It’s one thing to win a singing contest, another to actually record and release an album. It was a fortuitous guesting in an old variety show with Martin Nievera when the fellow vocal powerhouse suggested that she drop the “Chona” and instead use a version of her first name: “Regine.” The rest would be herstory. While the name had that masa appeal, it just did not have that diva essence befitting her talent.

Having been minted as a gold medalist in the Philippine vocal version of the Olympics, Velasquez was steadily gaining popularity across the nation as the new vocal powerhouse - albeit with a different name: Chona, the name she used while competing in Bagong Kampeon. In the pre-YouTube era where every aspiring talent has to fight tooth and nail to catch a break, 14-year-old probinsyana Chona clinched the grand title with her sophisticated vocal prowess that contrasted with her wide-eyed demeanor. She might not have won them all, but she won enough to keep going, and more importantly, provide for her family.Ĭhona (as Velasquez was previously called) and Mang Gerry’s tandem sent shockwaves in the amateur singing contest scene and their small barrio victories snowballed with enough momentum to lead them to a national stage: the televised Bagong Kampeon singing competition.

With her reinforced vocals, she began to sweep across and conquer the barangay fiesta singing contest stages of Bulacan and beyond - the birth of a legitimate kontesera.

The Regine Velasquez appeal has always been rooted to her humble beginnings. Tales have it that what gave little Regina Encarnacion Velasquez her lungs of steel was her rigorous vocal training with her dad Mang Gerry that involved “sing-dipping” in the salty waters of Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, her mother’s hometown. It was the legend that made parents start submerging their own singing contest prodigies in water. 21 and 22, we attempt to list down 30 moments in Regine’s career as the quintessential Filipino diva and pop culture icon. Still, in celebration of her 30th anniversary concert happening at the Mall of Asia Arena this Oct. How do you cherry-pick the top moments in the timeline of an artist that has had numerous hit songs,films, concerts? Manila (CNN Philippines Life) - With a career that spans three decades and an artistic history that transcends generations of fans, it is impossible to create just one list that perfectly encapsulates the moments that molded Regine Velasquez-Alcasid into one of the most respected and celebrated artists of our time.

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