REGINE Velasquez admitted that she has been dealing with anxiety in recent performances, including her guest appearance on Josh Groban’s concert, which was a heartbreaking moment for her.
Velasquez opened up about her battle with anxiety on X (formerly Twitter) on Feb. 19, saying that while it was an “honor” to perform with Groban, she was so nervous that she was unable to eat.
The Asia’s Songbird, Martin Nievera, and Julie Anne San Jose were the special guests of the Manila leg of Groban’s “GEMS” world tour last Feb. 18 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“It was wonderful and an honor to sing with Josh Groban last night but I was so nervous. I was so anxious the whole day [that] I forgot to eat,” she said.
Velasquez then confessed that singing and performing onstage now gives her anxiety, although she doesn’t know how it started.
“Lately, every single performance for me is such a struggle even doing ASAP. And 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,” she said. “Maybe it’s part of getting old, I don’t know. But it’s kinda of heartbreaking.”
The “Dadalhin” hitmaker received an outpouring of support from fans and her colleagues in the music industry, with San Jose and Zsa Zsa Padilla assuring her that she did well in Groban’s concert.
Meanwhile, Erik Santos penned a heartfelt letter to Velasquez on Facebook, saying her legacy as Asia’s Songbird “is not defined by a single high note or a perfect vocal day.”
Santos said that while Velasquez’s voice changed over the years, it “carries the weight of a lifetime of stories” and her strength to show up for performances even when times are hard.
He also shared that aside from the performances they shared, some of his favorite moments with Velasquez were the “quiet and unfiltered moments” they had behind the scenes.
“You’ve given us enough high notes to last a lifetime. Solved na solved na kami dun. Take the rest you need, breathe, and please remember that you don’t have to be ‘The Songbird’ every time you step on stage,” he continued. “To us, you are Regine — our Ate, and that is more than enough. We love you, Ate Reg!
Velasquez has established herself as the Asia’s Songbird with her high pitch and clear vocals. Some of her best-known songs include “Dadalhin,” “Araw-Gabi,” “Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka,” and “Sa Aking Pag-iisa,” to name a few. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
