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Concert Review
Regine and Pops Team Up in Rare Collaboration
by Nestor Torre
ON Feb. 11 and 12, Regine Velasquez and Pops Fernandez will perform
in their first local concert together at the PSC-Ultra. They've shared
stellar billing abroad but have heretofore refrained from doing so here,
because they're regarded as rivals in these parts, with Pops being billed as
the Concert Queen and Regine being tagged as Asia's Songbird.
So, why have they finally agreed to share the local concert stage?
Because they're both assertive women, and their show has a theme of "women's empowerment," which they enthusiastically support.
Also, let's face it, both singing stars are more mature now, so
professional rivalry is no longer such a big deal to them. Now, they
can concentrate on more important matters, like boosting the same
thematic message, enjoying singing together, and touching base with their
respective sets of fans.
Seen from different perspectives, the Regine-Pops concert is
interesting and potentially instructive for a number of reasons. First, it'll
give more objective listeners and viewers an opportunity to finally appreciate
the two singers in relation to each other, and decide who's the better
performer.
That may not be as easy as it sounds. Right off the bat, it's clear
that Regine is musically superior, but Pops has gotten this far in the
musical field by knowing her vocal limitations and savvily making up for them
with showmanship, production values and expert "imaging."
But, Regine also goes in for those plus factors, so the outcome of
the friendly competition isn't all that clear-cut, and will have to be
affirmed by the concert itself.
Another element that has to be factored in relates to the two divas'
more personal attributes, or even "baggage." Pops is known as an aggrieved
ex-wife, while Regine has had at least one controversial romance in
her life, in which she was seen to be the "aggriever."
So, in the area of romance, they stand on opposite sides, which could
result in interesting possibilities in their choice of concert
repertoire.
But, Pops has also been charged with another sort of romantic
adventurism, if we can call it that, due to her recently concluded relationship
with a younger man-which, to be fair, she has yet to admit.
Still, it has added an exciting edge to her heretofore humdrum image
in the romance department, so she won't come off as emotionally dowdy when she sings with the more controversial Regine.
Finally, the Pops-Regine show is a should-see event because it's
unusual for a Valentine show to field two women, instead of the more
traditional hetero tandem.
No, we aren't seeing anything sub-rosa here, we just find it
potentially exciting to hear two assertive women's musical views on love, as
expressed from their differing perspectives. Each of them is woman enough, but two is even better!
_____
From Phil. Daily Inquirer, Feb. 5, 2005 http://www.inq7.
Schedule:
April 1, 2005 - San Diego, California
April 2, 2005 - Los Angeles, California
April 8, 2005 - Las Vegas, Nevada
April 9, 2005 - San Francisco, California
April 15, 2005 - Chicago, Illinois
April 17, 2005 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
April 23, 2005 - Washington, DC
April 30, 2005 - Guam
Source: Star Entertainent Media
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