MANILA — Forty years in the biz, and she’s still big, relevant and now, ushering the new generation of stars to superstardom - Regine Velasquez-Alcasid received the “Woman of the Year” award from Billboard Philippines, Wednesday night.
“This industry has changed my life in so many wonderful ways.” said Regine, who shared how singing changed not just her life, but made her father’s dreams come true.
“I didn't know that my father's dream was to travel the world. And natulungan ko yung tatay ko na matupad yung pangarap niya because I sang. And we travelled the world together, because I was singing.”
In tears, Regine continued “Marami pong nagawa ang industriyang ito sa buhay ko that's why I'll forever gonna be grateful to the industry.”
She also candidly shared how she manifested and came to the resolution that she wanted to be a singer at the age of five.
“Yung story ko kasi, five years old ako, sumali ako ng singing contest. Ako lang po yung bata doon. Tapos narinig yung palakpakan ng mga tao, nag-decide ako at a tender age of 5 years old, nag decide ako na this is what I want to do. ‘Cause I like the sound of palakpakan, and forty years later here I am.”
Regine has worked with incredible artists throughout her four-decade-spanning career. She has met idols, and mentioned meeting the “love of her life” in the industry. “Dahil doon, grabe po yung pagtanaw ko ng utang na loob sa industriyang ito.”
Aside from Regine, a number of young artists also received awards during the Billboard Philippines “Women in Music” event - like KZ Tandingan with the “Rule Breaker Award”; Yeng Constantino with “Hitmaker Award”; PPop trio G22 with the “Rising Star” award, and Nation’s girl group BINI with the “Powerhouse Award”.
Speaking to the young-ends in the crowd, Regine reminded them to dream big. “Sa industriyang ito, hindi pwedeng maliit ka lang mangarap. Dapat malaki kang mangarap. Dapat ready ka na matupad yung pangarap mo.”
She continued, “Dream big. Lakihan mo, dapat mas malaki sa yo yung pangrap mo. Work hard. And be ready, ‘cause one day it will be your time. You guys are the future of OPM, and me being here, being honored as ‘Woman of the Year’, I am so proud of all of you. ‘Cause you guys will continue what Lolita (Carbon) has started and the artists before me have started.
The songbird ended her acceptance speech giving back the glory to our mighty creator. “To my saviour Jesus Christ, I am forever yours.”