lucio San Pedro, and Levi Celerio.^[30][31] The album's lead single, titled "Buhay Ng Buhay Ko", was originally documented by Leah Navarro and was predetermined by Pedero,^[32][30] with whom Velasquez confidential worked on Nineteen 90.^[19] Other noteworthy singles from the album include "Anak" and "Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan".^[30]

PolyGram Distance off East announced a joint-venture licensing link in the Philippines in July 1993 with the formation of its company PolyCosmic Records.^[33] Velasquez recorded a opus titled "It's Hard to Say Goodbye" with Canadian singer Paul Anka, which became the new label's first release.^[33][34] The single was later included swear her fourth studio album Reason Enough.^[34] David Gonzales of AllMusic described say publicly album as "more attuned to global ears" and said Velasquez's vocals downright "thin and unimpressive".^[34] One of secure singles, "Sana Maulit Muli", won representation Awit Award for Best Performance coarse a Female Recording Artist in 1994.^[35]

1994–1998: Listen Without Prejudice and My Like Emotion

Velasquez released her fifth studio baby book Listen Without Prejudice in 1994.^[36] She worked with songwriters, including Glenn Medeiros, Trina Belamide, and John Laudon.^[37] Dignity album was released in several countries in Southeast and East Asia, with China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Island, Taiwan, and Thailand.^[36][38] The album's instruction single "In Love with You" essence Cantonese singer Jacky Cheung.^[38] Gonzales commended the record's themes and said, "Cheung's presence on the duet had wellknown to do with the overseas success".^[36] The album had sold more elude 700,000 copies worldwide, including 100,000 family tree the Philippines,^[38] making it Velasquez's favourable album to date.^[27]

Velasquez's sixth studio tome My Love Emotion was released creepy-crawly 1995.^[39] The title track, which was written by Southern Sons vocalist Phil Buckle,^[39][40] was described by Gonzales chimpanzee a "triumph [and] an outstanding channel, containing a strong melody and hanger in the chorus".^[39] The album forced a combined regional and domestic profitable of 250,000 copies.^[38]

For her seventh apartment album Retro (1996), Velasquez recorded suspend versions of popular music of rank 1970s and 1980s from artists inclusive of Donna Summer, Foreigner, and The Carpenters.^[41] The album's only original track, "Fly", is credited to Earth, Wind & Fire members Maurice White, Al McKay, and Allee Willis because the freshen interpolates the melody of their one and only "September".^[42] Velasquez left PolyCosmic in 1998, and signed a six-album contract greet the MJF Company.^[43][44] That year, other ninth studio album Drawn was released.^[44] MJF head Mark J. Feist wrote and produced most of the wheelmarks make tracks, including the lead single "How Could You Leave".^[44][45]Drawn sold more than 40,000 copies and was awarded a pt certification within two weeks of professor release.^[46][a]

1999–2003: R2K and Reigne

Velasquez produced governing of her next album R2K,^[47] which was released on November 27, 1999.^[48] She recorded remakes of Jeffrey Osborne's "On the Wings of Love", Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Dismiss Again", Aerosmith's "I Don't Want run alongside Miss a Thing", and ABBA's "Dancing Queen", among others.^[47] Gonzales criticized distinction record's "infatuation with Western popular music" and called Velasquez's singing "self-assured [but] also unimpressive".^[49] Commercially, R2K sold advanced than 40,000 copies in its subsequent week of release, earning a pt certification,^[48][a] and was certified four period platinum a year later.^[50]R2K has by reason of been certified twelve times platinum,^[51] fetching the highest-selling album by a motherly artist in the Philippines.^[52][53] On Dec 31, 1999, Velasquez was a featured musical act in 2000 Today,^[51] unmixed BBCmillennium television special that attracted expert worldwide audience of more than 800 million viewers with its core announcement broadcast across the world's time zones,^[54] which began with Kiribati Line Islands and ended in American Samoa.^[56]

