Ogie on Regine, OPM and hitting 25

MANILA, Philippines - Days after Regine Velasquez cut her concert short due to an illness, no one could ever better tell how her husband Ogie Alcasid truly felt about the incident than the singer-songwriter himself. Thus, when the press launch was held recently for his latest album, The Songwriter And The Hitmakers, released under Universal Records marking his 25 years in the entertainment scene, Ogie vividly expressed his thoughts as soon as he addressed the first question.

“I felt victorious already alongside my wife because I knew that as soon as she steps on stage, she would be victorious,” began Ogie. “Her ordeal was difficult the night before and when we woke up (the day of the concert). The night before, she texted me, ‘Hon, wala akong boses.’ So, I said, ‘Magdasal na lang tayo,’ and I asked her what she wanted to do because I knew the tickets were sold out. Regine said, ‘Bukas lalabas ito.’ She was really determined. But I already called up our doctor that night.”

His fears doubled when they woke up on the day of the concert because “there’s no voice coming out and I told Cacai (Velasquez-Mitra, Regine’s sister and manager) about the situation. Then we went to the doctor to seek advice. I saw in the machine that her vocal cords were full of mucus.”

It was even hard for the doctor to decide given the hassle of cancelling a show so it was Regine who decided to push through with the concert.

“I was so scared because whenever our eyes would meet (that day), she had this pleading look as if asking if I can do something about it. But there’s nothing we can do. In the afternoon, I heard her in the bathroom rehearsing Shine but she couldn’t hit the high notes and she’s crying. Pine-pep talk ko s’ya then ako naman pupunta sa banyo para umiyak.”

Ogie and Regine prayed at the backstage prior to the start of the concert. “As I’m looking at her going up the stage, ‘dun ko napansin she was floating, that she was going to be okay... Of what happened, I think, dapat natin s’yang palakpakan. I am proud of Regine.”

Ogie added that he had also been in that tough situation before. “Ironically, I was Regine’s guest during her US concert tour. It happened in her New York show and I had no voice so nag-patawa na lang ako pero di naman ako pinalakpakan ng ganun.”

And though he had experienced what seemed to many as “boo-boo moments,” Ogie has succeeded to stay long in the entertainment scene, marking this year his 25th anniversary with an album that also features some of today’s top artists singing some of his original compositions.

“The album took a year and a half to finish as we waited for the right time. All the artists here are humble and very giving. Same with the recording companies, they didn’t make it hard for us (artists) to guest in other albums.”

The Songwriter And The Hitmakers is composed of 18 tracks that include Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap (by Ogie), Sino Ako (Regine), Kailangan Kita (Gary Valenciano), Pangako (Martin Nievera), Walang Iba (Kuh Ledesma), Tanging Ikaw Lamang (Sarah Geronimo), Ikaw Lamang (Christian Bautista), Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka (Angeline Quinto), Mula Ngayon (Rachelle Ann Go), Tayong Dalawa (Ogie and Regine), Ikaw Ang Pag-Ibig Ko (Noel Cabangon), To You (Richard Poon), Tanging Ikaw (Jed Madela), Kung Mawawala Ka (Piolo Pascual), Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (Arnel Pineda), Mga Nakaw Na Sandali (Jaya and Jay-R), Why Don’t We Give (Kyla) and Ang Puso Ko (Ogie).

Asked which song best describes Ogie, he replied, “I think the romantic songs Kailangan Kita, Pangarap Ko’y Ibigin Ka, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Ikaw Lamang. They (songs) are really me — romantically corny, hahahaha. And it feels good that a lot of people are familiar with them.”

With the success he’s enjoying right now, is there anything more he wants to achieve?

“I’m at an age where I’m now trying to give back what I’ve been blessed with. I’m happy being with OPM (Organisasyon Ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit) and my dream for Pinoy music is to bring back its glory days. We at OPM are doing everything step by step, encouraging everybody to write.”

It is heartening to know, Ogie added, that local tunes are turning into hits these days like Pusong Bato, Sirena and songs of Parokya ni Edgar. He, too, appreciates the support of radio stations by playing Pinoy music on the airwaves. He sees the influx of new singers in the local music scene as another sign that Pinoy music is far from dying.

“I always tell them to be patient,” he said about his tips to new artists. “Just enjoy the moment because every single step is a major accomplishment which will lead you to wherever you will be.”

Speaking of accomplishment, Ogie cited the time when he first won in the Aliw Awards as Entertainer of the Year. “I think I won the title three times until I became a Hall of Famer.”

Ogie said that having received gold and platinum awards also served as major achievements for him “because these are clear indications that the people accepted you.”