Regine Velasquez, the Asia’s Songbird, is a true icon whose star has never, and will never, fade. With an illustrious career spanning nearly 40 years, she has graced sold-out concerts, delivered countless hits, starred in movies, endorsed major brands and received accolades. She’s undeniably one of the biggest stars in the country and a face of Pinoy pop culture.

And yet, despite all that success, Regine has remained as grounded as ever. So, when asked to play a game that required her to look back on her many firsts in the industry, she was more than happy to take a trip down memory lane.

When asked by Kapamilya Chat about her first big purchase from her very first talent fee as a professional singer, she fondly recalled that it was actually her father, the beloved Mang Gerry, who bought her a brand-new watch with that talent fee.

As for the first song she ever memorized all by herself, that would be "Mr. DJ," which just goes to show that she has always been, and will always be, a huge Sharon Cuneta fan. 

And with so many hit songs under her belt, it’s hard to pick just one that started it all. But for Regine, one of her very first monster hits was "Urong Sulong." 

Like most singers of her generation, Regine's first major concert is a memory she’ll never forget. She vividly recalls it was titled "Narito Ako" and was held at the Folk Arts Theater in 1990. It was definitely a night full of core memories. She can still picture the warmth and excitement of the audience. She remembers receiving six standing ovations that night. Fun fact: the sixth song she performed was "Greatest Love of All."

Since then, her star has never dimmed. Trends come and go, but Regine remains Regine. She continues to sell out concerts, and the support for her shows is as strong as ever—something she’s deeply grateful for.

"Siyempre, happy ako na hanggang ngayon may interesado pa rin na manood sa akin," she chuckled. "Natutuwa ako kasi, siyempre, marami ng ibang artists. Ang audience natin, marami ng choices. Or they can also choose to watch it at home kasi may mga nagvi-video, but they still choose to go there, watch it live, and be with me."

For the “ASAP” star, that kind of loyalty means everything. "That is a great feeling for an artist, especially for someone like me who's been in the industry for a long time." She knows that as artists age, audiences naturally shrink—it’s just part of the cycle in the world of performing. But that’s exactly why she’s so happy that not only do her solid supporters continue to stick with her, but even new fans are still discovering and appreciating her music.

Before stepping onto any stage, whether it’s an intimate gig or a grand concert, Regine has one ritual she never skips—she prays. And in that prayer, she always tells God, "Please sing for me." It’s something she’s done throughout her career, no matter the size of the crowd. "Kasi very aware ako na hindi ito nanggaling sa akin, hindi magic na nandiyan na ['yung boses ko]. It was given to me. I borrowed it. So whenever I perform, kahit maliit o malaking show o concert, I would always pray."

That deep gratitude also reflects how she feels about her music’s lasting impact, that even decades later, her old hits are still being played and sung, even by the younger generation. For her, that’s one of the most heartwarming things to witness.

"Natutuwa ako na nagsi-sing along sila doon sa mga old, old, old songs ko, 'yung mga first recordings. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam being an artist who's been here for a long time," she shared.

She finds even more joy knowing that her songs continue to live on because people keep singing them. "Ang isang kanta, mananatiling buhay 'yun 'pag inaawit ng iba't ibang singers," she explained. That’s why she deeply appreciates songwriters, like National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, and her husband Ogie Alcasid, who are generous with their compositions and allow different artists to interpret their work. After all, that’s how music stays alive—by being passed down, reimagined, and sung over and over again.