Martin: Katrina is a ‘wife material’

It’s always a joy to talk to Martin Nievera whether it’s an off cam or an on cam conversation, whether he’s in a good mood or in a lousy one (you panic at his sense of logic but even when he is verbally ballistic, Martin is still insanely joyful).

As you read this, Martin should be in Canada doing a concert. According to a friend, people are looking forward to his concert with Lani Misalucha in Los Angeles.

His duet with Radha of the song Why Can’t We? is now part of the soundtrack for Austin Powers III.

And if things go right, and I know they will, God bless Martin and everyone who believes in his talent, he will be working with George Benson and Marc Anthony, Dayanara Torres’ husband and one of the hottest acts in America, who can easily fill up the Madison Square in two nights – a gargantuan feat only big leaguers can pull off. Yari, I’m sure, put in a good word for Martin.

In his birthday special in Martin Late@Nite, I had "fast talk" with Martin and it was a blast.

"Katrina (Ojeda) is wife material while I’m not a good husband material right now. I‘m so into myself. I want to do a lot of things. I am just starting now (referring to his international career). I don’t want to commit the same mistakes. You become more cautious. And Katrina has her own life. She’s a teacher (she is very pretty and smart, too!). I don’t want her to give up what she is doing. It would be unfair!"

(On this page, you will see photos of Martin and Katrina. I did not ask Martin’s permission to print them but I figured that it’s about time that people get a clear glimpse of Katrina. Not through some stolen shots taken in some party but in a nice photo like what you see on this page. I feel that it’s about time to move on for all parties concerned. Enough has been said about everyone and the sordid details that caused the Martin-Pops breakup. Today, Pops is happy and is truly moving on. And Martin would agree that Pops deserves to be happy – just as he is with Katrina, one of the most beautiful people I’ve known inside out).

Back to our "fast talk…"

If you have the body of someone, whose body would it be?

"Marc Nelson."

If you were gay, who would your lover be?

(It took awhile before Martin got this and when he did, he blurted) "Alex Compton."

If you have the voice of someone, whose voice would that be?

"Mine."

Death bed, who are the three people you see around you?

"My two children and their mother."

"Your two children and their mother? Meaning Pops?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes," he said without blinking – looking at me straight in the eyes as if wondering why I didn’t understand this.

Oh well, since when did I understand him, anyway? I’ve always loved Martin and quite frankly, I have no complaints in my heart.

Simplicity is the rule

In Bien Bautista’s photographs, simplicity is the rule. The well-known travel photographer scours the countryside (and countries) always with an eye for the "found image" outside of his assignment.

Recently, Bien held a book launching and photo exhibit of his latest work in Glorietta. Many of the photographs in the book are products of his "seeing while on the move" response to the world around him. According to his peers, Bien is quicker on the draw than most of his companions. He shoots in bursts as if to catch a moment that might be missed if there were any hesitation.

Glimpses into silences are Bien Bautista’s nature shots. Be it a skyful of a dying sun or a mute filmy water caressing the stones of a shallow river, these photographs deny "everydayness" and affirm the miraculous breath of nature.

To Bien Bautista, congratulations!