The importance of being Martin Nievera



Shirley Matias-Pizarro

For us onlookers, our fascination with celebrities does not stop from the stories and rumors we hear or read about them.

We want to know them up close and personal.

This is the reason why we have devised this question and answer feature so we can look deeper into their hearts.

These forty honest-to-goodness questions are meant to elicit 40 honest-to-goodness answers. We hope the celebrities will be generous enough to share bits and pieces of their lives.

Martin Nievera is one celebrity whose courage to bare his heart at any given time never ceases to amaze us. We sent this questionnaire to a number of celebrities and as always, our dear Martin manages to be the first to take on the challenge.

Martin is passion personified. Read on and get to know the man behind the image.

 

Screen name: Martin Nievera

Martin Nievera

Profession: singer, TV host, dreamer.

singer, TV host, dreamer.

Age: 46

46

No. of years in the business: 25

25

 

How do you define or describe who you are?

I would describe who I am by saying, "I have yet to be defined." As mysterious as that may sound I think only God can define us. But if I had to have an answer I would say, "my mistakes and victories and how I deal with them define who I am."

What do you think is the general perception of people about you?

I think most people think I am borderline crazy. But on the most part I think people see me as friendly and approachable. Loud maybe? Very loud???

What is your perception of yourself?

Easy go lucky, fun loving, hopelessly romantic, childish and a dreamer…

If you are to reveal one thing that the public doesn’t know about you, what will it be?

I hate my voice!

What does it take to be your friend?

50 dollars! No seriously, a friend to me is someone who is honest, sincere, has to have good listening skills, a good sense of humor, must be a real person from planet earth…

(If single) What does it take to be your life partner? What characteristics do you look for?

I look for someone with a kind and gentle heart, someone who is smarter and a bit more mature than I am, someone who likes sunsets, love songs and watching old movies over and over again. Someone who loves God and teaches me more about Him. Someone who believes in miracles and Santa Claus.

(If married or with partner) Have you found the characteristics you were looking for in your life partner? Details.

I guess not… thought I did, but we always do in the beginning…

Do you consider yourself successful? Why?

I have my moments… I have been successful in some things , but not all. I guess that’s the difference between being a success and being successful… I have been successful, but not yet a success.

Where do you think you owe your career?

You mean besides the writer of this article? Hmmm, where? The Philippines of course! Whom? My father for being the role model, my mother who wanted me to be a doctor or lawyer, my mom’s mom who was a metzo soprano, my lolo who told me to finish school and then one day changed his mind after he saw me in a show by way of video tape. He then said, "Martin belongs on that stage!" Gina Godinez my sister and first manager who always believed in me. Always. Until this day. My whole family for always being behind me no matter what! Pilita Coralles for my first TV break, Fritz Infante my first director, Elvira Manahan for highly recommending me for Penthouse Live… millions more! I owe my career to the people I sing for. The Filipino people of the world!

Do you consider yourself rich (financially)? Why?

Not even a little! Because the definition of, "rich" changes faster than I can make and save money. So in that case, I will never be rich. Don’t wanna be!

Where do you invest your money?

Krispy Kremes… oh and real estate.

Do you pay taxes honestly?

Oh yes I do… honestly I do…

What’s your idea of splurging?

Not looking at the price tag. Christmas shopping in September.

What do you think "cheapen" show biz image?

Trouble makers… the ones who make up or over sensationalize a story at the expense of the artist and or the artists family. Report what you see or actually hear. Don’t make it up. Also the people who fabricate or fake an issue for publicity mileage. Meaning artistas who fake a scandal for exposure. They are no better than the trouble makers.

What do you think lend "royalty" to it?

The directors and writers, the dancers and the choreographers, the musicians and musical directors and arrangers. The set designers and stylists too. They are definitely the ones who make us all shine! Oh and the audiences, most especially them. For they are the ones who make us larger than life.

Is being gay in show biz an issue?

No, not at all… for as long as they are not referring to me…. The gay people in our world are the colors of the rainbow that lead to the pot of gold. In this case the pot of gold being a great outfit or TV show, set, design, make up, production, concert, movie, script , etc.

Do you consider yourself sexy? Why?

