Regine Sings on the Stairs Source: Inquirer News Service Author: Ricardo O. Ortega Date: May 4, 2002 Picked venue herself "ONE NIGHT with Regine Velasquez," for the benefit of the ABS-CBN Bantay Bata Foundation, took place at the National Museum, with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab as musical director and with the support of the 85-member San Miguel Chorale and Philharmonic Orchestra. I learned that the Songbird picked the venue herself over other choices such as the Philippine Plaza, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Meralco Theater. The pillars of the National Museum and the building itself, which speak of national heritage and grand architecture by themselves, convinced her that they would make a very scenic backdrop since the show was initially designed to be a television special. She had the entire front of the building for her stage. The first letter of her name solely provided the accent. The right extremity embraces all the pillars and extends toward the foot of the stairs on the right side of the building, as if they were the roots of a lush seed robustly sprouting to pronounce her defiance of the aridity of the concrete. The lights went out. Then the orchestra played a medley of her hits. When the Songbird sang the first note, it was barely audible. The door opened with lights coming only from the back. She sauntered onto the stage and she sang "Sing a Song," a very simple song. Some thought it was a dud. The song is so simple that it could better fit in the relaxed mood of the later or middle part of the show. The entrance song must aim to build up emotions and must match the expectations of the audience arising from the impressive orchestra and backdrop. "Narito Ako" could have been more fitting as an opening salvo. Regine might have tired of doing this but her audiences have not yet tired of hearing it. Music continued to weave its magic when Regine and RJ Rosales together did a medley of Broadway hits. You could sense the audience's hunger for the trademark high notes of the Songbird when they cheered in "Memory." Memorable "As If We Never Said Goodbye" is haunting and memorable. Between serenading the crowd with her past hits, she would talk and try to relate some of the songs with the thrusts and vision of Bantay Bata and her own soft spot for children. I found the attempt to interpret songs that would speak of these social concerns a bit trying hard. I don't think "Say That You Love Me" and "Pagdating Ng Panahon" aptly illustrate these concerns. Maybe they thought "The Greatest Love of All" is too trite. Organizers could have come up with a theme song for its cause rather than invoking various songs every year to represent the foundation and its cause. This is an annual activity anyway. Putting in Roselle Nava, Bituin Escalante and Carol Banawa was superfluous. I think ABS-CBN simply found it an opportune time to promote their in-house talents. The show paid tribute to National Artists Levi Celerio and Maestro Lucio San Pedro. Regine and Ryan Cayabyab at the piano did not disappoint the audience. Regine even surprised the audience by stepping on the stool and sitting on top of the grand piano. They interpreted the lyrics and the music of the national artists in "Gaano Kita Kamahal," "Saan Ka Man Naroroon," "Ang Pipit," "Kahit Konting Pagtingin" and "Sa Ugoy ng Duyan." Wonderful! I thought it was one magical piece after another. Regine poked fun at a balladeer's way of reviving Ric Segreto's original songs. Sometimes I think she is beginning to mimic Ai-ai de las Alas. That night, it was really funny, although I overheard some people commenting that her jokes were misplaced and indiscriminate. In a previous show, I found it charming when she said she had to wrap up the show since she had yet to go home to Bulacan and it was already past midnight. Of course, Regine would not disappoint those who hunger for her signature high notes. She stood tall and mighty on the elevated left side of the huge letter R at the top of the National Museum stairs and belted out the dramatically arranged "On the Wings of Love." The audience had more than its fill. I thought this number bested all the other songs in Regine's repertoire that night. I stood on my feet to applaud her.

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