Regine Tolentino

If TV host, actress and dancer Regine Tolentino pushes through with her plan to spend the coming holidays in Bangkok, Thailand with her family, then it will be one of the few times she gets a real respite in 2009.

One of the busiest celebrities around, Regine has kept to the kind of schedule that can make even superwoman hang her head in shame. The Dance Diva co-hosts morning show “Unang Hirit” and choreographs dance numbers for Sunday variety show “SOP.” She has her own boutique and dance studio, both ultra successful for years now.

Regine is also an in-demand host and performer in corporate shows. She continues to fulfill her endorsement duties for a skin clinic and a wellness supplement. And then there are the dance lessons she offers, the instructional dance video series (for hip hop, belly dancing, ballroom dancing and, soon, Hawaiian/Tahitian dance) and the mentoring sessions with such celebrities as singing group La Diva.

Outside work, but a full-time job in itself, Regine is a hands-on mom to Reigne, 11, and Reigan, 9, as well as a devoted wife to former actor Lander Vera-Perez. Indeed, it’s almost always at least a 12-hour day for the Dance Diva, starting at 3:30 a.m. lasting till 8 or 9 p.m.

Still, Regine consistently excels in everything she does, thanks to her winning formula of disipline, patience, passion, persistence and tight time management. “Every success that I have is a by-product of loving whatever it is I’m into. People say I succeed because I’m a perfectionist. But, really, it’s just me giving my all to the things I believe in and love,” she said.

Having been in the industry for 15 years honed Regine’s attitude towards her profession. In the face of cutthroat competition both from established players and newcomers, she has managed to keep one step ahead of the rest by constantly reinventing herself. “I learned how important reinvention is from dancing. You have to be versatile and flexible kasi when you’re a choreographer because different occassions or events require specific dance steps or concepts. So kung sexy dance steps ang kailangan, that’s what I give.

Kung medyo conservative steps, kaya din natin yan. Kahit ano, dapat pwede ka, kaya ganyan din tayo pagdating sa career,” she said.

Regine looks forward to competing anew in Latin Ballroom in 2010. She is currently looking for the “right” dance partner who could match her stamina, build, training and drive. It’s a tall order, and it may take awhile, but Regine has no worry, is in no hurry.

As long as there’s music to dance, Regine will always have more than enough work on her hands.

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UNTV’s ‘Kaagapay’ host passes away

We grieve the passing of a great doctor and TV host, Doc Mandy Saguin, whose life was marked with distinction dedicating his services to the poor. He is survived by his wife Bella Marie Peachie Baron Saguin, and children Richelle, John Paul, Reginald Carlos and Regine Jennifer, mother Teresa and siblings Jajou, Lolly, and Dominic. Doc Mandy succumbed to death on Dec. 29, 2009 at 4:50 a.m. His body lies in state at The Sanctuarium on Araneta Ave., Quezon City.

Dr. Rimando Saguin in real life, a native of San Juan, Batangas, had been the pride of his hometown. A consistent government scholar, he finished his studies in Medicine at the University of Sto. Tomas and earned his Masters degree in Hospital Administration in Ateneo de Manila.

Doc Mandy was a professional consultant, a chairman, a director, a president, a secretary and an author/writer of different medical associations and organizations both locally and internationally.

He had received more than 100 recognitions, merits and appreciations from various professional and civic organizations, including the highest international award given for humanitarian service, the 2002 Rotary International Service Above Self Award, the Medical Association Jose P. Rizal Memorial Award as a Physician of Distinction in Community Leadership in 2004 and 2005. He also won the 2006 Philippine Federation of Professional Association Excellence Award in Medicine. In 2008, Doc Mandy was listed in the 2008 Medical Honor Roll for Rehabilitative Surgery of Ten Oustanding Filipino Physicians by JCI Senate Philippines and the Department of Health.

With an impressive academic and professional history and a loving family, Doc Mandy shares his success and blessings to the people in need by giving them hope amid a life fighting from bone deficiency.

He made people happy through the successful surgeries he performed for patients who went to “Good Morning Kuya” program of UNTV 37. He made them laugh when he took part in the then Saturday morning live sitcom magazine show, “Kami Naman.” He made people tearfully joyful in the daily afternoon public service program on UNTV 37, “Kaagapay.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 3 go to Ms. Tec Syjuco, Alice Roxas Briones, Vivian Lorraine, Rafael Perez, Mrs. Eugenia G. Puyat, Dr. Rolando U. Layos, De. Teresita R. Santiago, Grace Gines-Garcia, Jose Alejandrino, Dr. Genevieve Huang, Zeny Raymundo, Mary Jane Lopez, Joven Saplagio, Jennifer Padua, Vanessa Grindrud of ABS-CBN Star Magic, and twins Katrina and Bianca Aguila. Happy wedding anniversary to Marlon and Hazel Dionela.