ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Tail Tales: Gaby Concepcion ‘I’m going to be a rock-soul singer’ Books: Kris Bernal GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next   Zoom    “SONGBIRD” REGINE VELASQUEZ SAYS THE HIGHLIGHT OF her birthday special, “The Best of Me,” is a song number with her parents, Teresita and Gerry. “It’s my first time to sing with them in public,” she says. The big to-do takes place in the singer-actress’ modern new home. Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Zoom    Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Zoom    DUET with Ogie is “Falling Slowly,” a current favorite. Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Zoom    MODERN glass house offers great views. Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Zoom    SONGBIRD opens her doors for 300 guests— and thousands of televiewers. Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Zoom    THE special show is directed by Louie Ignacio (with red scarf). Photo courtesy of Ogie Alcasid Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson RIP In one day, both iconic stars have died, sending shock waves throughout the world. As one tweet puts it, “MJ and FF is now news at the speed of light”–t ...More Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream Jungle challenge Great moments to remember Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Diet collapses, now out of danger ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial Malkovich is serial killer on Vienna stage More Stories » Showbiz and Style Why a bachelor like me chose to adopt Elevating the ‘toyomansi’ barbecue Instant noodles are not balanced meals Oils that help remove body toxins Deep-fried foods lower body energy Documenting heritage Wife nags husband about past infidelity Running the marathon for a healthy lifestyle Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice Be practical–but keep the style Showbiz and Style Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’ Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill I am no Michael Jackson fan Interesting stories about Michael Jackson ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Potter actor gets H1N1 in Britain—publicist Diet collapses, now out of danger What/who is closest to Tonyboy’s heart now? 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Jayceekay Stationers & Engravers Look for: Caroline L. Paspe Tel. No.: 817.6384 or 817.6786 Jomel Gregorio Photography Look for: Jomel or Nanette Gregorio Tel.No.: +632.496.8126 Mobile: (0917)8443124/(0920)9133930 Email: info@jomelgregorio.com  OTHER COLUMNS Viewfinder : Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale / Nestor Torre Only in Hollywood : Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream / Ruben V. Nepales Only in Hollywood : Interesting stories about Michael Jackson / Ruben V. Nepales Only in Hollywood : Bruno dishes on Arnold, Elton and Heidi / Ruben V. Nepales Viewfinder : Winning P10 million is harder than it looks / Nestor Torre Backstory : Great moments to remember / Lea Salonga Dollywood : Diet collapses, now out of danger / Dolly Anne Carvajal

MANILA, Philippines—She actually wanted to take a nap, but since a TV crew was already setting up to tape her birthday special, singer Regine Velasquez headed straight to the kitchen to whip up a home-cooked meal for the 300 or so guests that gathered in her new Quezon City home.

“I got so stressed that I decided to cook; it’s therapy for me,” she now tells Living Stars.

Since moving in last Nov. 11, Regine, the cook, has mastered dishes as varied as puttanesca, risotto and kaldereta.

She says Michelle van Eimeren, boyfriend Ogie Alcasid’s ex-wife, shared some recipes with her.

“It’s inspiring to cook in my new kitchen,” Regine says. “I instantly fell in love with its design when I saw it in a magazine.”

She was initially shocked to learn that her Bontempi Casa kitchen showcase had to be ordered and shipped from Italy. “I had to wait five months,” she recounts.

(These days, when she goes malling, she says, she is inevitably drawn to the kitchenware section.)

Her state-of-the-art kitchen was put to good use on taping day, April 11.

Á la Streisand

The birthday special, titled “The Best of Me,” will be aired April 27 on GMA 7. The backyard concerto is described by neighbor and guest Ai-Ai de las Alas as an “intimate concert à la Barbra Streisand.”

“Unlike Barbra though, I don’t have a mountain in my backyard,” Regine quips.

The home stands on a hill, though, and was designed by architect Anthony Nazareno, with Cynthia Almario as interior designer.

Regine says the infinity pool was inspired by the Korean soap, “Full House.”

“The edge of the pool is glass,” she notes.

(Regine is the lead star of the local version of the Koreanovela “Kim Sam Soon.” A weekly special, “Songbird,” is in the works.)

For the birthday concert, a stage was built on top of the infinity pool, which offers a breathtaking view of the city and a nearby golf course. “I’ve always wanted a modern glass house—[so] there’s a view from every corner,” she points out.

Regine’s new home inspires nature-tripping; fittingly, the birthday special has an environment-friendly theme. “My actual birthday (April 22) is Earth Day,” she said. "And I’m learning about the environment."

Although she values her privacy, she gladly threw her doors open, she says, since “it was for my birthday and most of the venues considered were booked.”

Non-usual lineup

Apart from Ai-Ai, other celebrity guests that night were Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Kuh Ledesma and daughter Isabella Gonzalez, Michael V, Jaya, Marian Rivera and “Urduja” producer Tony Tuviera.

Onstage, Regine was joined by singers JayR, Kyla and boyfriend Ogie Alcasid.

“Ogie and I sang our favorite, ‘Falling Slowly’ from the [Irish] movie ‘Once.’ It won Best Original Song at this year’s Oscars,” she says.

Most of the 15 songs in the repertoire are very un-Regine, she concedes.

“I sang [Kenny Loggins’ dance hit] ‘Footloose’ and [Josh Groban’s Italian ballad] ‘Per Te.’ These are songs that I don’t usually do in my shows,” she says. “I wanted to do something different for this one.”

• Tail Tales: Gaby Concepcion
• ‘I’m going to be a rock-soul singer’
• Books: Kris Bernal

• Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale
• Global fans won't beat it from Jackson thrill
• Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream
• Jungle challenge
• Great moments to remember
• Singer-actress a glorified ‘yaya’
• Diet collapses, now out of danger
• ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute
• Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial
• Malkovich is serial killer on Vienna stage
• King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket
• Jackson 5's 1st gig venue for sale, in pieces

• Viewfinder :  Lessons learned from Jackson’s tragic tale / Nestor Torre
• Only in Hollywood :  Miley says no to dad Billy Ray’s dream / Ruben V. Nepales
• Only in Hollywood :  Interesting stories about Michael Jackson / Ruben V. Nepales
• Only in Hollywood :  Bruno dishes on Arnold, Elton and Heidi / Ruben V. Nepales
• Viewfinder :  Winning P10 million is harder than it looks / Nestor Torre
• Backstory :  Great moments to remember / Lea Salonga
• Dollywood :  Diet collapses, now out of danger / Dolly Anne Carvajal