'Idol' chatter with Regine

MANILA, Philippines - A GMA 7 insider earlier told Inquirer Entertainment that singer Regine Velasquez was a shoo-in as the new host of the second season of “Philippine Idol.”

This development didn't exactly surprise Regine.

“There's nothing official yet, but hopefully it's true,” Regine tells the Inquirer in an exclusive interview. “Singing contests are usually assigned to me. But things can still change. You never know.”

Regine previously hosted GMA 7's flagship contest “Pinoy Pop Superstar” and now hosts “Celebrity Duets,” another program concept from Fremantle Media, “Idol” franchise holder.

Clearly, the odds are stacked in Regine's favor.

For one thing, it helps that she's familiar with the “Idol” concept.

“I used to watch it. The season that I saw from start to finish was Carrie Underwood's year. I loved her story, that she was a farm girl.”

Another edge is that Regine started in amateur singing contests, too, specifically on “Ang Bagong Kampeon.”

It was on that RPN 9 show that she met Wilma Galvante, a producer then, who later became GMA 7's senior vice president for Entertainment TV.

But she concedes that boyfriend Ogie Alcasid, who co-hosts “Duets” with her, is a far more earnest host.

“I'm so glad that Ogie is with me. I used to get stressed on “Pinoy Pop” because I was on my own. Now, I have someone to exchange jokes with. When I make a mistake, Ogie quickly covers for me.”

If she could have her way, she'd like to see the following celebs on the second season of “Duets”:

“There should be a basketball player like James Yap, a former child star like Nino Muhlach, politicians like Mar Roxas or Francis Escudero, a fashion designer like Rajo Laurel. Also a newscaster.”

Apart from “Duets,” she is also working on a new movie with Ogie, produced by GMA Films, tentatively titled “Love is Blind and Deaf.”

“Shoot starts at the end of the month. I play a blind pianist and Ogie's a deaf composer.

Theme song of the movie is “Ako'y sa 'Yo,” originally recorded by Jaya. “I'll also sing it in my forthcoming concert 'Ang Ating Musika' at the Aliw Theater next month. It's beautiful, like a wedding song.”

Oops. A Freudian slip?

“No, we're not getting married yet,” she insists.

But are they planning to start a family?

“Soon. We just need to settle some things, but as soon as we're ready, hopefully.We are definitely planning [to have kids].”

source: http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=94312