Roots to Riches is an autobiographical documentary concert special by Filipina singer Regine Velasquez. It originally aired on May 24, 2009, in the Philippines on GMA Network. The special follows Velasquez's early childhood beginnings as an aspiring singer competing on talent shows to the influential entertainer she is today, while providing an insight into her journey with stardom and detailing various aspects of her professional and personal life. It is interspersed with a series of flashback portraying significant events in her life and career. The program included a compilation of interviews with key people that have been instrumental to the trajectory of her success over the course of several years. A celebration of the singer's 39th birthday, the two-hour special is spliced with musical performances filmed at Centro Escolar University in Velasquez's hometown of Malolos, Bulacan. It was directed by Louie Ignacio and produced by Aria Productions. Raul Mitra served as the music director, with guest stars Pilita Corrales, Jose Mari Chan, Dingdong Dantes, Pops Fernandez, and Dennis Trillo, and an appearance by her former competition rival Eva Castillo. Background Regine Velasquez started singing at age six, and had unorthodox voice training with her father, where she was immersed neck-deep in the sea and would go through vocal runs. She credits this method for strengthening her core and stomach muscles, and developing her lung capacity. When Velasquez was nine, her family moved to Bulacan, where she started competing in talent shows. In 1984, at fourteen, she auditioned for the reality television series Ang Bagong Kampeon and won. Her career began with a record deal with OctoArts International and the release of her single "Love Me Again" in 1986. After an appearance in the variety show The Penthouse Live!, she caught the attention of Ronnie Henares, a producer and talent manager who signed her to a management deal. In May 2009, GMA Network announced a television special for the singer entitled Roots to Riches. It was the second birthday showcase on GMA by Velasquez, after The Best of Me in 2008. A blend of documentary and musical production, the title of the special is borrowed from the phrase rags-to-riches, a parallel of Velasquez's life and career trajectory. It depicted the singer's childhood beginnings as an amateur singer competing in various talent shows in her hometown of Bulacan through a series of biographical flashback re-enactments, camera footage, and a compilation of interviews.