Regine Velasquez shares what makes her four-decade career meaningful
Regine Velasquez shares what makes her four-decade career in the entertainment scene meaningful.
Asia’s Songbird received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the second Filipino Music Awards, held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on October 6, in recognition of her contributions to Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
During the ceremony, Regine was presented with Daluyong, a hand-sculpted trophy honoring her 40 years in the industry and for bringing Filipino music to audiences around the world.
When asked what it takes to have a lasting and meaningful career that continues to inspire generations, Regine admitted that she does not have a definitive answer. However, she said being a source of inspiration for others has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of her journey.
“I don’t really know. That’s a hard question to answer,” she candidly said. “But I like being able to inspire singers. I think being able to be here for 40 years, that’s what I like best.”
“I think it wasn’t just my voice that inspired them. It was also how I started. I was very poor when I started. I didn’t have any background, you know, coming from showbiz or anything like that. I was just really poor and I was given this wonderful talent and I wanted to help my family.”
She recalled how her own dreams gradually became a reality, allowing her to become an example for those who came from similar circumstances.
“All my dreams came true and all that [happened]. And I think a lot of young singers wanted to be like me because I think they came from the same background. So, my story resonated with them and so they wanted to be like me,” she said. “Siguro ‘yung thinking nila, ‘If Regine can do it so can I.’”
Rather than distance herself from her past, Regine said she has learned to embrace it as an important part of the person and artist she has become.
“And I’m not ashamed of my background of where I come from but because it was a motivation for me. Why be ashamed of it? It’s a wonderful story if you think about it.”
She maintained: “Kasi parang it became a challenge for me and it became a driving force in in my career and even gave me a character. I like it. I love my origin story.”
More of Regine’s personal journey, including the experiences that shaped her life and career, will be explored in her upcoming documentary, SONGBIRD, scheduled for release in 2027.
Looking back on her 40 years in the entertainment industry, Regine also expressed gratitude for the talent that opened doors for her, the people who helped develop her abilities, and the opportunities that went beyond her original ambitions.
“I am grateful for this wonderful talent. Because of this talent, I was able to help my family. I’m grateful for this industry that helped me hone my talent. Of course, I am thankful to God that He chose me. It could have been someone else, but He gave it to me. I’m so grateful and I’m very thankful that I got to experience all these wonderful things.”
She continued: “I was able to work with wonderful talents. I got to travel…My dream was to be to just be a recording artist. I was able to do concerts and then I was given the opportunity to do movies to do TV. Ang daming naging bonus. I’m just looking back, I’m just really very very grateful.”
The OPM icon also acknowledged the fans who have remained with her throughout her career, noting how her music has become part of different generations of Filipino families.
“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who’s been supporting me for 40 years. Maraming maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat sa pakikinig, sa panunuod, and thank you for staying with me and celebrating with me everytime there’s something…They practically grew up with me and and even ‘yung mga anak nila and ‘yung mga pamangkin nila binitbit na rin nila. Thank you very much. I am truly grateful for all of you.”
As she celebrates four decades in the industry, Regine is set to return to the concert stage for her FINALE concert on October 17, 18, and 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.