Why Nina is still passionate about doing live performances
For Nina, nothing beats the atmosphere of doing live performances. Don’t get her wrong, she enjoys releasing new songs and albums — but the atmosphere of singing onstage and the audience is what makes her return to it every single time.
“When you’re singing live, and the audience is enjoying it and singing along with your music,” she told Inquirer Entertainment when asked what she loves most about live performances. “A lot of producers sa mga shows, nagugulat sila kasi [maganda] pa rin ang flow ng instruments sa boses ko, so iba talaga ang atmosphere.”
“‘Yung iba mabu-burn out na, pero every time I step on a live stage, it still feels new to me. Nag-eenjoy pa rin ako kahit may sakit or nararamdaman ako. Siya ang nagbibigay ng energy sa’kin,” she continued.
(When you’re singing live, and the audience is enjoying it and singing along with your music. A lot of show producers are surprised that my voice flows so well with the instruments, which creates a different atmosphere. Others would feel burned out, but every time I step onstage, it still feels new to me. I still enjoy singing live, even if I’m sick or not feeling well. It’s what gives me energy.)
The singer will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her “Nina Live!” album with the “NINA XX: The Anniversary Celebration” concert on May 9 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. It is not only a celebration of the album’s release but also a commemoration of her career.
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“Noong lumabas ang ‘Nina Live!’ album, doon nalaman ng tao na I love singing live [more] than doing an album. Hindi nila alam na before that, I was singing live, and that’s what I love to do,” she said of the upcoming show.
(When the “Nina Live!” came out, that’s when people found out that I prefer singing live to doing an album. They didn’t know that even before, I was singing live, and that’s what I love to do.)
Of course, it took some time before the singer found her stride. “Mahiyain ako as a person,” she admitted, saying that being surrounded by her support network boosted her confidence. “Mahirap po talaga [but] through time and experience, I try to think na hindi ka [dapat] nahihiya.”
(I’m very shy as a person. It’s hard, but through time and experience, I was reminded that I shouldn’t be embarrassed by myself.)
Nina is aware that she’s more acknowledged for her live performances and renditions of classic hits. She doesn’t mind either way. For her, covering original songs showcases an artist’s musicality and the way they put their own spin on them.
“Nakalabas din ako ng original songs. Kung tatanggapin ng tao na may original song ka, that’s nice. Pero if may cover songs, that’s also nice. Maganda rin maglabas ng cover songs because it showcases your musicality because it has different genres. Iba-iba naman ang preferences ng tao kapag narinig ang version ng song ko and ang original,” she said.
(I released original songs too. If people accept you for your original songs, that’s nice. But if you have cover songs, that’s also nice. It’s nice to release cover songs because they showcase your musicality across different genres. People have different preferences, so it depends on whether they like my version or the original.)
Some of Nina’s greatest hits include “Someday,” “I’ll Never Get over You Getting over Me,” and “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways,” to name a few. /ra
