Regine Velasquez, known not only for her iconic voice but also for speaking her truth, has once again broken her silence—this time with a message that resonates far beyond the entertainment industry. In a rare and emotionally charged statement, the Asia’s Songbird addressed those who continue to express joy over the shutdown of ABS-CBN, a network that has been home to thousands of Filipino talents and workers.

“This Isn’t Something to Celebrate”

In her statement, Regine didn’t mince words. With both hurt and conviction in her voice, she said:

“I still see people online laughing, mocking, even celebrating the closure of ABS-CBN. I just want to ask: what exactly are you celebrating? The loss of thousands of jobs? The silencing of voices? This isn’t something to be proud of.”

As someone who transferred to ABS-CBN after a long and successful career with rival networks, Regine admitted that while her decision was met with criticism at the time, she has no regrets about choosing a place that gave her both artistic freedom and a new family.

“I Saw the Pain With My Own Eyes”

Regine revealed that she personally witnessed how the shutdown affected her colleagues—not just actors or singers, but crew members, cameramen, writers, and staff whose livelihoods were suddenly snatched away.

“I saw how devastated people were. Not because they lost fame, but because they lost security. They lost their way to feed their families. I cried with them.”

She added that her husband, Ogie Alcasid, who was also with ABS-CBN at the time, had sleepless nights thinking about how to help those they worked with every day.

A Message of Regret and Awakening

In a moment of vulnerability, Regine admitted that part of her feels regret—not because she joined ABS-CBN, but because she didn’t speak up earlier.

“Maybe I should have said something sooner. Maybe I should have been louder when it mattered most. But I was scared too. Now, I just want to be honest.”

She then directly addressed those still rejoicing over the network’s closure:

“You may feel happy now, but someday, when truth becomes hard to find, when stories are no longer told, you might regret this too. The silencing of one voice is the weakening of all.”

Artists and Fans Rally Behind Regine

After her statement went public, the online community quickly responded. The hashtags #IStandWithRegine and #DefendPressFreedom trended, as fans and fellow celebrities applauded her courage.

Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, and Angel Locsin all reposted her message with their own words of support. Even fans who admitted they weren’t always fond of Regine praised her for “having a backbone when it truly counts.”

Final Words: “It’s Not About Politics. It’s About Humanity.”

Regine concluded her message with a powerful reminder:

“This isn’t about left or right, or which side you’re on. It’s about people. About real lives affected. If we lose compassion, then what kind of future are we really building?”

https://youtu.be/JqkYD1Yk2sM