REGINE Velasquez came with husband Ogie Alcasid and their son, Baby Nate, to the presscon of their Araneta Coliseum Valentine show, “Mr. & Mrs. A”. Nate will have his Catholic christening this Sunday in a church in Makati (which will be a very private affair) with nine ninongs (Manny Pacquiao, Dingdong Dantes, GMA exec Jimmy Duavit, Sen. Bong Revilla, and brothers of both Ogie and Regine) and nine ninangs (Judy Ann Santos, Ai Ai de las Alas, Kris Aquino, Michelle Van Eimeren, and sisters of Regine.) There will be a Christian dedication later with the likes of Piolo Pascual and Gary Valenciano as ninongs.

Regine says she misses singing so much. “It’s my idea na magkaroon kami ng Valentine concert ng husband ko,” she says. “Perfect timing sa pagbabalik ko sa pagkanta at kasama pa namin si Baby Nate sa concert.”

Does this mean she’s returning to “Party Pilipinas” and will do a soap again? “I’ll guest siguro sa ‘Party Pilipinas’ to plug our concert but not regularly pa. Although nalungkot ako when I left ‘I Heart U Pare’ after I got pregnant, ayoko munang mag-soap kasi wala ka nang life when you tape every day. Mahirap, eh I have a baby to take care of. Siya muna'ng priority ko ngayon.”

How about the movies she was shooting before her pregnancy, “Of All The Things” with Aga Muhlach and the indie film “Mrs. Recto”? “I have to lose muna all the weight I gained when I was pregnant bago ko sila ituloy. I used to weigh 120-130. Then it became 190 lbs during my pregnancy. Now, I’m down to 165 na, I have to lose 35 more but I can’t do it ng bigla kasi nga I’m breastfeeding na, hopefully, makatulong so I’d lose more weight the natural way.”

Would she want to get pregnant again right away? “I said then na di ko alam kung kaya pa ng powers kong magbuntis because of my age. We’re even thinking of going in vitro. But I said then, bahala na si Lord kung ibe-bless niya kami with a baby, and He did. So ngayon, ganun din ang sagot ko. Bahala na si Lord kung gusto niyang masundan agad si Nate. It’s all up to Him.”

Meanwhile, tickets to “Mr. and Mrs. A” ranging from P400 to P5,685 are at Ticketnet 911-5555, Starmedia 845-3300 or visit starmediaentertainment.com. Co-producer Ana Puno says  tickets are selling fast like hotcakes they won’t be surprised if it’s sold out soon.

JASON ADMITS: JEWEL CHANGED ME

JASON Abalos was linked to Maja Salvador when they were both still starting and handled by Chit Ramos. But except for a one-week MU, no real romance bloomed between them. They’ve been paired before in “Nagsimula sa Puso” three years ago. Now, they’re together again in “Precious Heart Romances Present Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin” where he plays Jake Falcon, the earthy farmboy who changes the life of Maja when they meet, even if Maja is already about to wed Patrick Garcia.

How come most of his shows are for the afternoon slot, just like “Nagsimula sa Puso”, “Alynna” and the last one being “Reputasyon” with Cristine Reyes that ends today? “I also don’t know, I guess it’s management’s decision,” he says. “But I’m just thankful na sunud-sunod ang shows ko at hindi ako nawawalan ng trabaho. Heto nga, ginawa ko agad itong ‘Lumayo Ka Man’ even before natapos ang ‘Reputasyon’ so hindi talaga ako nababakante. Pero sana nga, makagawa rin ako sa primetime balang araw.”

Has he experienced in real life having someone he loves going far away from him? “Oo naman, si Maja,” he laughs. “Masakit talaga kapag nilayuan ka ng taong mahal na mahal mo. But life has to go on. Ganun lang naman 'yun kasimple.”

After Bela Padilla who moved to GMA7, he now admits going steady with Jewel Mische, a StarStruck 4 winner who has moved to ABS-CBN. “I’m thankful to her dahil siya ang dahilan kaya nagkaroon ako ngayon ng faith. She’s special to me for changing my life for the better. I grew up in a religious family but when I joined showbiz, nabarkada ako’t naiba ang landas ko. Si Jewel ang nag-akay sa ’kin pabalik sa faith ko and to grow as a Christian.”