Hell no! not even a little. Only in my mind I am. Verrrrry!

Among celebrity men – who is sexy to you and why?

I guess anyone who doesn’t look like me.

Among celebrity women – who is sexy to you and why?

Wow! How much space do I get for this answer? Angel Aquino for her exotic beauty, Aubrey Miles, her sexy smile matches her body, Phoemela Barranda has this sexy smirk when she talks that sometimes drives me crazy! Ruffa Mae Quinto, hello are you blind?

In an industry that they say thrives on duplicity, is sincerity an asset in this business? Please explain your answer.

Sincerity is not an asset in this business. It’s what you need to survive this business. Without sincerity we will always have a bad day. Meaning, everything will matter to you. When you have a big night at the Dome, accept the success with sincerity. Don’t brag. Well, not out loud anyway… and when you have a bad day at the Dome, accept defeat with sincerity. Then and only then can you say that you never quit.

Do you consider yourself an honest person? Why?

I would like to think so. I never use or abuse a friendship or a production or scandal. If I am proud of anything, it’s that.

Who do you think are the sincerest persons in this business and why?

The fans, because they sincerely save their last centavo to watch that movie or concert. They sincerely have a good or bad time. Anyone who works as hard as they work only to spend it all must be sincerely out for a good time; for an hour or so of happiness a fan will walk 100 miles. I love that about them.

What was the worst thing ever written about you?

It would be any fabricated story as opposed to the truth written about me. Those are the worst things written so far about me and boy have I had my share.

What was the best thing ever written about you?

That I was a good father through it all. The best thing ever written about me was written by my kids in a book made by Jun De Leon entitled, "Our Father."

Think of three most disliked people in show biz, (may or may not give their names) – please say one thing to each of them. What will it be and why?

Disliked person No. 1: "please don’t forget where you came from!" sometimes we in showbiz think we are God’s gift to our respective talents. We should instead thank God for the talent and give back by being at least a sincerely nice person.

Disliked person No. 2: "can you please think about the people and not yourself!" there are many that we can think of that fit this description. If only the people we depend on to, "rule our country," would think of the, "rules," and the, "country" and not how to break them.

Disliked person No. 3: "hey you! Yeah you! The one who let’s everything happen around him and does nothing about it, then complains? Yeah you! get off your ass and be part of the solution and not part of the problem!" we should stop bitching about the things that go wrong around us and instead stand up and do something about it. I too do this a lot. So I could be talking to myself, but if the shoe fits….

Was there ever a time your heart was broken by someone you trusted in this business?

Oh yes! It was the time I put all my marbles in one "Las Vegas" basket. Thinking I was doing my countrymen a service by bringing home some pride, I was fooled by a fellow countryman who signed a one year contract with me to perform nightly in the new Planet Hollywood Hotel and then disappeared. That has to be the worst and hopefully the last time this will happen.

What is immoral to you? Do you believe that immorality is prevalent in show biz?

I think it is immoral if you are doing something wrong and you know it’s wrong and you are doing it only because it is wrong. That for me is immoral… You do see a lot of this in showbiz, because we are a very transparent business. I am pretty sure there is a lot more immorality outside of showbiz, but we only hear about it after it is deleted or swept under the carpet. In showbiz immorality is a headline or a scoop. In our world, It’s sexy.

What do you pray for?

I pray that I live to realize my dreams, but more importantly to see my 3 boys realize theirs. I pray for a peaceful soul. I pray for true love . I pray for the deletion of all my guilt for every time I hurt someone I loved. I pray for courage and wisdom…

Do you consider yourself a good person? Why?

I try to be, because people think we no longer exist. Especially in show business.

If you die tonight, where do you think you will go? Heaven or hell?

Heaven… I’ve been to hell already. Been there, done that. No thanks!

Who are your favorite show biz people and why?

Zsa Zsa Padilla- always there when you need her. Ariel Rivera- the real deal! Panjee Gonzales- such a sincere soul and caring heart. You could talk to her for hours. Joy Alonzo- always easy to depend on her for anything. Gary Valenciano- the soul searcher! He truly, 100 percent, cares about everyone. Boy Abunda- a true blue friend I would trust with all my heart.

If you are not who you are today, what profession would you be in?

