How Martin and Pops became closer through their grandchild

MANILA, Philippines — Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, dubbed as the industry's Concert King and Queen, are set to grace the stage together once again for the concert, Always & Forever, on Feb. 7 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena.

To recall, Martin and Pops were married in 1987, went their separate ways in 1999 and became officially annulled in 2000. They are parents to two children — Robin and Ram. Despite ending up as exes, they remain one of the most iconic musical tandems in Philippine entertainment.

When asked by The STAR about how their relationship has evolved on and off stage, Pops said in an interview yesterday, “Alam mo kami ni Martin, weird kami. Whether we’re OK or not (personally), when we’re on stage, we are OK. I guess it will be very difficult for you guys to see kung OK kami, kung nagkakasundo kami that time or not, because the minute we step on stage, we let go of everything, lahat ng pinagdadaanan namin, because we really focus more on the show.”

Pops continued, “That has happened so many times na minsan magugulat na lang kayo, nag-uusap na lang kami on stage. Akala niyo, it’s part of the spiels, right? But we’re actually dealing with whatever we’re going through at that time while on stage. Ang weird namin.”

In the business of entertainment, there’s a word for it — the ability to set aside personal issues while entertaining audiences — and it’s “professionalism.”

Pops recalled what the late director Fritz Ynfante taught her about professionalism. “The minute you step on stage, it is important that you entertain the people because wala naman silang alam sa pinagdadaanan mo. So, I think na-carry ko yun all throughout my career. It’s always difficult. But yun nga, they always say, ‘The show must go on.’”

Martin echoed her sentiment, saying that they’re “living examples of that cliché, ‘The show must go on.’”

“At this stage in our careers, we’re noticing how good a team we have become. Sometimes, you put us on stage unexpectedly — no script, no warning — and sige, perform! And we’re able to do it,” he added.

Giving his own take on their onstage chemistry, Martin further said, “Among all the people I’ve worked with... we’re the most automatic. At this stage, we’re noticing it more. Like, ‘Oh my God, we’re not together-together, but we’re still able to finish each other’s sentences.’”

Martin would also charge it to their years of experience. “We could have had problems that you’ve all written about or read about, but when the music or the script starts, we complement each other. I think that’s also from years of experience… I think we can be proud of maintaining a certain standard — if not stature — in the music industry. And we’re able to still entertain regardless.

“Not every love team onstage can do this. So, we’re proud of that. We’re proud that we’re able to still be great together, even though we’re not together.”

Martin and Pops could now readily acknowledge their shared history, learning to find humor and inspiration in their past experiences as husband and wife, rather than shying away from the subject.

“Maybe because dati, lalo na ako, ang dami kong fears. (I’d be thinking) I could not say this. Maybe I’m not allowed to say this. But ngayon, mas open na kami to talk about us,” Pops said.

Martin on Pops: 'We really work well together. This is really a great team, whether or not we have a past.'

“Back then, it wasn’t funny. But nowadays, we can talk about it in a lighter way. With us, serious nangyari yun, pero ngayon, na-twist na namin yung kwento. Maybe we do it because we want to let the audiences going through what we went through know that it’s OK. It happens, and who knows? Pwede rin kayong maging ganito.”

Martin joked, “Pwede rin kayo mag-concert.”

Pops, nevertheless, admitted that she found it weird when fans, who called themselves as “Team Hopia,” have continued to hope for a reconciliation.

“Team Hopia kasi nag-ho-hope pa daw sila,” an amused Pops said. “It’s only weird, of course, as fans. We understand that in their minds or their wish is magkakabalikan kami. But I always tell Martin, we’re not naman leading them on that we’re getting back together.

“That part is so important because we don’t want to pretend and what they see is what they get. Maybe because we’re so honest about that particular topic siguro mas na-e-excite sila, ‘Oo nga, hindi naman nila sinasabing magkakabalikan sila, right?’ I think that gives them a little bit more excitement and curiosity. And thank God, we still have Team Hopia, ‘di ba? So that we can do our shows. They’re still, I guess, interesting for them.”

As for Martin, there’s a fine line between teasing an audience and making them “feel stupid.”

“We don’t want ever — even in our separate careers — to treat our audience like they’re stupid, like they’re dumb, like they don’t know the truth. Let’s not do that. Let’s not talk down to the audiences,” he said.

“They know so much because of social media and because of (the media). They know everything about us, so let’s not fool them just for the sake of money.

“We really work well together. This is really a great team, whether or not we have a past. And I think that’s important for us to continue doing this for as long as there is a demand and an audience.”

Meanwhile, this present harmony extends beyond their performances and shows, especially when it comes to their family. Both are doting grandparents to Finn, son of their eldest Robin. There’s reason to believe that the arrival of their first apo has been an added factor to their “closeness” at the moment.

Said Pops, “Because we’re equally excited to be with our very first grandchild. Ang cute-cute kasi niya eh.”

“He’s so adorable,” Martin added.

“And so behaved, alam mo yun?” Pops continued. “He’s such a happy baby. So, yeah, maybe it is. I would have never planned a trip to another state with Martin before Christmas. I mean, syempre we have our own lives, noh? But somehow now, we’re doing that.”

“We have to,” quipped Martin.

“Because of Finn and because of our two boys (who are based in the US). So we always plan something with our boys just for the concept of being a family. But now, there’s more effort because of Finn. We don’t wanna miss out,” stressed Pops.

“And he’s very musical ha. It’s happened so many times. Robin would bring him during our rehearsals in the States, and he really listens. He listens so much that he falls asleep every time (Martin and I) would rehearse. So I guess the music and ‘noise’ don’t really bother him. So maybe it’s a sign that he will also be a singer,” the proud grandparent said.

(Pops and Martin's "Always & Forever" is happening on Feb. 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena. For inquiries and tickets, visit https://bit.ly/AlwaysAndForeverPopsAndMartin.)