CESAR WANTS TO USE SAM

SAM Pinto was surprised when she heard that some folks are trying to pit her and Ellen Adarna against each other with reports that Ellen’s January issue on FHM drew more fans than her when Ellen had her autograph signing session.

“Ellen and I are good friends kasi magkasama kami sa ‘Bubble Gang’ kaya sana huwag na lang kami gawaan ng intriga as we get along fine,” she says. “Pareho naman kaming may sariling followers so huwag na lang kami pagtapatin.”

Sam is happy that 2012 started well for her. She is in GMA-7’s new primetime soap, “Legacy,” where she plays a model-endorser for Tala Soap, made by the company owned by Lovi Poe’s family. Her character will be the victim of character assassination and will get involved in a scandal. She’s also in Viva Films’ first offering for the new year, “Hitman”, as Cesar Montano’s leading lady.

“It’s nice to be part of a big soap like ‘Legacy’ with a powerhouse cast led by Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe and Alessandra de Rossi na puro award-winners kaya I welcome working with them as I’m sure marami akong matututuhan sa kanila. Ganun din naman working with Cesar Montano na hindi ko lang leading man sa ‘Hitman’ kundi siya ring director ng movie. I’m thankful to him sa dami ng inputs na binigay niya sa’kin para magampanan ko ng tama ang role ko.”

She plays the daughter of Ricky Davao, a crime lord. “Dahil alam kong masama ang ama ko, I distanced myself from him. I meet Cesar and fall in love with him, without me knowing na may balak pala siyang gamitin ako against my father kasi gusto niyang maghiganti dito for killing his family before. Action-packed ang pelikula kaya all those who miss action movies, tiyak na masisiyahan dito. Sana with this, mapansin naman ang acting ko. Tigil muna ako sa pa-sexy-sexy. My goal is to be recognized as a good actress.”

'MUNTING HEREDERA' CELEBRATES

BECAUSE of the huge success of the toprating “Munting Heredera” that got extended several times, the cast and staff just had another thanksgiving mass and dinner last night. “Nag-thanksgiving mass and dinner na kami three months ago, pero dahil na-extend nga kami until February, we felt we need another thanksgiving mass and dinner sa dami ng blessings sa amin,” says Direk Maryo de los Reyes.

They also decided to share their blessings and visited Ricky Reyes’ Child Haus in Proj. 8 for children afflicted with the big C. Those who did charity work and treated the children were Gloria Romero, Roderick Paulate, Camille Pratts, Luz Valdez, Robert Arevalo, Gabby Eigenmann, Ynez Veneracion, Leandro Baldemor,

Neil Ryan Sese and child stars Mona Louise Ray, Kyle Ocampo and Barbara Miguel. They brought along food, toys, medicine and other gifts for Child Haus’ kid patients and their families. There was also a short program where all the kids, both the child actors and the patients, got to sing some songs.

“Nakakatuwa,” says Gloria Romero. “It feels so nice na makapagdulot kami ng kahit konting kasiyahan sa mga batang maysakit. Nakakaawa sila dahil kay babata pa, may cancer, but I admire their fighting spirit. We all prayed that they get complete healing.”

THANK YOU

WE’D just like to thank those who came to the birthday party hosted by Mother Lily for Ian Fariñas, Joe Barrameda and yours truly at the Century Imperial poolside last Wednesday night: Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Rep. Lani Mercado, “Eat Bulaga’s” Malou Choa Fagar, Atty. Joji Alonso, Ricky Davao, Annabelle Rama, GMA exec Redgie Acuña Magno, talent managers Dolor Guevarra, June Torrejon, Girlie Rodis and Shirley Kuan, Lyn Ynchausti and kids Bodie and Djanin Cruz, GMA’s Kai Palaganas, Marian Domingo, Ramir Orteza, Neil Rara and Lendl Fabella, Judy and Paul of TV5, Aaron Domingo of ABS-CBN, and colleagues Ethel and Chit Ramos, Joanne Maglipon, Ricky Lo, Alfie Lorenzo, Ces Evangelista, Jojo Gabinete, Jun Lalin, Jun Nardo, Dondon Sermino, Jerry Olea, Allan Diones, Gorgy Rula, Mario Dumaual, Maridol Bismark, Marinel Cruz, Francis Simeon, Rommel Galapon, Anna Pingol, Rommel Placente, Boy Borja, Enie Reyes, and our editors Eugene Asis and Gie Trillana. Thanks for the gifts, too.