The late Filipino singer April Boy Regino will be the subject of a new biopic with the working title Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin.
Director Efren Reyes told ABS-CBN News on January 4 that he wants the biopic to be similar to Ray, which starred Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Reyes’ biopic will also highlight how Regino overcame various health complications such as cancer, diabetes and blindness.
“He sets an example to all aspiring talents in terms of facing struggles. Prove to yourself that you can do it whatever happens. He did it on his own, no one taught him. Everything that he aspired for, he managed to do them,” Reyes said.
There are no details yet on the biopic’s cast and release date. Reyes told ABS-CBN News that they may hold auditions, but will also consider casting Regino’s son in the lead role as he “has the same vocal range and tonal quality of his father”.
Plans for the biopic started as early as February 2020 when Regino and members of Waterplus Productions met at the singer’s Marikina home to sign the contract and discuss the storyboard. Reyes planned to shoot the biopic after Regino’s US concert in March, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the singer’s poor health.
Regino passed away in November at the age of 59 due to renal disease complications. Fellow musicians Jed Madela, Erik Santos and Martin Nievera recently paid tribute to his legacy on ASAP last Sunday, January 3.
Special Musical Tribute To The Philippines’ Jukebox King – April Boy Regino with Jed, Nyoy, Erik, Sam, Jason, and Mr. Martin Nievera!#ASAP2021 pic.twitter.com/0ViKzTxRub
— ASAP Natin ‘To (@ASAPOFFICIAL) January 3, 2021
Regino, also known to Filipinos as the “Jukebox King”, was known for his hit songs ‘Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin’, ‘Umiiyak Ang Puso’ and ‘Yeye Ye Bonnel’. He released 13 albums over the course of his career.
The singer’s last album was 2018’s ‘Idol Ko, Idol Nato’, which was his first Bisaya album.