Very much like Avatar

Concert King Martin Nievera analogizes his relationship with his ex-wife, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez to one of the central thesis of the hit movie, Avatar.

“Remember the Hometree that connects all? Pops and I have that. No matter if we are apart, no matter what happens in our respective lives, we will always be fused somehow,” he said.

Pops couldn’t agree more. She said that there have been many times since they separated, when Martin texted her from out of the blue, asking, “Hey, are you okay?” after which she’d go through something difficult; as if Martin knew in advance what was going to happen to her.

“It’s freaky sometimes but at least I know I have someone out there who will always be looking after my welfare,” she said.

Better friends now since last year when they held their Valentine’s concert, Pops and Martin are enjoying the kind of relationship that Martin describes as “more married than many married couple.” Nowadays, they no longer just confer with each other about their children (Robin and Ram), but also about themselves.

Pops said that because they are no longer a couple, she and Martin are able to talk more freely about certain topics — such as their boyfriends and girlfriends.

“Twice, I’ve even encouraged her to give her boyfriend a chance when Pops was feeling ‘iffy’ continuing their relationship. I just wish someone gave her the same advice on my behalf when we were having problems in our marriage,” Martin said.

They are also each other’s first choice when they seek answers about life. The two credit their closeness to growing up together.

“It’s as if we’re continuing the friendship we had before we fell in love with each other. Few people know this, but we really were very good friends first, before we became boyfriend-girlfriend. Then as it is now, I cherish that because good friends are hard to find,” she said.

The two agree that although they are not very vocal about each other’s thoughts and feelings even when they were still together, that changes whenever they are in front of the cameras or on stage.

As proof, Martin said that he was actually surprised with what Pops said about him and to him during the Now Vow portion in their 2009 Valentine’s concert.

“Pops is usually very quiet so I didn’t expect at all everything she told me then. There really is something about performing together onstage that allows us to be open to each other. That is why what you see onstage — the chemistry, the banter, the spiels — it’s all genuine.

“Then again, people see through us so we can’t give them anything ‘manufactured.’ They’d know right away if we do,” said he.

This is one of the reasons their forthcoming Valentine’s concert titled One Amore Time is most-awaited by their fans. More than the Latin/Mexican soap opera concept of the show and the fresh repertoire, it is still the chemistry between Martin and Pops that’s bound to make the concert special.

Produced by Mauve Management and Entertainment, and directed by Rowell Santiago, One Amore Time on Feb. 14 will be held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. Comedian Jon Santos is special guest.

Presentors are ABS-CBN, Calayan Surgi Center; major sponsors: PLDT Swatch Pad, Gold’s Gym; media partners: Business World, Manila Bulletin, Journal Group; official concert stations: Magic 89.9, Jam 88.3, Wave 89.1, 99.5 RT, 103.5 Max, Killer Bee; minor sponsors: Mang Inasal, 7101 Cruise Ship, Discovery Country Suites, Tagaytay Highlands, Fernandos Bakery, clickthecity.com.

For tickets call 0918-8859335, 0922-2630183, 0906-3718174, 0917-7499860, 0922-8132119, 425-7598 and 401-8002.

 “All the questions they may have about our love life, the fans will find out in the concert,” Pops promised.

Veronica Ylagan tops National Dance Competition

Veronica Ylagan won first prize in the National Dance Competition (Classical and Contemporary Dance) at the National Music Competition for Young Artists held recently at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

A Ballet Philippines apprentice who trained for four years with the Philippine Ballet Syllabus at the Radaic School of Classical Ballet, Ylagan bested other hopefuls after hurdling difficult challenges of the competition, among them, slow, sustained and controlled movements, quick-silver beats, darting and turning leaps, pirouettes, performing solos selected from Swan Lake, La Bayadere, Le Corsair, Giselle and other famous classics. Critics called her version of Aurora variation from The Sleeping Beauty “flawless, sincere, elegant and devoid of affectation.” Likewise, her rendition of the contemporary number by young choreographer Ea Torrado was described as “seamless, without a glitch.”

Second and third prizes went to Dawna Mangahas and Elpidio Magat, who are members of Ballet Manila, respectively.

Special prizes such as the Luva Adameit Award went to Ballet Philippines dancer Rita Winder, the Trudl Dubsky Award to Ballet Manila choreographer Gerardo Francisco and the Manolo Rosado Award to Ballet Manila dancer King Magno.