Pops as ‘Diva-licious’ as ever

Pops Fernandez’s concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 8 has her fans popping the question: Will it mark the long-awaited reunion onstage of Pops and Martin?

The answer is a big no. While it’s true that the show, Diva-licious, will have Pops performing with a slew of high-octane stars like Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Billy Crawford, Jay-R and Sharon Cuneta, plus Pops’ sons Ram and Robin, Martin is excluded in the billing.

It seems Pops and Martin still have to straighten things out, after that ugly spat over his girlfriend Katrina Ojeda. Pops had some scathing remarks about Martin in a magazine interview. Martin replied in a TV interview that he had been texting Pops so they could iron things out.

Unacceptable, Pops said during the press conference for Diva-licious recently. “For me, texting is very impersonal. I think I deserve at least a phone call. I think he should be brave enough to give me a call. I deserve a little bit more than just a text,” she says.

Pops adds he and Martin had quarrels before, “but somehow they got fixed.” The problem with Martin, she said, is that he takes things lightly, while she’s the kind of person who is very sensitive. “I really go out of my way to call him. And I would want for us to sit down and talk eventually.”

Pops, however, won’t let family problems sap her energy for Diva-licious. For her, the concert is significant for three reasons. “First of all, it is meant to celebrate my 25th anniversary in showbiz. Secondly, I can call it a grand birthday bash as well, since my birthday falls on December. Lastly, this is a long-overdue comeback in the concert scene. I haven’t done a major concert here in Manila for almost three years.”

Even Pops is surprised at how time seems to fly. She admits she never imagined she would last this long in the business. “When I was just starting, I thought being able to stay in the business for 10 years would be long.”

Her secret? “As an artist, I will always try to think of something that I’ve not been able to do yet,” she says. “That’s what makes the business exciting. You can do almost anything — think of an idea then actually turn it into a reality. That’s where your artistry reveals itself.”

Pops has mastered the art of reinventing herself, keeping abreast with current musical trends. Not many artists have this gift.

She thanks fans for their unwavering loyalty. “I’m so grateful they are a big part of my 25 years. They made it possible for me to be able to still live my dreams after all these years,” she says.

Diva-licious is directed by Rowell Santiago, with musical direction by Homer Flores and choreography by Georcel. ALV Events International is the show’s producer.