![]() Martín Nievera, Pops' husband and co-host of the show, suggested that she drop the name Chona and use Regine as her screen name. This is considered the biggest turning point of her career as this is where Ronnie Henares, the show's producer, noticed her potential and offered to become her manager. Members of OPM helped her out by giving her industry advice and by lending their gowns for her performances.Īt 15- At the behest of friend and fellow Octoarts recording artist, Pops Fernandez, Chona Velasquez guested on the now defunct GMA 7 Variety TV show, 'Penthouse Live', on February 16, 1986. She then joined the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), an organization of Filipino singers, performing in music lounges all over Metro Manila. The show's musical director, Dominic Salustiano, suggested her winning piece, George Benson's "In Your Eyes." She won a contract with Octoarts, recording the single "Love Me Again" as " Chona Velasquez," her nickname. She won for eight straight weeks and became the first grand champion of the show. Her father suggested that she audition with "Saan Ako Nagkamali" ("Where Did I Go Wrong"). But even with this learning handicap, her raw talent and sheer determination helped her win the top prize in 67 of approximately 300 competitions.Īt 14- Chona entered the senior division of Ang Bagong Kampeon (The New Champion), a nationally-televised singing competition, hosted by Bert "Tawa" Marcelo and Asia's "Queen of Songs", Pilita Corrales. Regine also suffers from dyslexia which makes it difficult for her to read lyrics and learn new songs. ![]() Her parents saved money on competitions by designing and sewing her gowns using materials at hand and fabric from old gowns. Lawrence Academy, where she won Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet for her school at the annual BULPRISA (Bulacán Private School Association) competition. By nine, Chona and her family had moved to Balagtas, Bulacan, where she studied at Balagtas Central School. Her piece, "Buhat Nang Kita'y Makilala" ("Since I Met You"), won third place and "youngest contender." Chona joined more singing competitions in small towns around the country. Before she could read, her father taught her song lyrics.Īt 6- Chona participated in a nationally-televised amateur singing competition, The Tita Betty's Children's Show. Her father trained her voice by having her sing while submerged neck-deep in the ocean her mother taught her how to move on stage and interpret songs. ![]() Music figured largely in her early development her father sang to the children Frank Sinatra songs and her mother accompanied family sing-alongs on guitar. Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, where Velásquez studied at the Hinundayan Central School. Wish you all the best for your day and I dedicate this blog and this post for you!!Ĭhona Velasquez is the first child of Teresita and Gerardo Velasquez, born in Tondo, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 22, 1970. Happy Birthday Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez.
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