Martin Nievera

Early life

Martin Ramon Razon Nievera was born on February5, 1963 in Manila to singer Bert Nievera and Conchita Razon. He has a twin sister, Victoria (nicknamed "Vicki"); a younger sister, Rachel; and many siblings from his parents' other unions. His father was a member of the Hawaii-based singing troupe Society of Seven. His mother separated from her first husband and fled with the twins to Hawaii when they were three years old to live there with Bert. Attending elementary and high school in Hawaii, he said that he was regularly bullied by his classmates because of his appearance and "I wore a belt and shoes, so they thought belt and shoes meant mayaman ka [you are rich]. I would get beaten up for my lunch money, so my twin sister Vicki would defend me in school. The following day mas nabugbog ako [I was beaten more] because na-defend ako ng babae [I was defended by a girl]."

Nievera developed an interest in music, particularly in singing, at an early age. In their first year in Hawaii, the family resided on the fifteenth floor of the Outrigger Hotel, and the young Nievera "would watch him [his father] perform downstairs with the Society of Seven, and every night I would dream and imagine myself as one of the members of that group, singing for audiences both big and small." While working as a burger flipper at a restaurant that his family owned in Hawaii or at another family-owned restaurant, called Roadrunner Burgers, in Concord, California (where they would eventually move to), Nievera received singing lessons from his father, learning "how and when to belt and how to end the song in a big way." By the age of fourteen, he was performing with him in Society of Seven shows. Nievera said in 2018, "It all happened in the main showroom in that Outrigger Hotel[...] That room is now known as the Blue Note Hawaii, and I still perform there to this day. It has become a very sacred room for me probably because that's where dad gave me my first set of wings."

In the 1970s, the family relocated to the San Francisco Bay Area in California. Nievera enrolled at Clayton Valley High School in Concord, where he was a member of the basketball team. He was encouraged by the school's wrestling coach to enter the choir, impressed by a rendition of Morris Albert's "Feelings" that Nievera sang while showering in the locker room. Bert posited that his son began to realize "he could sing professionally" when he was sixteen, the same age when he did. Aside from his father, who always supported his singing, Nievera also credits for his talent his Cebuana maternal grandmother, Lourdes Corrales, a famous mezzo-soprano opera singer and radio personality in 1940s Philippines. Unlike his father Bert, his mother Conchita was against his dream, instead wanting him to become a doctor or a lawyer. "She knew what she [his grandmother] and my father went through[...] the [show] business takes a lot out of you," Nievera related and said his mother told him.

Career

After graduating from Clayton Valley in 1980, Nievera joined the 1981 California State Talent Competition in Santa Clara, in which he won. As contestant number 1049, he competed against over four thousand other contestants for "[f]our days long[...] you had to win the first day to compete the second day to compete the third day. The third day was the championship, the fourth day is a championship of all the champions of the different categories. So I won the third day, then I won the overall grand champion." Nievera said of his victory, "It was a big moment in my life. That was when I knew I was gonna be a singer." His winning piece was "The Greatest Love of All", which his father taught him at the restaurant.

In 1980c.1982, Nievera was chosen to perform with American singer Barry Manilow at his three-day concert in Concord Pavilion, singing back-up in a choir to the latter's "One Voice". After this experience, he said, "Okay, I'm gonna be a singer." Around this time, when he was nineteen, Nievera's parents were having problems with their relationship. Nievera resented this and attempted to commit suicide. In a 2011 television interview with Boy Abunda, he recalled going to church and venting his anger on God, screaming "What the hell is happening? What else can I do?"

Inspired by his father, Nievera returned to the Philippines in 1982 to begin his own singing career. By June 1983, he released his first LP, Martin...Take One. Nievera began co-hosting the TV variety show The Penthouse Live! with Pops Fernandez, who would later become his wife. Nievera's second LP was 1984's The Best Gift. In 1987, The Penthouse Live! was changed to Martin and Pops Twogether, in celebration of their marriage. His recording Forever led to two sequels, Forever Forever and Return to Forever.

