Dennis Magloyuan Regino (April 9, 1961 – November 29, 2020),[b] known professionally as April Boy Regino (Tagalog:[rɛˈhino]), was a Filipino singer, songwriter, and actor who popularized ballads such as "Paano ang Puso ko", "Umiiyak ang Puso ko't Sumisigaw" and "Di ko Kayang Tanggapin" in the 1990s and novelty songs such as "Ye Ye Vonnel". He always wore a baseball cap in public as a trademark. As of 2005, Regino has sold over 500,000 albums in the Philippines.[4]
Early life
April Magloyuan Regino was born on April 9, 1961, in Marikina.[2][5] He was the fourth of Tomas and Lucena's eight children, and grew up in a slum near the railway track in Caloocan.[6][7]
As a child, he helped his parents sell snacks (rice cakes, banana cue and camote cue), and customers would often ask him to sing. At age 10, he began joining amateur singing contests for the prize money.[7] He left school after sixth grade to focus on singing, and aside from contests, he also performed in local fiestas and as an opening act for other musicians. At age 18, he became a singer in Japan.[6][7]
Music career
Regino returned to the Philippines in 1993, and together with his brothers Vingo and Jimmy, formed the musical group April Boys. Their debut song, "Sana'y Laging Magkapiling", became widely popular.[6] However, in 1995, Regino left the group to pursue a solo career. In a 2015 interview with Jessica Soho, he explained that the brothers competed among themselves which led to sulking, but they later reconciled.[7][8]
His first solo album, Umiiyak ang Puso, was released in 1995 under Ivory Music and sold 120,000 units (triple platinum). The song of the same name won Best Country-Ballad Recording in that year's Awit Awards.[8]
He migrated to the United States and was based there as an entertainer to the Filipino-American community.[9] He was a contract recording artist with Viva Records.[10]
He also did a Tagalog and English cover version of the song いとしのエリー("Itoshi no Ellie"), renaming it "Honey My Love So Sweet".[11]
In 2015 after a year off, Regino returned to music with his brand new album and a new music company, GMA Music.[12]
Personal life
Regino was married to Madelyn Regino. The couple had a son named JC and daughter named Charm.[13][14] JC Regino followed his father's footsteps as a singer and composer.[15]
Regino took his oath as a United States citizen in March 2011.[2]
Health and death
In 2009, Regino was diagnosed with prostate cancer while living in the United States. In 2013, he announced that he was already cancer-free after years of battling the illness. In 2015, the singer shared that he had diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes.[16][17]
At 1:00 a.m. of November 29, 2020, Regino was admitted to the Metro Antipolo Hospital and Medical Center in Antipolo. He was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and acute respiratory failure. He was scheduled to undergo dialysis however it did not take place during that time. Regino died at 3:00 a.m., at the age of 59. He was survived by his widow, Madelyn Regino, and two children, JC and Charmaine.[18] On December 6, Regino was entombed in his mausoleum at Valley of Sympathy Memorial Park, Antipolo, Rizal.[19]
Discography
Studio albums
List of studio albums, with sales figures and certifications
^Marikina was a municipality in Rizal until before the establishment of Metropolitan Manila Area on November 7, 1975.
^Early sources stated that Regino died at the age of 51 and at the time of the announcement, there was a brief confusion with his real age due to Wikipedia stating that he was born in 1969, and probably this was the basis used by news organizations when they announced the death of the singer. And fortunately, the statement has been corrected to 1961 following the news articles released during the time of Regino's death.[2]
^Felipe, MJ (November 29, 2020). "OPM icon April Boy Regino passes away". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved November 30, 2020. His wife, Madel, confirmed the sad news to ABS-CBN News over the phone, while their son, JC, uploaded on his Facebook page a photo of a lit candle with an 'IDOL' cap image.
^"April Boy's son JC performs debut single". ABS-CBN News. April 23, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2020. JC Regino, the son of veteran singer April Boy Regino, performed his single "Wasak" on the morning show "Umagang Kay Ganda" on Wednesday.
