Not so fast
Thinking of launching your music career solely online then hopefully watching magic happen right before your eyes? Well, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid has another point of view on that.
Thinking of launching your music career solely online then hopefully watching magic happen right before your eyes? Well, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid has another point of view on that.
In the last 10 years, some of today’s singing stars both here and abroad started by uploading their performance video online then sat back to watch the views come in the millions then, voila, they were “made.”
In a recent interview, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid said that while there is no cut-and-dried way to success in the music business, singing contests remain relevant and potent in building up the careers of deserving newbies.
“Well, kahit alam ng kabataan ngayon na pwede naman silang sumikat via YouTube or such, they still try their luck by joining singing contests kasi iba din ’yung prestige,” she said. “Iba rin ’yung naibibigay sa pangalan mo na you’re a winner of such and such.”
She observed that singers who make it through the contest route, stay longer in the industry. They also are considered by more people as “legitimate singer,” whether the inferred comparison is valid or not.
This is the reason Regine accepted hosting “The Clash.” Far different from “Pinoy Pop Superstar” which she also hosted, the new show sees the candidates with power to choose their opponents.
“Kaya siya called ‘The Clash,’” she explained. “It’s exciting that way kasi you (the contestants) are also challenging yourself plus we’re also preparing them.”
The participants will get the opportunity to undergo voice and dance lesson, acting workshops and total make over.
“So, kumpleto. Hindi ka sasabak ng hindi ka confident sa sarili mo,” Regine said.
Outside comfort zone
Regine reminded that the show is singing competition foremost, and not merely a talent showcase. So, all the contestants will have to hurdle various challenges; perhaps even perform materials not their forte.
Being a kontesera herself, Regine knows many amateur singers have mastered only select number of songs as their contest pieces. But on “The Clash,” they are to move out of their comfort zone.
The panel of judges is composed of Ai Ai delas Alas, Christian Bautista and Lani Misalucha.
Regine noted that unlike beauty contests, it’s
impossible for a contestant to “sabotage” another on “The Clash.”
“Kung kakabahan ka, ayun, ikaw ang sa-sabotage sa sarili mo. Nasa sarili mong paniniwala ’yun, sa abilidad mo as a
singer. Kaya nasa kamay mo talaga (ang ikakapanalo mo),” she said.
In terms of young singers imitating the singing style of their favorites, Regine sees no problem with that.
“Normal ’yun,” she said. “Kapag kasi nag-uumpisa ka pa lang, hindi mo pa
alam kung ano ’yung style mo. But later on as you get older, your experiences will teach you lot of things then you will figure out what you are and what your song is. Later, you will discover your own style.”
Zeal
Being in the industry for more than three decades now, Regine is grateful to still be around. She said that her passion for singing has only grown stronger.
“I realized that we are all given special gifts. But if we don’t use it, ayaw Niya ’yun. We shouldn’t waste what we are meant to share.” Regine divulged that at this point in her life, she doesn’t take anything for granted. “As you get older humihirap ring kumanta pero mas nakikita mo ’yung passion, mas nararamdaman mo ’yung passion kapag nakikita ko na nag-e-enjoy ’yung audience,” she said. Rather than focusing on nuisance, Regine prefers to appreciate each of her performance. “The industry has evolved. It’s really different now. Tanggap ko na ’yon, okay na ako du’n. Meron pa rin naman akong fan base. May irereklamo pa ba ako? Mag-complain pa ba ako? Parang ang kapal naman ng face ko kung gagawin ko ’yun. Ganu’n talaga. Kanya-kanyang panahon ’yan,” she related. She believes someone is always better than her and that she is better than someone else, too. “Never ko kinompare ang sarili ko sa iba kasi alam ko kung hanggang saan ako, ’yung capabilities ko,” she said. Regine noted “no one is perfect.” “Even professionals, even us, we’re not always good because we’re human,” she explained. “So gusto ko lang sabihin na ’wag silang panghinaan ng loob kasi hindi lang sila ang nakakaexperience nu’n. Lahat ng singers,
especially ’yung mga professionals, napagdadaanan rin ’yun.”
“The Clash” has culminated its nationwide auditions in Cebu, Baguio, Davao, and Metro Manila.
We are all given special gifts. But if we don’t use it, ayaw Niya ’yun. We shouldn’t waste what we are meant to share.