“Ibang combination ito, so we have a totally new repertoire of songs kaya it’s really exciting,” she says.
How does Angeline feel about performing with Regine on the same stage? “She’s my ultimate idol, so nakaka-pressure po talaga,” says Ange. “Hindi ko talaga ine-expect na darating ang araw na makakasama ko siya sa isang concert. But more than yung kinakabahan ako, nangingibabaw yung kagustuhan kong makasabay ako sa kanilang tatlo nina Sir Martin at Erik kasi akong pinakabago sa amin.”
Some folks say she’s just imitating Regine. “Hindi ko naman dine-deny na noong una, totoong ginagaya ko si Ms. Rege. Kasi I wake up and I go to sleep listening to her song. Fan niya talaga ako.”
Regine butts in at this point. “When I met her mom, sabi sa’kin, yung anak ko, may altar, nandun ang litrato mo, tinitirikan ka ng kandila. Nakakatuwa, di ba?”
“Hindi naman kandila,” says Ange. “May ilaw lang. Ang classmates ko noon, binibigyan ako ng pictures ni Ms. Rege na ginupit nila sa mga magasin. Tapos dinidikit ko naman sa loob ng kuwarto ko.”
“I’m really so touched,” says Rege. “Ang cute, di ba? And I’m happy for kasi I saw how she started and now, star na siya, Angeline Quinto na siya, and she still admires me. At okay lang yung ginagaya niya ko. All newcomers do that. Ako nga, ginaya ko si Whitney Houston, but eventually you'll develop your own identity.”
“Napakabait po talaga ni Ms. Rege,” adds Ange. “Ang dami na niyang naibigay na mamahaling regalo sa’kin. Unang-una, may inabot siya sa’kin, earrings pala. Sinusuot ko naman. Tapos, binigyan pa ako ng sapatos at iba pa. At ngayon, dito sa concert, I’m learning so much from her, mula sa pagpili pa lang ng songs namin. Pareho sila ni Sir Martin na both generous and gracious artists who willingly share what they know. Ang prayer ko talaga, tumagal ako sa industriya na gaya nila.”“It’s nice to be good role models to younger artists like Angeline and Erik,” says Rege. “Ganun naman talaga, when I joined the industry, tinulungan din ako ng mga nauna sa akin, like Martin, Pops Fernandez, Gary Valenciano. So it’s now time to pass the torch.”
Regine promises to be more visible this year on TV. She has just renewed her contract with GMA-7 and she will soon start taping a new series. “Pero hindi ko pa puedeng i-share ang details ng gagawin kong soap. On hold muna. Aside from that, I will also do a comedy variety show later this year. And of course, meron pa akong ‘Sarap Diva’.”
“Royals” is produced by Anna Puno of Starmedia Entertainment and Cacai Mitra of I-Music, sponsored by Farlin Baby Products, Zim CLeanser, Luxent Hotel, Pacific Blue Shades and People’s Journal/ People’s Tonight. Tickets are now available at SM Tickets, 470-2222.