As an actor, Nievera has appeared in eleven films, and seven television series and specials. Nievera's film credits include dramas, romance, science fiction, comedy and action. He also became one of the jocks at the now defunct radio station 101.1 Kiss FM in 1985, wherein he had his own radio show aired every Saturday afternoons.

He appeared with Hawaii's Society of Seven and Lani Misalucha at the Flamingo Las Vegas from February 13 to April 13, 2008. He performed a pre-Valentine/post-birthday concert with Pops Fernandez titled "Missing You" on February 6, 2009, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He co-hosts the weekly music show ASAP on ABS-CBN since 1995.

In July 2010, Nievera's album, As Always was released. In May 2011, his album, Himig ng Damdamin was launched and contains all of his covers. In March 2012, he was announced as one of the four celebrity judges of The X Factor Philippines, which aired on ABS-CBN by the second quarter of 2012.

In 2018, Nievera won the Myx Magna Award at the Myx Music Awards for his contributions to music as a singer and also for being a talk show host and comedian.

In 2023, Nievera was selected to be one of the coaches (judges) on the fifth season of The Voice Kids, which aired on A2Z.

Awards and nominations

Discography

Main article: Martin Nievera discography

• Martin... Take One (1983)
• The Best Gift (1984)
• Martin (1985)
• Miracle (1987)
• A Martin Nievera Christmas (1988)
• Dream (1989)
• A New Start (1991)
• Roads (1994)
• Journeys (1997)
• Forever (1998)
• Forever, Forever (1999)
• Return to Forever (1999)
• Chasing Time (2002)
• Chasing Time II (2003)
• Unforgettable (2004)
• When Love is Gone (2005)
• Awit ng Puso (2006)
• Milestones (2007)
• Ikaw Ang Pangarap (2008)
• My Christmas List (2008)
• For Always (2009)
• As 1 (with Gary Valenciano) (2009)
• As Always (2010)
• Himig ng Damdamin (2010)
• Mga Awit at Damdamin (2012)
• 3D: Tatlong Dekada (2012)
• Big Mouth, Big Band (2014)
• Kahapon... Ngayon (2016)

Filmography

Film

• Always and Forever (1986)
• Si Mister at Si Misis (1986)
• Payaso (1986)
• Shoot That Ball (1987)
• Maria Went to Town! (1987)
• Stupid Cupid (1988)
• Sa Puso Ko Hahalik ang Mundo (1988)
• Magic to Love (1989)
• Adarna: The Mythical Bird (1997)
• Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais (1998)
• Masikip sa Dibdib (2004)
• Wrinkles (2006)

Television

• The Penthouse Live! (19821987)
• Mirasol del Cielo (19861987)
• Martin and Pops Twogether (19871989)
• Martin After Dark (19881998)
• ASAP (19951998; 2002present)
• Martin Late at Nite (19982003)
• Sabi Nya, Sabi Ko (television film; 2003)
• Twist and Shout (2010)
• The X Factor Philippines (2012)
• Martin Late at Night (2013)
• I Love OPM (2016)
• LSS: The Martin Nievera Show (2018present); telecast from ANC
• The Voice Kids Philippines (2023)
• Wil To Win (2024present)
• It's Showtime (2024present)

