Regine Velasquez Reflects on 14-Year Marriage with Ogie Alcasid

Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid have been married for 14 years, going on 15 this year, and the secret to their relationship is simple: constant communication and staying connected.

- By Nathalie Tomaada

While Valentine's Day is often a grand occasion for couples, Regine and Ogie keep their celebrations simple due to their busy schedules during this time of the year.

Regine, for one, has a Valentine's Day-themed series of shows, titled "Reset," on Feb. 14 and 22 for original recordings and on Feb. 15 and 21 for her hit covers at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

"Normally, we get to celebrate after. Either after or before but it's just simple. Dinner in the house and lagi naman siyang nagpapa-andar, na may roses siya na nakasingtangkad ko yung stem. Although I never expect it, he always delivers. It's little things like that because my husband, even when there's no occasion, he would suddenly give me gifts because I'm also like that."

For Regine, gift-giving and acts of service, like cooking, are her love languages. "Not a lot of people know, but cooking is hard work. It's actually work. Hindi ka naman magluluto ng adobo na adobo na siya agad, hindi naman. So you have to do it from scratch. Kasi ako, mahilig pa ko may concept-concept yung food na niluluto ko, so I really work hard."

Regine believes that one of the most important aspects of a strong relationship is communication, even in subtle ways. "I think the secret to a lasting relationship is nonstop communication. I mean, there are times hindi naman kami nag-uusap, but the body language... Like I would be on my phone, but he'll hold my hand while he is also on his phone, you know, checking his social media. Yun pa lang, parang that gesture na hino-hold yung hand kahit hindi kayo nag-uusap. There's a connection - you need to be connected all the time."

She also extends this philosophy to parenting as well. "Even with children, right? It's important to be connected to them. Kahit na tanungin mo ng 'How's school?' and 'eh' lang yung sagot sayo, at least alam nila na andun ka."