Every inch a Kapuso

MANILA, Philippines - Regine Velasquez has remained a Kapuso, putting to rest some speculations that she might follow her husband Ogie Alcasid’s career move of transferring to another network. 

Regine, who signed a two-year contract with GMA, said, “(GMA) has been my home for the past how many years...(I’m) more comfortable here, my friends are here so dito na lang talaga. GMA has been very patient with me. Ever since, they always hear me out, they always ask what I want and they always include me when creating a show, and I appreciate that.”

She added, “As an artist, of course, you want to be heard also and you want that to be a reality and I’m glad that they’re very much willing to not only listen to my ideas but also to partner with me and develop what’s in my head.”

The appreciation on the part of the network was illustrated by the full-force presence of GMA executives, led by chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon and president and COO Gilberto Duavit, at the contract-signing held at the Manila Golf and Country Club last Wednesday. Regine was also accompanied by her manager Cacai Mitra.

Gozon, for his part, said, “We are very, very happy that we have together renewed our relationship. Isa talaga sa pinakamagaling si Regine, hindi lang siya concert queen, hindi lang songbird, gumaganap din sa mga soap yan. She is really an asset.”

Asked how does it feel to be working at GMA sans Ogie (it was after all at GMA, as witnessed by viewers, where their long-standing professional relationship blossomed into a romance and which eventually ended at the altar), Regine said that for them to be in different stations is also helping their married life.    

“Actually, maganda rin kasi it’s also helping our relationship. Like when he comes home, he has all these new stories to tell me. That’s how we are before going to bed, we enjoy exchanging stories. So, it’s pretty exciting,” said Regine, stressing that Ogie made his exit very proper and had the blessings of the Kapuso big bosses.

“And I’ve always been proud of my husband. He’s such a good man, he deserves the things that are happening to him, and he’s so hardworking. So, natutuwa ako na maganda ang kinalalabasan ng transfer niya,” she added.

With her contract-renewal, Regine is looking forward to doing her own musical show and a soap opera. Currently, Regine hosts the weekend cooking show Sarap Diva which is already turning one and appears in the variety show Sunday All Stars. “I’m actually excited to go back to doing a soap because I haven’t done that in a while,” said Regine.

The last teleserye she did for GMA 7 was 2011’s I Heart You, Pare, which she didn’t get to finish because of her then sensitive pregnant condition. She gave birth to Nate in November 2011. She said she’s very thankful to GMA for being understanding and accommodating as she begged off from doing anything time-consuming the past two years. “They gave me time, and I appreciate that very much, and as much as possible, I wanted to be there for my son,” she said.

It’s because of parental duties that she and Ogie have also agreed that they shouldn’t be taping a teleserye at the same time. Family is also the reason why she is not appearing in Sunday All Stars every week because as much as possible, she wants to spend Sundays with her family, cooking for them, an activity that she described as her joy.

Speaking of Nate, Regine related that she’s uncovering so many delightful discoveries with every single day spent with her son. “Every day is new. It’s so exciting now, especially this stage because he’s conversing. He’s trying to speak, lahat ng sasabihin mo, sasabihin niya. Good thing with us, we don’t curse, otherwise, oh my gosh, he will pick it up. He’s magulo na but he’s also so sweet.”

Even if Nate is barely two years old, people already have expectations of him becoming like his musical parents. Regine said, “It’s normal for people to do that. But I don’t want to pressure him. When people ask me, what are my dreams for Nate, I say I have none. I want for him to do that. But I will be here to support him. For us, his parents, as long as he’s God-fearing, we’re good, because if you have a relationship with God, everything will follow.”

Meanwhile, Regine, who is leaving for the US on Oct. 23 for a series of concerts, is grateful for the overwhelming online (as well as offline) response to her prayer requests she posted on her Instagram for her father, who’s affectionately called in showbiz as Mang Gerry. Initially, during the interview, the media was requested not to inquire about the condition of Mang Gerry, who is confined in a hospital.

Regine said that every day she is at the hospital looking after her father with her siblings. She admitted, “This is really the time when you feel helpless. So, kakapit ka nalang talaga kung saan alam mo Siya yung nakakaalam, Siya yung may alam kung ano ang gagawin. Prayers have always been my companion ever since but now, mas iba talaga, walang patid ang prayers ko.

“A lot of people are praying for him. There’s even one whole church group who is fasting for him. Masarap yung may karamay ka sa pagdadasal.”