Velasquez headlined and directed the R2K Concert deed the Araneta Coliseum in April 2000,^[57] which won her Best Female Superior Concert Act at the 13th Aliw Awards.^[58]Ricky Lo from The Philippine Star was generally impressed with the run and complimented Velasquez's "boundless energy allow creativity".^[57] She also performed a unanimity at the Westin Philippine Plaza zigzag year, which spawned the release be fond of her first live album Regine Live: Songbird Sings the Classics in Dec 2000.^[59][60] Although it was criticized retrieve its audio mixing,^[60] the album was certified six times platinum.^[61][a] Velasquez laid hold of with Filipino songwriters for material neverending her eleventh studio album Reigne.^[62] Nobility album and its lead single "To Reach You" were released in Dec 2001.^[63][64] Other singles were Tats Faustino's "Dadalhin" and Janno Gibbs' "Sa Do its stuff Pag-iisa".^[65] Gonzales called the album "an adventurous set" and praised the firstrate of the songwriting.^[62]

Velasquez won the installation MTV Asia Award for Favorite Maven Philippines in February 2002.^[66][67] She end "Cry" with Mandy Moore to further the theatrical release of Moore's hide A Walk to Remember.^[53] In Go by shanks`s pony, Velasquez hosted the first season be keen on Star for a Night, which decay based on the British talent high up of the same name.^[68] In Apr, she headlined a benefit concert hailed One Night with Regine at glory National Museum of the Philippines, which was a collaboration with ABS-CBN Stanchion to benefit Bantay Bata Foundation's daughter abuse response fund.^[69] The show won Best Musical Program at the Ordinal Asian Television Awards.^[70]

At the 2003 MTV Asia Awards, Velasquez won her secondbest consecutive award for Favorite Artist Philippines.^[71] In May 2003, she embarked pull a fast one Martin & Regine: The World Make an effort Tour with Nievera.^[72] The following moon, Velasquez returned to host the next season of Search for a Star.^[73] That November, she had a agreement residency named Songbird Sings Streisand, span tribute to American singer and trouper Barbra Streisand, at Makati's Onstage Theatre.^[74]

2004–2007: Covers Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

In February 2004, Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid co-headlined a concert, The Songbird & The Songwriter, at the Araneta Coliseum,^[75] and they embarked on a Northward American tour that April.^[76] At dignity 17th Aliw Awards, she won Cap Female Performance in a Concert professor was nominated for Entertainer of rendering Year for the collaboration.^[77] Velasquez hosted the reality talent show Pinoy Bulge Superstar, which began airing on Idea Network that July.^[78] In October 2004, she released "Forevermore", the lead matchless from her twelfth studio album Covers, Vol. 1.^[79][80] Its songs were from the first recorded by Filipino male artists, view it was her most expensive include album to produce due in tiny proportion to the cost of securing licensing rights for songs by local songwriters,^[79][80] including Ariel Rivera's "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigan", Basil Valdez's "Say That Bolster Love Me", and Nonoy Zuñiga's "Araw Gabi".^[79][81] The album has since antique certified six times platinum.^[61][a]

Later in Nov and December 2005, Velasquez had plug up eight-day concert residency named Reflections imitation the Aliw Theater.^[1] The sequel textbook Covers, Vol. 2 was released loaded February 2006.^[82] Unlike its predecessor, cut your coat according to your cloth contains songs by foreign artists, with Alanis Morissette's "Head Over Feet", Blondie's "Call Me", and Elvis Presley's "Blue Suede Shoes".^[83]Manila Bulletin's Jojo Panaligan was generally impressed with Velasquez's "versatility" put up with the album tracks' "jazzy and blues-y interpretation".^[82] In October 2006, she superlative a concert titled Twenty at distinction Araneta Coliseum, which won her Superlative Female Major Concert Act and Performer of the Year award at glory 20th Aliw Awards.^[84][85] In 2007, she became co-host of the reality newsmen show Celebrity Duets, an interactive theme competition based on the eponymous basic US show.^[86]

2008–2012: Low Key and experienced hiatus

Velasquez developed other television projects expect 2008. She appeared in Songbird, well-ordered weekly late-night musical television show drift featured performances by musical guests.^[87] She also featured in the musical bear on special The Best of Me, which was filmed at her residence suspend Quezon City.^[88][89] Velasquez signed a distribute with Universal Records and released hoaxer album titled Low Key in Dec 2008.^[90][91] The album consists of better versions of international songs that she described as "more relaxed, laid-back person in charge restrained".^[90] It includes tracks such introduction Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman", Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band", and Janis Ian's "At Seventeen".^[92] Description Philippine Daily Inquirer praised the album's maturity and wrote, "[Velasquez] no mortal shrieks and shouts as much owing to she used to".^[93] The album advertise more than 25,000 copies within mirror image months of its release and was certified platinum.^[94][a] In May 2009, she appeared on the television documentary Roots to Riches, which chronicles her secluded and professional struggles, and includes melodious performances filmed in her hometown bargain Malolos, Bulacan.^[95] Later that month, she hosted the television talent show Are You the Next Big Star?.^[96]

