Regine Velasquez Announces 'Finale': Asia's Songbird Prepares to Close a Major Chapter with Three-Night Concert Series

A Farewell to the Big Stage

Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, widely known as Asia's Songbird, is preparing to close a significant chapter in her performing career. Titled "Finale," her final major solo concert at a major venue is scheduled for October 17, 18, and 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The three-night run will be directed by Paolo Valenciano, with Raul Mitra serving as musical director, and is produced by iMusic Entertainment Inc.

For Velasquez, the concert is a gesture of gratitude. "This is actually a thank-you concert to everyone who's been supporting me all these years," she shared during a recent press conference. The event was initially planned for two nights, but a third show was added due to overwhelming demand. Velasquez recalled that tickets for the first night sold out in minutes. "We didn't actually expect them to sell out right away, at least within a day or two but not in minutes. We were caught off guard," she admitted.

Four Decades of Concerts

The decision to stage "Finale" marks a milestone in a career that has spanned more than 40 years. Velasquez began performing in concerts at age 17 and has maintained a rigorous schedule, often doing three or four concerts a year. "Every year I've been doing concerts," she noted. "That's why it's like a routine. [This 'Finale']... it's like giving up a part of me." The emotional weight of the moment became apparent when she saw the promotional material for the concert. "I was crying because I couldn't process it. I was emotional... not so much about my voice but the fact that I'm actually giving up something that I haven't known for quite a few years," she explained.

Velasquez's career is unparalleled in the Philippines. She first rose to prominence after winning the television talent show Ang Bagong Kampeon in 1984 and later the Asia Pacific Singing Contest in 1989. Her discography includes hits like "In Love with You" and the record-breaking album R2K, which was certified twelve-times platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. With over seven million records sold domestically and 1.5 million in Asia, she is the best-selling Filipino music artist of all time. Her accolades include two Asian Television Awards, two MTV Asia Awards, and 23 Awit Awards.

Facing the Reality of a Changing Voice

The decision to stage "Finale" comes as Velasquez navigates changes in her voice. She candidly opened up about experiencing what she calls "menopause voice," a period when singing suddenly felt unfamiliar. "There was a time when it felt like I had forgotten how to sing, and I couldn't figure out what was going on with me. But every time I would go and see my doctor, there was nothing wrong," she revealed. Although her vocal cords remain healthy, she has noticed differences in how her voice behaves—cracking and difficulties in control—prompting her to understand her instrument anew rather than trying to recreate the sound of her earlier years.

"I still have my voice. It never left. It's just that it's in a different form, so I have to work with what I have now," she said. "I'm no longer what I used to be 10, 20 years ago. I can no longer sound like that." Despite these changes, Velasquez remains aware that her artistry endures. The adjustments have become part of the reality of performing at this stage of her career, and she approaches them with the same grace she has shown throughout her journey.

A Plea for Live Music Experience

During the press conference, Velasquez also shared her thoughts on concertgoers who record entire performances on their phones. "I don't think we can avoid it," she acknowledged, though she personally dislikes the practice. She cited both the diminished quality of recordings and the tendency for online audiences to judge performances through videos rather than experiencing them live. "As a performer, I feel bad about it. It shouldn't be that way," she said.

For Velasquez, the imperfections inherent in live performance are precisely what make it distinct from a recording. "A performance shouldn't be judged, especially a live performance. You cannot compare a live performance to a recorded one," she emphasized. She pointed out that live singing involves adrenaline and the possibility of imperfections, but those elements can also create a profound emotional connection between the performer and the audience. "A live performance has adrenaline. You breathe, you have flats and sharps, but at the same time, with all those imperfections, that's where the feelings come from. That's where the heart comes from. That's where you can feel what the performer is feeling," she explained.

She encouraged concertgoers to occasionally put their phones down and experience the performance without viewing it through a screen. "Don't you find it kind of distracting that you're watching and you're holding a phone? You're watching on your little screen when you can actually put your phone down so that you can feel the impact of the performance," she said. "You're not going to be able to feel that same feeling. That's just my personal opinion."

As Velasquez prepares for "Finale," the concert series promises to be not only a celebration of her extraordinary career but also a poignant reminder of the power of live music—imperfections and all. For her fans, the three nights at the SM Mall of Asia Arena will be a chance to witness a true icon in her element, one last time on such a grand scale.