Fame gets to ‘Maldita’s’ head

Martin Nievera

On our Guess List: At an out-of-town gig, a very popular star played deaf as the production assistant was giving her a briefing about the show. When it was her turn to go onstage, she kept stalling. Her costar could only blurt out to the PA, “Maldita, ’no?” Fame has harmful side effects when not handled properly.

Martin invades NBA territory

Martin Nievera has conquered “NBA (National Basketball Association) territory.” He impressed the jam-packed crowd at the Oracle Arena with his rendition of the American national anthem prior to the basketball game of the Golden State Warriors (GSW) and the Milwaukee Bucks last Saturday (March 18). It was a celebration of Filipino Heritage Night. A portion of ticket sales was donated to partners of the Filipino community. Bravo, “MVP (Most Valuable Pinoy) Mart.”

Here’s my chat with Martin:

What are three questions you would want to ask GSW star cager, Stephen Curry? Is there something off the court you would like to be successful in? Would you like your children to follow in your footsteps and, if so, what would your advice be to them? What do you think of the “new” America?

Who is harder to please—foreign or Pinoy audiences? It depends on where in the world you are. Asians seem harder to please than Americans, probably because they can sometimes be a little shy as an audience. Filipinos have very high standards. They make you work harder, but they are the most loyal.

What’s your unsolicited advice to estranged couples on how to remain friends, just like you and Pops Fernandez? Remember why God put you together in the first place. Never forget that, and everything will fall into place no matter what.

What do you think of your son Robin’s relationship with Zia Quizon? They’re great for each other for many reasons, but the most important is because they allow each other to shine—and they cheer each other on constantly.

How has your definition of love changed through the years? Love is surviving. It is giving without any condition or expectation. Love is patience and honoring a goal called forever, whether you make it there together or not.

Any dream of yours that has remained unfulfilled after 35 years in the biz? My dreams are no longer for myself. They’re now for my three sons. Besides, a dream fulfilled should never be the end of dreams. You’ve got to have a dream! As they say, “The magic is in the dreaming, not in the dream.”

11th Pinoy Media Congress

With the theme “Media and Information Literacy: Understanding Media in Today’s Changing Society,” the three-day annual Pinoy Media Congress organized by ABS-CBN and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators featured media practitioners who shared their expertise with the next generation of Filipino mass communicators.