Regine Velasquez

Regine Velasquez's real name is Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez. She was born on April 22, 1970. She is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer, TV host, stage director, fashion designer and commercial and print model. She is dubbed as the Asia's Songbird after winning the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hongkong.

She is the first child of Teresita and Gerardo Velasques. She was born in Tondo, Metro Manila, Philippines on April 22, 1970. Her family moved to Hinundayan, Southern Leyte,where Regine studied at the Hinundayan Central School.

At the age of 14, she entered the senior division of Ang Bagong Kampeon, a nationally-televised singiung competition, hosted by Bert Marcelo and Asia's "Queen of Songs", Pilita Corrales. She won for 8 straight weeks and became the first grand champion of the show. She won a contract with Octoarts, recording the single "Love Me Again" as "Chona Velasquez", her nickname.