Regine Velasquez bids goodbye to SOP

TODAY IS the last telecast of GMA's Sunday noontime show "SOP" and Regine Velasquez says at the presscon of "Diva" that she's sad about it. "But I'm also excited for the new show to replace it, 'Party Pilipinas'," she adds. "The truth is Ogie (Alcasid) is sadder than me kasi original siya sa show with Janno (Gibbs) when it started in February, 1997. Ako naman, later na pumasok. Nauna pa sa'kin din ang sister ko, si Cacai. I came in 1998, only after she left and I loved it. I really had fun dressing up for it. But just like everything else, may ending din siya, ganun lang yun, but something new naman is coming."

What about reports that she's moving to TV5? "Not true. Mananatili pa rin kaming Kapuso ni Ogie."

"Party Pilipinas" starts on March 21. It will retain her, Ogie, Janno and Jaya as main hosts along with Kyla, Jay R and La Diva. "Gusto naming ibalik yung original concert na it's concert TV, live ang kantahan kasi nandun talaga ang strength ng show. Talaga ka-careerin namin ito at maraming magigiging magandang pagbabago so abangan nila."

The show will now be produced by Ruth Marinas and Direk Louie Ignacio will have a co-director, Paul Basinillo, an MTV director. There will be no less than four musical directors, led by Danny Tan and Raul Mitra. New choreographers from various schools will be tapped to show their terpsichorean skills.

Regine's new primetime kanta-serye, "Diva", which is her own concept, is also a big challenge for her. As Sampaguita or Sam, her mom is Miss Universe Gloria Diaz but she is born ugly, dark and with huge pimples on her face. "Dusa ilagay ang makeup sa mukha ko kasi hirap na hirap silang papangitin ang beauty ko," says Regine. "But Sam, kahit chaka, can really sing well so tinatakpan na lang ang mukha niya when she's on stage para itago ang kanyang kapangitan."