Martin Nievera’s lament
Even before she was tagged the Philippines’ Concert Queen, Pops Fernandez was already queen of ‘Penthouse Live,” the late-night Sunday show that became a household name in 1982 and launched the careers of Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez (then a newbie known as Chona Velasquez), Zsa Zsa Padlla, Edu Manzano, Louie Heredia, Keno and others who guested in the show.
Nanette Inventor and her Dona Buding character also started out in ‘Penthouse Live.”
Pops was then a shy teenager and her co-host, the fresh-from-the-US Martin Nievera, didn’t know a thing about Philippine showbiz.
'What’s your name?'
He shocked guests Christopher de Leon and the late Johnny Delgado with the question, “Excuse me, what’s your name?” on-cam (Martin said the award-winning actor kept hurt feelings for years until he admitted it to him [Martin] while they were playing basketball in the US).
It was the pre-social media and idiot board days, and the host didn’t have technology on his side.
Pops had no problem with names. But her mom, Dulce Lukban, shooed her daughter’s suitors away and guarded her like a hawk. Pops admits she didn’t know what she got herself into when she got pregnant, married early and became a mom.
Martin and Pops turned to each other to deal with growing up pains.
Lasting friendship
“We had no hidden agenda when we’re together. We talked about problems – with our parents, love pains, the girl I was seeing,” Martin said in an interview at Jet 7 Bistro, Quezon City.
It is this friendship that keeps Martin and Pops together, decades after their marriage crumbled. Besides the friendship (and their two grown-up sons), Martin and Pops retained something just as important: the discipline as hosts.
“Strict si Tito Fritz (Ynfante, ‘Penthouse Live” director, for whom friends are putting up a tribute show on November 28, 8 p.m. at Music Museum). Kahit medyo sikat na kami, pinapagalitan pa kami. Bawal humawak ng cue cards. Hindi pa non uso ang teleprompter. By 7 p.m. (the show starts 10 p.m.) bago dumating ang guests, dapat nandon na kami para makausap ang guests. Natuto ako out of fear,” says Pops.
She had to think of other ways of saying, “And the next number is.”
‘No one listens’
Pops and Martin's on-cam repartee kept viewers glued to their seats because they’d challenge each other good-naturedly. The conversations between the hosts were long, but not boring because it was effortless. And it clicked.
“It (the tandem) was not there for a teleserye or to promote a movie. It was about two people who don’t agree on anything,” Martin observes.
Today, things are much different. Love teams are born because of a teleserye or a movie. Even hosting has made a 180-degree turn.
“Now no one listens anymore. They’re always talking, getting the script done as quickly possible. If you can promote something quickly, suwerte ka. You don’t even have time to say hello. No one is saying anything with substance anymore. If it were not for the graphics and special effects, no one would pay attention anymore,” laments Martin.
Money matters
This is what he and Pops want to bring back via “The Penthouse … Live Reunion,” on Friday, December 12, 8 p.m. at the PICC Plenary Hall.
Martin and Pops will relive the good old days of long conversations on TV for their audience to recall, and for young people to learn from. The show, which happens to fall on Pops’ birthday, will also feature Nanette Inventor, Jojo and the Tigers and surprise guests.
“It will be a party,” the birthday girl promises.
As the show’s producer, how much did Pops pay her ex-husband?
“Presyong ex,” she jokes.
“I never talk to Pops about money. I’m just happy to work with her again. If it’s because of money, it’s not special anymore,” Martin chimes in.
Perhaps, today’s hosts can take a cue from Martin and Pops.
