Martin Nievera shares the songs he dedicates to Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ariel Rivera and Pilita Corrales.

The jampacked crowd at the Big Dome cheered for the Concert King Martin Nievera last weekend; but here he is, forever grateful, singing his thank-yous to the significant people who form part of his illustrious 42-year singing career.

Regine Velasquez – “Forever”: Louie and I, along with our dear friend Rowell Santiago, put our hearts and storytelling talents to the test when we wrote this duet for Regine and I, but little did we know how special this song would become.

Regine and I have had major concerts together here and all over the world. Our friendship goes back as far as the ‘80s when she launched her career on a TV show I hosted with Pops called, “Penthouse Live,” but it’s this song I feel that really brings us the closest together. Each time we sing this song, I know for sure that our love and friendship is the “forever” kind. Regine is the sweetest, most thoughtful friend I have. I will love her forever.

Zsa Zsa Padilla – “Beautiful”: I have never met anyone more beautiful inside and out, and inside again than my dear friend Zsa Zsa . She is the most reliable friend I have who will go out on a limb for any of us. She has been everyone’s favorite person for as long as I have known her. Never mind her one-of-a-kind velvet voice — she is first a friend till the end. Such a beautiful person. Such a beautiful soul.

Ariel Rivera – “How Can I”: I know, it sounds like a song a guy would give a girl, but let me explain.

There are so many chapters in my life that were either lost or left unwritten. There were friends I lost or who stayed away when I needed them the most, but not Ariel. He stayed around to help me pick up the pieces and find my way back. I don’t think I could have made it out of the hole I dug for myself without him. Of all my friends, I see him the least, but need and love him the most.

Crossover and Villar Family – “You”: I will always remember my Crossover family. At one time back then, I was over for lunch almost every Sunday, so I almost changed my last name to Villar.

They picked me up off the ground and breathed new life into my concert career. I will never forget them for that. We have made so many beautiful memories together. Besides, this song is the favorite song of my sister Sari who I love and adore. They helped me “crossover” to a happier time in my life.

EMI / POLYEAST Family – “Against All Odds”: I had some of the best years of my career with my Polyeast family. We made CD after CD, sometimes 3 in less than a year, but the one thing I will never forget was when my boss Ramon Chuaying met me and saw I had no car when we got to the meeting. He saw what I was going through with my public separation and all, and he gave me an advance to get myself a car. Such a beautiful man.

The “Martin After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” Family – “Biggest Part of Me”: When I was a young boy I thought I only had one dream and that was to be a singer. When I came to the Philippines back in the 1980s to live that dream, I never once considered becoming a television host.

I remember loving to watch the Johnny Carson show and the Arsenio Hall show and found myself directing and critiquing these seasoned talk show hosts from my living room, only to be blessed with the opportunity to host my very first TV show, “Penthouse Live” with Pops on GMA7. This opened the door for me to host my own talk show MAD or “Martin After Dark” also on Channel 7 and “Martin Nievera After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” on ABS CBN. This is where I learned how to interview the most interesting of celebrities and featured a lot of talented celebrities, politicians and people from all sectors of society; but the people who made me look like a credible host were the incredible family of writers and creative crazies who spoon fed me with the most brilliant of scripts and gimmicks which later became some of the most award-winning pieces of some of the shows we enjoy today. They are all the biggest part of me and all I have become in all my 42 years and I cannot thank them enough.

The “X Factor” Kids – “I Sing”: My “X Factor” kids:  Jeric, Kedebon, Allen, Gab and my KZ not to mention my “The Voice” kids and teens have blessed me not just their beautiful voices but have taught me so many lessons about life. Believe it or not, I learned from them more than they from me.

I have learned the true value of why they sing and who they sing for. It’s not for fortune and fame. They sing to make their family and hometown proud. They sing to repair a roof, to help their family through tough times, to put a brother or sister to school, to see miracles come true. To see dreams come true.

Now I have a whole new perspective on life each time I sing because of these beautiful angels.

One of them has even actually become my real daughter for life. My beautiful and talented KZ Tandingan. She has changed the whole music scene with her husband TJ Monterde, and the young people who listen to their music are moved and persuaded to do only good things. That in itself would make any father proud.

Pilita Corrales – “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin”: My Tita Pilita was the very first person to ever make me fantasize about going to the Philippines to try my luck in showbiz, so when I first landed here, guess who gave me my first TV appearance? That’s right. My Tita Pilita.

She is a legend and an icon, but she is also the most levelheaded superstar I have ever known. Many could learn a thing or two from her about humility. Not only does she have amazing stage presence and showmanship, she is so pitch perfect she could harmonize with a jeepney backing up.

I love my Tita Pilita for all she has given us in the music industry and all she is to our family. I will forever be grateful for every opportunity she has given me.

Jackie Lou Blanco – “Rewrite the Stars”:  No one ever forgets their first love. She should have been my prom date back in the States when she was on tour with her mother, but when one of their shows got cancelled, they went home early and I was dateless for that prom.

Long story short, when I came to the Philippines, she owed me a couple of dinners and a dance. That day, until this very day, we have been very close. She knows she can always count on me and I know I can always count on her.

Luigi Tabuena and the Backstage Family – “What A Wonderful World”: What a journey! So many good years together sharing every new morning learning the ropes of show business. Hit and miss, every risk we took was a leap of faith. With Luigi’s business mind mixed together with Gina’s artistic passion, we were on our way to great things. What a wonderful world they gave me – Connie, Jennifer, Ramir, Arlene, Vangie, Christine, Arsi… I am forever grateful.

Bettina Aspillaga – “Because of You”: Bettina started my 42 years and gave me the best years of her life. We laughed together and cried together. She even saw me once in a church arguing with God about my life, asking Him to tell me about the why’s and the why nots of my life, screaming at the top of my lungs. No one knows me better than my Bettina. She was the my very first personal assistant and dearest friend. I love her to pieces.

Joji Dingcong, Connie Diegor, Jennifer Richter, Ramir Martin and the Big Mouth Family – “The Best of Me”: Joji, Connie, Jennifer and Ramir, I have to say, had the best of me. We soared high and fell hard together. We all tasted victory and defeat together. I will never forget nor will I ever trade our days in, Backstage Incorporated (and later Big Mouth Inc.) brainstorming the next concert, sharing chicken inasal and garlic rice. How we used to sort out fan mail and answer each one. We did everything together. Those days were the best. (To be continued)