On Martin Nievera and His Ego

I've  posted about Lupang Hinirang sung at various boxing bouts.  I even have a dramatic video version of our National Anthem, meant more for reflection.  As a wannabe artist and Filipino, I recognize the respect due one's original work. One does not mess with Shakespeare, Vivaldi or the choreography of Giselle for example. So why should we consider the Lupang Hinirang fair game?  Or does Martin have the artistic freedom to change it up?  Is it true what he says that "we're afraid of change?"

I was a big fan of Martin when he first came on the Philippine music scene. I think it was on Pilita's show, and he sang with his father, Bert Nievera. Although you would have thought that they were patronizing this kid, he obviously had talent. It confused me a bit when he dissed Jackielou Blanco on national TV. I knew of her and found her to be a gracious and intelligent heiress who rather liked to work. Martin would show again later on that he generally disrespected women.

I cheered for the Pops-Martin tandem on Penthouse live. I think the end of the marriage started my dislike for him. (Fans CAN take it personally, you know). My ears began to ring with his American twang.  For those unaware, he was educated here. I cringe when he mispronounces Filipino words though I think he's recorded Filipino songs. It embarrasses me no end that Michelle van Eimeren and the Brazilian on Eat Bulaga! speak in the vernacular while Martin prattles like a Fil-Am who's never set foot in in the Philippines.

Why the rant?  I was worried about how he would sing Lupang Hinirang during the Pacquiao-Hatton bout last weekend. If you had to sing phonetically, the chances are you would commit a mistake or not give it the proper emotion.

Boy, was I mistaken! He pronounced the words right but that was all he did. He messed with the tempo and the original melody. And was that true emotion we see in his scrunched-up face? He's been doing that forever. Martin is pseudo-American rather than Filipino and I think he's rather proud of it. How did we expect someone without national pride to sing our National Anthem correctly? The song identifies our people but Martin is one of "them" people.

BOO!

On Women Scorned

I didn't "feel" Pops Fernandez. Wala lang. But last Tuesday, I got one of the first issues of the October Yes! magazine in Dumaguete. Even before I read the article, I heard Martin Nievera's reaction on a Saturday afternoon showbiz talk show. He talked about his ex-wife as a "woman scorned." Imagine, he tried to justify the shocking tell-all! What the...!?

Pops has clearly been, and continues to be abused. Buti nga she was quiet all this time. Then her ex-husband and the woman responsible for breaking up her marriage decide to move back here AND be lovey-dovey on national television...with their new son! Parang we absolve them their indiscretion. An advice column I read recommends the reply: "Even though you do not respect your marriage vows, I do." "Woman scorned" ka diyan Martin, it's wrong whichever way you look at it!

Photo courtery of: www.chuvaness.com

Honestly, they shouldn't get away with it. Pops was, to the public, stoic to the pleas of Martin. And this guy markets himself to the point of exploiting Pops. This revelation is overdue. Dapat lang that Katrina person hides her face in shame at the very least.

If Pops needs to spill in order to move on, let her do it. I will even let pass her attempts at surgical enhancement. Sige na nga, I forgive her na rin that FHM cover. Her self-esteem may have never recovered after the split. Sana her true healing begins right now.

They say that the best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother. It follows then that Martin was not only a bad husband, he's a bad father as well.

TEAM POPS!