OPM chief Ogie Alcasid has set the record straight on retirement speculations surrounding her wife, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.
It was in March when fans began speculating that Regine might be preparing to leave the concert scene after she shared in an interview with Billboard Philippines that her upcoming major show in October, marking her 40th year in show business, would be her last large-scale solo concert.
"Although I still have some projects next year, but this will be my last big solo concert,” she said at the time. "I still have mga projects next year and then eventually I retire... Sabi ng asawa ko retirement means naman not really stopping altogether. It means doing whatever it is that you wanna do, but it will free me from 'yung pressure of trying to please everyone."
READ: Regine Velasquez finds comfort in K-dramas: ‘My little refuge’
The statement quickly fueled speculation among longtime supporters, many of whom wondered if Regine was finally saying goodbye to the stage she has called home for decades.
During the press conference for Ogie’s upcoming Daddyokie Father’s Day concert, the singer-songwriter was asked about how he and Regine discussed her supposed withdrawal from the concert scene, with Ogie saying that she is not yet leaving the show or music business.
“Hindi pa sya magreretire,” Ogie clarified, pertaining to Regine, as cited in Inquirer.net.
While firmly clarifying that retirement is not happening anytime soon, Ogie acknowledged that the thought of stepping away from performing has stirred deep emotions in them, especially in Regine.
“It was emotional. This is her love, aside from me. I remember — honey, sorry nalang, ikukwento ko — we were in London, nanood kami ng Coldplay. Yung atmosphere ng concert, naramdaman niya, and she got very emotional. Di niya sinasabi sa akin, pero parang feeling ko, in her mind, sabi niya, mami-miss ko 'to. Pero sabi ko nga sa inyo, I don’t think she is going to stop, lalo pa ngayon. Ang galing-galing pa rin nya.”
READ: Regine Velasquez reveals anniversary show this year will be her ‘last big concert’
Regine also opened up about the anxiety she has been experiencing during performances, prompting concerns from fans in February.
“Lately, every single performance for me is such a struggle, even doing ASAP. It used to excite me, a source of joy, but now it gives me so much anxiety. I still LOVE singing, I do, but performing on stage... maybe it's part of getting old, I don't know. But it's kinda of heartbreaking," she revealed in a post on social media platform X on February 19.
Despite these challenges, Ogie expressed confidence that Regine’s love for music and the unwavering support she receives from her audience will continue to inspire her to sing. For now, he said, the focus remains on preparing for her much-awaited FINALE concert in October.
According to Ogie, Regine has been undergoing intensive preparation, including voice therapy and consultations with doctors to ensure she is in top form for the major event.
“I’m so happy that her voice is really good now. We sought some treatment and it worked for her, leading to the concert. She is super excited. Maganda ang mga plano nila ni Cacai (Regine’s sister),” he said.
Ogie also reflected on how age naturally changes a performer’s voice, noting that maturity can bring greater emotional depth to singing.
“It comes with age. When we get older, our voices change, like, ako di ko na aabot yung mga naabot ko nung bata ako. But now, dahil may poot na, may lalim. I keep telling her that, you know, obviously, when you were younger, you were able to sing as high as you could. But now, we have a voice with so much emotion. You could already tell, ang daming experiences ng taong ito,” he added.
Regine’s FINALE concert is set for October 17 and 18 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Meanwhile, Ogie’s Daddyokie Father’s Day concert will take place at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell on June 19 and 20.