Maybe an architect? A director? A poet or songwriter. A clown in a circus…

Is education important to you? Did you finish your schooling? Give details.

Education is very important. Thank god I was blessed with dreams that came true, but if I was not blessed with this living dream then education could find dreams for me. I never finished college. I wish I did. I got busy singing on my 2nd year in college and had to stop. If you can, grab all the education you can.

Would you rather be smart or intellectual? Explain answer briefly.

I’d rather be funny. Then I could make fun and learn from the smart intellectuals.

Would you go for beauty or brains? Explain answer briefly.

It depends, for life or for a night? Let’s face it, it’s beauty that led me to the brain. I prefer someone who I can talk to and laugh with until we are crying. Someone who is a little smarter than I am would be great. I know, I know… that’s a very long list.

Would you rather be rich or good looking? Explain answer briefly.

It’s hard to answer this because the rich can buy their way to good looking. So maybe rich.

What makes you angry? How do you get angry?

It could be ignorance, it could be traffic, it could be disappointment, it could be a messy room, it could be being asked to stop a show because of time limitations, it could be seeing the weak taunted by the strong,

How do you let off steam?

I have put my fist through a glass door, but that’s not how. Sometimes the word, "relax," said softly in my ear by someone I love does the trick. Breathing through my mouth and short prayers do the trick too.

Can you share any life changing lesson you learned thru experience?

I am a walking textbook of life changing lessons through experience, yet I find myself repeating certain mistakes. I guess the best lesson I have learned through experience that I could share would be to always laugh at yourself. Don’t take yourself too seriously and someday someone will. Laugh a lot. Be a blessing. Always be grateful. Even for the small stuff…

Can you see yourself out of show biz ever?

NEVER!!!

How do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as the performer who never quits. I want to be remembered as a person who actually touched his dreams. I want to be remembered as a person with more than enough love and passion in all he did. I want to be remembered as unforgettable! I just simply want to be remembered….

http://www.mb.com.ph/ENTR20080227117973.html

February 16 to 29, 2008

Who's Martin's 'Special Girl'?

THE showbiz world is still talking about the mystery woman who was spotted at the Patron section of the Araneta Coliseum during the concert of Martin Nievera last Feb. 1. The rumor gained added credence by the absence of Martin’s partner, Katrina Ojeda, and estranged wife Pops Fernandez, who were both expected to be at the event.

According to Dolly Ann Carvajal of The Phlippine Daily Inquirer, the girl’s name is Angie.

“A showbiz insider has described the girl as ‘petite, nothing extraordinary, cute lang,’” Carvajal wrote in her column. “Another source puts her age at possibly 30 and above. According to a source who wishes to remain anonymous, the girl has two kids by a man she is presumably no longer with. She has her own house in Ayala Alabang Village, not far from the house Martin stays in, which is not far from the family home of Katrina, and again not far from the home Pops lives in with Robin and Ram, her kids by Martin. . . She is said to be the daughter of a Filipina who is married to Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei. This makes Angie the stepdaughter of the prince.” (Prince Jefri was once married to Filipina Ayen Munji, who is now married to fellow singer and stage actor Franco Laurel.)

Carvajal added: “Yes, Katrina already knows about Angie, says a source from Katrina's camp. Trusted family friends reportedly told Katrina about the girl Martin has been seeing nearly every day. Some of these friends were said to have sent Katrina first-person accounts about Martin and Angie being together. . . It is not clear if Martin and Katrina have had a proper confrontation about this.”

Contacted for comment by Ricky Lo of The Philippine Star, Martin sent the following reply via text (SMS) message, which he requested to be published verbatim:

“Sorry for the late reply. This is about a very dear friend of our family. Her father is not the prince. We have spent time together. Yes, she was at my concert and, together with her family, has watched my past concerts. Yes, she is special, but there’s nothing to report at this point except that I’m so sorry to have their names come out here and there.

I would like to apologize to all the families affected by all this, most especially to Angie and her family. It would truly be sad if our relationship was affected by all this. They are all very special to me and my family, and I would not want them involved in our world of intrigue.”

http://www.planetphilippines.com/

Bandera
First Posted 22:07:00 02/28/2008

MGA maiinit na chika sa Bandera ngayong Biyernes:

• Pagkanta ni Martin Nievera ng 'Lupang Hinirang' sa Las Vegas, inayawan daw ni Manny Pacquiao?

