Years back when Martin Nievera said he was at the lowest point of his life, there was only one line open to him — that of Ramon Chuaying, president of Polyeast Records.
“I couldn’t call anyone,†recalled Martin during the renewal of his contract with Polyeast, “and no one was calling me either, except Ramon.â€
That’s how it is in showbiz, you know. When you’re up, everybody wants to be your friend; when you’re down, nobody stands up to be your friend.
The contract renewal was like a “blood compact†between Martin and Ramon (in Polyeast with Jesmon Chua, general manager; and Chito Ilagan, A&R director).
“I didn’t even have to read the fine print,†said Martin. “I stay with them because they have stood by me through thick and thin.†Yes, friends and business partners fair weather or foul.
The partnership dates more than 20 years back. Martin, who’s turning 52 today (happy birthday!), first signed up with PolyCosmic (Ramon’s company at that time) in 1994 for his album Roads that produced hits like Forever, You’re My Everything, I’ll be There (For You) and many others. Roads has sold thousands of copies and is still available in record bars, along with Martin’s 26 other studio and live albums produced by the partnership.
It was at that time when Ramon and Chito told Martin to record Be My Lady, assuring him, “If you sing it, you will be a big star.†Prophetic words.
Incidentally, Martin has been into “skinny juicing†(just like Anne Curtis, et al) which is working for him beautifully.
“I’ve been losing weight,†he announced.
He should continue “juicing†to shed more unsightly pounds.
Minnesota medical, dental
mission in Northern Samar
I’m happy for my fellow Warays in Northern Samar. The good news is that the Philippines Minnesota Medical Association is conducting (until Friday, Feb. 7) a medical/dental mission (consisting of more than 100 doctors) in the towns of Catarman and Laoang, headed by Dr. Bernard Quebral, Dr. Tommy Ong and Dr. David Ong, in coordination with Tommy’s brothers Emil Ong (Northern Samar representative) and Jose Ong (Northern Samar governor).
According to Catarman-based journalist Eladio Perfecto, the mission brought in medicines, medical equipment and electric generators worth $3M (roughly P135M) and 450,000 food packs were distributed among the poor families in the province.
Major donor was the Hope for the City Foundation based in Minnesota, USA, whose main objective is to provide humanitarian assistance to countries like the Philippines, South Africa and other countries in Africa, and in Latin America.
Perfecto reported that the foundation promised to donate two fire trucks to Catarman and Laoang, and hopefully build a P400M hospital in Laoang.
From Northern Samar, some of the delegates will conduct the same mission in Yolanda-ravaged areas like Tacloban and Palo in Leyte, and some municipalities in Eastern Samar.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)