Singer-host Regine Velasquez Flattered by Calls to be Named National Artist
In a recent interview, singer-host Regine Velasquez expressed her gratitude for the calls from Filipinos to name her a National Artist. However, she humbly admitted that she believes there are other artists who are currently more qualified for the prestigious recognition.
The calls for Regine to be considered a National Artist started after she received the Powerhouse award for her 37 years of contributions to Original Pilipino Music at the Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards. Despite the support from fans and supporters, Regine remains humble and believes that artists like Pilita Corrales and Jose Mari Chan deserve the recognition more.
During a recent interview at a surprise birthday party for her “Magandang Buhay” co-host Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, Regine acknowledged the honor but reiterated that she still has a long way to go before being named a National Artist. She mentioned the long-awaited recognition of Nora Aunor in 2022 as an example of the years it takes for deserving artists to be honored with the title.
While expressing her gratitude for the support, Regine emphasized that she believes other artists should be prioritized for the title at this time. She mentioned notable National Artists in the music industry like Ryan Cayabyab, Levi Celerio, and Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, highlighting the rich history of Filipino musical talents who have been recognized for their contributions.
