Martin Nievera

Martin Ramon Razon Nievera (born February 5, 1962) is a Filipino singer and songwriter. Known for his contemporary love ballads and on-stage personality, he is celebrated as one of the most important figures in local Filipino music. With a career spanning four decades, he has garnered 18 platinum, 5 double platinum, 3 triple platinum, and 1 quadruple platinum albums, listing him among the highest-selling Filipino recording artists of all time.

Nievera began his career in 1982 with the release of his debut album Martin… Take One, achieving platinum status in five months. In the succeeding years, Nievera also ventured into hosting and acting. He has appeared in eleven movies and seven television series and specials, most notable being Penthouse Live! (1984) with Pops Fernandez, Martin After Dark (1988) and ASAP (1995). His music covers a variety of genres ranging from pop, soft rock, adult contemporary to gospel and dance music. Among his most successful releases includes the multi-platinum sellers Forever (1998), Forever, Forever (1999) and My Souvenirs (2001). In 2002, Nievera was named 'Entertainer of the Year' at the 25th Awit Awards for the third time. He became the first artist to win the award for three consecutive years, elevating him to the Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Pilita Corrales and Celeste Legaspi.

Dubbed as the "Philippines' Concert King" by the media, he was the first Filipino solo male artist and second overall (after Lea Salonga) to stage a full-length concert at the Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall. He was also the first Filipino solo male artist to headline a concert at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and the Hollywood Bowl. Nievera has already performed alongside renowned artists such as David Foster, David Pomeranz, and Michael Bublé.

Early life Martin Ramon Razon Nievera was born on February5, 1963 in Manila to singer Bert Nievera and Conchita Razon. He has a twin sister, Victoria ); a younger sister, Rachel; and many siblings from his parents' other unions. His father was a member of the Hawaii-based singing troupe Society of Seven. Attending elementary and high school in Hawaii, he said that he was regularly bullied by his classmates because of his appearance and "I wore a belt and shoes, so they thought belt and shoes meant mayaman ka [you are rich]. I would get beaten up for my lunch money, so my twin sister Vicki would defend me in school. The following day mas nabugbog ako [I was beaten more] because na-defend ako ng babae [I was defended by a girl]."

Nievera developed an interest in music, particularly in singing, at an early age. In their first year in Hawaii, the family resided on the fifteenth floor of the Outrigger Hotel, and the young Nievera "would watch him [his father] perform downstairs with the Society of Seven, and every night I would dream and imagine myself as one of the members of that group, singing for audiences both big and small." or at another family-owned restaurant, called Roadrunner Burgers, in Concord, California Nievera said in 2018, "It all happened in the main showroom in that Outrigger Hotel[...] That room is now known as the Blue Note Hawaii, and I still perform there to this day. It has become a very sacred room for me probably because that's where dad gave me my first set of wings." opera singer Unlike his father Bert, his mother Conchita was against his dream, instead wanting him to become a doctor or a lawyer.

Career After graduating from Clayton Valley in 1980, His winning piece was "The Greatest Love of All", which his father taught him at the restaurant.

In 1980 c.1982,

Inspired by his father, Nievera returned to the Philippines in 1982 to begin his own singing career.

In 2018, Nievera won the Myx Magna Award at the Myx Music Awards for his contributions to music as a singer and also for being a talk show host and comedian.

In 2023, Nievera was selected to be one of the coaches (judges) on the fifth season of The Voice Kids, which aired on A2Z.

Awards and nominations

Discography

Martin... Take One (1983) The Best Gift (1984) Martin (1985) Miracle (1987) A Martin Nievera Christmas (1988) Dream (1989) A New Start (1991) Roads (1994) Journeys (1997) Forever (1998) Forever, Forever (1999) Return to Forever (1999) Chasing Time (2002) Chasing Time II (2003) Unforgettable (2004) When Love is Gone (2005) Awit ng Puso (2006) Milestones (2007) Ikaw Ang Pangarap (2008) My Christmas List (2008) For Always (2009) As 1 (with Gary Valenciano) (2009) As Always (2010) Himig ng Damdamin (2010) Mga Awit at Damdamin (2012) 3D: Tatlong Dekada (2012) Big Mouth, Big Band (2014) Kahapon... Ngayon (2016)

Filmography Film Always and Forever (1986) Si Mister at Si Misis (1986) Payaso (1986) Shoot That Ball (1987) Maria Went to Town! (1987) Stupid Cupid (1988) Sa Puso Ko Hahalik ang Mundo (1988) Magic to Love (1989) Adarna: The Mythical Bird (1997) Alyas Boy Tigas: Ang Probinsyanong Wais (1998) Masikip sa Dibdib (2004) Wrinkles (2006)

Television The Penthouse Live! (19821987) Mirasol del Cielo (19861987) Martin and Pops Twogether (19871989) Martin After Dark (19881998) ASAP (19951998; 2002present) Martin Late at Nite (19982003) Sabi Nya, Sabi Ko (television film; 2003) Twist and Shout (2010) The X Factor Philippines (2012) Martin Late at Night (2013) I Love OPM (2016) LSS: The Martin Nievera Show (2018present); telecast from ANC The Voice Kids Philippines (2023) Wil To Win (20242025) It's Showtime (2024present) Come Dine With Me: Celebrity Philippines (2026)