Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez (/rɪˈdʒɪn vəˈlæskɛz/ REE-jeen VEH-las-KEZ) (born

April 22, 1970) is a Filipino singer, actor, and record producer who came to prominence after
winning the 1984 Ang Bagong Kampeon and the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest. Velasquez
signed with OctoArts International under the name Chona in 1986 and released the single "Love
Me Again", which was commercially unsuccessful. After adopting the stage name Regine
Velasquez, she signed a recording contract with VIVA Records in 1987 and released her
eponymous debut album containing the singles "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang" and "Urong
Sulong".

After being signed to Polygram Records, Velasquez gained recognition in Southeast and East
Asia with her albums Listen Without Prejudice (1994) and My Love Emotion (1995), the first of
which became her best-selling record, and produced "In Love With You", her most successful
single of the 1990s. She followed this with 1996's Retro, a cover album incorporating elements
of rhythm and blues, jazz, and disco music. After leaving Polygram Records, Velasquez signed a
joint deal with Los Angeles-based producer Mark J. Feist and VIVA Records, and released an
album titled Drawn (1998). Velasquez was given full creative control as executive producer on
her album R2K (1999), which became the highest-selling by a female artist in the Philippines.
During this period, Velasquez ventured into acting, playing leading roles in the romantic comedy
film Pangako Ikaw Lang (2001)—for which she received a Box Office Entertainment Award—
and the drama series Maalaala Mo Kaya (2002), which earned her a Star Award for Best
Actress. She expanded her career into reality talent television shows, serving as a presenter on
Star for a Night (2002), Pinoy Pop Superstar (2004), and The Clash (2018); and as a judge on
StarStruck (2015) and Idol Philippines (2019).

Having sold more than seven million records domestically and a further million and a half in
Asia, Velasquez is the best-selling music artist of all time in the Philippines. Aside from her
commercial accomplishments, Velasquez has received various awards, including two Asian
Television Awards, two MTV Asia Awards, 21 Awit Awards, 22 Box Office Entertainment
Awards, 15 Aliw Awards, and 10 Star Awards for Music. Referred to as "Asia's songbird", she is
regarded for her vocal range and belting technique, and has consistently been credited with
inspiring a generation of Filipino singers.

Early life
"We were very poor but we were happy. My parents made sure that we ate on time and that was
enough for me. [My father] had scoliosis and he was working at a construction site; he wasn’t
earning enough. My mom was good with money. She was able to stretch whatever little money
we had."

—Velasquez, on her childhood[1]

Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez was born on April 22, 1970, in Tondo, Manila,[2][3] to
Teresita (née Ansong) and Gerardo Velasquez.[4][5][6] The singer has three sisters; Cacai, Diane,
and Deca; and a brother named Jojo.[6] Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, where
Velasquez spent the early years of her life.[7][8] At age three, Velasquez became interested in
music after listening to her father singing to lull her to sleep.[9] She would listen to her mother
play guitar and piano while her father sang,[9] and referenced Sharon Cuneta's "Mr. DJ" as one of
the first songs she learned.[10]

Velasquez started singing at age six;[9] she underwent intensive vocal training with her father,
who immersed her neck-deep in sea water and had her go through vocal runs.[11][12] She credits
this unorthodox method for strengthening her core and stomach muscles, and developing her
lung capacity.[13] Velasquez was placed third in her first singing competition on Betty Mendez
Livioco's The Tita Betty's Children Show.[14]

When Velasquez was nine, her family moved to Balagtas, Bulacan, where she attended St.
Lawrence Academy and competed for her school at the annual Bulacan Private Schools
Association competition.[3] In 1984, at fourteen, Velasquez auditioned for the reality television
series Ang Bagong Kampeon.[3] She qualified and became the show's senior division winner,
defending her spot for eight consecutive weeks.[3] Velasquez went on to win the competition and
was signed to a record deal with OctoArts International.[3]

Music career
1986–1989: Career beginnings and Regine

In 1986, Velasquez initially used the stage name "Chona" and released the single "Love Me
Again",[3] which was commercially unsuccessful.[15] At the behest of another OctoArts recording
artist Pops Fernandez, she was invited to appear on the late-night television show The Penthouse
Live!.[15] While rehearsing for the show, Velasquez caught the attention of Ronnie Henares, a
producer and talent manager who signed her to a management deal.[15][16] At the suggestion of
Fernandez's husband and the show's co-host Martin Nievera, Velasquez adopted the stage name
"Regine".[3]

In 1987, Velasquez signed with VIVA Records and released her debut album Regine.[17] Henares
served as an executive producer, and engaged songwriters Joaquin Francisco Sanchez and
Vehnee Saturno.[18] Three singles were released in 1987; "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang", " Urong
Sulong", and "Isang Lahi".[3] During this period, Velasquez appeared on ABS-CBN television
shows Triple Treat and Teen Pan Alley.[19] Two years after the release of her debut album,
Velasquez represented the Philippines in the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong.[3]
She went on to win the contest, performing the songs "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the
musical Carousel and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from the musical Dreamgirls.[3]

1990–1993: Nineteen 90 and Reason Enough

In 1990, Velasquez released her second studio album Nineteen 90.[15] She worked with Louie
Ocampo on the album's lead single "Narito Ako",[20] which was originally recorded and
performed by Maricris Bermont and written by Nonong Pedero for the 1978 Metro Manila
Popular Music Festival.[21] Later that year, she headlined her first major concert at the Folk Arts
Theater.[22][23] She recorded "Please Be Careful With My Heart" with Jose Mari Chan, who
released the track on his album Constant Change;[24] she also sang backing vocals on Gary
Valenciano's "Each Passing Night", which appears on his album Faces of Love.[25][26]
In 1991, Velasquez made her North American concert debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City,
[27]
a first for an Asian solo artist.[28] Soon after, British theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh
invited Velasquez to audition for the West End production of the musical Miss Saigon.[29] She
received a letter from the production offering to train her in London but she declined the offer,
partly because of her lack of experience in musical theater.[29]

Velasquez's third studio album Tagala Talaga was released in October 1991.[30] It includes cover
versions of recordings by National Artist for Music recipients Ryan Cayabyab, Lucio San Pedro,
and Levi Celerio.[31][32] The album's lead single, titled "Buhay Ng Buhay Ko", was originally
recorded by Leah Navarro and was written by Pedero,[33][31] with whom Velasquez had worked on
Nineteen 90.[20] Other notable singles from the album include "Anak and "Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan".
[31]

In July 1993, PolyGram Far East announced a joint-venture licensing deal in the Philippines with
the formation of its subsidiary PolyCosmic Records.[34] Velasquez recorded a duet titled "It's
Hard to Say Goodbye" with Canadian singer Paul Anka, which became the new label's maiden
release.[34][35] The single was later included on her fourth studio album Reason Enough.[35] David
Gonzales of AllMusic described the album as "more attuned to international ears" and said
Velasquez's vocals are "thin and unimpressive".[35] One of its singles, "Sana Maulit Muli", won
the Awit Award for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist in 1994.[