Alamin ang totoo sa mga balitang ito at ang iba pang maiinit na chika sa Bandera. Para sa mga taga-Metro Manila, maaari kayong bumili o mag-subscribe ng Bandera. Tumawag lamang sa 8902351.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080228-121821/Bandera-Starstruck-winner-Marky-Cielo-kabit-daw-ng-bading

MARTIN NIEVERA at Sycuan Casino, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, California 92019, Friday, March 28, 2008. Two shows, 7PM and 9:30PM. Must be 18 or older to attend the show.

Society of Seven, Lani Misalucha, & Martin Nievera
posted on Martin Nievera's Yahoo fan group by "rvoltes5"
Feb. 24, 2008

What started out as a belated Valentine’s gift for my wife, it turned out to be one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while.

In the Flamingo Theater located inside the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas reside the Society of Seven, or S.O.S. for short. When this group added Lani Misalucha to perform with them, it already boosted a powerful singing comedic group of performers to higher levels of showmanship. I was thinking there was no way this group could get better.

Again, I stand corrected.

Enter Martin Nievera.

Martin is performing with S.O.S for a short stint in Vegas. Let me tell you, this show is a must see. Not just for Martin fans, but for those that love a good time. Martin was great being “part of the society” with the group. It is somewhat strange because his father, Bert, started with S.O.S. with some of the same original members still performing in the band today. He was truly a great group player as Martin was part of the many skits of the show. I would tell you some of them, but trust me, words cannot describe what I saw Martin do. You need to see that for yourself!

The nice thing I thought was that Tony, from the S.O.S. gave a brief introduction of Martin’s accomplishments and Martin sang some songs that made him famous. This was truly a treat for some of the American patrons in the concert. One of them turned to me and just said,”he’s very cute.”

I need to mention Lani Misalucha because I knew how great she sounded. Her performances for the night were top notch. But Lani and Martin TOGETHER is just something you don’t pass. Their voices complemented each other so well that I couldn’t believe that they didn’t perform more often. Their duets alone were enough for admission…but with S.O.S it was truly a magical evening.

You need to see this amazing show being performed by the most amazing people.

So come and see and support the greatest group the Las Vegas Strip has to offer.

http://www.carouselpinoy.com/notesandreviews6.html#sos

Mukhang Galit!
Written by Parazzi News Service

Intriga dito, isyu doon! Hindi na talaga matatapos ang paikut-ikot na kontrobersiya sa mundo ng showbiz! Buntisan, lipatan, isnaban, hiwalayan, siraan, at lahat na ng ka-tsismisan! Saan nga ba nanggagaling ang mga isyung ito? Nahihilo na rin siguro ang mga artista sa kasasagot sa mga tanong na ibinabato sa kanila. Napapasigaw, naiirita, naba-badtrip. Minsan aakalain mong sila’y galit, but don’t get them wrong, nag-eexplain lang po!

http://pinoyparazzi.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=305&Itemid=51

Martin joins SOS in Las Vegas show
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Martin Nievera joins Society of Seven (SOS) as the group begins looking for a new home.

That subhead of a show review of the ongoing SOS show in Las Vegas with Lani Misalucha and, yes, Martin Nievera, should ring merrily for Martin diehards.

A clipping of the review from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, bylined MikeWeatherford, was e-mailed to me by Funfare's Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (news editor of The Filipino Reporter) who announced that the SOS and Lani (but minus Martin) will perform at Showboat Casino in Atlantic City (New Jersey) on May 4, produced by Drs. Ramon and Ching Legarda of Group Ole.

Said Edmund, "I want to share the review with your readers."

Here it is, in full, headlined Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha team up for stellar duets from the Josh Groban songbook:

They almost waited too long to figure this out.

The Society of Seven is a tourist institution in Hawaii, but has battled for years to maintain a high profile on the Strip.

