What love is for Sarah

MANILA, Philippines –  At 23, Sarah Geronimo strikes you as all sugar and spice and everything nice, and things better left to the uh, seniors are not her cup of tea. Martin Nievera thought so, too.

But when he bonded with her for What Love Is, their first Valentine concert, set Feb. 12, 8 p.m. at Araneta Coliseum, Martin himself had the surprise of his life.

“Sarah is an old soul,” Martin reveals. “When I went to the meeting for the concert, she was there, choosing our repertoire. And I thought all along the one standing there giving ideas was Louie Ocampo (the show’s musical director)!”

Sarah says Martin — sir Martin to her — hit the nail right on the head. Yes, she’s an old soul, Sarah admits.

“I love songs that talk about forever.”

She’s not just talking about songs young people like her are expected to sing, like Justin Bieber types, but good old reliable ballads identified with Martin. Think Michael Bublé, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, even Broadway.

Martin is convinced Sarah can give his all-time hit Be My Lady a totally fresh, captivating take.

“My dream is for her to sing with an orchestra and go to the next level,” gushes Martin.

Martin, for his part, is not above interpreting Sarah’s songs in his own suave way. For instance, he’s open about doing a Bieber.

“Sarah can teach me new songs,” he explains. “And so I’m tickled pink working with her.”

If Sarah can teach him new songs, can Martin give Sarah tips on falling in love?

Martin laughs. His track record shows he’s not the go-to person for that, Martin says.

Even if their concert is all about love?

The answer is yes. But Martin promises “the audience will know what love is at the end of the concert.”

“There’s a right time for love,” Sarah muses. “The guy must learn how to talk to my parents.”

Curious to find out more about how Martin and Sarah will fare together on stage for the first time?

Watch What Love Is, directed by Rowell Santiago and produced by Viva Concerts. Tickets are priced at P4,000 (patron A), P3,500 (patron B and lower box), P1,500 (upper box A), P1,000 (upper box b) and P400 (general admission).

For details, call Viva Concerts at 687-7236 or Ticketnet at 911-5555.

What Love Is is presented by Globe Prepaid, My Phone, Cebuana Lhuillier, Elaia Vit. E, Jollibee, Sunsilk and Charmee.

 Media partners are Manila Bulletin, People’s Journal, PBO, Viva Cinema and Viva Prime.

Official Music Channel is MYX with radio partners 90.7 Love Radio, 91.5 Energy FM, 93.9 iFM and 101.1 Yes FM.

ABS-CBN is the official TV partner.