Martin Nievera as Mr. Sweet Charity

In the annals of show business history, it always makes sense to do charity events, to be associated with causes; to be seen giving back to the community that has raised you to a level of instant recognition and even in some cases, adulation. Cynics may claim that much of what goes on in this arena is mere lip-service, the token two-minute dishevelled appearance, smile for the camera and pose with organizers and beneficiaries photo op. And unfortunately, in some cases, these cynics are spot on. Hollywood is not spared from these going-ons. PR managers hustle their stars to charity events and soup kitchens. At one point, some stars became very identified with particular causes; as in Danny Kaye with the March of Dimes and Jerry Lewis with his telethons.

Ten days in the life of Martin Nievera, Nov. 10 to 20, and we see the extent to which Martin is ready to put his money (or not, in this case) where his Big Mouth is. Singing for a talent fee that’s a big fat egg; yup, a perfect zero. Martin was invited and readily agreed to lend his name and time to two very worthwhile causes.

On Nov. 10, it was for education via the Vince Hizon and Francis Papica Foundation. On the 20th, it was for the New Beginnings Center, which helps victims of substance abuse.

And just to put a little topping on the matter, on Nov. 11, I brought my kids with me to help Keren Pascual, Anton Barretto and the Nuguid brothers with the afternoon they organized for various orphanages and charitable institutions at the Tent, Fort Bonifacio. And who’s among the first showbiz personalities I see put on the Shining Star apron and begin to dish out the cottton candies, soup and juice glasses to the kids? Ok, no prize for guessing – Martin.

Now, it’s one thing to be approached and be sought after; but to say yes and deliver a performance that still knocks the audience off their feet when you know you’re doing it for nothing – that takes some kind of committment to professionalism. At the Captain’s Bar at the Mandarin on Nov. 10, still suffering from a bad cold (Martin had just arrived from the US a few days ago), he went on and on for over two hours, with only Louie Ocampo and three back up singers. In typical Martin fashion, his banter had him picking on the brightest people.

He teased some woman to high heavens, only to discover she was the mother of Francis Papica; then deciding to test if some foreigner in the audience knew his Filipino songs, he discovers the guy is a New Yorker and tells the man beside him to hug him on behalf of all Filipinos.

Turns out the guy is a New York policeman who actually was at the World Trade Center and lost some of his buddies at the disaster. Having a stepson who’s Filipino, the guy had come to Manila to rest a bit after the traumatic events of September and this stepson was the guy who Martin had exhorted to hug the New Yorker.

Martin then proceeded to sing publicly for the first time My Heart’s Song, a Christmas tune he wrote lyrics for, with music by Louie, that was brought by President Macapagal-Arroyo on her recent trip as a gift from the Philippine people to the Americans. As the song proceeds, with the screen showing a photo montage of scenes from 911, the begrizzled New York policeman takes off his glasses and dabs his eyes. At this point, with the audience craning their necks to view the guy, there is not a dry eye in the place. A precious moment for all.

As Martin commented a few nights later at Dish, ‘I don’t know what it is, Kismet, serendipity; but for some reason, whether to make it that more funny or poignant, I just choose at random and end up striking gold almost every night. At one recent Onstage performance that had the Philippine Star as co-sponsor, I kept hitting on this young-looking guy who was with his wife and when I spieled out the sponsors later that night, he raises his hand when I mention Star. President/CEO Miguel Belmonte, Boy, was that egg on my face and the audience knew it."

At the New Beginnings show (Onstage at Greenbelt); Martin had Iñigo Zobel and Josine Elizalde (two of the founders of the center) in stitches with his zany references to their own singing prowess and choice of requests.

He even poked fun at BenCab and the portrait of Martin, Ben did for the poster of the concert. Being the first time Martin sat for Ben, the singer wondered how much it would fetch him if he sold the painting, even ribbing if it was necessary for him to die first.

While Maxine, Lani Misalucha and Francis M.(who declared himself substance-abuse free for the last 170 days) all did impressive guestings; my personal highlight was Martin’s duet with his niece Alex Godinez for Can’t Stop Christmas. Daughter of visibly proud mother Gina; Alex’s number had Pops, Ram and Robin cheering in delight.

If only for these 10 days in November, Martin certainly became the ‘Man who Would Sing for Free’; and I’m certain Vince Hizon/Francis Papica and the New Beginnings Center were more than grateful. For if there’s something Martin has a knack for, it’s weaving the worthiniess of the cause into his banter and repartee.

Rather than hitting you on the head ad nauseaum; he finds a way to keep reminding you about the reason he’s there without making it tedious.

Let’s face it, if you’ve paid ‘x’ amount for the ticket, you may feel you’ve already given and now you just want to be entertained.

I’ve seen shows turn too slow-paced and lose entertainment value because of the heavy handed manner in which the cause is drummed at you the whole night. With Martin, things flow and you leave the show reminded about the greater ‘why you were there’ and yet, humming or whistling that last song into the night.