Regine retires some signature songs too strenuous for her voice

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez will retire some of her signature songs as changes in her voice have made them increasingly difficult to perform. She announced the decision during the second night of her sold-out “Finale” concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on October 18.

“In four years, I will be 60. And, it's just a big stage. It also means that I will be retiring some of my songs. So, some of the songs that you heard tonight, you probably won't hear them anymore. I probably won't sing them anymore. Why? Because I can't anymore. I don't have the voice for them anymore,” Regine told the audience.

"I want you to know that deciding to not do the big stage anymore is a big, big decision. Hindi pa masyadong nagsi-sink in sa akin. But I have changed. My voice has changed. My expectations sa sarili ko have change."

Among the songs she plans to retire are “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing,” “On the Wings of Love,” and “What Kind of Fool Am I.”

Her decision on the songs does not mean she is retiring from music altogether. Rather, Regine is acknowledging that age has caught up with her and performing some of her most challenging songs on a large stage is not realistic anymore. 

She is expected to continue accepting select performances and other projects while stepping back from major solo concerts.

The singer also thanked her fans, known as Reginians, for continuing to support her regardless of her vocal condition, saying their presence encourages her to keep performing.

“I show up because you keep showing up. Every time we announce that I'm going to have a concert, you just show up. You don't care. Kahit anong kondisyon ng boses ko, may boses, malat, garalgal, you show up. I actually don't understand why." 

Regine also recalled during one concert when she almost had no voice, she feared the audience would walk out. 

"I was expecting for you guys to walk out because that's a natural tendency of the audience when they get disappointed. But you didn't. Instead, you sang my songs to me. You performed my songs to me," she said. "And that's why I'm here. Because you keep showing up,” Regine added.

Regine’s “Finale” concert became even more memorable with performances featuring longtime collaborators.

One highlight was her reunion with Jose Mari Chan, with whom she performed the 1989 duet, “Please Be Careful With My Heart.” Her husband, singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, also joined her onstage to perform their duet, “Hanggang Ngayon.”

Regine performed other songs associated with her career, including “Pangako,” “Dadalhin,” and “You’ve Made Me Stronger.” She also sang “Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka,” a song written by Alcasid.

Another trip down memory lane arrived when Donna Cruz and Mikee Cojuangco joined her onstage. The trio, which starred in the 1996 film “Do Re Mi,”  performed  the soundtrack songs “I Can” and “A Little Love Goes a Long Way.” 

Staged from October 17 to 19, the three-night “Finale” concert series celebrated Regine’s 40-year reign in the music industry.