|
By Ricky T. Gallardo
THE undisputed concert king has learned some of
life’s most valuable lessons on the concert stage. “Fame is
fleeting, and for me to have survived this business for 25 years is
more than a milestone. It’s a blessing that deserves a heart
filled with humility and gratitude,” Martin Nievera intones during
a casual conservation at the top floor of the Discovery Suites in
Manila.
The sun has just taken a rest but the Ortigas
sky still has remnants of the bright orange and red streaks from the
beautiful sunset. Nievera starts by saying that the past 25 years
have been most colorful, and he became the person he is with the
many highs and lows he experienced, both as a concert artist and a
private individual.
“There are many times when I couldn’t just
separate my being a singer and Martin, the person. It’s hard,
especially in this business we are in, and it takes a lot of
experience to be able to suppress something from the public,
especially the pain, the frustrations and the heartaches.”
Everyone knows about the ups and downs of Martin
and Pops, the couple, or to be more precise, the former Mr. and Mrs.
Nievera. Even after their inevitable separation and the coming in of
their respective new partners Katrina Ojeda and Jomari Yllana,
people still seem to want to talk about them. Lately, all seems to
be on the negative once more, and truthfully, anything about Martin
and Pops, the ex-couple has become really tiring.
When Pops had her not-so-successful concert last
December, Martin was always part of her publicity. This time that
Martin is getting ready for his special silver anniversary show at
the Big Dome, we still read about Pops when the fact remains that
she has nothing to do with his show.
“Honestly, I wish this will end, but I doubt
it. I don’t think I will ever have a press conference or read a
newspaper article that will not mention my ex-wife’s name,” he
says. Nievera says that he has learned to take everything in stride,
so as not to waste any more energy in reacting and counter-reacting
to everything that he reads about and hears. “You’re right, it
can be tiring.”
One thing that he won’t ever get tired of is
performing for a crowd. “Singing and doing shows is something that
I would want to do for as long as there is someone who is willing to
listen and to watch my shows,” he says.
His humbling experience in Las Vegas has opened
his eyes to the many realities of life that we can never control.
“I have performed in shows with almost empty seats and that’s
initially difficult to accept because I am used to performing in
large venues here in Manila. But I guess that even if it’s a huge
crowd or just a dozen, they bought their tickets and came to the
show because they want to listen and watch Martin Nievera. And I
have a responsibility to make them happy.”
Nievera is celebrating his 45th birthday a few
days after his February 1 concert billed as Martin Nievera XXV and
he is flying back to Las Vegas to fulfill some work-related
commitments. “I have two families, one in the States and one here.
My sons Robin and Ram are studying here and I have to regularly make
time for them. On the other hand, Katrina and Santino are in the
States and I have to also be with them. I’m glad Katrina is so
nice because she understands and accepts me for the person I am,”
he says.
One of the most memorable songs of Nievera’s
25 years as a concert artist is “You Are My Song” and he tells
us that the song is for Katrina. “She is my song, my soul and my
strength.” He shares that one song that makes him get emotional is
“Nasaan Ka Man” because “it pierces my heart everytime I sing
it.” Another personal favorite is his remake of the Verni Varga
original “Kahit Isang Saglit” which became a big hit.
Looking back, Martin shares that some of the
highlights of his glorious career include the day he had his very
first concert Wanted: Martin Live at the Folk Arts Theater in August
of 1983. “The concert was the realization of my life-long dream as
a kid—which is to perform in front of a live audience. It wasn’t
perfect because several things went wrong during the show but it’s
still very memorable for me.” His first stint as television host
for Penthouse Live! is also special. He adds, “I’ll also never
forget having a taste of an international career in the US, and
although I’ve been faced with challenges lately, I’m still
determined to make a go of it again.”
He looks forward to his anniversary show.
“It’s 25 years of my music. Everything I ever recorded will be
there. What’s going to be hard is to not forget some songs.” His
sons Robin and Ram will be his special guests in the concert. Martin
said he was surprised when Robin asked him if they can be part of
his concert. “The two boys can write their own songs, and I’m so
happy Robin asked if they can be part of the show.”
The concert will be directed by Rowell Santiago
with Louie Ocampo as musical director featuring a 28-piece orchestra
under the baton of Gerard Salonga. The concert is produced by XVR
Events (owned by Sari Paz Villar) and 105.1 Crossover. When Nievera
comes back from Las Vegas, the show will be touring Cebu Cagayan de
Oro and Pampanga.
“Life is beautiful, and I will continue to
make it beautiful by touching people’s lives with my songs,” he
ends.
|
