Regine Velasquez: I was prepared; last year was the worst

Singer Regine Velasquez looked none the worse for wear three days after her father, known in the biz as Mang Gerry was laid to rest. (He passed away on Feb. 3, after a lingering battle with emphysema.)

On Monday, Regine was cracking jokes and laughing heartily during a press gathering for her Valentine concert Friday night with Martin Nievera (“Voices of Love”) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

But throughout this one-on-one with the Inquirer, Regine often looked on the verge of tears, absent-mindedly folding paper—fashioning origami pieces that were discarded as soon as they were made—as if to get her mind away from sudden bouts of nostalgia.

She admitted that she wasn’t likely to  have the fortitude to sing songs she associated with her dad, “Leader of the Band” and “Papa, Can You Hear Me,” in this latest show.  She still found herself in tears every now and then, she said. To cheer her up, husband Ogie Alcasid would drag their son Nate to her side, she related. “Nate reminds me of Papa. They have the same hairstyle!”

Martin recalled that Mang Gerry loved dishing out “riddles.”

“His hammy jokes!” Regine quipped. The next few days will be an emotional roller-coaster ride, she conceded.

Meanwhile, she reminisced about her dad, vocal-training with him while shoulder-deep in the ocean, and his favorite songs.

How did “Leader of the Band” become your song for your dad?

REGINE sang to Mang Gerry and Nate in her “Silver” anniversary concert in 2012. photo by girlie rodis/contributor

It was one of his favorites because he knew that it was my song for him. I sang it in my acoustic concert at the Music Museum 12 years ago. It doesn’t really tell our story, but the lyrics always remind me of him.

What are your memories of training in the ocean with your dad?

That was in Leyte. A long time ago. I must’ve been 7 years old. It didn’t feel like training; he didn’t force me to do it. He just took us to the beach for a picnic. We lived near the ocean. While I was swimming, he would ask me to sing. That was just it.

Did you eventually realize how valuable that was?

Of course. That had lots of benefits. It strengthened my core, my stomach muscles. It really developed my lungs.

How did Mang Gerry learn of this technique?

He was a singer himself. He also joined contests. I think he got the idea from Rocky Marciano, the boxer. He read that Rocky practiced, shadow-boxed in the water. [In the ring] there’s no pressure so it’s easier… but in the water, you have no choice but to punch harder. My Papa merely applied the same principle to singing.

You were in the middle of a press conference, when you learned that he passed away.

Right after the interviews, I got a call from my sister (Cacai). But the night before, until that same morning, I was with my Papa. No one else was awake, just me. I went home at 6:30 a.m. to rest a bit and prepare for the press con.

You didn’t break down at the press con.

I keep saying that God gave us a little time to prepare. If this happened last year, I would’ve been a mess. Actually, the whole family was a mess last year.

Although he passed away this year, last year was tougher; he almost died. It was the most difficult trial we ever faced as a family. He spent two months in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). Of course, I didn’t talk about it (in public). Being in the business, I wanted to protect my family.

The public didn’t know how serious it was.

I asked for prayers last year because that was all I could do. I myself prayed, “I don’t think I am ready. I don’t think the family is ready. Please give us a little bit more time.”

God did that, and now, he showed us why my dad needed to go at this time. Papa never really recovered (from the surgery last year). He got well, but he was never the same—it was as if he gave up. He was very weak. In his last few days, he kept complaining that he was tired. He kept saying: “Uwi na tayo.” He wanted to go home to Bulacan. So we knew it was time. But because of this past year with him, we were able to cope, even my mom.

How do you take care of your mom now?

It’s a good thing that her two sisters, who have also lost their husbands, are with her. She has her own barkada. She’s in Bulacan—busy, fixing dad’s papers. She also has to set her finances straight.

After that, she will go back to my sister Cacai’s house, which she misses. That’s where she and my dad stayed the longest when he got out of the hospital. She wants to stay there. I am happy [that she’ll be with Cacai]; otherwise, I will keep worrying about her.

We are going to Hong Kong for my birthday (April 22). My mom kept asking if we could go there. Papa’s illness was exhausting for her. But I have to hand it to her, she’s coping very well.

How long were they together?

For 44, 45 years. She was 21 and he was 31 when they first got together. Her whole life was about him. It was not a perfect relationship; they had issues—everyone has naman. But they stuck together. She stood by him, especially when he got sick.

When you heard about your colleagues’ recollections of Mang Gerry, were you surprised?

Actually, I wasn’t, because I knew he was Mr. Friendship. What amazed me was that there were so many people whose lives he touched. It turned out, he talked to everyone, even the janitor. My dad would not give anyone special treatment just because he or she was the boss. He was a humble man. He never changed.

My first manager, Ronnie Henares, said he didn’t know anyone in the business who didn’t love Mang Gerry. That’s true; he was well-liked. He was always around, always had something nice to say, words of encouragement. He wasn’t selfish. He generously shared with other singers the same tips he gave me.

What are the lessons you will hold on to?

I hope that I am humble. I hope I got that from him. My parents kept my feet on the ground. One of the most valuable lessons that I will never forget: Matutong tumanaw ng utang na loob (acknowledge a debt of gratitude towards anyone who helped you). I remember, when I was younger, he would scold me: “Why didn’t you say ‘Hi’ to so-and-so? It’s embarrassing. Don’t you know [how much] he helped you?” He would then recite the litany to me.

Another gift, needless to say, is his love for music.

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