Moy Ortiz and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab present the award to Regine Velasquez. Images: Instagram/@reginevalcasid and @ogiealcasid
Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez did not expect to be given a tribute at this year’s Pinoy Playlist Music Festival (PPMF), which has celebrated several artists’ contributions to the Filipino music scene.
The 53-year-old hitmaker, along with violinist Alfonso “Coke” Bolipata and musical director Mel Villena, were the 2023 edition’s recipients of the special recognition named after National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, who is one of the event’s curators.
On her Instagram, the “ASAP Natin ‘To” mainstay, who received a tribute on the festival’s third and last day on Sunday, Oct. 1, shared that the honor came as a surprise to her.
“Oh my goodness, akala ko mag-a-attend lang ako ng awards ceremony, tapos I’m nominated. I didn’t know it was a tribute and I was being honored (All along I thought I was just attending an awarding ceremony and that I was nominated. I didn’t know that it was a tribute for me and I was being honored),” admitted Velasquez, who said that she was teary-eyed as she wrote her post’s caption.
“Parang hindi ako makapaniwalang binibigyan ako ng parangal ng mga taong hinahangaan ko sa industriyang ito. Napakalaki ng naitulong ng industriyang ito sa buhay ko at ng pamilya ko,” shared the former Kapuso star, whose career in show business has spanned over three decades.
(I’m in disbelief that I am being given honor by people I look up to in the music industry. This industry has greatly helped me and my family.)
“Sa lahat ng mga taong naging bahagi ng aking lakbay at patuloy na paglalakbay sa mundo na kinabibilangan ko, maraming salamat po. To GOD be the glory,” she continued. (To everyone who has been a part of my journey and continuing journey in the music industry, thank you very much.)
Velasquez attended the event with her musician husband Ogie Alcasid, and their 11-year-old son Nate.
Alcasid, in his Instagram post, called his better half a “national treasure,” and expressed how the singer-actress has served as an inspiration to generations of artists.
“The 2023 Ryan Cayabyab Awardee for the PPMF playlist!! @reginevalcasid Congratulations, Mahal. You have inspired generations upon generations of singers with your passion for your wonderful gift. You truly are a national treasure,” shared the “It’s Showtime” host.
In another Instagram post, Alcasid uploaded a video compilation of moments from the festival’s tribute to Velasquez, which featured performances from Jed Madela, Katrina Velarde, Phi Palmos, and Jona, who gave her rendition of “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.” Written by Trina Belamide, “Shine” was also sang during that night by The CompanY’s Sweet Plantado-Tiongson, Ima Castro, and Belamide herself.
Velasquez, who was seemingly wiping her tears in a portion of the video, delighted the audience by singing “Araw Gabi,” which is a composition of Cayabyab.
The TV host-actress also received love and congratulatory messages from several people, including fellow singers Kyla, Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, and Zsa Zsa Padilla, among others.
Screenshot from Regine Velasquez’s Instagram page
Past editions of the festival, which “celebrates the diverse sounds, melodies, and rhythms that embody the rich tapestry of Filipino music,” has also recognized the contributions of other veteran singers such as Basil Valdez and Pilita Corrales. EDV