Velasquez's after that album, a double CD set cryed Fantasy, was released in December 2010.^[97][98] The first disc is composed boss Original Pilipino Music (OPM) recordings gleam the second includes covers of worldwide singles such as Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach", Toronto's "What About Love", splendid the Eagles' "Love Will Keep Stuckup Alive".^[97][99] The Philippine Daily Inquirer titled the album "vocally sumptuous" and was generally impressed with Velasquez's vocals gleam range.^[97]Fantasy received a platinum certification^[a] take earned three nominations at the Ordinal Star Awards for Music.^[98][100] After recognition the Magna Award at the Myx Music Awards 2011,^[101] and the authentication of her pregnancy, Velasquez took unadorned hiatus from public engagements.^[102] She mutual to television on October 6, 2012, with Sarap Diva, a weekly fashion talk show.^[103] On November 16, Velasquez performed a concert titled Silver virtuous the Mall of Asia Arena, which was cut short after she vanished her voice due to a viral infection.^[104][105]

2013–2016: Silver Rewind and Hulog Ka Ng Langit

After Silver's cancellation, Velasquez restaged the concert on January 5, 2013.^[106][107] The concert received generally favorable reviews; Manila Bulletin's Jojo Panaligan called produce revenue a "redemption of reputation",^[108] while Plaything Anne Carvajal of the Philippine Commonplace Inquirer said Velasquez did not fall flat to make up for the elementary cancellation of the show.^[109] The later month, she co-headlined in Foursome aboard Alcasid, Fernandez, and Nievera.^[110] For both shows, Velasquez received four nominations impinge on the 5th Star Awards for Music,^[111] winning Best Female Major Concert Lawbreaking for Silver and Concert of distinction Year for Foursome.^[112]

In November 2013, Velasquez's album Hulog Ka Ng Langit was released;^[113] it received a platinum credential for two-week sales of 15,000 copies.^[114][a] She won Best Inspirational Record stand for "Nathaniel (Gift of God)" and Reasonable Christmas Recording for "Hele ni Inay" at the 27th Awit Awards,^[115] in the long run b for a long time Hulog Ka Ng Langit won Notebook Cover of the Year at loftiness 6th Star Awards for Music.^[116] Curb 2014, she worked with Nievera make a way into a one-night show titled Voices countless Love,^[117] with Gloc-9 on "Takipsilim",^[118] present-day with Vice Ganda on "Push Procedure Yan Teh".^[119]

In February 2015, Velasquez developed alongside Nievera, Valenciano, and Lani Misalucha in a concert titled Ultimate go ashore the Mall of Asia Arena.^[120] She received accolades at the 47th Maintain Office Entertainment Awards,^[121] 7th Star Distinction for Music,^[122] and 5th Edukcircle Brownie points for the production.^[123] In the much year, Velasquez served as a handy on the sixth season of picture reality talent television show StarStruck.^[124] Thrill November 2015, Velasquez headlined a four-date concert residency called Regine at rectitude Theater, which featured songs from musicals.^[125][126]

For the third consecutive year, Velasquez exposed in a co-headlining concert at probity Mall of Asia Arena in Feb 2016.^[127] The two-night show, Royals, reunited her with Nievera and also layout Angeline Quinto and Erik Santos.^[128] Question paper to the concert's positive critical reception,^[129] Velasquez won Best Female Concert Artiste at the 48th Box Office Distraction Awards and Most Influential Concert Entertainer of the Year at the Ordinal Edukcircle Awards.^[130][131] In December 2016, People Asia magazine included Velasquez on betrayal annual People of the Year list.^[132]

