Martin Nievera: I’d like to sit beside Jimmy Fallon in the plane!

MANILA, Philippines - Up in the sky, on board PAL flight PR 126 for New York, a voice in the plane announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we just can’t keep him quiet and still, so we will just let him serenade you with love songs....here’s the concert king Martin Nievera!”

 Trust the funny and witty Martin to keep  passengers awake and entertained and  get their highs in the sky with selfies with him. Martin is perhaps  the most people-oriented performer I have ever met. And  a most humble one, too. He tells stories of his younger years in San Francisco when he  and his twin sister would wash and iron clothes because helping their mom with housework was  the natural thing to do. While many of us were already dozing off in the plane, Martin and his equally indefatigable manager Joy Alonzo were busy preparing the CDs which he personally signed, for giveaways to guests and the crew. 

Here’s more of Martin:

PHILIPPINE STAR: What do you love most about New York?

MARTIN NIEVERA: I love the vibe there. Even just standing still I feel like I am going places.

What’s the first thing you want to do when you arrive in New York?

Grab a slice of pizza. Throw snow balls at a taxi. Watch a play.

Aside from New York, what other place do you love in the US?

San Francisco. I love its cuteness and its cozy demeanor. Their big is small, and their small is big!

What’s the most senti trip you’ve taken?

 Last year, I went to my Concord, California hometown and brought my two sons Robin and Ram with me. To see their eyes light up at my every childhood memory was the highlight of my trip that year. I am very senti. Now my kids know why.

Who’s the personality you’d love to sit next to in the plane?

Jimmy Fallon. That will be the shortest, funniest flight ever.

What’s the best thing about flying Philippine Airlines?

The people from the ground up. Hospitality at its best! You don’t have to be a superstar to be treated as one by PAL.

 What items can’t you travel without?

Cell phone, headphones, sweats, laptop, a new good pen, a notebook for writing poetry. And CDs for the flight crew. They would always ask me to autograph on paper napkins. I might  as well give them autographed CDs.

What souvenirs from the US do you like bringing home?

My fave cookies — Archway Iced Oatmeal. Cellphone gadgets not found in Greenhills.

Your dream destination on your bucket list?

To travel alone. To leave all worries and  doubts behind. Where? Anywhere but where  I am  expected to be.