MANILA, Philippines, January 14 ------ Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, dubbed as the industry's Concert King and Queen, are set to grace the stage together once again for the concert, Always & Forever, on Feb. 7 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. Meanwhile, this present harmony extends beyond their performances and shows, especially when it comes to their family. Both are doting grandparents to Finn, son of their eldest Robin. There’s reason to believe that the arrival of their first apo has been an added factor to their “closeness” at the moment.
Said Pops, “Because we’re equally excited to be with our very first grandchild. Ang cute-cute kasi niya eh.” “He’s so adorable,” Martin added. “And so behaved, alam mo yun?” Pops continued. “He’s such a happy baby. So, yeah, maybe it is. I would have never planned a trip to another state with Martin before Christmas. I mean, syempre we have our own lives, noh? But somehow now, we’re doing that.” “We have to,” quipped Martin. “Because of Finn and because of our two boys (who are based in the US). So we always plan something with our boys just for the concept of being a family. But now, there’s more effort because of Finn. We don’t wanna miss out,” stressed Pops. “And he’s very musical ha. It’s happened so many times. Robin would bring him during our rehearsals in the States, and he really listens. He listens so much that he falls asleep every time (Martin and I) would rehearse. So I guess the music and ‘noise’ don’t really bother him. So maybe it’s a sign that he will also be a singer,” the proud grandparent said.
When asked by The STAR about how their relationship has evolved on and off stage, Pops said in an interview yesterday, “Alam mo kami ni Martin, weird kami. Whether we’re OK or not (personally), when we’re on stage, we are OK. I guess it will be very difficult for you guys to see kung OK kami, kung nagkakasundo kami that time or not, because the minute we step on stage, we let go of everything, lahat ng pinagdadaanan namin, because we really focus more on the show.” Pops continued, “That has happened so many times na minsan magugulat na lang kayo, nag-uusap na lang kami on stage. Akala niyo, it’s part of the spiels, right? But we’re actually dealing with whatever we’re going through at that time while on stage. Ang weird namin.”
In the business of entertainment, there’s a word for it the ability to set aside personal issues while entertaining audiences and it’s “professionalism.” Pops recalled what the late director Fritz Ynfante taught her about professionalism. “The minute you step on stage, it is important that you entertain the people because wala naman silang alam sa pinagdadaanan mo. So, I think na-carry ko yun all throughout my career. It’s always difficult. But yun nga, they always say, ‘The show must go on.’”
Martin echoed her sentiment, saying that they’re “living examples of that cliché, ‘The show must go on.’” “At this stage in our careers, we’re noticing how good a team we have become. Sometimes, you put us on stage unexpectedly no script, no warning and sige, perform! And we’re able to do it,” he added. Giving his own take on their onstage chemistry, Martin further said, “Among all the people I’ve worked with we’re the most automatic. At this stage, we’re noticing it more. Like, ‘Oh my God, we’re not together-together, but we’re still able to finish each other’s sentences.’” Martin would also charge it to their years of experience. “We could have had problems that you’ve all written about or read about, but when the music or the script starts, we complement each other. I think that’s also from years of experience I think we can be proud of maintaining a certain standard if not stature in the music industry. And we’re able to still entertain regardless. “Not every love team onstage can do this. So, we’re proud of that. We’re proud that we’re able to still be great together, even though we’re not together.”
Martin and Pops could now readily acknowledge their shared history, learning to find humor and inspiration in their past experiences as husband and wife, rather than shying away from the subject. “Maybe because dati, lalo na ako, ang dami kong fears. (I’d be thinking) I could not say this. Maybe I’m not allowed to say this. But ngayon, mas open na kami to talk about us,” Pops said.
Source: philstar.com
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