For more than four decades, OPM legends Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez have been the Philippines’ “Concert King and Queen.” Their undeniable chemistry, both onstage and behind the scenes, has captured audiences since the 1980s. Now, the iconic pair is ready to celebrate their remarkable journey with the upcoming concert, Always & Forever.
Speaking about the concert’s title, Martin delved into the deeper meaning of “always and forever.”
“For most people, always is forever. But forever is not always always. In my life, always and forever has been my battle cry. I believe there is a place called forever. We all make it there—maybe on different ships. It may not be through marriage, love, or even a career,” Martin said.
“But there is a place called forever. How do you get there? Now, that’s a journey that you should always invest in. I think to make it in anything in life, you should always believe in first,” he continued.
Reflecting on their storied partnership, Pops shared a sentiment rooted in collaboration and fun.
“I think for us, no matter what happens, we will always want to perform together no matter what happens. Because it’s always, again, it’s not just a comfortable feeling. Somehow, we know it works. It’s good. We have fun,” Pops added.
The OPM icons recently marked significant milestones in their solo careers. Martin celebrated over 40 years in the industry with a concert at the Araneta Coliseum, while Pops held her own anniversary show at The Solaire.
In a moment of realization, Pops noted that their partnership spans just as many years.
“Our team is also forty-plus years old. I told Martin, ‘Since we can’t really celebrate our wedding anniversary, we might as well celebrate us as a team,” she quipped.
Martin and Pops, who were once married, have managed to keep a unique connection alive, transcending their personal history. For Pops, the comfort and chemistry they share every time on stage make every performance special.
“Somehow, magic’s still there. Everything’s still there. When Martin and I are together on stage, it’s a breeze. I feel comfortable. It’s like I have nothing to worry about because I know it’s, whatever we say, it’s going to work because we’re going to come up with something,” she explained.
As the duo prepares for their concert, Martin acknowledged the challenges of staying relevant in an industry now dominated by fresh talent and viral sensations.
“It’s healthy to feel nervous. We can be a little bit, keep ourselves and our feet on the ground, and work a little harder. I don’t want to be too confident that we can still do it after all these years. After all these new and very talented, gifted artists who fill them up in a day, in two hours, like TJ Monterde,” Martin noted.
“Times have changed, you know. Singers have changed, the whole scene, the whole landscape of the industry has changed. So it’s such a gift to be able to see that they still come to watch over and start again back in the ‘80s, and that’s how it’s been,” he continued.
As they prepare for their upcoming concert, the Concert King and Queen remain both nostalgic and hopeful. While the show promises a trip down memory lane, it’s also a celebration of resilience, talent, and the enduring power of music.
Presented by Viva Live, DSL Productions, and Starmedia Entertainment, Always & Forever is happening on Feb. 7 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
