The kilig factor works

“Let’s do what we used to do when we used to do it.”

Martin Nievera was in his element Friday night at the Araneta Coliseum during his reunion concert Missing You with ex-wife Pops Fernandez, produced by Pops’ “present,” Jomari Yllana, and directed by her “past,” Rowell Santiago. (Or was it his brother Randy Santiago?)

“Come on,” Pops gladly obeyed (like she did when they were still together), “let’s do it.”

And so, right onstage, Martin and Pops did what they used to do when they used to do it — sing love songs together, that is.

For three hours and 15 minutes, starting at 8:30 and finishing at quarter to 12 midnight, the record audience (seldom seen in concerts of local artists) listened and, I’m sure, hummed along to the songs that figured dramatically in the lives of the “exes” before, during and after they were married, kicked off by the Missing You Love medley, followed by love songs of the ’70s, well-loved OPMs, dance tunes (by Pops), a Peter Cetera medley (by Martin) and songs about what-might-have-beens and what-ifs (Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word, How Can I, No Way to Treat a Heart, etc.).

The kilig factor worked.

Once again, with the same feeling, the audience took a trip down Memory Lane, retracing with Martin and Pops their every step along the way, perhaps trying to decipher too late what went wrong with the marriage touted to have been made in heaven.

Thankfully, Martin and Pops didn’t pretend that they are still in love. Well, they sure are, but in the sense that they are friends and not as a married couple. They conceded that, huhuhuhu, neither they nor their fans who are hoping against hope can turn back the hands of time and make things happen differently. They’re right all along: They missed each other not so much as, I presumed, bedmates (ehem!) but as a performing pair. It was obvious that they beautifully blend together as performers but not as husband and wife.

“Since then,” said Pops in a sexy attire for her dance number, addressing Martin, “a lot has changed in this woman who used to be your baby,” her hands gesturing from her head (take note of her lips) down to the rest of her body (take note of her boobs). Martin was quick with his wit. “I have grown bigger, too,” looking down at his whatever. Before the audience could think dirty, Pops answered, smiling, “Oh, I could see that your shoes are bigger!”

The whole coliseum choked with emotion as the ex-couple performed with their sons Ram and Robin (take a bow, kids, for proving beyond doubt that talent runs in the family), while pictures from the family album were flashed on the two giant monitors.

I love the way Martin worked the crowd, asking those in the audience what songs they wanted him to sing. He greeted the celebrities present (among them Mother Lily, Cory Quirino, New York concert producer Ching Imperial, Rachel Alejandro, Paul Cabral, Arnold Vegafria, Claudine Barretto and sister Marjorie, Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Anjo Yllana and wife Jackie Manzano, Bob Zozobrado, Malu Choa-Fagar and Girlie Rodis), stopping in front of

Rufa Mae Quinto who gladly stood up to be recognized, and confessing, “In my mind, we did it 10 times!” That is, the song he was about to sing.

Somebody requested Martin to sing Sana Maulit Muli and, lo and behold, he picked out Gary Valenciano to do the honors while Martin mugged around. (The song means so much to Gary and wife Angeli Pangilinan because it marked a rather stormy chapter in their marriage.)

Besides Kahit Isang Saglit which Martin and Pops did as encore, what I found most touching was what the exes’ called their “now vows” — you know, what they had to say to each other as they looked back at the remnants of a marriage they just couldn’t sustain — read with tears welling in their eyes.

• From Pops (a letter she said she stayed up late the previous night writing):

This must be one of the hardest things I have to do, not because I have no words but because I’m still full of emotions. Back when I was still your little girl, we have made so many beautiful promises to each other, shared a lot of wonderful dreams together. We have vowed to never be apart till the end of time.

Well, change of plans...things didn’t go quite the way I pictured things. I realized that promises can be broken. From now on, no more promises that we can’t keep, just an agreement that no matter what, we will help each other out in raising our boys.

Help me show them the true meaning of love, regardless of the situations we’ve been through, that they can have a better happy ending when they do decide to find the one they love, that even if sometimes there are struggles and complications that come their way, they will have to unconditionally love and respect their partners, although sometimes it seems impossible.

Yes, your girl has finally turned into a woman. Thank you for the two best gifts I will value and adore forever...and this time, I boldly say, without any fear...forever. Thank you also for finally seeing what I am worth. I prayed so hard for that then. I now know you appreciate me for the person that I am.

Let me be the friend that we’ve always been even before the love began. You know that I’m just here to listen and try to understand when you’re feeling low or especially when you’re happy.

I wish you will find your joy and inner peace. And when you do, hold on to it.

• From Martin:

My dearest Pipay,

Years ago, I found a friend,

From friendship to a love that never ends.

Tonight at this moment I must say,

It’s obvious to all that I can’t stay away.

No matter what you do or who you do it with,

I will always be “like” a father

And “the” father of your kids,

Still there when you need me like a white knight

Even when we silently publicly fight.

In front of family friends and God, too,

Let me thank you for simply being you.

The Pops I knew is far away,

The Pops you are now is here to stay.

So much the pro you have grown to be

So proud am I that I fricken’ cry on TV!

No matter what they say, no matter what they write,

We always find a way to end our fight.

Some years ago I said, “I do” with you

Even though I didn’t do what I said I’d do.

So today I am happy to still be part of your life,

Even though I sucked as a husband

When you were an awesome wife.

I promise you today with this “now vow”

To be there when you need me

Or for as long as you allow.

For our love knows to time and knows no space.

Our love deletes “hated”

And take us to a happy place.

Not in a court room and not in Disneyland,

But right here on stage,

In front of every woman and man.

The world is at peace when we are together,

My “now vow” today is to love you forever.

I love you!

me

How sad!

The songs remain the same but, unfortunately, the “marriage” does not.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])