References

References

1. (May 11, 2009). "It's the singer, not the song".
2. Pineda, Cherry. (October 12, 2015). "The Third Party: rumors and stories of infidelity in celebrity relationships". ABS-CBN Digital Media.
3. (June 21, 2016). "9 celebrity breakups caused by third party #7". ABS-CBN News.
4. "GOSSIP GIRL: Martin Nievera marks 40 years in showbiz with big concert on Nov. 19".
5. "M4D: Martin Nievera recalls highlights of past 40 years".
6. "Martin Nievera to launch Kahapon... Ngayon album with August 26 concert".
7. "Martin Nievera to celebrate his 40th anniversary in showbiz at the Walt Disney Concert Hall".
8. "ASAP XV's 24K Gold and 6th Platinum Circle Awards (2010) Winners: Sarah Geronimo, Jovit Baldivino, Christian Bautista & more". My Kiru.
9. "Polyeast releases Martin Nievera's".
10. "Martin Nievera: 35 years of the man and his music".
11. "Martin Nievera's "Milestones" documents his 25 years in showbiz".
12. (2013-08-07). "Martin celebrates 30 years of artistry".
13. "Martin Nievera Returns to M Resort on Saturday, June 11".
14. (2000). "David Pomeranz leads records top sellers". Manila Standard.
15. (2002). "Martin, Malik makes Polyeast proud". Manila Standard.
16. Vizcarra, Gian Carlo. (2022-11-21). "Review: Martin Nievera bares heart in 'M4D' concert".
17. "Up close and personal with Martin Nievera".
18. "Concert King Martin Nievera remains a Kapamilya, renews contract with ABS-CBN".
19. Leon, Marguerite de. (2022-08-17). "[Only IN Hollywood] Martin Nievera opens up about career, family in time for historic 40th anniversary concert".
20. (2022-08-20). "Martin Nievera kicks off 40th anniversary bash at Disney".
21. "Martin Nievera".
22. (2023-05-04). "Martin Nievera to perform in Vegas with David Foster".
23. "PEPtalk Flash. David Pomeranz collaborates with Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, etc. in "We Sing"".
24. (2005-02-13). "Buble: No romance with Kristine, only friendship".
25. Lu, Monet. (May 27, 2017). "Martin Nievera: The man who would be 'king'".
26. (February 5, 2010). "Martin Nievera, Cristine Reyes celebrate birthdays".
27. Libero-Cruz, Grace. (April 16, 2018). "Exclusive: "Forever Proud To Be 'The Son Of Bert Nievera'"—Martin Nievera Gives Tribute To His Late Dad". ABS-CBN.
28. Lo, Ricky. (October 14, 2001). "The sad and happy ballads of Bert Nievera".
29. Ramirez, Joanne Rae M.. (December 11, 2008). "Classmates".
30. (August 19, 2018). "''Magandang Buhay'': Martin Nievera talks about his childhood". ABS-CBN.
31. (May 13, 2016). "Interview: Philippines Superstar Martin Nievera".
32. (May 23, 2016). "TWBA: Martin puts captions on his memorable photos". ABS-CBN.
33. (January 18, 2013). "THE LIST: Celebs who started out as restaurant staff".
34. (July 7, 2015). "Before they were stars: 7 celebs who worked in restaurants".
35. Lo, Ricky. (March 27, 2004). "Martin: I go wherever my music takes me".
36. Sancon, Allan. (November 12, 2012). "Martin Nievera recalls highlights of his career; admits separation from ex-wife Pops Fernandez was "very first slap on my face"".
37. Alpad, Christina. (August 21, 2016). "Martin Nievera: The past, the present and accompanying lessons".
38. "Music in the Philippines after Liberation". Ayala Foundation.
39. (March 27, 2015). "A very Personal Interview with Martin Nievera". Fan TV Global Network.
40. Gonzales, Rommel. (February 2, 2016). "Martin Nievera recounts how he became back-up singer for Barry Manilow (FUNNY STORY!)". GMA Network.
41. Abunda, Boy. (January 31, 2002). "The songs in Martin Nievera's life". The Philippine Star.
42. Lo, Ricky. (June 9, 2011). "Martin: The soundtrack of his life".
43. Lo, Ricky. (August 22, 2016). "Martin: Then & Now".
44. Villena, G.. (October 17, 2011). "The bottom line on Boy and Martin".
45. (March 5, 2012). "Martin Nievera wants to audition for X-Factor". Viva.com.ph.
46. [http://www.pep.ph/guide/movies/4186/40th-box-office-entertainment-awards-given-out "40th Box Office Entertainment Awards given out"] {{Webarchive. link. (October 27, 2013 . ''Pep.ph''. Retrieved May 21, 2014.)
47. (January 14, 2024). "Full List Of Winners Of The 2024 Wish Music Awards".
48. (August 24, 2003). "Exes Martin, Pops together again in GMA 7 telesine". The Philippine Daily Inquirer, Inc..