MANILA — Regine Velasquez was not as good as she used to be during her silver anniversary show held Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, witnesses among the audience said. Velasquez cried, apologized and promised to do a free show, telling the audience to keep their tickets for free admission when she does another concert, Philippine media said on Saturday. She hoped that the Arena would also give her a free accommodation for the concert, the Philippine Daily Inquirer said. ABS-CBN television said Velasquez was suffering from viral infection in her throat and wanted to cancel the concert but later decided to go ahead. The audience, consisting mostly of her loyal fans, did not boo her but gave her a warm applause for confessing that she had a problem with her voice. At one point, Velasquez asked the help of stand-up comedian Anton Diva to sing Jeffrey Osborne and Peter Schless's “On The Wings Of Love.” Velasquez, who was celebrating her 25th year in show business, regained her composure and voice when she performed with Lani Misalucha. With her son, baby Nate Alcasid, on stage, she cried while singing Dave Barnes's “God Gave Me You” and until she sang Dan Fogelberg's “Leader of the Band,” with her father, Gerry, on stage. Her husband, Ogie Alcasid and friends saved the night. Alcasid performed with Janno Gibbs. His best friend, Michael V, danced the Gangnam style, which brought the house down. Seen among the crowd were fellow celebrities Zsa Zsa Padilla with daughter Zia Quizon, Aga Muhlach, comedians Eugene Domingo, John Lapus and Vice Ganda, Lucy Torres-Gomez and Kris Aquino. Vice Ganda went on stage and told the audience that Velasquez not only holds the record of having the highest number of standing ovations but also the highest number to hit the wrong notes among local and international singers. “But still nobody walked out. Everybody clapped and cheered for her,” he said. In an earlier interview, Velasquez said the biggest challenge for her at this point in her life — after pregnancy, childrearing chores, long absence from the concert scene — is to regain her usual singing voice. — SG