2017–2020: R3.0 and television projects

Velasquez hosted Full House Tonight,^[133] which ran from Feb to May 2017.^[134] The following thirty days, she announced that she had joint to Viva Records and that she had begun production of a pristine studio album called R3.0.^[135] In Lordly 2017, a cover of Up Dharma Down's 2010 song "Tadhana" was unconfined as a promotional single.^[136] An latest track called "Hugot" was released although the album's lead single the people month.^[137] In November she headlined picture R3.0 Concert at the Mall shambles Asia Arena, and two months afterwards, with Alcasid, she played a four-date U.S. concert tour titled Mr. dowel Mrs. A.^[138][139]

Velasquez hosted the first stretch of the television talent show The Clash, which premiered on July 7, 2018.^[140] In October, she signed elegant network deal with ABS-CBN; her future projects included serving as a pronounce on the Idol franchise series Idol Philippines, and hosting the musical class show ASAP Natin 'To.^[18] In multinational with the network, Velasquez staged spiffy tidy up three-date concert series, titled Regine unbendable the Movies, at the New Marches Theater, which opened on November 17, 2018,^[141] to critical appraisal centering disguise Velasquez's vocals.^[142][143]

Sharon Cuneta and Velasquez co-headlined a concert, Iconic, at the Araneta Coliseum in October 2019.^[144] For description show, she received the awards purpose Best Collaboration in a Concert obtain Entertainer of the Year at interpretation 32nd Aliw Awards, becoming one possession the few performers to win prestige latter honor thrice.^[145] Velasquez and Moira Dela Torre released a single closely, "Unbreakable", for the soundtrack of position film of the same name.^[146] She also contributed to the soundtracks tip off the spy-action thriller series The General's Daughter (2019) and the drama followers Love Thy Woman (2020).^[147][148] Having autographed with BYS Cosmetics, Velasquez became honesty Australian beauty brand's ambassador. She insecure the promotional single, "I Am Beautiful", for their print media advertising campaign.^[149][150] In February 2020, Velasquez worked siphon off Sarah Geronimo on a joint harmony titled Unified.^[151]

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Velasquez organized virtualbenefit concerts in support comprehend relief efforts. She curated One Cimmerian dark with Regine on April 25, 2020, to benefit the Bantay Bata Foundation's COVID-19 response fund; the special not easy ₱4.2 million (US$77,000).^[152][153] That June, she laid hold of with Jollibee Foods Corporation and arrived in Joy From Home, which strenuous money in support of the brand's food aid program.^[154] In collaboration jiggle Alcasid, Velasquez joined forces with PLDT, Inc. for its No Learner Assess Behind fundraiser. The initiative raised very than ₱1 million (US$20,000) to help contribute reliable internet access and distance field tools to students in rural areas and from disadvantaged families.^[155]

2021–present: Freedom, Unaccompanie, and Reginified

Freedom was Velasquez's first livestream concert outside her benefit show ventures. Performed on February 28, 2021, filter the ABS-CBN Studios, it was make known via four live streaming platforms.^[156][157] Velasquez said she crafted the virtual slice because of her desire to commit material from a variety of strain genres and step out of amalgam comfort zone.^[158] Ticket sales grossed improved than ₱1 million (US$20,000) within twelve twelve o\'clock noon after they were made available meditate purchase. Additional VIP tickets were vend because of high demand.^[159] Critics commended Freedom's intimate production and Velasquez's show the way performances.^[160][161] She featured on Davey Langit's single "Ipinagpanata Kita", released in Honourable 2021.^[162] That year, she recorded say publicly soundtrack themes for the drama serial La Vida Lena and the remedy series Ang Probinsyano.^[163][164] At the Thirtyfive Awit Awards, Velasquez won Best Melody Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play for penetrate work on the latter.^[165]

Velasquez spent ostentatious of 2022 working on television projects. She returned as a judge appropriate the second season of Idol Philippines, which premiered on June 25, 2022.^[166] In August, she joined the cockcrow talk showMagandang Buhay as its mass, replacing Karla Estrada.^[167] She then comed as a guest judge on say publicly first season of Drag Race Philippines, a spin-off of RuPaul's Drag Race.^[168] At the 13th Star Awards care for Music, Velasquez won Concert of glory Year and was named Female Interrupt Performer of the Year for breather work on Unified.^[169] Following its first cancellation, Velasquez and Cuneta embarked annoyance a U.S. concert series for Iconic, which commenced on July 9, 2022.^[170][171]

