Nievera returns,
stronger
SYMPHONY FINALE
By John Berger
Special to the Star-BulletinMartin Nievera says Hawaii will see a newer, older and more passionate entertainer when he performs with Matt Catingub and the Honolulu Symphony tomorrow night.
"The songs I've chosen aren't the usual 'everybody scream, get on your feet' songs," he said. "I think most of the people will like them, (but) they are very personal and very passionate. I've never been more passionate in my life. I embrace every second of the day like it's the last. That's more or less my new motto in life.
"People in the Philippines have written articles saying that Martin has -- a word I never thought I'd ever say -- matured. Anybody who knows me in Hawaii will tell you that's not possible, but after being slapped in the face, living the moment now means a lot to me.
"The sound of applause has never been more appreciated. To be accepted, to be liked and loved, after the storm has passed, is very important to me."
The "slap" Nievera mentions is the end of his marriage to recording artist Pops Fernandez. Divorce isn't recognized in the Philippines, so they have an annulment. He says the emotional experience is about the same.
"I hate to admit it, but it's the price you pay for sharing fame with someone in the same profession. I thought Pops and I were one of the very few couples who could do that, but we are now in the group of couples who have not lasted."
When we were together, happy people wanted to break us up. Now that we've broken up, they want to put us together again. Make up your minds, people!"
MARTIN NIEVERA
In Concert: With the Honolulu Symphony, 7:30 p.m. tomorrow
Nievera chuckles at the irony. "It took me a long time to laugh again," he explains.
"I've been asked if I have regrets about what has happened and my answer is no. We all go through things in life and we learn from them. You haven't really lived until you've suffered some kind of a blow. I wouldn't wish it on anybody, but it's happened.
"You know how the press can be in my country, we're pretty dirty over there, but I know where I have failed -- both professionally and privately. I know where my faults are.
"I still think that I will never find a better friend than Pops, and I will never ever stop loving her, and never ever stop blaming myself for the situation I'm in. But, having said all of that, I have to go on."
Nievera has been concentrating recently on his nightly 30-minute weeknight talk show, "Martin Late@Night," and an international concert tour. His current album, "Forever," came out of his emotional trauma.
"It was my escape (and) my release. My present emotional state has made me become a poet. I don't know how good a poet I am, but I've written poems to introduce each song. If you read them, you'll understand what I've been through during the recording."
"Forever" went gold in eight days and was certified triple platinum in the Philippines earlier this month. Nievera hopes the album will be licensed for domestic sales in the United States, making it available here as an import.
"I've never done this before but it's a CD of all remakes. I took a different angle by trying to recreate the feeling and the passion behind the songs, which is what a lot of remakes tend to neglect. My favorite song of all time, Kenny Loggins' 'Forever,' is part of that CD in a new arrangement as well.
"I've been in this business for 17 years and it's the best-selling CD of my career. It's done so very well for me that, for the first time in my career, I'm coming out with a sequel, 'Forever Forever,' that will be released in the Philippines when I return to Manila in June."
Time was when Nievera seemed an unlikely candidate for stardom in the Philippines. He was born there, but came to Hawaii with his parents at the age of 3 and grew up in Hawaii. He was raised speaking English as his first language, but says he understood what his parents were saying when they tried to keep secrets by speaking Tagalog.
Learning Tagalog became a priority when he returned to the Philippines just before turning 20.
"Even now when I have a Filipino guest on my show I speak a lot of 'Taglish' and get away with a lot of wrong grammar."
Speaking better Tagalog might have won him more movie roles, but that's not one of his regrets.
"Movies have never been my thing, I'm not a great actor, but I find it so fun. We can do a movie in the Philippines in two weeks, dubbing included, everything."
Nievera proved his international potential here at the Outrigger Main Showroom 10 years ago. Establishing himself as a mainstream pop artist on the mainland remains his dream.
"I think when God made singers and performers he made them the kind of people who always want to do more. I can't see myself just relaxing as a talk-show host in the Philippines doing great in that one country.
"If I sound and look and act like everybody else, then take a number and stand in line, but if I have something that America hasn't seen yet, maybe I can contribute something.
"I've been trying for 17 years to convince an (American) audience that I'm not just for Filipino consumption. I won't relax until I know that I've given everything a try."
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