The four superstars of the music industry in the Philippines— Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez, and Ogie Alcasid— did some reminiscing during their press conference for Foursome last January 11.
Martin began, “Ogie and Regine, now as professionals and as a married couple have really… I mean its better that they are doing this now.
"Back in our day, everything was under the microscope.
"I don’t see or sense or feel any competition between the two of them, like Pops and I.
"I was Pops’ number one fan. I’m a supporter.”
Martin said he also admires the singing couple because of their "what-you-see-is-what-you-get" personalities.
"I like how they showcase on television, how they register in the public eye yung talagang… 'eto lang kami, 'eto lang, oo alam ko sikat ako, sikat siya, alam kong sikat kami."
Ogie threw in, “Can we go back, way way back in time? And did you know that my first television appearance was with… Martin and Pops together?
"You know what, I think that was 1988, January 15, 1988."
The other three were amazed that Ogie still remembered the date.
Ogie added, “I’ve always looked up to them ever since. So you can now imagine the feeling that I have right now that I’m performing… on one stage with these two people.
"Well, they inspired me since I was four years old.”
Chuckles filled the room.
The Songwriter continued to tell more things about the Concert King.
“I think Martin could sing forever... He would sing anywhere, any time, any place because that’s his life and that’s admirable.
"Nung binigyan siya ng Panginoon ng boses, talagang tinotoo niya, kaya now, that’s what I call unwasted talent. So kudos!”
Next, the topic shifted to Pops who, according to Ogie, "has a golden heart."
The Kapuso comedian added, "Napakabait na tao, walang… walang masamang tinapay sa kanya."
LADIES' TURN. After the two gentlemen's banter, the microphone was given to Pops, who described her fellow performers.
"Martin and I have been there before these two," she said before tackling the ticket to fame then and now.
“Mas madali ngayon, makita ka lang sa YouTube, madami kang hits. Napakasuwerte, no?
"There’s a lot of luck involved. Kasi kami, para bang hindi pa uso yung Internet. We really have to go to almost every taping."
Back to the Foursome singers, “Like also what Martin said earlier, I will always be a Martin’s fan,” then she related how "passionate" his husband has always been as far as singing is concerned.
On Regine, Pops said, “I’m so happy for her. I’m so happy that she had reached wherever she reached now, and I think that she would be performing longer pa, kasi napaka-special talaga ng voice niya."
The 46-year-old singer also recounted the first time she heard Regine's voice.
“Minsan lang ako magsalita sa meeting, sobrang quiet ako pero sabi ko, 'I found a talent, I just don’t remember what she [Regine] looks like,' sabi ko.
"'But the voice, sobrang galing, super special,' sabi ko, and that’s the reason why I looked for Regine.”
Ogie, Pops said, is "everhybody's friend."
She resumed, "I’ve always told everybody this, kung meron akong isang taong kilala sa showbiz na napakadaling kausap pag nangangailangan ka, hindi naman pera, yung nangangailangan ka lang talaga..."
Regine cut in, “Ako naman, as a singer, siyempre, I look up to both of them, Martin and Pops.
“I always say na si Pops, actually isa po sa mga naka-discover sa akin.
"And si Martin naman, bilang sikat na sikat na siya noong time na 'yon, nakipag-duet siya agad sa isang baguhan na gaya ko, so siyempre, forever… ahhh, forever 'yon nasa isip ko. Forever na 'yon nakatatak sa isip ko na malaki talaga yung naging role ni Martin and Pops sa career ko.”
The Songbird also shared the valuable lesson she learned from Pops and Martin , “Natutunan naming dalawa [she and Ogie] dahil nga because of what happened to the both of you [Martin and Pops], siyempre, iiwasan na namin 'yon. Pero yung magagandang part naman ng relationship niyo, gusto namin 'yon.
“Sabi nga ni Martin, kapag sila [Pops] ang magkasama, magic talaga."