Regine comes to terms with changes beyond her control

Regine Velasquez

Because she felt like making things harder for herself, Regine Velasquez jested she has decided to prepare two vastly different repertoires for “R3.0,” her coming two-night concert to commemorate her 30th anniversary.

But kidding aside, it’s just that narrowing down 30 years’ worth of material into a 20-song set list was almost impossible for the songstress to do.

“I have recorded and performed a lot of songs throughout the years, which include originals and covers, as well as themes for movies and television series. We had to choose the songs carefully,” Regine told the Inquirer in a recent interview. “We even did online polls so we could get the fans’ pulse, to know what they like.”

Only the opening and the middle segments will be the same for both nights. But rest assured, Regine stressed, the fans can expect their dose of her signature birit songs on both dates—“On the Wings of Love,” “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and more. There will be a smattering of sweet, easy-listening tunes, too.

“I will be doing about 20 numbers. And if we include the medleys, that would bring the number to 30 songs,” related the acclaimed recording artist, who will be joined onstage by an extensive roster of special guests, including husband Ogie Alcasid, Sarah Geronimo, Jed Madela, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Jona and Angeline Quinto.

“In effect, I will be pulling off two different concerts,” Regine said of “R3.0,” which will be held on Oct. 21 and 22 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (call 470-2222 or 687-7236).

She described the show’s concept as “exciting,” “challenging,” but definitely “a lot of work.” That’s why she has been doing intensive rehearsals—and, “for the first time in her career”—undergoing formal voice training.

“I have been getting lessons from teacher Annie (Quintos, of The CompanY), mostly to help strengthen and improve my vocal stamina. Our body changes as we get older—so does our vocal cords. Of course, I have to do promotional work, too, which involves using my voice,” she related.

But, perhaps the best kind of preparation she could have, Regine surmised, is to take things easy. Looking back at her 2012 “Silver” concert—which she had to cancel and restage the next year because of a viral infection that affected her voice—Regine realized that she had been consumed by her anxiousness to deliver.

“The pressure I put on myself really weakened my immune system. I was bent on proving to my audience that I still had it when, in fact, what they just wanted was to celebrate with me,” said Regine, who’s dedicating the show to her parents and God, whom she thanked for her prodigious musical gifts.

“Kung mag-crack ang boses ko, so be it. I don’t want to stress myself,” she said. “This time around, I will enjoy myself and savor every minute I spend onstage.”