Still dreaming of international stardom, Martin Nievera feels he ‘hasn’t peaked yet’

CEBU, Philippines — Martin Nievera was 19 years old going 20 when he landed in the Philippines from the United States in 1982. Viva’s ‘Boss Vic’ Del Rosario had seen him on a TV show and immediately wanted the kid signed up with Vicor Music, the record label he established with cousin Orly Ilacad.

It was with the recording company that the balladeer released his 1983 debut album “Take 1,” which included “Be My Lady,” a track that would become one of Martin’s signature songs. With Vicor, Martin would release six albums before moving on to further his career.

In a move to revitalize their storied label, Vicor recently re-signed the country’s Concert King with plans to churn out hits with him anew.

During a Zoom conference also graced by Viva President and COO Vincent del Rosario, Viva Music Group President and COO Tony Ocampo, and Viva Records and Vicor Music Executive Vice President Verb del Rosario, Martin talked about hopes of reliving his heyday, how the sound of applause in a recent impromptu show almost gave him a heart attack, his arrogant years, and how worldwide fame still eludes him.

How does it feel to return to your original record label?

It’s magical because nowadays, I’m sad na hindi na uso to come out with a product, have a CD signing, meet and greet – these are things of the past. I’m hoping that my going back to Vicor can bring back some of the heyday, some of the good times we had. Although we’re not doing albums anymore, this is all new to me what we’re doing. When they asked me to go back, it was really more for nostalgic reasons. We started together, I didn’t know who I was gonna be, what I was gonna sound like, what my contribution to OPM would be. And it was Vicor who took me in even though wala pa akong boses at pangalan. They took a big risk. So for them to ask me back after all these years, it was a no-brainer. I’m hoping we can relive those old days. I’m 38 years in the business – I want something that’s lasting, that feels more permanent. Spending more than just one hour to record a song because we’re still chatting about our lives…ngayon copy-paste ang style mag-record eh.

You recorded your first album with Vicor at 19 years old. What would you tell your young self today?

Not to be in such a hurry. I find myself remembering the past wishing that it had not gone so fast. Today it’s very easy to make it because of social media. We didn’t have that back then so for me to say that my showbiz rise was too fast, it must have been really fast. Because fast then is not fast today. So I would tell my 19-year-old self to relax, enjoy every victory. Learn from every defeat, and if you’re really patient, Vicor will ask you back. At the same time, I have no complaints. I have been very blessed. To be asked to go back to the company I started with means they still have faith in me. I am happy where I am today professionally, personally…I just wish that I invested better, I wish I was more of a businessman then. I would tell my 19-year-old self, stop with the girls, save your money!

What kept you busy these past months?

I was going crazy not being able to sing and do my talk show. So my twin sister and I decided to go on Facebook Live, Kumu and all these other platforms to keep my singing going and to entertain the lonely, the scared, the unsure, the unhappy. Also, I’ve been more of a father, rearranging furniture, learning how to do this mixer, microphone and lights. Singers now are learning how to be production directors and sound engineers. It’s such a challenge for me. I have ADD, and all these things happening onscreen…I’m learning to be a multi-tasker because if I don’t, I’m never going to be part of the new normal.

How did the absence of live shows impact your career?

I had a great experience when I was in Balesin. I was just doing my FB Live, and some people came to watch. If anything, it was a biglaan show. I invented this plexiglass on wheels, so I could sing with people watching and my droplets would not flying. I did this just so I could do my FB Live with an audience. But what I did not expect was the sound of applause. I’m not even being corny, but I forgot that sound. I’ve been doing FB Live for 160 nights by then. That night, with that very small audience, when they clapped, I nearly had a heart attack. It was music to my ears, I almost cried. Emotionally, it brought me to my knees in gratefulness. I missed this feeling of immediate reaction by way of applause. And it’s only been a few months, but the way things have been going, not only have we waited long, we were made to believe that we we’re gonna have to wait longer. I think it’s going to take some time before we can crowd into a cozy indoor venue. But I think very soon we’ll be able to do things outdoors, socially distanced, with the band and singer behind some sort of protection. I think in the very near future, we’ll be able to do productions again. But in the very far future, the term sold-out, we’re not gonna hear that for a long time.

What has been your schedule like?

Believe it or not, a lot of us singers have been busy because we’ve been trying to reach thousands of people to inspire them, to thank frontliners. I made myself available in all the charity shows. I said yes to everyone for two reasons: because I think that’s what we should do, and second, where am I gonna go? I can’t even lie that I’m not available because I’m just at home. This presscon, this is the most on time we’ve ever had, because where are we gonna go? I’ve never been more busy. Of course, with no pants, just dressing up the top half. I’ve been doing shows with suits and boxer shorts. Understand I’m only doing this to keep people company, not to make money, that’s why I stayed away from the fundraisers. I didn’t want people to get tired of donating. I wanted to help, I didn’t want to look like I wanted help.

How does it feel that your songs are still very much alive?

In Kumu, I’ve eavesdropped on a few kids who were doing their episodes featuring my songs. There’s nothing more heartwarming than seeing people much younger than you are paying tribute to you without even telling you. I’ve surprised them a couple of times and gone on air on their show to thank them. It feels great that they’re keeping my songs alive and I think it has a lot to do with the quality of songs we used to record. I’m not putting down the songs of today, but back then, even now, they try to borrow sounds and lyrics from the ‘80s and ‘90s. You can hear that now in some of the new songs. Just to throw one, ‘Leaves’ of Ben&Ben, that song is like something from the ‘70s, from Bread or America, these foreign groups that taught us this folk singing style. I’m not saying Ben&Ben is a folk singing group, I’m just saying that kind of music is something from my time. People from this time are trying to sing and use my songs or my sound to educate themselves musically. It’s really so flattering.

Any career goals left?

To be known worldwide. Everyone who’s ever interviewed me before has always known that is my pet peeve – that I’m trying to make a name for myself and I truly feel I haven’t peaked yet. I wish there’s going to come a time, a reason, a project that will catapult me to the international scene like the Lea Salongas and the Arnel Pinedas, just to name a few. I want like that too. If it never happens, I think I’ve already come to terms with that. But it’s more important that I tell myself not to quit. I hate to watch a performer who is complacent. Or an artist who feels he or she is larger than life. I think a singer worth watching or signing up is the one that still has a lot of fire. So to give myself fire, I need to tell myself things like that. That I still look forward to being a household name around the world. Truthfully, I know I’ve missed that bus already. I’m okay with it, but I have to keep pushing.

Did you have that complacent phase too?

Maybe yabang years, but not complacent, because I’ve never been satisfied. There was a time I thought I was all that. My first album with Vicor turned gold in six weeks. That never happened, is what they told me. So the more you feed a 20-year-old about how popular he is and you start believing, then that of course becomes a problem. I admit there was a time I was unapproachable. I wouldn’t like myself back then.

Can you cite instances of your ‘yabang’ moments?

I’d never screamed at or faulted anyone. I would always take the blame if there was a mistake. But I was once told by my family that I could not cross a dance floor without looking like I own the place. Thank God I had people around who told me the truth. They don’t tell me I’m the best, in fact they do the complete opposite. It’s almost painful the way I was raised by my family. When they started to see I was believing I was THE Concert King, they all got on my case and I sobered up real quick.