Martin Nievera, the son of one of the Society's original singers, likewise had tough luck trying to transfer his momentum to Las Vegas. He's "The Concert King" of the Philippines, and at 46, can still pack arenas there. But it has been hard to push beyond that base to a wider audience, and formal singers not named Groban or Bublé aren't a hot commodity these days.

So, perhaps inevitably, these two have joined forces. Something Nievera has waited his whole life to do, he tells the audience. But guess what? The show closes at the Flamingo on April 13. Magician Nathan Burton takes over the afternoon berth in the showroom. SOS will go on tour and try to find a new home on the Strip in September.

That still gives them six weeks to demonstrate the potential of their combined force to future casino hosts. The show is instantly stronger, even though it's a bit tentative and a little like a shotgun wedding.

Nievera restores the stellar male voice the Society has been missing since the death of longtime member Gary Bautista in early 2006. The showy singing has been left up to female star Lani Misalucha, but nothing quite replaced her duets with Bautista.

When Misalucha and Nievera serve up the inevitable rendition of The Prayer, or Somewhere from West Side Story, there's no better singing in any ongoing show on the Strip.

Sure, a few of us would like to see if Misalucha could handle more nuanced vocals, maybe something jazzy to balance the full-throttle dynamics. But business is business, and the real mystery is why a show so perfectly attuned to American Idol and Groban's song catalog would meet any resistance on the Strip. Perhaps many people, like a certain woman I live with, look at the ads and mistakenly assume the group does a Hawaiian-style show with grass skirts and island music.

Instead, the SOS formula has always been to balance Broadway singing with the '60s show-band tradition of costumed impressions and cross-dressing. Nievera is willing to dive in, offering what may well be the world's first comic spoof of Groban and gamely putting on the dress to be one of the Supremes to Misalucha's Diana Ross.

For better or worse, the impressions and spoofs all fall in the first 45 minutes, ranging from co-founder Bert Sagum as Little Richard to Misalucha as Celine Dion, Beyoncé and Britney Spears (a bit that really should go on hold until the real Brit seems less precarious).

Then the show turns the corner, and it's basically all serious from that point on. A better blend would avoid Excessive Wig Syndrome followed by sudden withdrawal, something all TV doctors caution against.

Nievera hit the ground running this time. But if he and the Society are still a packaged deal in September, it will be time to bring in an outside director. Call it "Keeping up with the Scintas," the only other full-time attempt (unless you count Danny Gans) to court customers from the pre-Pure era of Vegas.

The Scintas were wise to sit down with new producers and dissect every element of their Las Vegas Hilton act, though the changes ended up being more subtle than drastic. Likewise, it's time for the Society to back up and rid the show of accumulated tics, such as co-founder Tony Ruivivar repeatedly thanking the audience for coming, which leads to False Finale Syndrome. (He's covering for quick changes backstage, but why not talk about the history of the group or something?)

And while it's cool that Nievera follows in his father's footsteps by doing an impression or two, the rest of the group could follow the lead of his pop hits medley and say, "We're good in our own right too."

Moments such as the group's offering a cappella backing to Misalucha's version of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot give you high hopes for what they could come back with in September if they think this thing through.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=49&type=2&sec=31

April 1 to 15, 2008

Martin Joins Lani & SOS In Vegas Show

IT is tough to last, much more to stand out, in Las Vegas. Ask Martin Nievera. As one Las Vegas paper observed, “He’s the ‘Concert King’ of the Philippines, and at 46, can still pack arenas there. But it has been hard to push beyond that base to a wider audience, and formal singers not named Groban or Bublé aren’t a hot commodity these days.”

Martin, who had been performing solo in the Strip for sometime now, is joining the act of the Society of Seven (SOS) and Lani Misalucha in Vegas. The SOS show (with Lani) will have its last show at the Flamingo on April 13. The new SOS show, with Lani and Martin, will open in a new venue in September.

Is it an admission of declining popularity for both Martin and the Hawaiian group?  Or will Martin prove to be the missing link in the reincarnation of the singing group?

The Las Vegas Review-Journal says: “Nievera restores the stellar male voice the Society has been missing since the death of longtime member Gary Bautista in early 2006. The showy singing has been left up to female star Lani Misalucha, but nothing quite replaced her duets with Bautista. When Misalucha and Nievera serve up the inevitable rendition of The Prayer, or Somewhere from West Side Story, there’s no better singing in any ongoing show on the Strip.”

