Regine Velasquez-Alcasid – Hulog Ka ng Langit
Hulog Ka ng Langit (“Heaven Sent”) is a complete departure from Velasquez’s previous album, Fantasy in 2010. She was known for records which centers on hopeless romantic love that is showcased through melancholic love songs, catchy pop hits and power ballads, packaged with her signature glamour. In this album, she kept intricate vocal styling at a minimum and focused on straightforward delivery instead. This record centers on being a tribute that is dedicated to her son, composed of lighthearted, heartwarming songs for mothers and children plus a line-up of a few love songs, old and new by various songwriters from the country and overseas, providing an inspirational vibe. As the debut single and title track of the album, “Hulog Ka ng Langit” embodies what the album is all about – unconditional love between husbands and wives and mothers to children. These are songs of love treated with sparkling arrangements by respected names in local music, who’ve all been part of Velasquez’s career for the past several years. It is their work that keeps the upbeat mood throughout the album. There maybe a hint of melancholy in some songs but the album exhibits the happy and blissful state where Velasquez is in her life now. Her singing is blithe and her musicians just went along. The idea of recording a baby album as they say came up from Velasquez herself. “I am a mommy and I thought it’ll be nice to dedicate a whole album for my son. I waited for him for so long. ‘Hulog Ka ng Langit’ is actually not just for babies and mothers. The album also has a lot of love songs which listeners can dedicate to their loved ones.” Velasquez shared. She recounts that when work has started for the album, the whole team was leaning towards making a niche baby album. She felt that love songs that have more general messages have to be included in the album to capture a wider market. “The challenge really was to have a special, not-so-typical baby album,” shares Velasquez. “An album that can be appreciated by everyone – kids, parents, lovers, and family.”