Sharon and Martin record duet for the first time

For the first time in over 30 years, Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera have recorded a duet. The Megastar and the Concert King sing together for the first time in Once In A Lifetime, a new song composed by Vehnee Saturno who also produced with lyrics written by Martin himself. Now out is the video of the song directed by Martin Aviles and the single will be available soon. 

It seems strange but despite their being contemporaries in the business and being two of the country’s top singing stars, Sharon and Martin have never recorded a duet. They have sung together in their respective television shows in the past and during guest stints in a concert or two but never as a duo.

Although Sharon has recorded duets with Gary Valenciano and Nonoy Zuñiga, Rey Valera and even Fernando Poe Jr., she has never recorded a duet with Martin. It is likewise the case with Martin. Although he has done duets with Regine Velasquez, Pops Fernandez, Sarah Geronimo and even Gary V, he has never recorded a duet with Sharon. And this is despite the fact that both of them were for many years under contract with Vicor Music where they began their careers.

Maybe a duet could have happened during those early days if Martin, like Sharon, had also gone into acting in the movies. In fact, Martin was offered a role by Viva Films, in the teen melodrama Friends In Love in 1982 co-starring with Sharon, Rowell Santiago and Jackielou Blanco. He declined the offer and the part went to William Martinez. It was just as well because as time would later prove, Martin was not cut out to be an actor. But as a singer, he was matchless then and remains so to this day. The same can also be said about Sharon despite her success as an actress. 

Maybe that was why no one considered pairing them off in a song. And this is despite the fact that such would have been ideal, given the fact that they have the same dramatic approach to ballads. Why, as the likes of I’ll Never Say Goodbye (The Promise) and Ikaw, that they both recorded solo later proved, they even have the same phrasing and they breathe in the same places in a song. But still nobody thought or tried to get them together in a single song.

 And so Sharon had hits like Mr. DJ, Dear Heart, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, To Love Again, Now That You’re Gone, Pangarap Na Bituin, Bituing Walang Ningning, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Maging Sino Ka Man, and others and became the Megastar. On his part, Martin went on to hit it big with songs like Be My Lady, Each Day With You, Say That You Love Me, You Are My Song, Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, Forever, Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap and others while rising to the top as the local Concert King.

And now for the first time, thanks to a concert they chose to also call Once In A Lifetime, Sharon and Martin have finally recorded a very special song. The song will be one of the highlights of the show. Of course, there will be other duets in the Valentine concert from Viva Concerts, which will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 11. I am sure fans will also be delighted to hear them perform each other’s hits.

This is also the first time they will share the bill in a single show. It will be like a game of catch-up listening to these two perform the songs they could have sang together ages ago and also lots of new ones. Director is Rowell Santiago and musical director is Louie Ocampo who are also marking their first time with Sharon and Martin together. Both Rowell and Louie have worked closely with Sharon and Martin over these past years but never with them in one show until now.

Make sure to catch Once In A Lifetime, both the song and the concert. These promise to be the best Valentine treat if you love great singing and beautiful songs.