Brian McKnight Gusto ulet Makaduet si Regine V.

MANILA, Philippines -- American R&B singer Brian McKnight is excited to return to the Philippines later this month and meet up with celebrity friends Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera and Regine Velasquez.

McKnight last visited the Philippines five years ago.

"I wanna see Gary," he told ABS-CBN News. "Too bad Martin's not gonna be around (since) he's in Australia."

McKnight is obviously up to date with local happenings. For instance, he knows that Velasquez recently gave birth to a baby boy, Nate, with husband Ogie Alcasid.

"Hopefully Regine won't be too busy with the baby," he said. "I got to sing onstage with Regine and it was one of the best experiences ever because she's one of the best singers I've ever heard."

McKnight, who will be performing in Manila and Cebu, said he likes working with Filipino artists.

"It's great to work with people who love what you do and you're a fan of them too," he said. "It's always wonderful what you can create together," he said.

He also  likes performing for Filipino audiences.

"The thing I love about coming to the  Philippines is they love love songs, which is right up my alley," he said.

For his concert, "Back with Brain McKnight," which will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on March 16 and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on March 17, the international singer will be performing with local singer Angeline Quinto.

His two sons, Brian McKnight Jr. and Nico McKnight, who released the song "Marry Your Daughter," will also be part of the concert.

"I'm a super proud dad, especially since my eldest son wrote it," he said of the hit song, which garnered more than 28 million views on YouTube. "They've never performed that live before so that will be a first."