Martin: Then & Now

And the 25 songs that influenced his life and career

How dare you, Martin. How dare you make me cry not just once but twice.

The first was during a birthday lunch with my family. The serenaders at the restaurant approached our table and asked what song we would request. Yes, Kahit Isang Saglit. Right into the first few lines, I realized that a family member had just passed away barely two months earlier. You sang that song with so much emotion, with a deep longing for a loved one never coming back, that I rushed to the restroom, locked myself up and cried.

The second time was just a few days ago while I was driving to the office, with your latest CD, Kahapon…Ngayon (by PolyEast Records), on my car player and you were singing Saan Ka Man Naroroon as if dedicating it to my other relatives and friends long gone…you know, asahan mong sa habang panahon, alaala kita saan ka man naroroon. I teared up over that line, in fact over the whole song.

I guess that when you sing those two songs and many others during your concert, The Best of Martin Nievera: Kahapon…Ngayon (at the Kia Theatre on Friday, Aug. 26), you risk getting the venue flooded with copious tears from the audience… I dare you, Martin! Of course, you will be doing other “feel good” songs from the 54 albums that you have waxed in your 34 years in the business and we look forward to listening to them, too, for the usual trip down (nostalgic) memory lane.

Tell me, Martin, what other songs (including those that you didn’t sing) have contributed to making you an incomparable balladeer?

Thank you, for making the list. Here it is:

And the 25 songs that influenced his life and career

1. All Of Me (John Legend)

This is a song I wish I wrote. The lyrics say everything I would want to say to that special someone.

2. The Last Time (Eric Benet)

I have always dreamed of being a singer during the time of Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra and this, “today,” hit sounds like a song they would have sung, “yesterday.” 

3. Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers)

I think this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and the passion you need to sing it makes it one of the hardest songs to sing. 

4. This is The Moment (Jekyll & Hyde)

This song brings out the very best in me. I believe in the moment when I sing this song.

5. What A Fool Believes (Doobie Brothers)

This song holds my childhood. The first time I fell in love, this song was No. 1.

6. Somewhere Down The Road (Barry Manilow)

The first song I ever sang in front of the Philippines.

7. I’ll Be There (Louie Ocampo & Martin Nievera)

A song I wrote for my children that speaks of a father’s promise.

8. Pag-Uwi (Louie Ocampo & Joey Ayala)

One of Louie’s most beautifully-written songs that he wrote with Joey. This song holds the true feeling of sacrifice and sadness overseas workers realize every day while being away from family and country.

9. Nasaan Ka Man (Louie Ocampo & George Canseco)

This song is a beautiful song that actually makes me cry. The last song George wrote before he passed away and he gave it to me. This was his answer to his monster hit, Ikaw.

10. The Greatest Love of All (George Benson)

The song I chose to compete against 4,000-plus contestants where I was lucky enough to win in The 1981 California State Talent Competition. 

11. One Voice (Barry Manilow)

I sang in a choir that backed up Barry Manilow who sang this song in Concord California at the Concord Pavillion in 1980. A moment I will never forget for as long as I live.

12. You Are My Song (Louie Ocampo & Martin Nievera)

My song for the people who have stayed with me through good times and bad. I hold them in my heart with every song I sing.

13. Magic (Marvin Querido & Martin Nievera)

I wrote this song for my son Santino who proves to me every day that there is magic in every new day. 

14. Hard Habit to Break (Chicago)

What a beautiful arrangement. This song really tests the dynamics of every singer.

15. Wildflower (David Foster)

A perfect song that describes an imperfect woman. Just the way I like them. 

16. Smile (Charlie Chaplin)

A happy sad love song that can change a cloudy day and turn it into a hopeful sunny day. When I sing this song, I cry on the inside while I smile on the outside. 

17. How Do You Keep the Music Playing (Patti Austin & James Ingram)

I love this song from melody to harmony. It is so nice to sing this song with a singer who is up to the challenge. I sang this song with Patti Austin, too. Wow, amazing!

18. You’re The Inspiration (Chicago)

I have always used this song to help me improve the range of my voice. I still can’t sing it in its original key, but it’s fun trying.

19. What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

For a singer that sings sad song after sad song, this is my go-to “feel good” song.

20. One Day In Your Life (Michael Jackson)

The song my sister Gina taught me when she first taught me how to sing in Honolulu, Hawaii.

21. The Prayer (Celine Dion & Andrea Bocelli)

The music, the arrangement, the lyrics and the voices of Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli make this the most beautiful song ever.

22. If (Bread)

I can totally relate to the story this song tells. 

23. Of All The Things (Dennis Lambert)

The composer Dennis Lambert doesn’t know it, but with this song he taught me how to compose a love song with rhyme and reason.

24. I Won’t Hold You Back (Toto)

One of Toto’s best songs. What an arrangement. Great guitar solo!

25. Lupang Hinirang (Philippine National Anthem)

The most important song I have ever sung. I will never forget singing it in front of millions of people during the Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton fight at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas. Unforgettably my proudest moment not just as a singer, but as a Filipino!

(With Marvin Querido as musical director, The Best of Martin Nievera: Kahapon…Ngayon features celebrity guests Noel Cabangon and Zsa Zsa Padilla, for the benefit of the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. and Philippine National Red Cross Quezon City. The Philippine STAR is among the presenters. Tickets priced at P3,000, Orchestra/VIP with Free CD; P2,500, Orchestra B with free CD; P2,000, Balcony/VIP/Loge; and P1,000, Balcony. Call 911-5555 or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph)

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