'Bitaw,' but never let go

For someone who has spent more than a decade carving a name on the Philippine music and theater scene, Poppert Bernadas has already checked many boxes: world tours, hit musicals, viral performances, even working with a National Artist. But for Poppert, one encounter stands out like a shining badge of validation — his unforgettable backstage moment with Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.

It all happened on the heels of his successful #SoloPOP concert, where Regine surprised him as a guest performer for their emotional duet of Bitaw—a song they collaborated on in 2023. While that alone was enough to leave him stunned, Poppert had no idea that Regine stayed through the rest of his repertoire.

“Di ko alam na nanood pa pala siya after nung kanta namin,” he shared in a candid Facebook post, equal parts stunned and humbled. “In short, nakita niya yung pagka-pawisin ko!” he joked.

A 2-Hour Sleep, a Full Day, and a Songbird’s Wisdom

Barely two hours of sleep later, Poppert found himself driving to Malarayat to perform for a private birthday celebration of businessman MVP (Manuel V. Pangilinan). As if running on fumes wasn’t enough, the air conditioning in the dressing room was frigid, and his solo spot was pushed to nearly midnight.

Fearing his voice would give out, Poppert wrapped himself in silence. Mask on. Vocal rest mode. But someone noticed.

“Ok lang?” Regine asked gently.

“I’m just protecting my voice po sa lamig,” he whispered back.

Minutes later, she checked in again:

“Ok ka pa?”

“Medyo antok na po, Ate. Two hours lang tulog ko.”

“Ano kakantahin mo?”

“Barbra Medley po.”

“Yung kinanta mo kagabi? Nice,” she replied with a smile.

But it didn’t stop there.

“Try mo ‘to,” Regine offered, handing him something to soothe his throat. No hype, no diva moment. Just genuine care from someone who’s been through the grind and knows exactly what a tired singer needs.

By the time Poppert stepped on stage at 11:15 PM, something miraculous happened.

“OMG, walang bakas ng pagod ang naramdaman ko sa boses ko huhuhu,” he shared, still floored by how effective Regine’s advice was.

After the set, he rushed back to tell her, “Ateeeeeee nag-work!!!!”

“Sabi ko sa’yo diba?! Try mo rin ‘yang spray na ‘yan,” she replied with a wink.

More Than Just a Moment

For Poppert—who has spent years as a Ryan Cayabyab Singer, earned praise from the Maestro himself, starred in groundbreaking theater productions like Rak of Aegis, and even served as an FDCP board member—this brief, intimate encounter with Regine wasn’t just about fanboying. It was about being seen.

“It meant a lot, not just as an artist, but as someone who grew up watching her defy expectations and conquer stages,” he later told us. “To have her check on me, to care—that’s something I’ll never forget.”

Duet of Dreams

Their song Bitaw may speak of release and heartbreak, but this bond between Poppert and Regine is clearly something they’re both holding on to. In a world where most legends simply wave from the stage, Regine chose to walk into Poppert’s moment, lend him strength, and remind him why he sings.

And as for Poppert? He’s not just surviving, he’s soaring.

With talent sharpened by experience and moments like these etched in his heart, he continues to grow, one note at a time.