*You've Made Me Stronger *

By: Regine Velasquez

Is it hard to believe I���m okay
After all, it���s been awhile
Since you walked away
I���m way past crying
Over you finding someone new
You turned my days into nights (days into nights)
But now I see the light
And this maybe a big surprise to you

cause you made me stronger
By breaking my heart
You ended my life
And made a better one start
You taught me everything
From falling in love
To letting go of a lie
Yes, you made me stronger
Baby, by saying goodbye

If you rather believe I���m not over you
Go ahead
There���s nothing wrong with making believe
I know
Cuz I used to pretend you���d come back to me
But time has been such a friend
Brought me to my senses again
And I have you to thanked (I have you to thanked)
For setting me free (for setting me free)

Cuz you���ve made me stronger
By breaking my heart
You ended my life
And made a better one start
You taught me everything
From falling in love
To letting go of a lie
Yes, you���ve made me stronger
Baby, by saying goodbye

Think again
Don���t feel so sorry for me, my friend
Oh, don���t you know
I���m not the one who lose at end (I���m not the one)

Cuz you���ve made me stronger
By breaking my heart
You ended my life
And made a better one start
You taught me everything
From falling in love
To letting go of a lie
Yes, you���ve made me stronger
Baby, by saying goodbye

You ended my life
And made a better one start
You taught me everything
From falling in love
To letting go of a lie
Yes, you���ve made me stronger
Baby, by saying goodbye, goodbye
You���ve made me stronger
Baby, by saying goodbye

  Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez-Alcasid (née Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez; April 22, 1970), known as Regine Velasquez, is a Filipina singer, actress, record producer and TV host. She won the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong, and is widely known for possessing an extensive vocal range.

Velasquez is the first Asian artist to stage a solo concert at the Carnegie Hall in New York, as part of Carnegie Hall's centennial-year concert series.

In 1994, Polygram Records produced her first Asia-released album, Listen Without Prejudice. It is considered as Velasquez' most successful album to date, selling more than 700,000 copies in Asia. The album has sold over 100,000 units in the Philippines, 300,000 units in China and 20,000 in Thailand.

She has collaborated with artists such as Paul Anka, David Hasselhoff, 98 Degrees, Brian McKnight, Mandy Moore, Ronan Keating, Stephen Bishop, Jim Brickman,^[11] Peabo Bryson, Jeffrey Osborne, Dave Koz, Grasshopper, Coco Lee, Michel Legrand, David Pomeranz, Eduardo Capetillo, Fernando Carrillo, Billy Crawford, David Archuleta, and Singaporean vocal band Skritch. "In Love With You", a duet with Jacky Cheung, landed the top spot in MTV Asia's Top 20 Asian Videos in 2000.

In 2000, She performed the country's millennial theme Written In The Sand together with 2,000 children in the top-roof of The Peninsula Manila, televised in 67 broadcast networks throughout the world to coincide with midnight in Manila for the BBC's millennium special 2000 Today.

She has also embarked on several television and film projects, receiving a Best Actress award for her portrayal of a mentally challenged woman in a Maalaala Mo Kaya episode entitled "Lobo". Velasquez formed IndiMusic (iMusic), a record label partnered with Bella Tan's Universal Records. She is currently managed by Aria Productions.

Personal life

    Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid announced their engagement at Party Pilipinas on August 8, 2010 after 7 years.^[122] By December 22 of the same year, Velasquez married long-time partner Ogie Alcasid in Terrazas de Punta Fuego in Nasugbu Batangas.^[123]

Velasquez wore a red wedding gown during her star-studded "Wedding of the Decade". The dress was specially designed by Monique Lhuillier for reportedly $8,000 (although some people claimed it cost more), a gift for her by Dr. Vicki Belo who stood as one of the 20 principal sponsors who also included Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, GMA big boss Felipe L. Gozon, GMA exec Wilma Galvante, TV5 boss Manny V. Pangilinan, Sharon Cuneta, Jose Mari Chan, Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr., Tony Tuviera, German Moreno, Ida Henares, Nanette Inventor, Orlando Ilacad, Anastacia Puno, Dr. Crisanta Villanueva, US-based concert producer Ma. Rosario Legarda, Ronnie Henares, Freddie Santos and Michel Lhuillier and wife Amparito Llamas-Lhuillier (Monique���s parents).^[124]

