Nina unfazed by foreign competition

Nina burst into the local music scene in a not so traditional way, there was no doubt she would be a special artist. Going against the prevailing tide of the pop music environment in 2002, Nina, with her soulful style, has proven that she is not afraid to take on the odds.

Leading the acoustic attack, Nina churned out hit after hit starting with Heaven, the first single and video from her debut album of the same name. This was followed by the spectacular Jealous, a sentimental ballad that Pinoy’s couldn’t resist. Finally, came the acoustic-pop revival of the ’80s hit Foolish Heart. The trend was clear. Nina had successfully broken tradition.

This Valentine’s day, Nina takes on the odds again as she stages her biggest and most ambitious concert thus far, Nina, Strings of the Heart. The concert, produced by Arianworks Management Corp., is the only major concert of a local artist on Valentines Day itself in Manila and will be held at a time when a surge of foreign artists is also planning to hold their respective shows in Manila. But Nina is unperturbed.

"Iba naman ang market ko sa kanila," replied Nina when confronted with the issue. "We’re really looking at the texting generation, mga gumigimik, young lovers and those who were young once to come and watch the show."

"Besides, Pinoy ’yung show namin. I know di tayo papadaig sa foreign artists", adds Nina, recently voted as one of the Women to Watch in 2004 by Mega Magazine.

Nina, Strings of the Heart will be held at the Folk Arts Theater on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. Joining the show are Carlos Agassi who will do rap with Nina, Luke Mejares, who will team up with the soul siren in an electrifying song and dance number, Sheryn Regis, of Star in a Million fame, Nina’s brother King, the San Beda Chorale, who will do a spectacular Gregorian Chant-like number and many more.

Tickets for this Valentine Concert is on sale at major National Bookstore branches, Robinsons Galleria and Manila, Ticketworld outlets or call 891-9999 or Arianworks, 721-3918.