In a stunning turn of events, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez has found herself at the center of a growing controversy — and this time, it’s not about her music or her marriage. The beloved diva is facing intense backlash over a comment she made involving Payatas, a densely populated and economically challenged area in Quezon City, Philippines.

What began as a seemingly harmless statement has now exploded into a full-blown public outcry, prompting Regine to issue a heartfelt apology — but netizens aren’t letting it slide that easily.

What Did Regine Say?

During a recent interview, Regine made a remark about her humble beginnings and referenced the community of Payatas as part of a broader discussion on poverty and struggle. While her intention may have been to highlight resilience, some listeners felt her words came off as insensitive and dismissive.

Clips of her comment quickly went viral, with many users on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook accusing her of “tone-deaf elitism” and “romanticizing hardship.”

“Just because you came from hardship doesn’t mean you get to speak for those still stuck in it,” one user posted.
“We love you, Regine, but this one? This stings,” wrote another.

Regine Speaks Out: “I’m Sorry”

Clearly taken aback by the backlash, Regine released a public apology just hours later through her official social media channels:

“To those who were hurt by my statement, I sincerely apologize. That was never my intention. I have always been proud of my roots and I respect every Filipino’s struggle. I will choose my words more carefully in the future.”

She ended her post with a message of humility and a prayer for unity.

Netizens React: “Too Late or Just Honest?”

The apology did little to silence the noise online. While some fans appreciated her willingness to own up to her mistake, others believed it came too late — or felt it lacked genuine accountability.

“She’s been in the industry for decades. She should know better,” one critic wrote.
“Let’s not cancel her. Let’s educate with love,” countered a longtime supporter.

A trending hashtag #WeHearYouRegine was launched by her fans to encourage understanding, while others trended #PayatasDeservesRespect to bring attention back to the community affected.

Payatas Residents Speak Up

Perhaps the most emotional responses came from Payatas residents themselves. A short video uploaded by a youth group in the area showed community members expressing disappointment but also grace.

“We forgive you, Ms. Regine. But we hope next time, people with influence will help raise us up — not unintentionally push us down,” said a community leader.

The Bigger Lesson?

Regine Velasquez, an icon admired for her raw talent and humble roots, is now facing one of the biggest PR storms of her career. But through this, a bigger national conversation is unfolding: how artists and celebrities represent the marginalized, and the responsibility that comes with their massive platforms.

Regine Velasquez On Her Payatas Comment: ‘Sorry, just a human being’

She has issued an apology for comparing the smell of her bag to Payatas.
Regine Velasquez has issued an apology over a comment she made in one of her most recent vlogs. In the video where she was showing her bag collection, she compared the smell of one of her bags to Payatas: “The smell of my bag is Payatas, it’s funny. When you’re in Payatas, you can’t smell the trash anymore. You smell the same.”

Regine was referring to a time when she shot the 2001 video documentary Speak Your Mind in the area. “This is the same bag, it stinks. It stinks. It’s stinky. I remember, when I actually bought it, it really smelled. It used to stink so much. It still is.” She continued: “This is the bag I was wearing. And so after the shooting, I thought I was still in Payatas, but it was my bag that smelled. It stinks even more in Payatas.”

Regine has since issued an apology on her official Twitter account. “I would like to sincerely apologize to the people of Payatas for my insensitive comment. It was not intentional and I should be more careful with the things I say. Sorry, God bless.” She followed it up with another tweet which said: “I’ve been wearing it a few times. Sorry, I’m just a human.”

Some people commended her for apologizing for her comments. Others, meanwhile, said that there is nothing wrong with what she said because she was merely referring to ‘facts’.

What do you think, girls?

You can watch Regine’s full vlog below where she made her comment around the 2:09 mark.