Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo honored at 1st Billboard Philippines Women in Music awards

MANILA, Philippines —  Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Sarah Geronimo and music icon Pilita Corrales were among the women who were honored at the 1st Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards held on March 22 in Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. 

Regine was given the Powerhouse award for her 37 years of making Original Pilipino Music. She was accompanied by her husband, singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid and their son, Nate. 

"I have to say being in this industry getting older is a challenge, especially for women. First of all, mahirap sa aming mga kababaihan dahil may mga hormones kami, shet. We have to deal with those things and it changes our voices, our appearance. You know, ang dami-dami naming kailangan harapin. Mahirap tumanda sa industry na ito. 'Yung dating ikaw 'yung sinisigawan, ikaw 'yung nagkakaroon ng hit, mararamdaman mo 'yung unti-unti hindi na ikaw. But for me, it's fine. 

"Parati 'pag may nagtatanong kung ano 'yung legacy na iiwan ko sa industriyang ito, feeling ko wala... Sa akin po kasi hindi po masyadong importante kung meron po akong maiwan o wala. I know na makakalimutan ako kasi ganon 'yun and it's fine. It's fine with me because ganon po talaga ang panahon, ganon po talaga ang industriya. And it's not your fault. It's just what it is. 

"Siyempre binibigay natin ang entablado sa mga susunod na henerasyon, mga singers at songwriters, pero para po sa akin, ang akin pong legacy ay ang aking anak because people will forget about me, will forget about my voice, what I've done in the industry, but my son will always remember me. So my son is my legacy," said Regine during her acceptance speech.

She proceeded to thank all the people who helped shaped her career for the last 37 years in the music industry. 

Fresh off her historic recognition as the first Filipina to receive the Global Force Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards in California last March 6, Sarah Geronimo again made history as the first-ever honoree of the Billboard Philippines Women in Music Woman of the Year award. 

"Thank you once again to our amazing Women in Music for giving us the inspiration and motivation to continue reaching for our dreams. Billboard