WE have always been a great fan of `Concert King’ Martin Nievera since his “Penthouse Days” with ex-wife `Concert Queen’ Pops Fernandez with whom he shares two grown up sons na sina Robin at Ram. There had been also a `love-hate’ relationship between us because of my close association with Pops, my anak-anakan.

Martin who have been agood `talker’ since he entered the entertainment business in the early `80s has always been very candid and honest to questions hurled at him. Walang pretentions at straightforward sa kanyang mga sagot kaya gustong-gusto siyang interviewee ng mga taga entertainment media.

The presscon for his forthcoming concert, ‘M4D’ was over nang dumating kami sa Boteyju but Martin was still there kasama ang kanyang longtime girlfriend na si Anj del Rosario and manager na si Joy Alonzo.

Martin warmly hugged us and sat down with us (even if I missed my favorite Boteyju food).

The Concert King admitted to us that distant cousin Jackie Lou Blanco was his first showbiz girlfriend. His first TV guesting in the Philippines happened on “Pilita and Jackie” weekly TV show. Since he was very new in the business, he knew nobody. He became close with Jackie until they had a relationship.

Since kilala na noon si Jackie, ayaw niyang masabihan na ginagamit lamang niya ang singer-actress para makilala siya kaya itinago nila ang kanilang relasyon sa publiko until eventually lumabas na rin ito sa media.

“I had great memories with Jackie. She’s a sweet lady and we remain friends up to this day,” pag-amin niya.

Nang maging busy na rinsi Martin, they drifted apart until pagsamahin sila ni Pops Fernandez as new hosts ng “Penhouse Live”. They became a loveteam and eventually naging magkasintahan na nauwi sa kanilang maagang pagpapakasal nung June 18, 1986. Ang dating mag-asawa ay nagkaroon ng dalawang anak na sina Robin at Ram but the (former) couple got separated in 1998 after 11 years of marriage and got annulled two years later.

Katrina Ojeda was the third party sa paghihiwalay ng dating mag-asawang Martin and Pops. Nagkaroon din ng anak ang dalawa (Martin and Katrina), si Santino (with autism) now 16 years old.

Martin and Katrina were together for 18 long years, got engaged and almost got married. Pero bago pa man ang kanilang planned marriage ay nagkahiwalay ang dalawa. Pero dahil may anak sila, nanatili ang pagiging magkaibigan ng dalawa. There was even a point na nag-reconcile sina Martin at Katrina pero nauwirin ito sa tuluyang pagkakahiwalay.

After Katrina, Martin has had other relationships until he finally met Anj del Rosario, his present girlfriend (of 15 years).

“She’s so simple,” pagmamalaki pa ni Martin kay Anj.

Wala bang planosi Martin na pakasalan si Anj considering na ang tagal na nilang magkarelasyon?.

“If you’ve noticed, I’m better off without getting married. Mas okey kami,” pahayag pa ni Martin.

Weird mang maituturing, Martin is friends with his exes including his ex-wife Pops and former partner Katrina. At ang ironic dito, Pops is even good friends now with Katrina na naging cause ng paghihiwalay nila ni Martin.

Pops adores Santino, Martin’s son kay Katrina. At close din si Katrina sa dalawang anak nina Martin at Pops na sina Robin at Ram.

Sa isang occasion, magkakasama sina Martin, Anj and his two exes na sina Pops at Katrina along with the kids. Pops and Anj are friends. May isang pagkakataon ding nag-stay for one year si Ram sa bahay ni Katrina in Las Vegas. May occasion ding nag-stay si Pops and his children sa house ni Katrina. Ganoon sila ka-close ngayon and Martin is so happy sa relasyon nina Pops at Katrina ngayon along with his children.

Samantala, Martin recently renewed his contract with ABS-CBN’s big bosses while they were in Las Vegas, Nevada for the “ASAP Natin `To” special show.

The Concert King considers himself a “Kapamilya Forever” being the only one remaining as the original host of “ASAP” which he started along with Pops, Ariel Rivera and former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres which premiered on February 5, 1995.

The concert king and music icon is staging his 40th anniversary concert called “M4D” at The Theatre at Solaire on Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 8 p.m. produced by Viva Live.

Expect Martin to sing his classic hits which include “Be My Lady,” ‘How Can I,” “Each Day with You,” “Pain,” “Paradise,” “Please Don’t Throw My Love Away,” “Christmas Won’t Be The Same Without You,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” “Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap,” “Forever,” “You are My Song,” “Ikaw,” “Kahit Isang Saglit,” “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin” and more.

SUBSCRIBE, like, SHARE and hit the bell icon of “TicTALK with Aster Amoyo” and “INSIDE SHOWBIZ with Aster Amoyo” on my YouTube channel. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook@asteramoyo and Twitter@aster_amoyo.