Nina joins fellow OPM artists in Yuletide concert to support soldiers

MANILA, Philippines — Nina is known for her heartfelt and soulful renditions of original and cover songs (such as Jealous, Make You Mine, Someday, Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Foolish Heart and Through the Fire).

However, come Dec. 2 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, the Diamond Soul Siren will sing Christmas tunes.

Nina is among the featured artists in the three-night YuleStars: A Christmas Concert Series, which commences on Nov. 30 with Joey Generoso and Angeline Quinto as main performers with Ice Seguerra as a special guest. It then continues on Dec. 1 with Jose Mari Chan, Christian Bautista, Roselle Nava and the Kilyawan Consortium of Voices.

The last leg happens the following day, again with Nina, Ogie Alcasid, and Ice. Showtime is at 8:30 p.m.

“Marami-rami na (I think I’ve done a lot),” replied Nina when The STAR asked her about the number of Yuletide-themed shows she has either headlined or graced in a recent phone chat. “For this year, this is going to be the first one, as a concert series. Over the past years, medyo marami-rami na rin.”

The singer-recording artist also acknowledged that the latter part of November and early part of December, leading to Christmas Day, are some of the busiest months, aside from February for Valentine’s Day, for artists like her.

“(They) are really like preparations for Christmas. It’s (kind of) chaotic for us, artists, na masaya naman (but also fun),” shared she, who thinks shows like A Christmas Concert Series as blessings. “This show is all about the children and family of officers and veterans.”

Some of these brave and selfless men in uniform are no longer with us, “while others are still (around) fighting for the country,” as Nina put it. “Naiwan dito sa atin yung kanilang mga pamilya, mga anak, minsan yung kanilang mga grandchildren (given the work circumstances, their families, children, and even grandchildren are left behind as they fulfill their duty),” said she.

So, the soldiers and their loved ones are the reasons why the Christmas series came into being. As we all know, they have made sacrifices to defend and protect the country’s sovereignty from any form of threat.

Proceeds from the concert will go to the soldiers’ families to be used for their needs and education.

A piece of information available online also shares that the concert series “is dedicated to helping the less fortunate members of Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association, Inc. (PMAAAI), including their dependents, covering various areas such as death benefits, hospitalization, and educational support.”

“It’s a very, very good cause,” added Nina, “na may mapupuntahan talaga (that will really make a difference).”

The upcoming musical presentations will treat audiences to a good mix of Filipino and Western Christmas songs and carols. With singer-songwriter Ogie in the Dec. 2 show, expect to also enjoy original Pilipino Yuletide songs.

“Siyempre, hindi mawawala yung All I Want for Christmas (Is You) ni Mariah. (Of course, All I Want for Christmas Is You of Mariah Carey always makes the list),” said Nina of the five favorite tunes she listens to during the merry season. “Isa yan talaga sa mga pambansang Christmas songs ng lahat. Kapag narinig na yan, mapapasayaw ka na talaga (It’s one of those popular Christmas songs among Filipinos. When you hear it, you can’t help but dance to its melody).”

“Another song is Tito Joe’s (Jose Mari Chan) Christmas In Our Hearts,” she added. “My third would probably be O Holy Night.” As a classical Christmas song, the latter has been reinterpreted by different artists, including Mariah.

Completing Nina’s top choices are My Grown-Up Christmas List and The Christmas Song, which Nina had her own version for the Warner Music All-Star Christmas Collection album.

“Everyone is familiar with it,” she said and sang the song’s first line, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” And its chorus ends with “Merry Christmas to you.”

What can the music- and Christmas-loving Pinoys expect from Nina in this last quarter of the year and in the coming year?

“We are planning on doing recording. It’s actually going to be a single for Spotify and all (other streaming platforms),” she said. “I think probably (we’ll do) a US and Canada tour and also a tour in other countries.”

According to Nina, it’s easier for artists nowadays to produce and release songs, given the latest technologies and emerging avenues for distribution.

“Even in the comforts of your own home, you can record a song. You can even record the whole album inside your home, kahit saan ka abutan (wherever you may be). It’s easier to come out also with a song through Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and all the socmed platforms that we know. It’s easier, unlike before, that you would come up with an album and you promote it (by doing shows at) the malls.”

This kind of recording landscape encourages artists to be more creative and productive, if one may add.

Has she signed up with a recording label?

“No labels for now,” said Nina, who described herself as an indie artist. “I think that’s the perfect description — an independent artist.”

(Tickets for The YuleStars: A Christmas Concert Series are available via Ticketworld.com and https://bit.ly/YULESTR223.)