ART is the natural attitude of the soul, wrote Lissa de Guia. Even in sorrow and pain, true artists connect to their art. Imagine performing your music for 40 years. Think of how Martin Nievera persisted, irrespective of his surroundings and circumstances, in giving the best of his performances to fans as if they are the king.
“No one ever told me I was good. No one ever told me, ‘You’re great.’ Then, someone had to name me Concert King. It’s hard to live with the name Concert King. My philosophy is that as a singer, I want to be that singer who gives a performance fit for a king, and the king, for me, is the audience,“ Martin shared.
Joyful moments defined the #M4D concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Journalist Ruben V. Nepales described it: “The show is a big milestone for Martin, known as the Philippines’ Concert King, as he bows in revered architect Frank Gehry’s landmark hall.”
Martin was accompanied by his live band, who traveled all the way from Las Vegas and returned home that same night.
Goodwill greetings from Martin’s peers
Apl.de.ap introduced a nine-minute video, came in person to give tribute to Martin, and watched the compilation of greetings from their professional colleagues:
*Pilita Corrales described how she knew the first time she saw him that he would be a superstar.
*Coco Martin thanked him for helping with the theme song of a teleserye, Juan de la Cruz.
*Becca Godinez, who met Martin when he was 17 years old and forecasted his success, and now witnessing the “stretching of his vocal cords to reach high notes. You give to your audience, and that is what endears and brings them with you.”
*Regine Alcasid and Ogie Alcasid, who playfully had a short repartee to greet Martin.
*Susan Anton acknowledged Martin’s concerts getting audiences’ raves.
*Manny Pacquiao, Sharon Cuneta, and Piolo Pascual greeted him as well.
*The most meaningful and loving greeting came from his ‘bro,’ Gary Valenciano. Gary described their journey together as fellow artists, how they would try to outmatch each other and, by doing so, became even better professionals. He was certain they would reach heaven and perhaps joke about who outlasted whom. He ended it with an endearing “I love you, bro!”
*Lea Salonga congratulated him for performing on the best acoustical stage in Los Angeles and for a fantastic career that had longevity because he was such a joy to be with, having so much fun and “being such a presence [onstage], makulit (persistently annoying) whom I highly respect and love.”
Ikaw was sung by Martin Nievera, quite endearing and quite a spectacular Disney Hall performance, attended by 1,601 folks in August, a tough vacation month to fill up venues.
I replayed the video vignettes, feeling the emotions that he conveyed, with every lyrics sung expressing tender feelings of love, one would surmise – is he singing to his three sons or to his current partner?
Ikaw ang bigay ng Maykapal (You are a gift from God)
Tugon sa aking dasal (The answer to my fervent prayer)
upang sa lahat ng panahon (So that for the time that goes by)
bawat pagkakataon (Every opportunity)
Ang ibigin ko’y ikaw. (I get to love you)
Ikaw ang tanglaw sa aking mundo (You are the light in my world)
kabiyak nitong puso ko (The other half of my yearning heart)
wala ni kahati mang saglit (No one even in a split of time)
na sa iyo’y may papalit (There will be no one else)
ngayong kailanman ikaw (Now and forever, but you).
At the press conference convened by Ted Benito as director and producer in August 2022, I told Martin that I would read my questions, to which he responded with wit, “I will read my answers.” That quickly gained rapport with me.
“I am an aging grandmother, that I cannot help attending your press conference. I saw you perform TwoGether with Pops Fernandez and I like you both a lot, so I followed you performing at a casino. This is my third concert, and I bought the first seven tickets for my family,” I told him.