How to be like Martin Nievera

I'm writing this just as the American group LANY wound up its phenomenal five-night concert stand at the Mall of Asia Arena and media has just announced K-pop superstar act Blackpink's
two-night shows on 25 and 26 March 2023 at the Philippine Arena.

Easily over 50,000 Filipino fans watched the LANY shows, and it's safe to say close to 75,000 if not 100,000 people will buy tickets to see Blackpink at the 55,000-capacity Philippine Arena.

These are only two of the dozens of international performing artists, most of them at the peak of their fame, who have made Manila a viable stop in their respective world tours.

Two things are much apparent: the kids who go to these concerts don't have money problems, and they buy tickets in advance.

This was not the case in my youth in the 1980s, when asking my parents for cash to catch a concert needed good timing, even if the tickets cost way cheaper than today.

These thoughts come to mind as Martin Nievera is set to perform at his 40th anniversary concert on 19 November at The Theater at Solaire.

Forty years is a lifetime, which makes one ask, how did Martin manage to last this long?

It might have helped him break into the scene easily at the start since his father, Bert Nievera, had clout. But Martin had talent to begin with.

His press bio says that after being tapped to sing backup to Barry Manilow and besting over 400 contestants in the California State Talent Competition, he realized he wanted to be a singer.

In 1982, Martin signed up with Vicor Records, whose boss Vic del Rosario Jr. handpicked the Vehnee Saturno composition "Be My Lady" as a track on his debut album Take 1, released in 1983.

The rest is history.

I used to think it was baduy to sing along to Martin's body of work which includes "How Can I," "Each Day with You," "Pain," "Paradise," "Please Don't Throw My Love Away," "Christmas Won't Be the Same Without You," "Say That You Love Me," "Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin," "Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap," "Forever," "You Are My Song," "Ikaw," "Kahit Isang Saglit," "Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin," gasp, but not anymore. These are all part of the canon of Pinoy pop culture, which make up the 28 albums he had recorded.

Looking back, the years have been kind to Martin. Notwithstanding the failure of his first marriage, among other trials, it's good to see a fine artist reach a milestone.