For Regine, the show had to go on

MOTHER shares stage with baby Nate, while a video montage of the Alcasids’ firstborn is shown onscreen. Photos courtesy of Girlie Rodis

REGINE promises to hold free concert.

She has redefined the term “trouper.”

Downed by a viral infection, singer Regine Velasquez still went up the SM Mall of Asia Arena stage for her “Silver” anniversary concert on Friday night. Renowned as a biritera (power belter), Velasquez struggled with the high notes throughout the show.

Her voice was not in top form, she admitted. For one number (“On the Wings of Love”), she had to ask the help of gay impersonator Anton Diva.

Still, her most ardent fans stayed glued to their seats, prompting Velasquez, who was in tears by then, to promise a repeat.

MANG Gerry joins daughter Regine and grandson Nate onstage for the concert’s highlight.

She asked the concert-goers to keep their ticket stubs so they could watch the repeat, which would be for free.

Sister-manager Cacai Velasquez-Mitra told the Inquirer that the free show was tentatively set for December 8, “depending on her doctor’s assessment.” Mitra promised, “We will know for sure this week.”

A HUG from Zsa Zsa Padilla comforts the Songbird.

In spite of the drama, Velasquez pulled off another tearjerker when she sang for dad Gerry and baby Nate onstage (“God Gave Me You”/“Leader of the Band”).

Another important man in her life, husband Ogie Alcasid, posted on Facebook the next day: “With absolutely no voice, she let her heart and soul sing instead. With every cracked note, the audience applauded and … cheered her on.”

Alcasid told the Inquirer on Saturday: “She still has no voice, but she’s in high spirits.”—With a report from Ervin Santiago, Bandera Inquirer