Sheryn Regis’ story is like a beautiful melody—filled with high notes of triumph and low notes of struggle, but always carried by the unshakable rhythm of her faith. Her journey, woven with moments of strength, tenacity, and undeniable talent, echoes the tale of a woman who never let go, even when the world felt too heavy.

In this episode of “Kuan On One,” ABS-CBN's first mainstream Bisaya talk show, hosted by Melai Cantiveros, Sheryn takes center stage as she reflects on the ups and downs of her life and career. From her humble beginnings to her triumphant comeback in the industry, the ‘Crystal Voice of Asia’ opens up about the struggles she faced and how faith, acceptance, and her Bisaya spirit of resilience carried her through.

Sheryn, who hails from Cebu, never shied away from speaking in her native language, even when she was just starting out in showbiz. Her authenticity and connection to her roots probably helped set her apart as she navigated the industry.

Sheryn reminisces about her brave decision to join the Kapamilya singing competition “Star In A Million” in 2003. She traveled from Cebu to Manila, leaving behind her family in hopes of changing her life. Not many knew that, at that time, she was dealing with personal struggles—her then-husband had lost his job at Cebu Plaza Hotel after it closed down, and she had just given birth to her daughter, Sweety, who was only four months old. The weight of providing for her family pushed her to take the plunge and joining the TV contest.

Yet, behind her strong exterior on stage, she was emotionally drained, far from her family for six months and tending to herself alone without any manager or team. Despite the hardships, she found comfort in her fans, especially the Bisaya supporters who showed up during the competition.

Unfortunately, she didn’t win, and her defeat worsened her postpartum depression. Though she clarifies there was no bitterness toward the winner, Erik Santos, she admits that her heavy expectations made her loss all the more difficult. “I expected too much,” Sheryn admits, recalling the pressure she placed on herself. “Siguro, I expected too much. Kaya siguro sinasabi ng mga tao na nag-sour grape ako or bitter ako. Pero hindi nila alam ang behind the story, kung ano’ng nangyari sa akin, kung ano ang struggles ko. For sure, ‘yung mga contestants before ay may struggles din, pero meron din ako kaya nag-expect talaga ako.”

Now that she's able to explain how she truly felt 21 years ago, she takes it as a lesson. “Don’t expect too much. Basta as long as you did your best, it’s fine; you’d feel the satisfaction and contentment,” she says with the wisdom of someone who’s learned from her past. And while she may have lost the competition, what followed were victories in life, as she found herself embraced by the industry as a Kapamilya artist, with doors opening for her to perform abroad. What started as a simple goal to provide for her daughter’s diapers and milk ended up giving her so much more.

But at the peak of her career, Sheryn made the bold decision to leave everything behind in 2010 for a simpler life with her daughter, Sweety, in the United States. Sweety was six years old at the time, and Sheryn realized that she was missing out on her child’s formative years while working in Manila. Many questioned her decision, but for Sheryn, nothing was more important than being a mother. “Doon [sa America], naka-focus ako [kay Sweety]. I drive for her, I prepare food, and then ihahatid sa school. I felt like a mom,” she shares, reflecting on those precious years living a normal life abroad.

It was also a much-needed break from the burnout she felt after six years of continuous work. “That was the time na napagod din ako. ‘Di ba, I said na, hindi ko napanalunan ang one million, kaya lagi akong magtatrabaho para makuha ang million? Pero kahit may million ka pala, kahit may pera ka, kung pagod na ang katawan at utak mo, mababaliw ka.”

There’s truly no place like home. In 2016, she returned to the Philippines when she was invited to sing. But her homecoming came with a heavy blow. She found out she had thyroid cancer. The symptoms had started with extreme fatigue, occasional collapses, and a lump she could feel in her throat, which even affected her voice.

Imagine the frustration and fear that gripped her—cancer so close to her throat, the very source of her voice and passion for singing. She feared losing not just her health but the ability to express herself through music, her greatest gift.

Sheryn had to bring out her inner warrior once again. She faced the surgical procedures alone in America, choosing to keep the battle and pain to herself to avoid worrying her family. Miraculously, the cancer didn’t spread, and her voice—her most treasured gift—returned. After the operation, she was advised not to sing for six months, which she defied by performing just three weeks post-surgery at an event for Sto. Niño in Cebu. “It’s my faith na humawak sa akin. I held my faith that time nang sobra. I knew Sto. Niño would give me the voice,” she recalled.

Dakong Problema

Sheryn’s iconic songs have always been more than just melodies; they've served as theme songs for her life’s journey. Each track resonates with significant moments that have shaped who she is today. In the “Dakong Problema” segment, let’s dive into a playlist of her songs and explore the memories tied to them, starting with “Kailan Kaya.”

This song takes her back to Grade 4, a time when she dreamt of becoming an artist. As a kid, she was mesmerized by the glamorous women she saw on TV. Back then, regional channels were a big deal in Cebu, and she had even guest-starred on one. Her dream was simple: to be an artist, even if it was just on a regional channel, despite being laughed at by her classmates.

She also speaks fondly of “Follow Your Dream,” a song written by renowned composer Vehnee Saturno, which encapsulates her journey from Cebu to Manila to chase her dreams on “Star In A Million.”

“Come On Out of the Rain” reminds Sheryn of her determination to rise above her humble beginnings, back when she competed in amateur singing contests and often won small prizes, sometimes barely enough to buy food for her family.

One song that holds a special place in her heart is “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw,” which she co-wrote. Many see it as a simple love song, but it was actually inspired by her battle with cancer. The lyrics, “Umiiyak gabi-gabi, walang tinig na naririnig,” capture her silent struggles—her war against depression and anxiety, heightened by the hormones and chemicals in her body post-surgery. This makes “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw” a piece of her heart.

Surviving cancer was like getting a second lease on life and her singing voice. After that experience, she felt ready to dive back into her career in the Philippines in 2020. This marked the beginning of a new era for her—one of freedom and contentment. With less pressure and more self-acceptance, she’s ready to take on whatever comes next. When you’re in the same state, thrusting yourself into the beauty of something new, play Sheryn’s “Starting Over Again” in the background.

There’s nothing wrong with starting anew and picking yourself up after a fall. Sheryn equates this with acceptance, understanding, and embracing who you are, as well as coming to terms with the past. As she said in the “Ultimate Yawyaw” segment, “You have to understand first, so you can accept yourself.” It's all about growth and moving forward with a renewed sense of self. Although sometimes, even when you want to give up, it’s essential to find the strength to carry on and keep moving forward.