Martin talks about his ‘modern family’

Martin Nievera (second from left) with his sons

As a friend of ex-couple Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera long before their “Penthouse Live” days, I am more than happy that they have fully rekindled their friendship. After all the pain and drama, they’re closer than ever.

They ought to hold a “counseling workshop” for warring exes on how to move on and remain friends. Every time I see Mart and Pipay, I can’t help but
reminisce about the golf tournaments they used to mount and our dinners in their Alabang home many love stories ago.

Even if their marriage ended, the Martin-Pops charisma and chemistry onstage remains. After their successful eight-city US tour, the Concert King and Queen will enchant us with their music in “Two-Gether Again” on Feb. 14, 15, 17, 18,19, 20 and 21 at The Theatre at Solaire (visit www.ticketworld.com.ph).

They are living proof that friendship is indeed the best kind of love.

Here’s my chat with Martin:

Q: What’s the secret of the staying power of the Martin- Pops tandem?

A: The secret of this magical tandem since the very beginning until this day is the fact that it was never forced or orchestrated. We started out as cohosts and costars, then we became connected in a marriage.

Not too many love teams can say they went full circle the way we have. The magic now is what it was when we first started. The mystery is even though
they wish us to be, we are “not” together.

Q: Tell us about your concert series with Pops.

A: We were overwhelmed by the warm reception of our “kababayans” in our US shows, that’s why we are staging it here. We are reliving the memories
of the ‘80s and ‘90s by singing the songs we used to sing during our “Penthouse Live” days.

It also serves to introduce our tandem to the millennials, who are clueless about Martin and Pops. It’s also my way of being part of Pops’ return to
the concert scene. We are not out to mislead people that we will reconcile. We just genuinely enjoy performing together. We feed off each other’s energy. I don’t think our concert series will be as interesting and exciting if we were still a couple.

Q: If you would write a song for Pops at this point in your life, what will the title be?

A: The title of the song would be, “Life After Love.” Verse: We found love of a lifetime/ A love that could not compare/ We had life in one heartbeat/ Absolutely no fear/ Chorus: But where did we go wrong?/ We were the lyrics with no music in a song/ Could have, should have/ Passing time/ Life after love…

Q: How do you feel when a guy is being linked to Pops?

A: My prayer has always been that she finds true happiness, and that she finds someone who will treat her like a princess. Better yet a queen. She deserves to be all of that.

Q: What advice have you given your sons about love and women?

A: I think my boys are the ones giving me the advice now. I put them through a lot, and Pops did an amazing job raising them. She never spoke ill of me, and I think that’s what gave the boys the freedom not to judge, but instead grow to become the good men they are today.

Q: What’s your unsolicited advice to ex-couples on how to remain friends, like you and Pops?

A: God put you two together for a reason. Just because the relationship ended doesn’t mean the love has to. After the pain, regardless of who caused it, go back to the respect and concern you started with. If friendship is the foundation, then anything is possible.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you learned in 2019, and what are your major plans for 2020?

A: Of the many lessons learned in 2019, the one that sticks out the most is “patience.” If you wait, God will give you the desires of your heart. I was not expecting nor was I praying for anything yet.

He blessed me with so many successful shows from August till New Year’s Eve. He gave me the strength and good health to do more than 10 concerts
in a span of two months. My plan for 2020 is to welcome victory into my life and remain grateful. Accept defeat and disappointment with a humble heart.

Q: What makes your relationship with your girlfriend Anj work?

A: The secret to my relationship with Anj is … Anj. She tolerates my very busy schedule and doesn’t complain. She allows me to be with all my excess baggage and mood swings. Instead of straying away, she finds a way to take it all in.

Most women would have left me a long time ago, but even if my life and all that comes with it is uncomfortable and a little painful at times, Anj stays at my side. She calms my soul.

Q: Who’s richer, you or Pops?

A: Pops. When we split, she got everything (laughs). Kidding aside, Pops is really good in managing finances. If we were still a couple, I would hire her as my manager. When she’s producing a show and asks me to be a guest, she says “Mart” in a kinda malambing tone. That’s her way of telling me that there’s minimal budget for my talent fee (laughs). But at this point of my career, fees don’t matter anymore. It’s all for the love of singing.

Q: How does it go when you, Pops, Anj, and your sons are together?

A: We have been to Disneyland twice already. All of us—Anj, Pops, Robin, Ram and even Santino. Pops loves Santino. And he loves Tita Anj, too. I brought Santino to all four repeats of this tour, and he and Pops hit it off so well. Imagine all of us onstage taking that final bow. It was epic.

Christmas 2019 was also extraspecial, although not for Anj, who rushed back to Manila to meet her kids and family in Boracay—only to get “greeted” by Typhoon “Ursula” when she landed in Caticlan. Thanks to the Discovery Shores people, Anj made it back to Manila safe and sound, and ended up spending her Christmas Eve with our two pug daughters, Maggi and Marlee. I felt awful for her.

But back in Las Vegas, picture this: Pops, Robin, Ram, Santino and I, with Santino’s mother, Katrina, spent Christmas as a “modern family.” All credit goes to Pops and Katrina, who are both strong women and chose to cope. God has a sense of humor, indeed.

Catriona, Jo Koy to be inducted to Walk of Fame

I fondly remember when Kuya Germs (German Moreno) told me, “I hope people will stop making intriga about my Walk of Fame project. I can’t add celebs all at the same time. If some stars are not yet included, their time will come.”

His son, my godbrother Federico, is continuing the tradition. On Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m., a new batch of stars will be added to the Walk of Fame in Eastwood City. They are Catriona Gray, Kim Atienza, Jo Koy, Rachelle Ann Go, Nanette Inventor, Jiggy Manicad, Jun Banaag, Edu Manzano and Alex Gonzaga. Special guest is Mayor Isko Moreno. I can almost hear Kuya Germs saying, “That’s star-rific!”