In December 2005, Regine's designer gowns were auctioned for the benefit of less-fortunate children.
Uploaded: January 26, 2009
Songbird Regine Velasquez is not only known for her captivating voice, her countless hit songs, her record-breaking album and concert sales, and her collection of awards. She's also one of the most popular live mannequins in Tinseltown.
This gown, another unforgettable piece, saw Regine's rice to the status of royalty. She used this in her first major solo concert, Narito Ako, held at the Folk Arts Theater in 1990.
Leftmost: Opening gown at Regine's Reigning Still concert, 2004, a medieval-themed ensemble. Second from left: A gown Regine wore on the Rizal Stadium baseball field for the opning of the 1991 SEA Games. Fourth from right slightly in the back ground: one of Regine's favorites, worn for an episode of Tar for a Night. During the Mel and Joey auction, the bid for this pink gown started at P5,000. Third from right, with butterfly sleeves: A filipiniana gown by Patis Tesoro, worn at the 2002 Lunar Parade in Pasadena California, U.S.A. Rightmost: A gown used for an episode of the GMA-7 show, Pinoy Pop Superstar. This gown also had an initial price of P5,000.
After her opening number, Regine explained why the show was titled Reflections: "Kasi isa ho itong pagbabalik-tanaw to all the music that has influenced my own music and all the artist that inspired me through the years. "
As Regine and Ai-ai exchanged ad libs onstage, a three-person team fixed the pair of wings on Ai-Ai's back. She then attached herself to a pulley that would bring her to the opposite end of the stage. In the dim light, the pulley helped give the illusion that Ai-Ai was flying. The act was actually a parody of Regine's unforgettable number in her historic R2K concert in 2000.
After a riotous medley of '90s hits, Regine realized she had dropped one of her earrings. As she squatted to pick it up and put it back on, she ad-libbed to keep her audience entertained: "Nako, mamahalin pa naman ito [hikaw]—kahit hiram... Akalain nýong mag-rap ako? Na naka-yellow-gown na parang me tao sa loob."
The last part of the show had ABS-CBN talent Ai-Ai delas Alas as special guest. GMA-7 being Regine's home turf, Ai-Ai alluded to the network wars in her opening remarks. "Ang dami namang taga-GMA dito," she said, "Di bale, number one naman kayo ngayon. Hindi 'nyo ba ako kukunin?"
Ai-Ai was supposed to represent Regine 20 years from now. Regine asked: "Ganyan ang itsura ko 20 years from now?" And Ai-Ai fired back: "Oo... at 20 years from now, virgin ka pa rin!"
After singing her hit single, "Dadalhin," Regine joked: "Ang hirap namang lumakad... May sariling buhay ho itong gown ko. Mai-auction na rin kaya? Malaki-laki siguro kikitain namin dito ni Aling Mel [Tiangco]."
This red taffeta piece by Rajo Laurel (foreground, center) was Regine's gown for the 2005 Film Academy Awards Red Carpet Ball. The pink gown (right) was reportedly a bestseller at the Mel and Joey auction.
Rajo designed this piece for Songbird Sings Legrand, Regine's sold-out 2003 Valentineshow at the plenary hall of the Philippine International CVonvention Center (PICC). Asia's songbird sang the songs of Oscar and Grammy-winning French composer Michel Legrand.
Not one of the Velasquezes can seem to remember where or on what occasion Regine wore this Pepsi Herrera creation. But it's definitely a must-own piece.
This gown was the centerpiece in Regine's Reflections concert in the Aliw Theater. "Me me-ari na niyan," says Cacai. "Hiniram lang muna namin sa taga-Mel and Joey. " Regine wore this during a production number with Kyla, Sarah Geronimo, and Sheryn Regis in her Reigning Still concert in December 2004.
The Louie Mamengo black outfit is considered a lucky piece because it was the one Regine wore when she bagged the grand prize in the Asia-Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong in 1989.
During the commercial breaks of Mel and Joey, Regine checked on the gowns draped on the mannequins. She later admitted to Mel Tiangco: "Pag tinitignan ko silang lahat ngayon, nasesenti ako. Kasi lahat ýan memorable sa akin at may sentimental value talaga.'
This Rajo Laurel creation is one of the most memorable pieces in the entire collection. Regine wore this during her two-night sold-out concert, R2K, at the Araneta Coliseum in April 2000.
This glittery piece, adorned with multicolored stone crystals, was one of her gowns in her The Songbird and the Songwriter concert with Ogie Alcasidin 2004.
Regine wore this butterfly-inspired gown at the momentous 2000 celebration, where she sang the Philippine Millenium theme, "Written in the Sand," atop the Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. That performance was broadcast all over the world.
This witty red-and-black ensemble is Regine's old favorite. She wore it in an episode of Search for a Star. This is one of the three gowns whose bidding price started at P5,000.