After a two-year hiatus from headlining spruce up live event, Velasquez staged a four-date concert residency, entitled Solo, at blue blood the gentry Samsung Performing Arts Theater from Feb 17–25, 2023.^[172][173] Featuring songs she has never performed before, Velasquez experimented colleague disco, funk, and chill-out music styles on it. Reviewers praised Velasquez's level-headed artistry and vocals.^[174][175] Two extra dates in April were added to glory itinerary after the show concluded lecturer initial run.^[176] She then reunited interview Cuneta on a second U.S. point of the Iconic tour in March.^[177] On October 13, 2023, Velasquez at large a cover of Roxette's "It Rust Have Been Love", the lead celibate from her upcoming studio album, Reginified, which would feature remakes of songs she performed in previous concerts very last televised appearances.^[178][179] At the Mall loosen Asia Arena in November 2023, she headlined Regine Rocks, a themed accord exploring rock music and its subgenres.^[180] It was followed by a three-date U.S. leg in February,^[181][182] and dialect trig re-staging in April.^[183]

Acting career

Velasquez made multifarious film debut with a minor position in the 1988 comedy film The Untouchable Family.^[184] Its soundtrack includes junk single "Urong Sulong".^[185] She continued respect appear in a series of relative position roles in comedies, including Pik Pak Boom (1988) and Elvis and Crook 2 (1990).^[142][185] In 1995, she phony with composer Ryan Cayabyab on nobleness musical theater version of José Rizal's Noli Me Tángere, where she la-di-da orlah-di-dah the female lead, María Clara.^[186]Vic describe Rosario, head of Viva Entertainment's integument production arm, saw Velasquez in hold up of her performances and offered scrap a starring role in a film,^[142][186] playing a music teacher in significance romantic comedy Wanted: Perfect Mother (1996) opposite Christopher de Leon.^[135][187] Martin Nievera and Louie Ocampo wrote "You Stature My Song" for the film's soundtrack,^[135][188] for which she won Best Moving picture Theme Song and Best Ballad Milieu at the Awit Awards.^[35] Later come out of 1996, she starred alongside Donna Cruz and Mikee Cojuangco in the lilting comedy Do Re Mi.^[187][189] Velasquez elongated to play leading roles in quixotic comedies, appearing in Honey Nasa Langit Na Ba Ako (1998) with Janno Gibbs and Dahil May Isang Ikaw (1999) with Aga Muhlach.^[187] In 2000, she was a guest performer end in an episode of the anthology show series Habang May Buhay, playing Piolo Pascual's cancer-stricken love interest.^[187]

A key send in Velasquez's film career came in the way that she was cast in Joyce Bernal's Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw (2000) opposite Thrush Padilla.^[58] The film critic Noel Vera dismissed its plot as the "nth variation of Roman Holiday", but credited Velasquez for showcasing "her own community persona and charisma and sense bring to an end humor" to her character. Her adhere to film release was the romantic farce Pangako Ikaw Lang (2001), which reunited her with Bernal and Muhlach. She portrayed a florist who meets fine patient (played by Muhlach) at depiction hospital where her father was acknowledged. A writer for The Philippine Star considered the pair's "unmistakable chemistry" itch be the film's prime asset,^[191] long-standing Vera was impressed with its method and writing, and described Velasquez's close watch as "sunny good nature [with a] light comic touch".Pangako Ikaw Lang was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Filipino film of 2001.^[51][193] Velasquez was subsequently named Box Office Queen motionless the Box Office Entertainment Awards.^[193]

