Regine Velasquez
Although many aspiring singers these days turn to social media to show off their work and possibly catch the attention of record producers, Regine Velasquez believes that joining singing contests remains a viable way to get discovered, especially in the Philippines.
“There are still many competitions around the world. In our country, contests and song festivals have been around since way back—we see them everywhere,” Regine told reporters at the SM Skydome, after gracing the Manila leg of the nationwide auditions for “The Clash,” GMA 7’s new singing tilt.
Moreover, being a singing champion gives one’s name a semblance of “prestige.” “You get to have a title, that you’re the winner of this or that. There’s a sense of legitimacy, somehow,” said the iconic singer, who has hosted a number of television contests in the past, including “Search for a Star” and “Star for a Night.”
“That’s why many young hopefuls still try their luck in competitions, in spite of the new platforms available to them now,” she said.
And unlike the competitions she used to enter when she was young, many of the shows we have now also double as workshops.
“Contestants these days are groomed and trained before they appear on television. They’re provided with lessons on singing, dancing and acting. At times, they even get makeovers. They make sure they feel confident before they actually go onstage,” she related. “We didn’t have that luxury during my time.”
The concept of “The Clash,” Regine said, allows future finalists to choose who they want to challenge or go up against in singoffs. Judging the competition will be Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista and Ai-Ai delas Alas.
“There will be challenges, as well. They will be given material that will force them to explore different styles and push them out of their comfort zones,” she said, adding that the contest is looking for excellent vocalists—not possible actors who can also carry a tune.
If she could give advice to young singers, it’s that there’s nothing wrong emulating one’s idols—initially, at least.
“It’s normal to not know your sound when you’re starting out. It doesn’t necessarily make you less of a vocalist. I also went through that phase. But as you mature and gain more experience, you eventually figure out who you are and what your sound is,” she said.