‘Martin Home For Christmas’ concert coverage: 33 Years of madness and counting
by Mary Rose G. Antazo
To usher the holiday season, Concert King Martin Nievera gave his world class performance via a concert entitled Martin Home For Christmas last December 1 at the Theatre of Solaire Resort and Casino . And indeed, it was truly a night to remember because he was at his best element during the whole two-hour show.
Martin Home for Christmas was produced by Fullhouse Asia Production Studios, Inc. and staged in response to public clamor and insistent demand of a repeat of the immensely successful “Martin Home at the Theater” presented by Solaire last September.
Muli na namang pinatunayan ni Martin na karapat-dapat lamang siyang tawagin bilang Philippine’s Concert King dahil mula noon hanggang ngayon sa loob nang mahigit 30 years niyang pagbibigay-aliw at walang ipinagbago kanyang kahusayan sa pag-awit. Never a dull moment ‘ika nga, during the show, kayang-kaya niyang aliwin at pasiyahin ang kanyang audience through his wonderful songs. At halos lahat ay naka-relate sa kanyang repertoire kaya naman sobrang nag-enjoy ang lahat ng nanood that night.
And it was a privileged that Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR.ph), yours truly, was invited to witness the said event.
He was indeed singing from his heart kaya naman touched na touched ang audience listening to his Christmas songs and all time favorite Martin Nievera’s songs. For the opening number, he sang “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” the “Christmas Song,” “Christmas Won’t Be the Same Without You”and his latest Christmas song collaborationwith Louie Ocampo, “All I Want.”
And during the concert, kaaliw din ang mga hirit na jokes ni Martin kaya laugh to death ang audience sa kanyang mga banat.
Patok din ang throwback songs ni Martin na naging love anthems ng marami. Emotional songs na talagang nakaaantig ng puso. Wala siyang binago sa areglo from the original singers pero mararamdaman mo na feel good at nostalgic ang mga songs na ito. To name a few sa mga kantang ito ay ang song ni Ric Segretto na “Don’t Know What To Do” (Don’t Know What To Say), “You” “Never Ever Say Goodbye” ni Nonoy Zuniga. Nagmistulang videoke session nga ang naganap dahil join ang crowd while Martin was singing those wonderful songs.
Mas lalong nagpatingkad ng gabi ng ‘Martin Home For Christmas’ ay ang bonggang ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and with the superb musical director Louie Ocampo. Ilan sa mga awiting tinugtog nila with Martin ay ang songs from ‘West Side Story,’ ‘Evita,’ ‘Cats’ at ‘This is The Moment’ from Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde. Dito na rin nakatanggap ng standing ovation si Martin from the audience na super napahanga sa kanyang Broadway performance.
At siyempre pa, hindi natapos ang gabi without Martin rendering his original songs kung saan siya hinangaan at minahal ng kanyang mga tagahanga all these years. Among Nievera’s hit songs are ‘How Can I,’ ‘Ikaw,’ ‘Kahit Isang Saglit,’ ‘You Are To Me,’ ‘Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin,’ ‘Say That You Love Me’ and ‘No Way to Treat a Heart.’
Naging special guest din Martin that night ang kapatid at kakambal niyang si Vicky Nievera and his own son Robin Nievera. Unforgettable ang number ng mag-ama na kumanta ng ‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World.’
Revelation din si Matteo Guidicelli na special guest ni Martin, nag-duet sila ng song na ‘Corner of the Sky’ from Pippin. In fairness, bukod sa napakaguwapo ng boyfriend ng Popstar Princess ay panalo rin ang boses nito na pang-musical theater ang dating. Applauded ang number na ito at sobrang thankful ang binata dahil sa tiwala sa kanya ng Concert King as a singer.
Bongga din ang naging number ni KZ Tandingan na tinawag ni Martin na favorite daughter niya at bilib na bilib din daw siya sa husay mag-perform ni KZ. Standout ang number niya dahil hindi the usual singer ang makikita sa kanya dahil napakahusay din niyang mag-rap at beat box.
And for his encore, Martin did “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” his first biggest hit “Be My Lady” and he capped the night with “You Are My Song.”
Truly, it was one memorable performance from the Concert King himself, Martin Nievera! Congratulations from your Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR.ph) family!