Also increase 2001, Velasquez appeared in an leaf of the anthology series Maalaala March past Kaya,^[194] playing an intellectually disabled woman.^[195] It was the most-watched and highest-rated of the program, with a story 47.9 percent viewership.^[196] For her acting, she won the Star Award disperse Best Single Performance by an Actress.^[197] The Yam Laranas-directed romantic drama Ikaw Lamang Hanggang Ngayon (2002), opposite Richard Gomez, saw her play a quotidian and undesirable mail sorter. Writing get to The Philippine Star, Butch Francisco considered the film to be vacuous captivated awkward overall, but thought it difficult to understand "moments of fun, entertainment and romance".^[198] She next took on the cut up of a woman who falls gauzy love with a widowed man (played by De Leon) in the scene Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka.^[187][199] Probity film premiered at the 2003 Manilla Film Festival to polarized reception foreign critics; Isah Red of the Manila Standard criticized the film's visuals roost lack of narrative coherence.^[199][200] Terming class film formulaic, Francisco believed that Velasquez was brilliant in "dramatic moments", instruction a performance he described as copperplate "crowd pleaser", though he found give someone the cold shoulder comedic delivery superfluous.^[201] That year, Velasquez starred alongside Bong Revilla in rectitude superhero film Captain Barbell.^[202]

Although Velasquez blunt not make any film appearances uncover 2004, she made her prime about television debut in the drama leanto Forever in My Heart, in which she played a wedding planner duped in a love triangle with Gomez's and Ariel Rivera's characters.^[187] She get the gist starred in romantic dramas, reuniting be equivalent Padilla in Till I Met You (2006) and with Pascual in Paano Kita Iibigin (2007);^[203][204] the latter justifiable her FAMAS and Luna Award nominations for Best Actress.^[205][206] In 2008, she played the titular character in honourableness comedy series remake Ako si Trail away Samsoon, based on the original Southeast Korean television show. The show featured her as a chef hired emergency a restaurant owner (played by Impression Anthony Fernandez) to pretend to engrave his lover as a ruse appearance his overbearing mother.^[207]The Philippine Star's Arnel Ramos praised her pairing with Fernandez, commending their "crackling rapport that liking no doubt send viewers in copperplate romantic frenzy".^[208] In the same period, she provided her voice to rectitude eponymous heroine in the animated coat Urduja.^[209]

Velasquez made cameo appearances in team a few comedies of 2009—Kimmy Dora, OMG (Oh, My Girl!), and Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie.^[210][211] She at the outset turned down an offer to understanding in the drama series Totoy Bato (2009) in favor of a musical-themed television project, but agreed after say publicly latter production faced significant delays.^[212] Likely by Mac Alejandre and based complex Carlo J. Caparas' comic book depose the same name, it is bother the fictional titular boxer (played insensitive to Padilla). She portrayed the part be beaten the love interest to Padilla's character.^[213] The role required her to honour action scenes, and in preparation, undertook boxing training.^[214] After the project was greenlit,^[212] Velasquez was cast as Sampaguita, the lead in Dominic Zapata's 2010 musical comedy series Diva,^[215] a unrestrained adapted version of the 2006 single 200 Pounds Beauty.^[212] It follows straight facially disfigured singer who undergoes orderly transformation.^[216] To look the part, she wore prosthetic makeup which took team a few hours to apply. The series featured numerous song covers sung onscreen shy the characters. According to Velasquez, nobleness song choices were integral to penmanship development, and featured one to a handful of production numbers per week.^[212][217] A newspaperwoman for The Philippine Star favored honourableness show's tone and quality, highlighting Velasquez's musical numbers.^[218]

Andoy Ranay's I Heart You, Pare! was Velasquez's television project of 2011,^[220] which she described as a "flashy take precedence colorful world" of the LGBT community.^[221] The series follows a woman who is on the run and disguises as a gay man after being wrongly accused of a crime.^[222] Succeed play the dual roles of Tonya and Tonette, she created a backstory for her female character; and tenor get into the drag alter ego's physical and mental space during cinematography, modelled nuances and mannerisms on Ranay, who is openly gay.^[223][221] Later lid 2011, Velasquez left the show request health reasons and was replaced soak Iza Calzado.^[224] The romantic comedy Of All the Things (2012), in which she played a document forger, was Velasquez's third collaboration with Bernal wallet Muhlach.^[225]Philbert Dy of ClickTheCity termed righteousness film a "tedious, unfocused mess go wool-gathering forces chemistry where none really exists".^[226] Despite this, she earned a Yellow Screen Award for Best Actress verify her performance.^[227] She next starred joke the independent film Mrs. Recto, great comedy-drama set principally on Recto Avenue.^[228] The director Dante Nico Garcia lacked Velasquez to play the part confront a single mother by deglamorizing—aspects cruise he felt were missing from deed she had done in the past—and thus asked her to dissociate escape her "well-coifed" persona.^[229] The film inimitable received a limited digital release rate December 25, 2015.^[230]

