What’s in store for Regine as Kapamilya

MANILA, Philippines — Regine Velasquez is now a certified Kapamilya after signing a two-year exclusive contract last Wednesday. ABS-CBN network led by its top executives rolled out the red carpet to welcome the Songbird, whose latest career move was already subject of persistent talks and reports, including in this paper, these past weeks. 

The 48-year-old recording superstar joins her husband Ogie Alcasid as among the network’s stable of artists. 

“This is a milestone for me,” Regine said in a presscon, turning emotional and feeling overwhelmed at the grand welcome because “I’m not sure if I deserve this.”

According to Regine, this is not a network transfer but a return because she started in ABS via the shows Teen Pan Alley and Triple Treat when she was still an “unknown” 16 or 17 year old.

She also appeared on ABS-CBN’s weekly drama series, Maalaala Mo Kaya (2001), which won her first and only acting award for portraying a mentally challenged woman who falls for a younger man.

Asked what made her “return” to ABS-CBN after being with GMA for two decades, Regine said, “I just wanted to work with other people... and they are all here.” 

She names Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Sarah Geronimo, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Daniel Padilla and Aga Muhlach as among the Kapamilya stars she wants to work with.

She said at this stage of her life and with her age, she doesn’t have illusions about her career and is not sure how long she will still be able to perform but before that happens, “I just want to work with the No. 1 station.”

Regine also denied that Ogie was a major factor behind her transfer.

“They were all blaming him. It’s not really fair... Hindi sa kanya nanggaling ang idea but it came from me but I wasn’t sure if they (ABS-CBN) were still interested in me... I was the one who asked for the meeting but my husband, since he was here, was the one who arranged it... I was so happy when they said, ‘Of course, we are interested (in you).’ I’m really happy to be here.”

She stressed though that she parted in good terms with her former network. “I’m very thankful to them. Because of them, tumagal ang aking career.”

Projects have been pitched for Regine. First to be confirmed is ASAP. She will fly today for Sydney for ASAP Live. She said she really appreciates being part of ASAP because “I miss having a variety show.”

She will also do a sitcom for the first time with her husband and Ian Veneracion. She is set to be one of the judges of Idol Philippines. She wants to do movies for Star Cinema and record an album for Star Records. “I’m open to anything.”