Martin’s father, Bert Nievera, was an original member of the SOS.   

http://www.planetphilippines.com/

Alfie Lorenzo

***

Patuloy na ipinagdiriwang ni Martin Nievera ang ika-25 anibersaryo niya sa entertainment industry.

May dalawang provincial tour ang kanyang silver anniversary concert na Martin Nievera XXV (ginanap noong Pebrero sa Araneta Coliseum).

Magpe-perform si Martin sa Abril 30 nang 8:00 PM sa Pacific Grand Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, at sa Mayo 10 nang 8:00 PM sa Corpus Christi Gymnasium, Cagayan de Oro.

Ang tiket sa Cebu concert ay nagkakahalaga ng P3500, P2500, P1500, P800 at P500, at available sa Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino (032) 232-6888, 90.7 Crossover Cebu (032) 412-5043, Ayala Center Cebu Customer Service, SM Cebu Customer Service, at Royal Day Spa Outlets.

Ang tiket sa Cagayan de Oro concert ay nagkakahalaga ng P2500, P1500, P1000, P600 at P300, at mabibili sa SM Customer Service, Brew Berry, Corpus Christi, Aroma Café, Business Depot, at Sentro 1850.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/apr2208/entertainment_alfie.htm

Payback time for Martin
FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

When Gary Valenciano mounts his shows in LA (June 7), Stockton (California, June 13) and Seattle (Washington DC, June 15), Martin Nievera is performing with him.

"But no," said Martin (who arrived last Saturday from the States nursing a fever), "it's not going to be a back-to-back show as some people might think; I'm just a guest performer. Maybe I'll sing one or two songs, and a duet with Gary."

It's payback time.

A few weeks ago when he had his 25th-anniversary show at the Araneta Coliseum, Martin invited 13 colleagues as unbilled "guests" and they all said yes right away, namely: Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Jed Madela, the Sabado Boys, Jimmy Bondoc, Top Suzara, Paolo Santos, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Piolo Pascual, Regine Velasquez and, yes, Gary V.

As a gesture of gratitude, Martin said that if any of them held a concert, he or she could put Martin's name in the posters as "guest performer" without even telling him about it.

First to take the "bait" is Gary V. who actually opened Martin's Big Dome show, doing a passable vocal imitation of Martin before he stepped into the spotlight.

At his presscon Monday night, the irrepressible Martin was unusually mum about his over-dissected private life, making a "zipper" sign across his lips when asked about a new rumor linking him to, well, another woman.

All he discussed was his series of shows (which is what he came back for) called Martin Nievera XXV, which is part of his continuing 25th-year celebration, slated April 30 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom and on May 10 at the Corpus Christi Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro.

After that, Martin will fly back to Las Vegas to resume his never-say-die pursuit of his so far elusive American Dream.

(Note: For ticket inquiries, call Waterfront at 032-232-6888 and 90.7 Crossover Cebu 032-412-5043.)

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=49&type=2&sec=31&aid=2008042273

 

BUZZSTATION

Edgar Cruz

04/26/2008

Shorties

Martin Nievera was the original choice to host The Singing Bee. Because he could not commit availability to tape, it went to Cesar Montano...

http://tribune.net.ph/life/20080426lif1.html

Entertainment, 4/28/2008 12:07 AM April 27, 2008 Martin clams up about rumored 'special girl' abs-cbnNEWS.com

Oh no. Does this mean another tell-all, twenty-page interview in a glossy entertainment magazine? Only next time, instead of singer Martin Nievera's ex-wife Pops Fernandez, would it be his partner Katrina Ojeda?

Rumors that Martin has found another "special girl" in his life--apart from Pops and Katrina--began in February, right around the time when he was promoting his 25th year showbiz anniversary concert. According to the tabloids, the "special girl" was in the audience that night.

Martin, despite being known as a glib, talky show host, decided not to make any comment about the rumors to The Buzz.

"I wont talk about any other girl. No thank you. No I won't talk about any other girl. Too many people get involved, too many people get hurt. People who watch, family members who watch, misinterpret what you say without knowing the whole story," he told The Buzz crew.

