REGINE VELASQUEZ

In 1987, Ronnie Henares approached me and asked if I could arrange and record a song for his new talent. So, I found myself at AD & AD studios in Mandaluyong, laying down the final tracks for a song written by Christine Bendebel entitled "KUNG MAIBABALIK KO LANG," which was to be sung by a very young 17-year-old named Regine Velasquez. This was in her first album, Regine, released under Vicor Music Corp., and the song became one of her earliest hits.

Over the years, I went on to record a few more songs for Regine, but my role from the beginning was to serve as her musical director. We started playing in small venues, including a memorable one at Rumors in Makati, produced by a group of young women in 1988.

Rumors Ad 1988

As her musical director, I accompanied Regine on her concert tours in the US and Canada, and also all over the Philippines where we performed in bigger showrooms and concert halls. In the late '80s or early '90s, I even created her first website, still using HTML language, and set up a system that allowed her to chat with her fans using a modem with a data transmission speed of 2400 baud rate. (I was still using a Macintosh SE). These were the early days of the internet, and it was exciting to be a part of its early growth.

We loved going out to eat with the band after a show, not in fancy and expensive restaurants but would go to places like the dampa (seafood palengke) somewhere in Bacolod at midnight just to eat freshly caught fish cooked with batwan or eat in a carinderia in an alley beside the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. She was comfortable singing barefoot like what we did in her Music Museum Unplugged concert series and her TV special. Despite becoming famous and achieving stardom, Regine remained the same down-to-earth person. What I admire most about her is that she took care of her whole family from the day she started in the music business.

Throughout our time together, I watched as Regine's talent and star power grew, earning her recognition as one of the most talented vocalists in the industry.

Regine's voice is truly one-of-a-kind, with a high range and power that leaves audiences in awe. She has the rare ability to bring out emotion and meaning in every song she performs, I was always in awe of her talent and dedication to her craft.

Beyond her vocal abilities, Regine is a true professional and a pleasure to work with. She is always willing to put in the hard work and preparation needed to deliver a great performance.

Working with Regine Velasquez as her MD for many years was an incredible experience, and I feel privileged to have witnessed her success.

The 17-year-old 'Chona' I knew, is now Asia's Songbird

REGINE VELASQUEZ!