Pops Fernandez is a new lola but she does not look a day older than 40.
“Twenty-eight years old lang si Pops, pero more than 40 years na siya sa showbiz, paano nangyari ‘yun?” quipped publicist and Abante entertainment editor Jun Lalin.
Well, the “Concert Queen,” aside from feeling emotional about the newest member of their family – her first apo, Baby Phineas – she is gearing up for her 40th anniversary show, “Always Loved.”
Also the title of her latest single, “Always Loved” is produced by DSL and Dreamwings Production and will be held on February 9 and 10, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City.
“It’s going to be huge,” the singer-actress promised during her show’s press con last Monday at Mesa Restaurant on Tomas Morato in Quezon City. “It’s been 12 years since my very last major concert so we want something bongga for my audience again.”
Pops revealed how overwhelmed she was with the gesture of a lot of her colleagues who have been volunteering to be part of her anniversary show.
“Na touch ako because it meant so much, hindi ko kailangan mag knock sa doors. I wasn’t expecting this reaction.”
Among her very special guests are the two performers who were with her at her first major show, “Folks Meets Pops,” at the Folk Arts Theater in 1983 – “Mr. Pure Energy” Gary Valenciano and of course, the country’s “Concert King” and Pops’ ex, Martin Never.
Aside from Martin and Gary, the people she started with – including musical director Homer Flores and actor-director Rowell Santiago – will be part of the production.
“Syempre, we are actually working with the people with the people I used to work with. Bakit? By choice, because it’s my celebration. I want to celebrate with these very talented people,” she explained.
“Unang una na with Direk Rowell Santiago. Si Rowell kilalalang kilala na ako both personally and as an artist. Alam na nya ang kaya kong gawin at di ko kaya, gusto ko at hindi ko gustong gawin.
“At and musical director ko dito – ang talagang original love team – ay Pops at Homer Flores dahil ang very first single ko po kasama ko na kagad si Homer Flores. I’m very, very happy na OK na po si Tito Homer. Nagkaroon po siya ng surgery but he’s very fine. I visited him the other day and he’s very excited to perform with me on February 9 and 10.”
Georcelle Dapat of GForce will be in charge of the choreography.
As the newest celebrity lola in town, Pops said she has yet to meet Phineas Atlas Acoba Nievera, the baby of son Robin and his partner Mian. Phineas was born on December 16 in the US. Pops said she has taken to calling herself “Lolly,” adding with a smile that she will be known as “Lolly” Pops.
“Hindi ko pa nakikita si Baby Phin pero excited akong makita sya, mahawakan siya, makarga ko sya. I think that’s the only time na mate-feel ko na certified ‘Lolly’ ako. Ngayon tinatawag ko lang ang sarili kong ‘Lolly’,” she related.
“Alam na alam ko na pag nangyari yun, hindi ko mapipigilan ang iyak ko dahil iyakin naman talaga ako, by nature, especially when it comes to my family.
“Sinabi ko naa earlier, hindi ko ma-imagine na first and foremost ang akin panganay is already a dad, but I’m sure he will be a very, very good parent. Alam ko Kuya is very loving and very responsible.”
