True story behind Martin’s new song

A few issues ago, Funfare printed the letter of reader Kristine Pronuevo, e-mailed from Los Angeles, who saw and heard Martin Nievera on A.S.A.P. (via The Filipino Channel) sing Imagine Me Without You with the lyrics slightly altered.

It’s the same song for which Martin has just done an MTV, recorded as one of the selections in his More Souvenirs album released by MCA-Universal. Funfare explained why Martin "altered" some of the lyrics but not sufficiently. Here’s a clearer explanation from Ramon Chuaying, Managing Director for MCA Universal:

Dear Mr. Lo:

This is to enlighten your letter sender Kristine Pronuevo about the song, Imagine Me Without You, recorded by Martin Nievera in his More Souvenirs album on MCA Universal. In her letter recently published in your column, she criticized Martin for transforming a famous Christian ditty into a romantic piece. This is a false accusation because Martin’s version used the same lyrics as the original though altering only a few words with the permission of the composer. As a matter of fact, the song is originally a love song and not a Christian song as Ms. Pronuevo claims.

For her information, Imagine Me Without You was recorded in English/Spanish by Latin singer Luis Fonsi in his album. It was penned by famed Latin composer Rudy Perez who wrote hits for such global hit artists as Christina Aguilera, Jose Feliciano, etc. Luis Fonsi’s album is released under our affiliate label Universal Music Latino.

To be doubly sure about the material, we visited his website in the internet. It is interesting to note that he is a Latin superstar and Imagine Me Without You is originally titled as Imaginame sin Ti. It is Luis’ first single promoted in Spanish radios in the US, Puerto Rico and Latin America. What would surprise Ms. Pronuevo, is the data we gathered in Mr. Fonsi’s website. Imagine Me Without You is originally a romantic poem written and composed by Rudy Perez. It further said that Mr. Perez inspiration when he wrote the song was "the eternal love for his wife." May we also add that Mr. Perez also produced Mr. Fonsi’s album that contained the song.

Accusing Martin of changing the song’s concept is unfair. This is not the first time that an ordinary pop song has been used for religious gatherings. To cite examples – songs like You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone, Healing by Denice Williams and songs by Amy Grant are big hits that are gospel songs secularized.

Being involved in the music industry for more than two decades, we follow the legal procedure when it comes to securing copyright permits before we send our artists to recording sessions. In the case of Imagine Me Without You, MCA Universal has been privileged by composer Rudy Perez to alter some lyrics in the song for Martin’s recording. We hope that you can publish in your entertainment section the attached evidence.

We hope this letter will settle the whole issue about Imagine Me Without You.

Very Truly Yours,
Ramon Chuaying
Managing Director
MCA Universal

A lesson from Ariel

Showbiz denizens who are into thinking that stardom is forever should learn a lesson or two from actors who know what to do with their money – yes, invest in business.

One good example is Ariel Rivera who, while making hay as the sun shines, is taking good care of his and his family’s (wife Gelli de Belen and their two children) future. Opening today is Ariel’s new business, a car-care center (located at Tomas Avenue in Usuan, Taguig, Metro Manila), the second business venture he has put up (after a Domino’s Pizza outlet in San Fernando, Pampanga, started three years ago).

Auto Co Car Care Center is every car buff’s dream for it offers services such as diagnosis, repair and service of cars, engine tune-ups, paint and body repair, oil-change and lubrication, brake system, electrical system, air-conditioning and cooling system, suspensions system, exhaust system, plus free pick-up and delivery of cars among many othes.

Ariel knows a lot about cars. He is one of the seven owners of the service center, the other two being Ariel’s best friends businessman Danny Rayos del Sol and wife Tess. According to Ariel, Danny and Tess are handling the business side of running the car care center. Ariel’s involvement in the business is his extensive knowledge about car care.

"I’m really into cars and it wasn’t a difficult decision for me to be a part of Auto Co. With Tess and Danny around I am quite sure that this would work out fine. I’ve known them for a long time and based on my experience both of them are at their very best when it comes to businesses like this," explains Ariel.

Like in the early months running his Domino’s Pizza outlet, Ariel will be very visible at Auto Co. He says that he will spend as much time as possible at the care center to personally tend and supervise the needs of their clients. As for his career, Ariel is still a regular host on ABS-CBN’s top-rating noontime variety show A.S.A.P. and he is also working on a new album under his mother studio BMG Records Pilipinas.

(For more information about Auto Co, call or text 0917-5378161.)