The Buzz host Boy Abunda discussed the rumors and Martin's silence with co-hosts Ruffa Gutierrez and Kris Aquino. Abunda, who is Martin's close friend and publicist, had this to say:

"Sana'y pabayaan lamang sila ng mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila. Palagay ko'y maaayos pa ito," he said.

(If only people around them would leave them alone, give them space, I think this whole thing could be fixed.)

Aquino then retorted, "Pero kasasabi mo lang na maaayos pa nila, so obviously may inaayos."

(But you just said that it could be fixed, so obviously something's wrong.)

Martin and Katrina have a son, 18-month-old Santino.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=116330

Martin Nievera on 25 years of music
POPARAZZI By Nathalie M. Tomada
Monday, April 28, 2008

When Martin Nievera met the Cebu media last Saturday, he certainly wore his heart on his sleeve. He waxed sentimental over a lot of things-from a moving gesture from his audience during a concert here in the 90's, to the breakdown of his marriage and unforgettable onstage chemistry with Pops Fernandez, to a number of milestones in a performing career spanning 25 years.

"The first time I actually felt being truly connected with my audience without even trying to connect was during a concert at the University of San Carlos gym in 1995," shared Martin at the presscon in Waterfront Lahug's Casino Español, which was prepared by the concert's co-presentor 105.1 Crossover. "At that time, I was having personal problems with my father, and I don't know if the Cebuanos dissected whatever I was feeling through what they've read about me, but to my surprise, as I was singing ‘Say That You Love Me,' everybody had lit a candle while singing along with me. I never had that kind of connection with any audience."

As to his relationship with Pops, which has been buffeted by controversies in recent months, he admitted that there never was a closure between him and her. "And I think, that's a good thing in a way, as there's still hope for reconciliation between us as friends, because we really started out as friends before anything."

Still, whatever personal upheavals Martin has gone through, these cannot sidetrack us from the fact that what a consummate artist he is and what an enduring career he has. Martin believes that today's young artists are a luckier lot with many opportunities at hand for their talents to be discovered and nurtured. But to actually possess staying power is another story. Asked on what advice he can offer to today's rising stars, he advises them to be ever appreciative of the interest of the fans and even the media, to be more open to people yet responsible, and to embrace the humility of both success and failure.

When asked what song would best sum up his 25 years in Philippine show business, he went on to sing a few lines of Kenny Loggins' "Forever": "Forever in my heart/ Forever we will be/ Even when I'm gone/ You'll be here in me." Martin said that this is a song of someone who, while feeling so insecure and unsure of himself, continues to love because he has found a reason to. And so he related that what kept him going through the years are the people he sings for-that is his purpose. Since he started staging concerts in the early 80s, he said that there has never been a small or big gig for him-all he wanted was to go out there and perform.

"Forever" and a whole lot more of the timeless pieces he has had contributed to the music industry will be part of his repertoire in the "Martin Nievera XXV" concert come April 30, 8PM, at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of Waterfront Lahug. What I'm also particularly excited about in the concert is the 28-piece FilharmoniKa Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga that will accompany Martin. "Martin Nievera XXV" is directed by Rowell Santiago with Martin's longtime collaborator, Louie Ocampo, as musical director. Tickets are  available at Waterfront Lahug (232-6888),  Crossover Cebu (412-5043), Ayala Center Cebu Customer Service, SM Cebu Customer Service and Royal Day Spa Outlets. After Cebu, Martin will bring his 5th anniversary concert to Cagayan De Oro on May 10. Martin said, "I remember when I had my first live concert at the Folk Arts Theater, I was out of tune! It was the worst so much so the press said I was the kind of artist that was here today, gone tomorrow. So, to have people still interested in me, 25 years after, is truly a blessing."

Just an addendum: I just got an earful playing Gretchen Barretto's "Unexpected" CD album, courtesy of Star Records, overnight. Her curious choice of cover songs includes Love Me For What I Am-and what she is, as she herself penned in the CD cover, is an "incredible woman...vain, extravagant, flirty, a tease, extremely lustful, a mistress... but I am also loving, caring, affectionate...a friend, a listener, a model, a goddess, a celebrity, a singer, an actress, an aunt, a sister, a mother, a girlfriend, a role-playing wife, a baby."

