Martin & Gary? Or Gary & Martin?

How should the billing go? Should it be Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera or Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano? Whose photo should be on the left or right on the posters and billboards? Who should open and end the concert? But for these two giants in Philippine music, believe it or not this is not an issue. Martin and Gary or Gary and Martin have been rivals in the industry. But above all, they are good friends. They may not see each other every day, call each other every day or twit every day, but they are friends.

Martin and Gary have rabid followers dating back to some 25 years ago when they first set foot on the concert stage. And these devoted, loyal followers have seen the ups and downs, successes and failures of the two. From awards, hits, to failed relationships, fans have been there for them. While some could sense a stiff professional competition between Martin and Gary, both artists have remained steadfast that there is no personal quarrel between the two of them. And whether they admit it or not, this healthy competition has made them more exciting artists.

Today, Martin and Gary have transcended the insanity, the rivalry, the competition. They have elevated their artistry to a new level of maturity and professionalism. Besides, their track records as artists could speak for themselves. And 25 years in the business is not an easy record to match.

Martin and Gary are similar yet dissimilar to one another. Martin started his music career earlier than Gary. They both took parallel career paths in music. Both started their recording careers with the same recording company, Vicor. They enjoyed hit records one after another receiving recognition and accolades from several award-giving bodies in music and entertainment. They also performed in many sold-out concerts here and abroad. They are also sought after product endorsers. And they both enjoy the love and adulation of the public.

In contrast, Martin who has the gift of gab and comedic flare, ventured into hosting and successfully established himself as host of several TV programs including his own MAD, Martin Late at Nite, Penthouse. Gary, on the other hand, took a hands-on role in the making of his music, writing songs, arranging them and producing his albums as well. He also choreographs his own dance sequences for his concerts and did several movies and drama anthologies.

On separate paths, Martin and Gary enjoyed immense success amidst all the intrigues and controversies. They respect each other’s artistry, and between them exists brotherly love.

As artists, Gary and Martin are living legends. Their multi-platinum CDs, their hit songs have remained classics. And as performers, they defy age, genres, and gender.

As people, Martin and Gary remind us that great artists are not supermen — they are just like you and me who are not immune to fear, sorrow, anger and joy. And it is this humanity that brings them within reach of their multitudes of fans.

Martin and Gary is set to stage the biggest showdown of their lives in a concert billed AS 1 at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds tomorrow, Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Musical directors are Louie Ocampo and Mon Faustino with Gary and Martin as stage directors. 

In line with this once-in-a-lifetime musical event, Universal Records released a commemorative CD also titled AS 1 featuring Gary and Martin singing each other’s hit songs as well as the original song AS 1 written by Gina Tabuena Godinez and Albert Chang arranged by Gary. AS 1 is a duet and the official theme song of the concert.

Tickets to AS 1 are available at Ticketnet with tel. no. 911-5555; Ticketworld, 891-9999; Manila Genesis Entertainment and Management, Inc., 706-2170 to 72 and 470-1672 to 73; and Studio V, 726-4614, 724-9020 and 794-5592. Beneficiaries to the concert are UNICEF Champions for Children, ABS-CBN Foundation, Shining Light Foundation, The Louie Tabuena Liver Foundation, Inc.

Who is going to enter first, who gets to sing last, who is the better singer, the stronger performer? Who is the bigger star?

Watch the concert, then, you will know!

Talks on parenting

Tintin Bersola-Babao texted me about the first www.parentin.tv talk series at the Podium Mall Atrium, tomorrow, Sept. 19, 4 to 6 pm. Tintin who is pregnant with her second child is one of the most amiable, industrious and beautiful celebrities. Everyone is invited.