President Benigno Aquino III was one of the groomsmen during the wedding.^[124]

In April 2011, She and her husband confirmed the news of her pregnancy through the same afternoon-variety show, Party Pilipinas.^[125]

In November 8, 2011, Velasquez gave birth to her and husband Ogie Alcasid's first born, Nathaniel James Velasquez Alcasid at the Makati Medical Center

~1970–1985: Early life and discovery~

   Velasquez is the first child of Teresita and Gerardo Velasquez, born in Tondo, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 22, 1970. Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte, where Velasquez studied at the Hinundayan Central School. Music figured largely in her early development; her father always sang Frank Sinatra songs to the children and her mother accompanied on guitar. Velasquez always loved music and even before she could read, she was singing along with the family. Her father signed her up for small local singing competitions. He helped train her voice by having her sing while neck-deep in the ocean. Her mother also helped by teaching her how to move on stage and interpret songs. At the age of six, Velasquez participated in a nationally-televised amateur singing competition, The Tita Betty's Children's Show. Her piece, "Buhat Nang Kita'y Makilala" (Since I Met You), won third place. Velasquez continued to compete in more singing competitions in small towns around the country. By nine, Velasquez and her family had moved to Balagtas, Bulacan, where she studied at Balagtas Central School. She later studied at St. Lawrence Academy, where she won Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet awards for her school at the annual BULPRISA (Bulacan Private School Association) competition. At fourteen, Velasquez entered the senior division of Ang Bagong Kampeon (The New Champion), a nationally-televised singing competition, hosted by Bert "Tawa" Marcelo and Pilita Corrales.^[18] Her father suggested that she audition with "Saan Ako Nagkamali" (Where Did I Go Wrong). She won for eight straight weeks and became the first grand champion of the show. The show's musical director, Dominic Salustiano, suggested her winning piece, George Benson's "In Your Eyes". She won a contract with OctoArts, recording the single "Love Me Again" as Chona Velasquez, her nickname at the time. She then joined the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), an organization of Filipino singers, performing in music lounges all over Metro Manila. Members of OPM helped her out by giving her industry advice and by lending their gowns for her performances.

1988–1991: International exposure

    In 1988, Velasquez cut her hair short out of protestations that she was not given a chance to stage her first concert entitled, "True Colors" because "The Jets" were performing on that same day which was on her 18th birthday.

In 1989, Velasquez was chosen to represent the Philippines in the Asia-Pacific Singing Contest held in Hong Kong. On Dececember 23, 1989, Velasquez won the grand prize with "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel and "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls. After the competition, media started calling her Asia's Songbird.^[20]

Jose Mari Chan, picked Velasquez to do a duet for his album entitled Constant Change. The album was awarded a Certified Diamond Record Award by the PRIMA. Gary Valenciano penned the song 'Each Passing Night' which they sang together for his album 'Faces of Love'.^[21]

Velasquez signed with Vicor records and released several albums, starting with Nineteen 90. The album included "Narito Ako" ("Here I Am"), her first Ogie Alcasid-penned song, "I Have To Say Goodbye, " and "Promdi". Her first major solo concert, Narito Ako, was standing-room only at the Folk Arts Theater, with Gary Valenciano as a guest performer. Velasquez's debut United States solo concert, Narito Ako sa New York (Here I Am in New York), was held at the Main Hall of Carnegie Hall on October 11, 1991. Her special guest was Ray-An Fuentes. The concert was a roaring success that earned three standing ovations from the audience.

She sang "Urong-Sulong" and "Narito Ako" plus "I'm Your Baby Tonight" "Greatest Love of All," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "We Can Work It Out," "Somewhere" and a Barbra Streisand medley and romance medley with guest Ray An Fuentes.

She next released an album, Tagala Talaga ("A Genuine Tagalog Lady"). It comprises her renditions of classic Filipino compositions by Nonong Pedero, Willy Cruz, George Canseco, Louie Ocampo, Freddie Aguilar, and National Artists for Music Awardees Ryan Cayabyab, Lucio D. San Pedro, and Levi Celerio.