Martin Nievera: ‘I want to be important again’

Concert King Martin Nievera celebrated his 54th birthday last February 5 and he said at the presscon of  “Royals” (A Valentine concert happening on February 13 at the MOA Arena and February 14 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino) how pleased he was that his sons Robin and Ram treated him to a birthday dinner.

 

“They paid for my meals. Malaking bagay iyon. Malaking-malaking bagay iyon,” the singer said. “It’s the best!”

 

Martin said his sons never treated him to dinner before. He remembered Robin giving him earphones as a gift while Ram made him a nice drawing. So it is a really big deal for him that his sons treated him to a birthday dinner.

 

Martin is not fond of having parties on his birthday, saying he is not that good in entertaining guests like going to each table to see if they are having a good time. But her twin sister Vicky is a party animal and she likes throwing parties. They had dinner the day before their birthday and when it was midnight, they sang the happy birthday song. He told the press he wanted to cook burgers for them like he did last year but there was no time.

 

Martin says he feels old and age has caught up with him that even his job at ABS-CBN has been affected. He is frustrated that he no longer has a job.

 

“There is no room for us dinosaurs,” laments the singer of the lack of slot for him in ASAP, the Sunday noontime show of ABS-CBN.

 

“We have to give way to the young ones. They told me I won’t have the same role I used to have because we have to give way to the young ones. I don’t think I can tell anybody that. The good thing is, they want me to stay in Channel 2. They want me to stay in ‘ASAP’ so it is really up to me now what I do. Whatever comes my way, I guess.”

 

“I want to be important again. I want to be relevant again. I want to be needed again. I don’t want to be put in a dressing room, waiting for my four lines to sing in ‘ASAP’ and then go home. I can go to church rather than stay there. But I have to be dedicated to my show, to my craft. But because we are so many, it’s really hard.”

 

Martin recalled that when ABS-CBN was just starting again (after the Lopezes regained the station), he was the only artist. He was even the one who sang the station jingle. Everything then was just him. But now, it seems, the production is prioritizing more the young cast members.

 

“They need one of us there, regularly. If you didn’t notice, it was my birthday presentation in ‘ASAP’ on Sunday but I didn’t go. I know for sure they will do something because it was my birthday. It doesn’t seem right para mag-give way sa ibang production. Don’t worry about me. I don’t need any celebration.”

 

“Anyway, may ginawa ang ‘Showtime’ last Saturday. I didn’t know,” he continues. “It was a surprise. They did a very nice, heartwarming tribute. It’s really tampo sa ABS-CBN. It is really what it is. You have to embrace your new role. I am no diva who will say ‘Excuse me, do you know who I am?’ Sorry but some people don’t see it that way. But the truth is, I really have to step down. I just can’t will myself to do it. But the good news is, according to my contract, they want me to stay.”

 

Well, “ASAP” probably wanted to focus more on the young ones but Martin belongs to the concert stage where he shines. He is the Concert King, after all.

 

Star Media of Anna Puno and Cacai Velasquez-Mitra of I-Music Entertainment is producing “Royals” which features Martin, Queen of  OPM Regine Velasquez, Prince of Pop Erik Santos and Queen of Teleserye theme songs Angeline Quinto – the first time that these four are headlining a show together.

 

When asked what audiences can expect from “Royals,” Martin said they will certainly be giving “a royal performance fit for a royal audience.”

 

He also expressed that Erik and Angeline’s style are the perfect match with his and Regine’s making them the ideal team for this concert. “I see myself in Erik and I see Regine in Angeline. This is going to be a loud show. It’s Martin and Regine times two.”

 

“Royals” will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, February 13 at 8 p.m. and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on February 14, Sunday at 8 p.m. under the stage direction of Rowell Santiago and musical direction of Homer Flores and Raul Mitra.

 

Tickets for the Cebu leg are available at the SM City Cebu Customer Service Counter, Ayala Center Cebu Concierge, and Waterfront Concert and Events Counter. For reservations, call TSE Live, Inc. at (0925) 520-0222 / (032) 232-6888.

 

The show is for the benefit of the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor.