Martin at 25

For more than half of his life, Martin Nievera has reigned as the Philippines’ Concert King and is already assured a slot in history as one of the greatest forces in Philippine music, and perhaps the best Filipino balladeer that ever lived.

At 45, the pop superstar still exudes the youth and passion of a newcomer, something he displayed when first introduced on Philippine national television via The Pilita and Jackie Show on July 5, 1982, the same year when his pop rival, Gary Valenciano, made his TV debut on the same show.

Recently, Martin packed his bags and left his comfort zone to continue his disrupted career in the Las Vegas Strip. In March, he began his one-year stint at Steve Wyrick Theater at The Alladin/Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino, where he performs six nights a week.

In his never-ending-but-challenging quest to become a Vegas headliner and be recognized outside the Philippines, Martin is also beginning to appreciate himself better as an artist and as a person. And although he knows his reign as the Concert King will not linger forever, he admits he’s not ready to give up his throne as the Concert King just yet.

As he prepares for his April 15 (that’s today) New York City concert presented by Group Ole at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx to kick off the celebration of his 25th anniversary in showbusiness, Martin sat down for a joint, no-holds-barred interview with The STAR and the New York-based The Filipino Reporter. Conversations sent Edmund Silvestre, news editor of The Reporter, a set of questions in addition to his own list.

Martin talked about the last 25 years of his life, his still unfulfilled dreams, his darkest moments, his new family life with his beloved Katrina Ojeda and their son Santino Martin, and his undying "love" and respect for his ex-wife Pops Fernandez.

When did you know that you have arrived as an artist?

"When I performed at the Golden Nuggets Hotel (in 2003 and 2004) and when I performed with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (2000). But personally, I feel I have not arrived yet when it comes to making a name in another country and making my own country proud. That’s why I still work very hard to see if I can penetrate the international scene."

Your favorite year in your 25 years in the business.

"Definitely 1982, my first year. I was able to really feel what it’s like to be in front of thousands of people backed by a band. Then I got to record my first three albums in one year, and experience what it’s like to record which I have never done in my whole life. It was the time in my life when I knew that dreams really could come true. I’ve always dreamed to be a singer; I always visualized it even when I was a child and I imitated my father (Bert Nievera) and the Society of Seven."

Your worst year.

"When Pops and I separated in the late ’90s and when the annulment papers were signed by Pops and delivered to me. After our separation became public, offers stopped coming. I had no house. I slept in my office under my desk. My hugging pillow was my garbage pail. Pops kept our joint account. I never had my own bank account, whatever I made went to our joint account so I had to borrow money. It was really a pathetic time in my life and I’m not proud of it. But I’m so happy it happened because it made me stronger."

When did that suffering end?

"Even though I’m now happy with someone else, and Pops is happy with someone else, the pain and suffering come back when I think of that chapter in my life or when I’m asked about it. I bounced back two years later when people started believing in me again and the phone started ringing again."

Fans can’t get enough of Martin and Pops. Did it ever become an issue between you and Katrina?

"Never. The nice thing about Katrina is she has always known her place. When I met Katrina, I was still married to Pops. So she knows what it’s like to hear about Martin and Pops. She’s seen enough to understand her role especially then. Never once during the beginning of our relationship that she ever asked me to leave Pops. Katrina knows she can’t stand in the way of Martin and Pops as concert artists, as well as Martin and Pops raising their two children (Robin and Ram) as a team."

So what do you and Katrina argue about?

"She’s a control freak. We’re both neat freaks. Petty things like that. Nothing major. In fact, she’s very happy I signed a one-year contract in the same city where she lives."

Are there wedding plans for you and Katrina?

"We’ve been talking about it in the last year or so, but there’s no real immediate plan. It’s the only thing that we’ve not done. But I’ve been there, done that. I’m afraid of that kind of commitment again. I’m afraid that if we do get married that’s when all hell’s gonna break loose. I’m afraid of what happens the moment we get married. Katrina feels differently. It’s her dream. It’s every woman’s dream. If we are to marry, I would probably try to keep it as quiet as possible and not make it circus like my first wedding."

You sound like you’ve been scarred by your first marriage.

"I have no regrets because I have two beautiful children. I have a lot of beautiful memories with Pops. Some fans are so afraid to ask me, ‘Hey, how’s Pops?’ They shouldn’t be afraid to ask because I love Pops very much and that never ends. I’m not that kind of an ex-husband who forgets or stops caring. Pops and I started out as the best of friends and I think that’s what keeps us together. We know how to be friends and love as friends."

You’re still in love with Pops?

"I think any man would because she’s a beautiful person. But at this moment in time, I’m in love with Katrina, I’m in love with our son, Santino. But I will never stop loving Robin, Ram and Pops, in that order."

At this point in your life and career, do you still get hurt when you’re criticized?

"All the time. When God made me a singer, He forgot to give me a heart of stone. But if there’s anything that I’m proud of in my 25 years is the fact that I do not have a heart of stone. Everything still matters to me and everything still makes me feel grateful. If you think that after 25 years going to a sari-sari store to shake some hands and sign some autographs would piss me off, I’m proud to say that those things still mean a lot to me."

What was the criticism that hurt you most?

"When someone hit my character like when people would approach me and say they don’t like me because I left Pops or I broke her heart."

So how do you deal with such criticism?

"If I’m in a good mood, I just laugh it off. If I’m in a bad mood, I would say, ‘Do I know you?’ Because if I know you, you can tell whatever you want, about my marriage, about my looks, about my breath, anything. But don’t come to me and criticize me like we’re good friends because you have no right. What if I did that to you?"

When you accepted the Las Vegas gig, you left your comfort zone in the Philippines. Why?

"I know that in Las Vegas the older I get, the more work I can find. It sounds funny but from Tom Jones and Barry Manilow all the way to Prince and even Michael Jackson, they’re all in Las Vegas. They’re all following me, hello! Nobody wants to stop singing. I’m not gonna be the Concert King forever. I’m not gonna fill up a 50,000-seater football field forever. I have to start getting practical. I don’t want to wake up one morning and see myself in a small venue and cry. Now I embrace the small venues and small audiences. I embrace the fact that we’re not sold out tonight. How can you be sold out all six nights a week? But I’m gonna perform like it’s the last show of my life every single night. I wanna start doing it now so when that chapter in my life arrives, it’s no big deal and I don’t feel like I failed."

Do you worry about getting old?

"Getting old, slowing down, it’s not gonna scare me because I’m prepared for that. I’m already handling myself on stage like a 45-year-old. I try to mature with my music, with my audience, with my walk, with my talk. I think I can grow old with my music and with the people who listen to it a lot better here in Vegas than in the Philippines."

Do you think you have reached your peak?

"No way. I think I have a lot of peaking to do. That’s what keeps me going, knowing that I have not yet peaked."

When do you think you’ll be able to say you have reached your peak?

"When I don’t have to talk about my accolades to a reporter like you. When my success can speak on my behalf."

You seem to be too hard on yourself.

"If I don’t push myself no one else will. I need to push myself especially at the age of 45. Sad to say, we Filipino artists cannot just sit on our laurels or be complacent about our careers because we don’t earn the millions of dollars that the Hollywood artists get. If I have one hit song in America, I might be a little bit more relaxed and not too hard on myself."

Are you ready to pass on your title as the Concert King?

"I’m not ready. I’m really not ready. It’s just a compliment and a title, but let’s say, for the sake of argument, it really meant something like it really was a gauge like an Oscar Best Actor, I don’t wanna see it go. Nobody wants to ever let go of the accolades or titles given to him."

How did you get that title?

"It was given to me by different press people, one of whom was a detractor if you can believe that. He was the late Bob Castillo. He used to knock me around about speaking English and having a big mouth when I would joke around with fellow stars. Guess he didn’t like that stuff then. But ever since he called me Concert King, it stuck to fans and producers alike. I am flattered every time I hear them introduce me as such. It really is a huge compliment, very huge. It’s a title I may not believe in, but because it was given to me by the people who can make or break me, I accept the challenge of always trying my best to perform like one."

For the sake of argument, let’s say you can no longer fulfill the title of Concert King for whatever reason, who among the younger crop of Filipino singers do you feel deserves to inherit it?

"Erik Santos has a great, powerful voice. Mark Bautista, the same. Christian Bautista is also a great singer. Rachelle Ann Go has a beautiful voice. All these young singers are awesome, awesome singers, much much better than I am. But can they entertain and keep people in their seats for two hours or so and be asked back again? I do more than just sing."

Any heir apparent?

"I think Vina Morales. She really works very hard. And with her voice, looks and performance, I think she’s gonna be the one to surpass all of us here in America. She’s really dedicated to her craft and she has a good tool. She’s got that international look, that exotic look and she’s got the whole package, very, very talented. She’s a complete entertainer, she can sing, dance, talk. She’s got a very good chance."

So there’s no "The Next Martin Nievera" yet?

"In the male department, I don’t see any. I really, really don’t. I’m not trying to be subjective here. I do more than just singing. I do a lot of things in my show. But if you want me to compare myself to them, I have to see each of their solo shows because I have neverseen them perform."

Don’t you get insecure with all the new, younger artists coming out, especially on ASAP ’07 (ABS-CBN’s top-rated Sunday musical show)?

"Does it show? Do I look insecure on ASAP? I don’t think so. When I’m on ASAP, I wish I had more numbers. I used to be the host of the show and I also want to do more for the show. I don’t compare myself to anyone. My biggest competition is myself."

People believe Gary Valenciano has always been your biggest rival.

"They always say that. I never did. Gary and I are good friends. We’re not worried about what the fans say about us."

There had been some buzz years ago about a Martin-Gary back-to-back concert which they said could be a record-breaking event. Why did it not materialize?

"When the buzz came out, I was very busy. When it was brought up again, Gary was extremely busy. But I’m still looking forward to that."

Maybe when you and Gary are already lolos.

"Oh my God. Let Gary and I do the show now." (Laughs).

What are your three favorite Martin Nievera songs?

"Say That You Love Me, You Are My Song and Forever."

Three songs you wish were written for you.

"The Prayer sung by Andrea Boccelli and Celine Dion, Somewhere and This Is The Moment from Jekyll & Hyde. I wish This Is The Moment was written for me because it talks about the story of my life."

Your three favorite Filipino singers of all time.

"Jay Durias of South Border, I love his voice, I love the way he sings. Regine Velasquez and Lani Misalucha."

And your three favorite foreign artists.

"I love Michael Bublé’s voice. I wish I could sing like Josh Groban. And Nat King Cole."

Three people you credit with your success as a singer.

"My sister Gina Godinez. My brother Luigi Tabuena. And Pops Fernandez."

Let’s say there’s really reincarnation and God asked you who you want to be in your next life, what would you tell God?

"I’d say, ‘You know, Lord, I would love to be Bill Gates with all his money in the world.’ Or maybe Michael Jackson, minus all the intrigues and scandals. But then I might just ask the Lord to just bring me back as myself and live my life all over again."

If you can live your life all over again, what are you going to change?

"I will right all my wrongs. I will save money. I will do everything opposite of what I’m doing now."

What’s the one biggest mistake you wish to correct in your next life?

"My biggest mistake was my failed marriage to Pops; when I failed her, that was my biggest mistake. Losing Pops was my biggest mistake. Marrying Pops was the happiest day of my life and I have absolutely no regrets. Everything else is smooth sailing except for that. That’s the only thing that I did wrong. When I met Katrina, Pops was very, very into her career. And when she found out there was another woman, maybe I was too into myself that’s why I was stubborn, but I never once said that I would leave Pops for Katrina. With all the decisions we’ve made in our lives, maybe Pops and I were better off as friends. But if we were friends, we would not have Robin and Ram. The chain is endless, my friend. I’m just saying that maybe if I were to right that wrong, maybe we would never have gotten married and we just have remained friends the way we are now, without having this whole chapter where we get hurt or hurt each other. It was wrong when I met Katrina. But right now, I’m turning a wrong into a right."

How’s your life now?

"My life now is filled with love because I have a baby. I have a woman who loves me more than she loves herself and that’s one trait that I’ve not seen in any other woman. She has always wanted to have a child and wanted to have a life with me. And you know what? I’m gonna give it to her. I don’t know if it means I have to make it legal with a ring and a contract, but I’m giving it to her. In fact, I now have more time to be the father I never was to Robin and Ram because I was so busy then. I’m now able to really say that there’s a good future for Katrina and me. I just have to keep things real and try not to be a big superstar again and forget my family and just keep going and keep going. The things that are real to me now are my three sons and the love of Katrina."

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