She further wrote: "The greatest learning of my life is that it is fine by me to be despised for who I truly am than to be adored for who I really am not." Well, you might not really learn to adore her, but in this case, you can't help but admire La Greta's openness. 

I didn't have high expectations for the album. I was pretty much ready to dismiss her as another one of those jumping on the bandwagon of actors trying to sing (which you may very well know is not exactly a good thing). Yet, the album revealed that while Gretchen cannot be classified as a gifted singer, she's obviously vocally-trained. The 12 tracks, mostly standards, and their arrangements suit her vocal range. And the renditions are unexpectedly... emotional. I have yet to see her perform live though, and so that's something to watch out for in Martin's Cebu concert as the "Concert King" himself confirmed that Gretchen will be one of his special guests.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=52&type=2&sec=126&aid=20080427167

Martin's XXV gig on tour



Walden Sadiri

Fans don’t get tired of Martin Nievera. That’s why his concerts here and abroad make money.

Sari Paz Villar of XVR Events says Martin still sells because he’s Martin Nievera — seasoned performer and a controversial celebrity.

 

Martin’s 25th year anniversary concert last February at the Araneta Coliseum,which lasted for

almost four hours , was a huge success.

 

"There’s really a clamor for his provincial shows. The only problem has been the venues like we couldn’t find one in Davao where we originally planned to mount his show or in Bacolod...we’re expecting his shows to be full-packed in Cebu and Cagayan de Oro," said Villar.

 

"Martin XXV Live in Cebu" will happen tomorrow, April 30, at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino and on May 10 at the Corpus Christi Gymnasium in Cagayan de Oro.

 

Except for the Filharmonika Orchestra reduced to only 15 members, still under the baton of Gerard Salonga, and having Gretchen Barretto in his Cebu show as special guest, Martin’s provincial fans would get the same show he mounted at the Araneta Coliseum. Rowell Santiago is still directing with Louie Ocampo as musical director.

 

"The provincial audience are also conscious of their expenses. We don’t want to short-change them. So they are getting the same show at Araneta," shared Sari.

 

Included in Martin’s repertoire are his timeless classic hits like "Be My Lady," "Each Day With You," "Forever," "Forevermore," "Holiday," "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin," "Kahit Isang Saglit," "Pain," "Say That You Love Me," "This Is The Moment," "You" and "You Are My Song" among others.

 

Martin’s latest album "Milestone" under EMI Philippines has reached Platinum status.

 

"We’re very lucky with this album. I guess maybe it’s value for money with a lot of songs in it plus it’s for my 25 years in the business," said Martin proudly. Though his label proposed a sequel to "Milestone," there won’t be any because "Milestone" was only for his 25th year anniversary in the entertainment industry.

 

In the works for him is a new album to be released soon. "I don’t know if you’ve noticed but in my last few albums, there were a lot of Tagalog songs which no one has really heard of. What we’re planning is to come out with an all-Tagalog album featuring songs that I’ve already done but compiled in one Tagalog album," revealrf Martin about his new album.

 

So far, Martin has done a total of 19 Tagalog songs in his last five albums.

 

Martin is currently working on an album concept which pays tribute Las Vegas and will feature songs by the legendary Frank Sinatra. "There will be a lot of original songs in it and I’m going to write Christmas songs again plus I will also include my past hit songs."

 

On his Cebu concert, "It will be as long as the Araneta show. Now I have Gretchen Barretto for my Cebu show which surprised me. I was away for a while and when I came back she has a Gold album award already…she does sing well."

 

He said he was Gretchen’s first vocal coach for a TV Christmas special shot in Sampaguita Studios. He was asked to do a duet with Gretchen Barretto. "I agreed only if I wrote the song so I wrote ‘Christmas Love,’ a Christmas love duet with her. So I have to teach her part. I could be wrong but I think I was her very first record producer."

 

Martin also said that judging from Gretchen’s album, like him, she is fond of remakes. He said that he would have chosen all the songs in her album for his album.

 

"Maybe I won’t get the microphone back. She has a remake of ‘Please Don’t Ask Me’ and so do I. We’ll proba