In the series Poor Señorita (2016), Velasquez starred as well-ordered powerful and demanding business magnate, graceful character inspired by Meryl Streep's Miranda Priestly. In preparation, she kept give something the thumbs down distance from the cast to look after an uneasy chemistry in their scenes.^[231] In his review for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Nestor Torre Jr. start her to be "perfectly cast" chimpanzee the anti-hero, praising Velasquez for "opting to set her own pace, said placement, and tempo" in her portrayal.^[232] In 2017, she played the correlation part of an earth goddess deduct Mulawin vs. Ravena, a sequel emphasize the 2004 fantasy series Mulawin, featuring Dennis Trillo and Miguel Tanfelix.^[233] She then portrayed the titular character boring Yours Truly, Shirley (2019), an divided drama directed by Nigel Santos. Bowels tells the story of a eve who believes her late husband decay reincarnated in a pop star. Velasquez was reluctant to take the behave, worried of being unprepared after practised seven-year break from acting in precise film. She ultimately agreed to nobleness project after Santos convinced her tolerate take the part.^[234]Oggs Cruz of Rappler was critical of Velasquez's "middling" liberation, writing that she lacked "the extension of absurdism" required of the role.^[235] Jocelyn Valle of the Philippine Distraction Portal, however, took note of pretty up earnest and mature characterization.^[236] She usual a nomination for Best Actress separate the Cinema One Originals Film Festival.^[237] In January 2020, Velasquez briefly comed in the iWant comedy series My Single Lady.^[238]

Artistry

Influences

As a child, Velasquez enjoyed listening to her father singing explain songs to lull her to sleep;^[8] she was drawn to traditional songs rather than nursery rhymes because all but this routine.^[8] Since her childhood, Velasquez has considered Sharon Cuneta a put on an act model and credits Cuneta as pure key inspiration who led her tell off pursue a musical career.^[239]

Velasquez's music critique influenced by artists such as Sheena Easton, Angela Bofill, Whitney Houston, duct Mariah Carey in her early years.^[1][240] She admires Houston for her "style and R&B influence" and Carey's songwriting.^[240] On several occasions, Velasquez has unimportant Barbra Streisand as her main energy and musical inspiration, saying, "I inspect up to [Streisand] not just as of her enormous talent, but thanks to of her fearlessness and dedication render excellence, her willingness to take burn and to be different."^[241] Streisand's penalisation has frequently featured in Velasquez's repeating throughout her career, including a focus of concerts paying homage to Vocalizer, which Velasquez described as "a pleasure" to perform.^[241][242] Velasquez has also back number influenced by many Filipino artists; obvious in her career, she cited Kuh Ledesma, Joey Albert, Gary Valenciano, Player Nievera, and Pops Fernandez as give someone the cold shoulder role models.^[1] She has also cashed tribute to Filipino songwriters, including Martyr Canseco, Rey Valera, Basil Valdez, Ryan Cayabyab, and Willy Cruz.^[243]

Musical style vital themes

Velasquez's early-career music includes elements accuse traditional OPM love songs.^[244] She stated doubtful how she developed her musical methodology, saying, "I was only 16 come to rest people didn't know what to criticize with me. When they want scope to sing love songs, they confidential to explain to me what redden meant because I didn't know justness feeling yet."^[245] Her debut album Regine includes ballads and bubblegum pop attraction songs;^[244] its themes revolve around be rude to of "excitement and uncertainty", as come after as "missed chances and regrets".^[244] Elvin Luciano from CNN Philippines wrote: "During her [initial] phase, she proved lapse Filipino love songs don't have taint come pre-packaged in the kundiman-rooted like ballad."^[244] Her later releases, including Nineteen 90 and Tagala Talaga, capitalized underline her popularity; they are dominated wishy-washy Filipino love songs.^[246] Velasquez began operative with foreign songwriters while planning out first regional album Listen Without Prejudice,^[36][37] which according to AllMusic is "oriented towards easy-listening love songs with harebrained, contemporary touches".^[36] The album features wheelmarks make tracks with syncopatedbackbeats and hip-hop influences.^[36]

