This ‘Foursome’ is not afraid of Jessica Sanchez
So what if they’re going head-to-head against “American Idol” idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez on Valentine’s Day?
Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez are positive people will come and watch their show, “Foursome” at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“The parents of kids watching Jessica can go to our show, thank you,” Martin says during a recent presscon at C3 Events Place in Greenhills.
Unlike Jessica’s solo show, this one is equal to four concerts by four artists all rolled into one.
The other big difference is that Martin and Pops broke into the scene decades ago.
“Mas maaga kaming nangailangan,” Pops deadpans.
So she and Martin can tell just how much times have changed . “Nowadays, it’s okay to be with one’s relationship and still have a career,” Martin notes. “The artists can relax with their solo careers. They can sing apart. They’re okay with who they are as a couple and who they are as artists.”
Martin is talking about Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, their co-performers in “Foursome.”
Ogie and Regine may be husband and wife. But they can mount solo concerts each without losing their audience. They can also perform together and bring in the crowd.
In short, Ogie and Regine don’t have to be identified with ach other like Martin and Pops were way back when.
Back then, when they were still married to each other, Martin and Pops had concerts, movies and TV shows together. They were seldom apart as artists.
Diamond in the rough
And they can spot diamonds in the rough a mile away.
Pops first heard Regine’s voice while she (Pops) was at the dressing room of her defunct TV show “Penthouse Live!”years back.
And the concert queen can’t get over that voice that soared over the highest notes in the musical scale with ease. Pops told everyone she found a new talent who is “super galing,” but she couldn’t match the face that went with the fantastic voice.
Pops asked the people at “Penthouse Live!” to guest Regine. The rest, as they say, is history.
Martin also had a hand in Regine’s career.
“Forever na nakatatak sa isip ko how the Concert King agreed to duet with a then newcomer like me,” Regine recalls.
The relationship has gone beyond the concert stage. Pops is now the godmother of Nate, Regine and Ogie’s son.
Regine can even joke, “Ako ang pinakamataas ang talent fee dito. Bibigay sa akin ng asawa ko ang kita nya. Si Nate, inaanak ni Pops.”
Martin, Regine adds, never turned her down every time she asked him to guest in her show.
Martin, Pops, Ogie and Regine – a foursome to reckon with, on stage and off. Four friends ready to take Jessica Sanchez by the horns on Valentine’s Day.
They deserve every chance to get a slice of the Valentine concert pie. as any performer worth his salt does.
