The songs of Martin’s life

Martin Nievera is a certified teenager. He is 19 years old (in the entertainment business) and I have travelled with him during those 19 years. And what a journey it has been! Oh yes, I was with him during the best and the worst of times. For richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part," except of course, I’m not, was not and will never be married to Martin. The spirit is willing but the body disagrees (I’m joking, Martin!).

I asked him to give me 19 songs that he would like to dedicate to his fans, special friends and more special friends, family and many important others. Here they are.

1. I’ll Be There (For You). This is dedicated to the two most important people in my life, Robin and Ram. Why? Because I wrote it about them and for them. A father’s promise to his kids forever.

2. Love Me For What I Am. Dedicated to all my friends in the press. Because after a few bumps and bruises along the way, through the years, they really did learn to.... I am forever grateful!

3. Never Said Goodbye. Dedicated to my mom and dad. Because I wrote this song as a way to deal with the fact that they were no longer together, swearing this would never happen to me (yeah right). Saddest day forever!

4. You’re My Everything. Dedicated to my sister Gina. Because it was her favorite song when we used to spend lots of time together traveling and eating in our favorite spots, dreaming of a career I am living now. Forever my champion!

5. Promise of Love. Dedicated to (at the time) my wife, Pops. It was a wedding gift I gave to Richard and Lucy (Gomez), but the inspiration were my failures in my own marriage. This song became, what I called guidelines to a perfect marriage. I remember singing it to Pops in my car as I presented it to her and again on the phone from Ormoc, right after singing it in the wedding. Forever ignored!

6. Traces. Dedicated to my brother Luigi. Why? Because it was not only his favorite song. It was also the only request he made in any of my CDs. I wanted him to have it as my way of saying "thank you" for the great years together as my manager. Forever my idol!

7. Wildflower. Dedicated to Boy Abunda. Because he, like a wildflower, has survived through the toughest storms and sunniest of days and has shone the love of each lesson learned on all those around him. Forever wild!

8. The Last Time I Felt Like This. Dedicated to my twin Vicki. Because not only was it a song we sang in every family gathering as kids, it also became a duet on one of my best selling CDs. Vicki and I share one heart and one soul. She has always been there for me without prejudice. She has always loved me for all I am and not just what she chose to and not to. Forever twins!

9. Say That You Love Me. Dedicated to the city of Cebu! Why? Because the year my mom and dad separated, it was the song I was promoting and through all my pain and confusion, like a best friend, it was Cebu who embraced me in one of my performances there by lighting candles and finishing the song while I finally broke down onstage and let it all out. Cebu will always have a special place in my heart and that will always be our song together. Cebu forever! (Don’t get me wrong, I love all the beautiful cities I perform in outside of Manila but the magic in this song came out first in Cebu).

10. You Are My Song. To my special someone. Because she never gave up on me even though we found love at a time that didn’t belong to us, and I gave it all up to do what was right. In short, broke her heart too. Still, she gave me a chance. Forever giving!

11. Sweet Smile. Dedicated to my sister Rachel and her first born Nicole. Why? Because Alyssa’s Eyes was written for Vicki’s first born. Also because Nicole, according to the parents and hundreds of others, has the sweetest smile. Forever a Zdziebal (that’s their last name, not an animal).

12. The Greatest Love of All. Dedicated to my father, Bert Nievera. Because that was the song he taught me while flipping burgers in our family-owned restaurant that gave me the victory over 4,000 plus contestants in San Jose California in 1981. That song taught me many things but most importantly, how to believe in myself. My dad did a job of that too! Forever thankful!

13. Wonderful World. Dedicated to the Philippines and the World. Why? Because it really is a wonderful world no matter what war tells us. No matter what doubt and greed dictate, we can all join hands and prayers and make this truly a wonderful world. Forever wonderful!

14. Broadway Medley. Dedicated to my entire band. Why? Because if they play it one more time, I think they will explode. It is a masterpiece arrangement of some of my best Broadway medleys in the last 19 years. My family of musicians whom I have been blessed, love it so much we had to make it another one. To pick up where we left off, Broadway forever!

15. Kahit Isang Saglit and Broadway Medley of Medleys. Dedicated to Louie Ocampo, Well, Kahit Isang Saglit is a song of very personal deep love and a longing song for him. To be given a chance to keep its passion alive by re-making it shows me how much faith Louie has in me. The Broadway Medley of Medleys is a perfect example why I have so much faith in him. It’s his masterpiece! My biggest moment onstage ever! Thanks Louie! Best friends forever!

16. My Heart’s Song. Dedicated to the city of New York and the world. Why? Because after the September 11 attacks, the whole world became New Yorkers, even the Philippines. I was so touched with the stories I heard especially from a little 11-year-old boy named Mattie Spatenek. He is a special child who rides a wheelchair while writing books of poetry that hold precious secrets about world peace and togetherness. His book titled, Heart’s Songs, was my song and his words put to music. Forever my hero!

17. Before You Say Goodbye. Dedicated to Pops. Why? Because I wrote it for her the moment I received the annulment papers after already reading it in the papers the day before. The realization that all my efforts didn’t earn me another chance didn’t compare to the pain I felt seeing the end in writing right in the form of an annulment. My heart was breaking when I wrote this song, Forever sorry!

18. Stay With Me. Dedicated to my sister Tere. Why? Although I originally wrote it with Louie for two friends of mine as a wedding gift, the song took more meaning when I wrote it to my Ate. Tere the day she came to know our Lord Savior, Jesus Christ. So since it was a gift to her for being a gift to me, I guess it’s a gift from God all the way, Forever!

19. Forever. Dedicated to each and everyone who has supported me for the last 19 years! Wherever I go and whatever I am doing, make it or break it, good or bad, the people of this great nation will always be my inspiration whenever and wherever I sing my songs Friends forever!

(Martin Nievera conquers the major concert arena once more with Martin Nievera XV4Ever.... The Crossover Adventure Continues scheduled on Feb. 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available at all SM Ticketnet Outlets, 105.1 Crossover Manila and at Robinsons Place Manila. For 24 hour ticket reservations and delivery, call 844 2947 or 844 8159.

Martin Nievera: XV4Ever.... The Crossover Continues is presented by DWBM 105.1 Crossover in cooperation with 93.1 Crossover Cebu, 99.1 Crossover Bacolod.