Martin Nievera learns humility the hard way
How do you tame someone who’s full of himself?
It took Martin Nievera “many moments of not being humble” to learn humility.
As a young singer, he felt “on top of the world,” as fame and money came so easily.
“But after a few years of doors slamming on my face… I've had my share of failure. I've had my lean years and not just keen years,” he told Yahoo Music. “And that has humbled me in a lot of ways.”
Indeed, Martin sounds so humble now—very different from the old Martin who used to be tactless and talkative.
Set a good example
Now on his 31st year in the music scene, the 52-year-old singer wants to become a role model for up-and-coming talents.
KZ Tandingan and Allen Sta. Maria of “X Factor” and Klarisse De Guzman and Morisette Amon of “The Voice of the Philippines” were first to learn from the veteran singer when they joined him in a free Valentine concert organized by Makati on Wednesday (February 12) at the Ayala Triangle Gardens.
The number one lesson on the list is ditch insecurity.
Not threatened
Martin said the presence of new talents and their screaming fans don’t threaten him at all.
“That [idolatry] somehow disappears in time. And they will learn very soon what it's like to be in my shoes. So If I'm insecure and threatened, then that's the wrong lesson for them to learn.”
Another piece of advice from the singer is to treat every gig—no matter how big or small—as your last.
“They should know that they should embrace every gig. For me, every gig is as important as the last. And I've been thinking that way for the last 31 years.”
He continued, “Hopefully that will rub off on them so when you ask them that question one day, they will know how to answer with humility and gracefulness.”
Sharing audiences, old and new
Martin still has the big fan base he had earned over the past three decades and hundreds of performances later.
But as the industry gives birth to new talents every single day, sharing fan bases is now the name of the game.
“With Klarisse and Morisette, it's very inspiring to know that I can sing alongside with them. Sana lang their following would also like what I do. And also somehow we share each other's following also.”
Martin added that he’ll be the first one to be happy seeing the younger ones reach their dreams.
“It's so nice to see how they've grown as entertainers and performers now becoming sought-after in the world of corporate shows. But you have to earn your way. The best part of it I was also part of their beginnings.”
Appreciating blessings
If there’s one thing failures taught Martin, it would be to appreciate blessings he tends to overlook during his golden years.
“I love what I do more now than ever. I embrace every project. This is a corporate show but I treat it as a concert. And it's free show. And those are the shows I embrace more. If you'll ask me when you pay tickets, I don't have as much fun. I have more fun in a show like this. I love what I do.”
