Regine Velasquez was honored with the MYX Magna Award at the recent MYX Music Awards 2011 held at the Music Museum last March 15.
The number one music channel in the Philippines recognized the achievement of the Asia’s Songbird in her 25 years in the music industry.
Regine was very emotional when she accepted the event’s highest honor.
“I’m seriously dehydrated! Ang dami kong tears! Saan kaya galing ‘to?” she joked upon accepting the trophy on stage.
MYX paid tribute to Regine with a musical number featuring Yeng Constantino, Frencheska Farr, Julie Ann San Jose, Kyla, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, plus Regine’s husband Ogie Alcasid, singing some of the Songbird’s memorable hits from the past 25 years.
Regine was still teary-eyed when she spoke with reporters backstage after receiving her award.
“It’s a big thing. Parang napaka-important ko. Natutuwa ako talaga. Minsan itong ginagawa natin, for us it’s just work that’s why we take it for granted. ‘Yun na man pala merong mga taong nai-inspire sa ginagawa ko.
“The whole number, the tribute, I was very touched. I wasn’t expecting it talaga. Galing pa akong taping. Ang sabi lang sa akin pumunta ako dito para manood. Na-miss ko na rin kasing manood ng mga shows. Natutuwa kasi ako na ang dami nang bagong singers, mga bata. Maraming salamat sa MYX. Sobra kong happy.”
Though a contract star of another network, Regine said that she’s very happy that from time to time she still gets to be part of events organized by MYX, a subsidiary of ABS-CBN.
“Ang sarap na walang barriers. Noon naman kasi wala talagang ganun. Sana mawala na ‘yun. It’s good for us artists na maka-collaborate with each other, hindi lang ‘yung nasa bakuran namin.”
Among the young singers that Regine would love to work with is Star Power champion Angeline Quinto.
Angeline was once a contestant in singing competition hosted by Regine, where Sarah Geronimo became the grand winner.
Regine reacted on the observations by many about a striking resemblance between her and Angeline.
“Congratulations to Angeline Quinto. I saw her grow. Ka-batch siya ni Sarah sa Star for a Night. Natutuwa ako na maraming nagsasabi na hindi lang kami magkapareho ng boses, pati na rin mukha, ha ha ha! Nakita ko siya sa TV, sabi ko, ‘Ako ba ‘yan?!’”
Regine went on to dismiss accusations that Angeline’s singing style is nothing but a mere copycat of the Songbird’s.
“Kapag naguumpisa ka talaga laging kang maikukumpara. Ako noon sabi lahat na lang daw ginaya ko. Kasi kapag bago ka hindi mo pa nakikita ‘yung sarili mong style. Eventually she will have her own style. I think ngayon pa lang nahanap na niya. Siguro nai-influence lang siya pero hindi naman niya talaga ginagaya.”
In spite of her showbiz status, Regine said that she is still very much open working with the new generation of artists.
“Ako naman laging nagpi presenta. Lahat na lang tinuhog ko, ha ha ha! I’m always open to collaboration. Kapag may nagsasabi na gusto nila akong maka duet, ang hirap mag ‘no’ kasi siyempre chance ko na ‘yun to work with them. Lalo na si Angeline na ang tingin niya sa akin ‘ate.’ Angeline, kung may album ka, sa susunod na show mo, kung libre ako, Go!” (report from Napoleon Quintos, Push.com.ph)
