Regine: Who, what, where, when and how

She looks "different" with her corn-rows hairdo which is, she said, the fad in the States where she just wound up a two-week visit to renew friendship with producers (in both the East and West coasts) of her aborted concert series last year due to the cancellation of her US visa (you know, the "alien/human smuggling" incident) which has been reissued to her with the assistance of visa expert Michael Gurfinkel (lawyer and STAR columnist).

"I thought I’d never set foot on American soil again," admitted Regine Velasquez when she showed up the other day at the Viva Films penthouse social hall for the presscon of her and brand-new husband (of Charlene Gonzalez) Aga Muhlach’s re-teamup, Pangako, Ikaw Lang, which has the same feel-good thrust and effect as the first one, the 1999 hit Dahil May Isang Ikaw (also directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal). "When I got off the plane (a PAL 102 flight), I wanted to kneel and kiss the soil. Kaya lang," Regine added with a laugh, "nakakahiya naman, di ba? OA naman, di ba?"

She and Aga were obviously comfortable with each other, never mind if they haven’t been romantically linked to each other, not even during the promo of Dahil (for "gimmick," you know) which became a hit anyway. Aga was teasing Regine to get married already so that she, too, could have twins like him and Charlene, but Regine protested that how could she (get married) when she didn’t even have a boyfriend yet – at 30. Now, isn’t she in danger of ending up a spinster?

"I don’t know why people are hurrying me to get married," complained Regine. "When Cacai (her younger sister) got married (to Raul Mitra, musical director of Pangako, Ikaw Lang, by whom Cacai has a child), my parents looked at me and asked, ‘O, ikaw, kailan? Kailan mo kami bibigyan ng apo?’ Naku, ha! Alangan namang basta na lang ako magpapabuntis, ano!"

Not Regine, not her! In fact, until now, many people are convinced that she’s still, ehem, untouched but Regine is not about to prove it. Let’s take her word for it, okay?

Meanwhile, for a change, Funfare isn’t delving deeper into Regine’s zero love life. Instead, we’ll probe her soul a bit deeper by asking her the who, what, where, when and how of her life.

Here we go:

• Who is your best friend?

I have two. My sisters Cacai and Grace.

Who is the biggest influence in your life?

My Mom and my Dad.

Who is your greatest love?

God.

Who is your most avid suitor?

None. Honest!

Who is your role model?

Kuh Ledesma.

• What is your greatest fear?

None.

What is your most prized possession?

My family.

What is your biggest frustration?

That I can’t do everything that I want to do due to lack of time.

What’s the last thing that you do before you sleep?

Watch TV.

What’s the first thing that you do when you wake up?

Watch TV.

• Where do you feel most at home?

In my room. That’s where I stay when I’m not working. I watch TV.

Where do you want to retire years from now?

In the Philippines. Maybe in the province (Bulacan).

Where is your kiliti?

If by kiliti you mean my weakness, it’s here (indicating her heart). Mababaw ang kaligayahan ko. Bulahin mo lang ako ng kaunti, okey na ako.

Where do you invest your money?

In real estate. Jewelry. Most of it I deposit in the bank.

Where do you want to get married?

In Venice. It’s a very romantic city, isn’t it?

• When are you happiest?

When I’m with my parents, my sisters — my whole family.

When are you saddest?

When I’m away from my family.

When are you in a good mood?

All the time. Everyday. I’m always smiling; palagi akong masaya, didn’t you notice?

When was the last time you really cried?

‘Yung talagang humahagulgol? Six years ago. (When she broke up with, well, You-know-who. — RFL)

When are you getting married?

As soon as I find Mr. Right. It’s hard to find one.

• How do you pray?

Direct to God. I pray all the time.

How do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Happily married.

How do you share your blessings?

By giving my family everything that they need. When I travel, I seldom buy anything for myself. I never forget to buy pasalubong for my family.

How do you say no to a persistent suitor?

I tell him, "No." That simple. "No!"

How do you enjoy your free time?

I shop. I watch TV. I take it easy in my room.

Sex and the City promo

And here are the first and second sets of questions in the tie-up Sex and the City promo between Funfare and HBO which is showing the hit US sitcom every Tuesday at 10 p.m. (Channel 31 on SKYCable and Channel 27 on Home Cable). To make it easier for contestants, Funfare is printing choices to every question (multiple choice). Send entries to: SATC Contest, Funfare, P.O. Box 512, Greenhills Post Office 1502 Metro Manila, with your name, address and phone number.

Every week (last week, this week and next week), seven winners will be picked and will each receive a Sex and the City Martini glasses.

Here are last week’s questions (episodes 1 and 2):

1. Which island did Carrie and friends go to judge the New York City Fire Department’s Calendar Contest?

a) Staten Island

b) Liberty Island

c) Coney Island

2. What is the name of the politician Carrie meets at the New York City Fire Department’s Calendar Contest?

a) Arthur

b) Steve

c) Bill

d) Ricky

3. Where does Samantha’s latest date shop?

a) The boy’s department at Bloomingdale’s

b) The boy’s department at Calvin Klein

c) The children’s department at DKNY

4. What was the color of Carrie’s trenchcoat when she was at the construction site with her new politician boyfriend, Bill, on one of his campaign trips?

a) Black

b) Blue

c) Pink

d) khaki

Questions for episode 3:

1. Who does Carrie bump into when trying clothes in the dressing room of a clothing boutique while on a shopping trip with Miranda?

a) Natasha (Big’s new wife)

b) Nathalie

c) Norma

d) Nirvana

2. Samatha gives the girls a treat. Where does she bring them?

a) The Spa

b) The Country Club

c) A rock concert

d) A disco

(Note: Answers to all questions will be printed next week along with the final set of questions, for episode 4.)