‘Yes, times have changed, but the superstars of today have to know from the get-go the power of the press.’

(Last of the series)

All hail! As the “King 42ever” concert is one for the books, the great Martin Nievera completes his list of gratitude through his songs for the special people in his career and well-lived life.

Joy Alonzo – “Leaves”: Joy is one of the nicest people you will ever meet and when the day came when I thought I had no friends, she was the one who answered my calls and joined me in my new mission to bounce back from it all.

She and I are true believers that no matter how big the problem or how strong the storm – all will be alright in time. I don’t think I would have reached number 42 without her. We still have lots of memories to make.

Kristie Carlos and the Martians – “Forever”: The reason I live and breathe this day and always, besides my three sons, will always be Kristie and the Martians. I know they sound like a rock band and they might as well be one, because these people truly rock!

Kristie makes sure the Martians are always ready, willing and able to support me in every event I put myself in, and she has the biggest collection of my memorabilia. I just love Kristie to pieces!

Some members have migrated to other parts of the world, some go by different names, but they have all merged together, calling themselves, “Martians.”

But if I’m being perfectly honest, I should say I have always been in awe of every person that has worked so hard to sit in the seat of any and every concert I have ever done in the last 42 years. You know you don’t have to be out of this world to be a Martian. My love and gratefulness is “Forever.”

Mother Lily Monteverde – “Be My Lady”: Mother Lily is the lady we all look for when we talk about the Philippine movie industry. She is the lady who gave me my movie career and trusted me with her Regal name. She is a beautiful lady through and through. Every project she touched was a work of art and her memory will last forever. She is truly missed.

Boy Abunda – “Kahit Isang Saglit”: This is a special song for both Boy and I. In any and every occasion he always makes me sing this song. Even on a very quick, “Fast Talk,” there is always time for a chorus or two.

I have learned through the years that of the many talents Boy is blessed with, there is one mystery not too many will ever know about him. Boy’s soul has many layers. Just as deep as this song can sometimes go, Boy takes it even deeper. What lies deep in his heart when he hears this song? As the great Boy Abunda always shouts, “Abangan!”

He has always had my back for all these 42 years. He’ll be there till the end. I love him with all my heart.

Rowell Santiago – “Of All the Things”: Of all the things I ever done finding a friend like Rowell will prove to be the most valuable treasure ever. He was there from the very beginning and he has never left. We dreamed together, wrote and re-wrote concert scripts together, and now we love to reminisce of the good times every time we see each other. There is no one friend like him.

Paolo Valenciano – “What’s on the Other Side”: In all my 42 years, I can finally say I had the great Paolo Valenciano as my concert director. This boy is gifted. Never mind that I saw him enter this world the second he came in screaming his first rock song. When he came into my concert world, I learned many things about him.

I was at the lowest point of my emotional life where part of me was ok to be the concert king and the other part of me after many disappointments in my career wanted to know what life would be like on the other side sitting in the audience. Paolo lives for weird stories like this, so this song is perfect for him.

Thank you Pao for adding so much of your, “Paolo-ism,” into my year 42 as we dream of what’s next together.

Enrico Santos and Deo Endrinal – “Pain”: Deo and Enrico were the team to beat back in those days. They made me look intelligent (ish) and smart (ish) and their funny ideas then are brilliant ideas used and abused in some other shows and movies today.

I will never forget our time together, especially the hungry years. I love seeing Enrico when we bump into each other from time to time and I miss Deo very much.

I will always remember the time in Milan when “ASAP” was there; I was walking past a restaurant where from the corner of my eye I saw Deo sharing a meal with his family. Something made me brave enough to just walk in on their private time just to say hi. So I did. I walked in, greeted everybody and leaned over and hugged Deo and planted a kiss on his cheek as I often did. Then, I spoke to his son sitting across Deo and said, “You know, I think I should tell you, if it wasn’t for this man sitting over here, I would not have a career today. I love this guy! I am forever grateful.” And then I left the restaurant and never saw Deo again.

Noel Ferrer – “No Way To Treat a Heart”: Noel has been my cheerleader and the one person who never has to be on the payroll to literally put words in my mouth or to put good intentions in my heart. He also put a lot of good ideas in my head. We seldom disagree on things and almost always believe in the same things.

One very important thing we both believe in is, how one’s heart should and should not be treated. We both feel matters of the heart should not be forsaken or taken for granted. We are also true believers that being your true self is usually the best defense in any and every back against the wall situations.

I have known Noel for many years now and I have noticed that he has never lost one second of his usual high spirted energy. His zeal for life has never changed. He loves all those who live in his world that he himself loves so dearly and works so hard to improve. His passion for what he knows deep in his heart to be true is almost always unchallenged.

I trust Noel and his every opinion. I honor his friendship and love and his laughter. When I hear him laugh in my shows mixed together with the chanted words, “Go,go!” I know I am doing the right thing.

Thank you, Noel, for never running out of love and patience . Thank you for always giving a damn and for always caring how our hearts are treated in this world. I love you, Tatang!

Members of the Press – “Each Day With You”: Times have changed and we don’t see and meet with the members of the press as often as we used to, but when we do, it’s like a special occasion.

Yes we have concert days or movie premiere, before we allot some days  for them to herald and drumbeat any special activity. And they truly make everything special. My bond with them goes beyond any project, and when we talk, I give them a real piece of my heart.

Just like the lyrics to this song, each day with the press becomes a Valentine or some special day of love — a dedication. We need the press. We need warm bodies in a room with opinions and attitude and with great sense of humor. Yes times have changed , but the superstars of today have to know from the get go the power of the press. And their magic.

We are all one well-oiled machine. We need them to spread the word, too, and not just the new way on social media. We all need each other. I am so grateful to each member of the press. Thank you for making each day with you a day to celebrate.

To the person who sat in the furthest seat away from my stage – “Chasing Time”:  I don’t know who you are and I don’t know your back story. I don’t know where you came from. I don’t know how hard you worked just to afford that ticket you hold. That same ticket that you will probably put in an album or maybe carry with you everywhere hoping one day our paths will cross so I could sign it.

I don’t know anything about you, but I want you to know that I love and appreciate you the most. I will not stop doing what I do, singing what I sing. You have put me on that stage and made me the proudest person on earth to call myself a singer from the Philippines. I do it all for you.

I know it may not seem that way because I don’t know you. But I sing for you. I know I am not as young as I used to be and that time is catching up with me, but you came to my concert and I love you.

This journey begins and ends with you.