Regine’s Pangarap: Dreamy and romantic

If there is a new motion picture starring Regine Velasquez coming up, can a hit tune composed by Ogie Alcasid be far behind? Not likely. It has already happened several times – in Hanggang Ngayon co-starring Richard Gomez, Pangako Ikaw Lamang with Aga Muhlach and Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw with Robin Padilla. This time around Regine’s handsome leading man is Christopher de Leon. The movie is Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka and the theme song of the same title is of course, an Ogie Alcasid song.

One of the entries in this year’s Manila Film Festival, Pangarap was written by Mel del Rosario and directed by Louie Ignacio. It tells the story of a girl (Regine) with an idealized concept of true love. Unfortunately, the swept-off-my-feet kind of romance has never happened to her and it is starting to look like it never will. So she decides to go in search of the man of her dreams. She finds him easy enough (Christopher de Leon) and she knows in an instant that he is the one. He is tall, handsome, distinguished, moneyed, kind and loving. He is everything a woman can ever want. He is also very much in love with his wife. Hence, Ogie’s title Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka.

The theme of love – dreamy, romantic and all-consuming that it makes a person do crazy things – in the movie is also carried in the soundtrack which Regine herself produced. A lively mix of ballads, pop, rock, new and old favorites, the album is as enjoyable as the picture is expected to be. The main highlight is of course the theme Pangarap. If you are already as in love as most people are with the lovely title song, you will find two versions of Regine plus her and Ogie’s own duet take on his latest composition closing the album.

It is also nice to find that Regine, who has lately been singing soaring ballads most of the time, goes off tangent by covering rock winners like the Rivermaya hit Hinahanap-Hanap Kita and Parokya ni Edgar’s Harana. A newer band, the underrated Tribe of Levi also gets its chance to shine with the lovelorn tune Kaligayahan Natin. Then there is Zebedee Zuñiga of the talented group Opera trying out his solo wings. He duets with Regine in All My Life.

The other song taking a big part of the spotlight is the Frankie Valli standard from the late ’60s, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You. This is Regine’s theme for the near-perfect Christopher, who also recorded his own version of the song for the album. The country’s best dramatic actor is also a mean singer. He starred in live performances of Godspell and They’re Playing Our Song. He has occasionally ventured into recording, Mahal Mo, Mahal Ko and Crush Kitang Talaga. He could have easily made a career for himself as a singer but he is first and foremost an actor and that is how he is always regarded by his followers. So thank heaven, he gets to stretch those vocal chords in Pangarap and makes listeners think he should be singing more often.

Mang Levi songwriting contest

Here is something for the many who asked. You can get the entry forms to the First Mang Levi Songwriting Contest at Video City outlets nationwide. First check out the rules found in the form. Then you can go record your composition, save it on tape or disc and then have it delivered. Or even better, take it personally to the Viva Foundation for the Arts office at the 7th floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange Center Building located in Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

Filipinos residing here and abroad, professionals and amateurs including those who have never ever had a composition recorded are all welcome. All types of songs are accepted. The Grand Prix winner will get P250,000 as prize. There will be P100,000 for the rest of the finalists. The 12 finalists will be chosen by groups of jurors from various fields and will be recorded in a special commemorative album. These will later be performed in the finals night which will be held in November wherein the top winners will be chosen.

So allow your spirits to soar and get those songs out into the limelight. Who knows, your composition might even become the theme of the next Regine Velasquez movie.