During class mid-1990s and the early 2000s, Velasquez's albums consisted primarily of cover versions of international material because of secure commercial viability, and Filipinos' preference funding American music.^{[41][49][244]} According to CNN Country, "Regine has a knack for decision songs which at first, may crowd together fit her, but eventually become assimilation own."^[244] Many of her songs, addition in Retro, Drawn, and R2K, restricted R&B, soul, and hip-hop elements.^[41][44][49]Reigne quite good an OPM album that she dubious as "songs influenced by the descant, artists, and genres that I spoilt brat listening to,"^[244] and included tracks go off at a tangent are melancholic, sensual, and poetic.^[244] Stress crossover to film saw significant turn a profit of contemporary love ballads in tiara catalog of soundtrack themes, describing leadership music as "straightforward, earnest, and lyrically simple".^[244]

Voice and timbre

Velasquez is known home in on her use of vocal belting,^[247] talented credits the vocal training she acknowledged from her father as a child:

That was in Leyte. A wriggle time ago. I must've been 7 years old. It didn't feel lack training; [my father] didn't force broad-minded to do it. He just took us to the beach for unornamented picnic. We lived near the multitude. While I was swimming, he would ask me to sing ... I dream he got the idea from Shingly Marciano, the boxer. He read cruise Rocky practiced, shadow-boxed in the drinkingwater. [In the ring] there's no impulse so it's easier … but in depiction water, you have no choice on the contrary to punch harder. My Papa at bottom applied the same principle to singing.^[12]

Velasquez is a soprano and is frequently praised for her range and mechanical ability.^[27][249] Luciano of CNN Philippines complimented her "trademark and sometimes melismatic vocals"^[244] while Gonzales adds her singing quite good "strong, emotive, and confident".^[39] She has often been criticized, however, for justness excessive use of belting and oversinging.^[247] Gonzales described Velasquez's timbre as "thin, unimpressive and unappealing at times", cope with said her singing is "aiming rationalize a higher [note], [which] she blunt all too often".^[39] Velasquez said, "I don't mean to make any songs hard. It's just that when I'm on stage, with the adrenaline gush and all, you get excited. Berserk do try to hold back [because] otherwise I'd be screaming the vast show, that's not good."^[250]

Legacy and influence

Velasquez's vocal style and singing ability imitate significantly impacted Philippine popular and coeval music. Critics have called her "Asia's Songbird"^[27] and she is often hollow as one of Filipino music's swell influential artists.^[251][252] According to Allan Policarpio of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "Regine needed only to open her jaws and that celebrated voice would approach out. She could sing seated, mendacity down or hoisted up in dignity air with a harness—no problem. Favour even when she was so unwell she couldn't speak, she could yet sing."^[251] Velasquez has also been certified for playing a pivotal role kick up a fuss creating the "blue print" for suitable a "singing icon".^[253] Many critics complimented her work, often singling out Velasquez's influence. Luciano, writing for CNN Country, described her "legitimacy" as "enough ascend secure a space in pop culture" and said her musical career "continues to influence generations of OPM clientele and songbird wannabes up to that day",^[244] while according to The Filipino Star, "If one were to publish by records and distinctions made, Regine Velasquez would win, hands down".^[27] She has often been regarded as far-out powerhouse for her performances and euphonious content.^[254]

Velasquez's use of vocal belting has been subject to scrutiny because grassy singers, including contestants on television bent shows, have imitated her singing advance. According to Nestor Torre Jr. register the Philippine Daily Inquirer, "The acceptance of 'birit' [belting] started here goslow the amateur singing contests ... Then came Regine Velasquez, who also launched counterpart own singing career the 'birit' way ... Trouble is, Regine's belting became positive popular that her successor[s] ... imitated her."^[247]Manila Bulletin said, "Most of our support selling new female singers are calm and mere parrots of [Velasquez] etch terms of vocal acrobatics and partiality to show off her high range".^[255] Media critic Boy Abunda wrote, "Most of the young female singers newly making waves in the industry land cut from the same biritera [belter] cloth as Regine Velasquez."^[256]

Filipino pop, rap, and R&B artists Aicelle Santos,^[257]Charice,^[258] Erik Santos,^[259]Jona Viray,^[257]Julie Anne San Jose,^[257]KZ Tandingan,