Still recuperating, Katrina Velarde belts her way through solo concert
Despite facing a medical emergency three weeks prior to her recent concert, Katrina Velarde still turned up onstage, determined to do her best and give her fans a memorable experience.The show must go on, as they say.
“Wala naman sigurong dugo ‘no (you don’t see any blood, right)?” joked Katrina, who had just undergone an appendectomy, a surgical procedure to remove an infected appendix. “Medyo masakit lang nang konti, pero kaya naman (there’s a little pain but it’s manageable). Ilalaban natin ‘to.”
Upon being told that she would require surgery, Katrina couldn’t help but worry. After all her fans came, not for soothing tunes, but for the vocal pyrotechnics she’s known for.
“I told my doctor that I won’t be doing Moira [dela Torre]-style songs. ‘Hindi po tayo chill. Medyo masakit po sa tiyan,’” she said in an interview on the sidelines of her show titled, “Z-Con: The Gen Z Icons Concert,” at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.
And she would know, having previously given birth via C-section. “‘Di ko masabing malayo sa bituka kasi nasa bituka talaga siya (it’s in the tummy)… Namaga eh (it’s swollen),” she said.
A celebration
But despite her initial worries, Katrina—with her doctor’s assurance—decided to push through. “Canceling a show isn’t easy, especially when so many people have already bought tickets,” she said.
But “Z-Con” was more than just a show. It was a celebration of her musicality and dedication to her craft.
Dubbed as “Asia’s Vocal Supreme,” Katrina opened the concert with a medley of hits, including Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” Her powerful vocals filled the theater, setting the tone for a night of electrifying music.
“Thank you to everyone who took the time and effort to attend … I know that some of you even flew in from other countries,” said Katrina, whose words resonated with my close friend Ishvi, a longtime fan, who had traveled all the way from Japan just to see her favorite diva perform live.
Throughout the night, Katrina demonstrated her versatility by seamlessly switching between musical styles and genres. From rap songs like the OC Dawg’s “Pauwi na Ako” to Billie Eillish’s “What Was I Made For?,” she captivated the audience with every single note.
Katrina has had an eventful career. She started showcasing her singing abilities as an “amateurista” at the age of 7. Building on her early success, she became part of the New Born Divas, a group that earned a spot in the talent show “Talentadong Pinoy’s” hall of fame. She then auditioned as a solo singer on “The X Factor Philippines” in 2012, before joining A.K.A Jam, a group mentored by Gary Valenciano.
However, it was her video covering Beyonce’s “Dangerously in Love” where she used a comb for a mic that earned her the moniker “Suklay Diva” and thrust her into the international spotlight. She earned praise and recognition from celebrities and industry stars including Chris Brown and Bibi McGill, a former guitarist and musical director for Beyonce.
Special guest
Her experience shone through in a segment that showcased not only her vocal prowess, but also her storytelling and control. Clad in a flowy red gown, Katrina drew thunderous applause as she belted out OPM (Original Pilipino Music) favorites, like Gary V’s “Narito” and Sheryn Regis’ “Gusto Ko nang Bumitaw,” as well as the soulful Aretha Franklin classic “Ain’t No Way.”
She performed movie theme songs and brought out special guest Daryl Ong for a surprise duet on Janno Gibbs’s “Ikaw Lamang.” Their voices blended seamlessly, creating a magical moment that had the audience on their feet.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came during the finale. Katrina shared the stage with guests and fellow singing contest alums Khimo Gumatay (“Idol Philippines”), and Sam Mangubat, JM Yosures and Reiven Umali (“Tawag ng Tanghalan”) for a Bruno Mars medley.Their energy was contagious, compelling the crowd to get up and dance—a fitting end to the night. Even Katrina, who was advised by her doctor not to dance, couldn’t help herself. “Sumasayaw ba ‘ko kanina (was I dancing)?” she quipped.
She may not have been 100 percent healed yet, “but I’m here,” she stressed, “because you gave me courage to do this.”
“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa tiwala niyo na nandito kayo ngayon (thank you for trusting me). And to the One up there for giving me the strength,” Katrina said. INQ
