Martin: The soundtrack of his life

When I asked Martin Nievera to make a list of the 30 songs that mean so much to him, I expected him to include Be My Lady, his first hit. There must be a compelling reason why he did not, so I decided not to ask Martin why.

But I was sure and I am glad that he included Kahit Isang Saglit, theme song of the Star Cinema romance-drama starring Judy Ann Santos, Leandro Muñoz and Piolo Pascual. I also like the version by Verni Varga (who originally recorded it) but Martin sings it in a way that hits me where it should and makes me cry, especially with the intense feelings of longing he puts into the lines, “sana ikaw’y muling makita ko at damhin ang tibok ng puso mo; sana yakapin mo akong muli, kahit sandali, kahit isang saglit, mayakap ka…”

And before I cry again, here’s The Soundtrack of Martin’s (checkered) life (“In no particular order,” reminded Martin):

 1. What A Fool Believes — This was the No. 1 song in America when I was 17. It reminds me of my high school days. Not as glee as “Glee” but happy days just the same.

 2. Say That You Love Me — I enjoy singing this song. It gives me the goose bumps that I hope I give others when I sing it.

 3. Unchained Melody — Because the haunting melody brings me to a place where Love lives...

 4. Nasaan Ka Man — This is the one song that can make me cry on cue. You see? I’m crying already. Thanks a lot!

 5. Miracle — I wrote this song the day I was blessed with a “miracle.” It was Nov. 30, 1986. His name was Robin.

 6. This Is The Moment — This song is my personal reminder on a “post it” for me to always live each moment as if it were my last; to seize every moment “I sees...so I doos...”

 7. Until We Meet Again — This is a brand-new song that Marvin Querido and I wrote the day we lost AJ Perez. He could have been my son, too. That must have been what every father had in his mind on that day. He will be missed.

 8. Wildflower — This song best describes a woman scorned and her struggles with certain realities. I created one.

 9. Airborne — I wrote this song in the height of a coup de etat while trapped in a recording studio with a pregnant Pops. Hence, the name “Ram.” Short for “Ramboy.”

10. The Prayer — One of the most beautiful songs ever written. It’s one song that gives my goose bumps-goose bumps....

11. The Greatest Love Of All — This song was handed down to me by my father as the song I would sing during a four-day-long singing contest where I ended up what they called “the overall grand champion in the 1981 California State Talent Competition.” The year after I was on the “Pilita and Jackie Show.”

12. Meant To Be — My song for my Santino. When he was born, I believe God had a new plan for me.

13. I’ll Be There (For You) — This song was written the day my soul and the soul of Louie Ocampo became one. That day, Louie wrote music for his daughters and I wrote lyrics for my sons. All on the same day. Cool, right?

14. Somewhere — This song takes me to a place I am not worthy enough to even visit.

15. No Way To Treat a Heart — I have always felt that this song was always written for and about me. The “me” that learned how NOT to treat a heart. The rest, as they say, is history.

16. After All — I share this song with the same person I share one heart and soul with…my twin sister Vicki!

17. You Are My Song — This song was originally written for a girl who blossomed into a woman and later became a mother. Today, this song has become my banner song for the people who remain in my heart with every song I sing. I am talking about YOU!

18. Before You Say Goodbye — This is the one song I only sang once. After a good long cry, I look deeper into the impact and importance of the word “goodbye.”

19. One Last Cry — I love singing this song even if the lyrics cut like a knife when I sing it.

20. Please Don’t Ask Me — ZZZZZzzzzzZZZZ ah, are you asking? Oh sorry! Well if you must know, the range of this song challenges me. I am not sure what hurts more, the high notes or the lyrics.

21. Hard Habit To Break — One of David Foster’s masterpieces! I love him, this song and this unbreakable habit.

22. Footloose — This song makes even ME dance! (Did I say well????)

23. What a Wonderful World — A song of hope and positivity. One of the very few happy songs I love to sing and believe in.

24. Take Me Out Of The Dark — This song brings me to my “guilty place,” on my way to the happy one.

25. M.I.C.K.E.Y. M.O.U.S.E —This is the one song I have heard over and over again as the soundtrack of at least three different chapters in my life. Believe it or not, that mouse constantly brings me back to earth in one piece.

26. Kahit Isang Saglit — The most painful song I have ever sung. It means different things to different people dealing with regret, but when I sing in my mind is the very same person you are thinking of right now.

27. Smile — This song was introduced to me by my “other father,” Louie Tabuena. He was always a true believer in whatever I stood for, but never wanted me to ever experience whatever unhappiness he or any man could. So he taught me this song and now it’s my direct line to him.

28. What’s On The Other Side — Another Louie O. and me song we wrote during the lowest points of my life. No one is perfect, but only a selected few get their laundry done publicly. The day I wrote this song I joined that very elite crowd. That was the time in my life I would have given anything to NOT be the one in the limelight.

29. Chasing Time — The growing pains of a Concert King...

30. Forever — This is my theme song for the people who gave me this job. It speaks of always being together even when apart. If I had to leave this world today this would be the song I would want to be remembered by. If there is one thing my job offers that no other job can — immortality through my music...Forever!

 (By the way, Martin will have a series of shows titled Tribute on July 16 to 23 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila. Ticket prices are VIP, Premiere Left, Premiere Right and Center, P3,500; De Luxe, Left and Right, P3,000; and Balcony, left, Right and Center, P2,500. Call Viva Concerts at 687-7236 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. Martin has also come up with a new album titled Himig ng Damdamin which consists of all-OPM songs including Joey Albert’s Iisa Pa Lamang, Regine Velasquez’s Babalikang Muli, Bituin Escalante’s Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Sharon Cuneta’s Now That You’re Gone, Lani Misalucha’s Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, Leah Navarro’s Kailangan Kita, Gary Valenciano’s Narito, Rachel Alejandro’s Paalam Na, Ariel Rivera’s Ayoko Na Sana, Agot Isidro’s Everyday, Freestyle’s Before I Let You Go and Kuh Ledesma’s One More Try.)

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