For singers, losing their voice is one of the biggest fears imaginable.
That fear became all too real for OPM singer Sheryn Regis when she underwent vocal cord surgery a decade ago, a life-changing experience that made her wonder whether she would ever sing again.
At the launch of her partnership with Platinum Karaoke on October 24, 2026, at Ayala Malls Market! Market! in Taguig City, Sheryn looked back on her recovery journey and how her faith helped her overcome one of the most challenging chapters of her career.
"After ten years na ba since surgery na iyon, you know, I thought I cannot sing anymore," Sheryn recalled.
"I thought magbabago yung boses ko. But God is good all the time kasi, you know, I just wish na dati before, before I said na, 'Lord po, pa-surgery na ako,' but you know, everything that He plans will be done.
"And then binigay niya sa'kin yung boses ko ulit. So that's why ginagamit ko talaga siya anywhere, anytime."
SHERYN REGIS: MAJOR LIFE EVENT
Sheryn underwent surgery for thyroid cancer in 2016, a health battle that briefly put her singing career on hold.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in October 2019, the singer revealed that she stepped away from showbiz following her diagnosis and subsequent operation. At the time, she chose to keep her condition private, fearing that disclosing it might affect future singing opportunities.
Following the procedure, doctors advised Sheryn to avoid singing for six months to give her vocal cords ample time to heal.
Despite the recommendation, the singer admitted she found it difficult to stay away from performing and eventually returned to singing much sooner than advised.
"After surgery, actually no, dapat sabi ni doktor ko, six months hindi ako pwedeng kumanta. As in that I have to rest.
"But then andyan si ate mo na napaka, alam mo yun, matigas ang ulo ko.
"So after three weeks, kumanta na ako kasi naka-sign na ako ng contract. Hindi ko alam na maoperahan pala ako.
"But after I signed the contract, sabi ko, 'E, nag-sign na ako so kailangan kong gawin ito.' Hindi ko lang sinabi na operahan ako kasi baka mag-worry sila and I don't want them to worry."
Shortly after, she even pushed through with a concert tour in Australia despite still feeling physically weak.
"After that, nag-tour ako ng Australia. Although parang feeling ko weak na weak yung katawan ko, but nagawa ko.
"It's a great miracle na bumalik pa rin yung boses ko."
Sheryn recalled that her voice initially sounded different after surgery and even lost some of its depth.
"Actually no, after a day or two or a week, naiiba yung boses ko. Para siyang walang bass.
"Then bumalik yung bass ko on the day of the concert. Binaba ko yung 'Come Rain or Shine,' pero during the day of the concert mismo, sabi ko, 'Sige, original key.'
"Bumalik siya. Nag-vocalize lang ako.
"Faith is a great thing talaga. Kasi kung wala ka niyan, wala din."
SHERYN REGIS: PROTECTING HER VOICE
Even after her recovery, Sheryn said she remained careful with her voice, especially since her repertoire often requires powerful belting.
"Ang mabuti na lang, hindi natamaan yung laryngeal nerve ko. Kasi kung natamaan yun, probably iba talaga.
"Bawal bumirit. Tigas lang talaga ang ulo ko. Sabi ko, 'Hindi, kailangan ko itong i-vocalize' kasi kung hindi ako kakanta, baka maging rusty na ako.
"Kaya anti-inflammatory yung spray kasi nga masakit. Hindi lang kasi mellow yung kanta ko, bumibirit yun.
"So ginagamitan ko ng technique. Lahat ng technique ginagamit ko para hindi ko siya mapuwersa nang sobra-sobra."
Ten years after her surgery, Sheryn remains disciplined when it comes to taking care of her voice and overall health.
"I take care of my voice. I sleep at least seven to ten hours a day. Saka I don't drink cold, I don't smoke, I don't drink. Saka I eat na sapat, tama.
"Kasi, you know, it's not just the voice talaga, ang buong katawan para magamit mo lahat."
Despite her successful recovery, Sheryn admitted that the possibility of losing her voice still worries her.
"Of course. Every singer's nightmare na talagang mawawalan ng boses, especially ako, bumihirit ako. Alam mo yung mahirap na hindi ko maibigay sa tao. Mahirap talaga iyon."
Why retirement was never an option
Following her health scare, Sheryn said there was a time when she seriously considered walking away from singing altogether.
Reflecting on the uncertainty she felt after her diagnosis and surgery, the singer recalled questioning whether her career had already reached its end.
"Naisip ko yun. Naisip ko yun before no'n nang nagkasakit ako. Sabi ko, 'Wala. Retirement na ba ito? Batang-bata ko pa naman para mag-retire.'"
Still, the thought of leaving music behind never sat well with the 46-year-old singer.
"And then sabi ko, 'Hindi, hindi.' Ang dami ko pang gustong gawin sa buhay ko. And then when I retire, ano na?
"But sometimes it's like your job. When you stop it, hahanap-hanapin mo."
Although she tried to imagine life away from the stage, Sheryn eventually realized that performing was something she could never give up.
"I did that. Iniisip ko, 'Sana umawit ako ulit. Hindi na ako kakanta kaya? Try ko kaya?'
"After two years, hindi. Di talaga kaya. Kailangan kong bumalik on stage. Hindi lang yun sa bahay na mag-karaoke.
"Sa stage talaga. Iba pa rin yung crowd."
Now, ten years after her vocal cord surgery, Sheryn is grateful that she continues to do what she loves most.
The singer remains active in the music industry and has even been tapped as the newest face of Platinum Karaoke, a partnership she considers especially meaningful given her journey.
"You know it's a dream come true. To have a brand na sobrang makaka-relate ang lahat at nakaka-relate talaga sa buhay ko.
"You know, may mga nagba-viral tayong mga kanta na nanggagaling man sa karaoke din. And Platinum is a great instrument para talaga mas maibigay natin yung musika natin sa bawat bahay."
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