Swine flu stops Regine from guesting in Charice's show

Now it can be told: Regine Velasquez backed out of Charice’s concert last June 27 at the Mall of Asia’s SMX due not to stress and over-fatigue as initially suspected but to A(H1N1).

“I didn’t know where I got it,” said Regine who was replaced by Kuh Ledesma. (It was Richard Gomez who pinchhit for her as host of the GMA show Are You The Next Big Star?) “I wasn’t hospitalized. The doctor told me only to rest at home. Mild case lang naman ‘yon. I don’t have the symptoms now,” she added.

As reported by Funfare Update a few days ago, Regine will open the Viva Concert Series at the Skydome of SM North EDSA on Aug. 1 (with another show on Aug. 8) with Most Requested which marks her return to the Viva where she started her recording career in the early ’80s after she won in Ang Bagong Kampeon (not Hamon sa Kampeon as Funfare Update earlier reported).

The show will also feature Eva Castillo (not Eva Cariño as also earlier reported) who was Regine’s constant rival in amateur singing contests in Bulacan three decades ago.

“In all those contests,” recalled Regine, “once ko lang siya natalo. Kaya ‘yung Most Requested ay parang return bout namin.”

Now a mother of several children, Eva has retained her simple ways both in dressing and in attitude.

“That’s what I like about her,” said Regine. “I didn’t know that she was from Tondo and not Bulacan, pero alam ng Tatay ko. She would go to Bulacan only to join singing contests. I saw her again a few months ago after 30 years and I’m so eager and excited to perform with her again.”

Incidentally, Regine confirmed that she and her beloved Ogie Alcasid are indeed attending the wedding of Ogie’s (ex-)wife Michelle van Eimeren and her Australian fiance Mark Murrow in Australia sometime in November. Ogie will be the groomsman while Regine will sing during the reception.

Asked if she has chosen a song (probably one of her own), Regine said not yet.

Somebody suggested, “Why not Please Release Me?”

Regine laughed. “Na-release na, eh!”

But she declined to comment when she and Ogie will also get married, never mind if Michelle has beaten them to it.

Cancer-stricken TUX member needs help

It was Funfare Update’s New York correspondent Edmund Silvestre who informed me that Carlo Bulahan, a member of the singing group TUX, is battling colon cancer.

“He badly needs financial help,” said Edmund.

Carlo, who is married to Ma. Carmela “Marika” Amigo, was operated on last May and has been undergoing chemotherapy since June 16.

A benefit concert for Carlo is scheduled on July 17 and 18 (Friday and Saturday) at the Music Museum featuring some of the music industry’s biggest names like Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Regine Velasquez, Nanette Inventor, Arnel Ignacio and Kuh Ledesma.

Tickets to the concert, titled STUX On You...you’ve got a friend, are priced at P1,000 and are available at the Music Museum.

“Carlo was required by his doctors to undergo two chemo meds for every treatment,” Edmund quoted Carlo’s sister-in-law Monette Amigo-Semilla, “and each treatment would cost P125,000 excluding hospital and professional fees.” Monette is helping promote the event that was organized by TUX and Freddie Santos.

More major artists who are friends of Carlo’s are expected to also perform in the concert.

(Note: For inquiries, e-mail [email protected].)

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