Pops Fernandez: No Regrets In Marrying Martin Nievera Even If Their Marriage Failed

POPS FERNANDEZ says it’s not true she lost money in producing Toni Gonzaga’s recent solo concert at the MOA. “Actually, we did very well,” she says. “I’m so impressed with Toni. She’s not only a good singer but a good dancer. We’re all happy with her and Paolo Valenciano as her director. They really worked hard to make ‘Celestine’ a big success.”

Doesn’t she miss singing and acting? “Not really. I’m not really an actress naman. I do love singing, but enjoy naman ako with what I’m doing now, which is producing concerts. I'm enjoying it a lot kasi lumalabas yung creativity ko’t pagiging business-minded ko.”

She has taken over in operating her mom Dulce Lucban’s DSL Productions and her latest project is “The Penthouse Live Reunion Concert” on December 12 (her birthday), 8 PM, at the PICC Plenary Hall. “This is going to be a party, a celebration. Preparing for the reunion brings back a lot of good memories kasi dito talaga kami nag-start ni Martin. Dito talaga nag-take-off ang individual careers namin as well as our career together. I remember nung pinagge-guest co-host nila ako kay Martin, ayoko pa. Kasi it’s on Sunday night, ayoko mapuyat dahil may pasok ako sa school the next day. Pero napilit ako at yun, naging guest ako again, and again, hanggang naging regular co-host na ko. Bigla ko ngang na-miss what we do there. Interviewing people, guesting new talents na first time naming nakikilala, pero nagiging friend namin eventually, like Donya Buding, and Chona Velasquez na naging Regine. I learned so much from the show. Kasi I used to be so shy, baby pa ako. That’s where I gained a lot of confidence. Doing the reunion really brings back a lot of good memories.”

But she’s content having no regular TV show. “Kasi, di ba, I started so early? So, parang now, I have more time for myself, which I never had when I was a teenager. Actually, I was never a teenager. I worked right away and just got married right away. Then, I was a mom right away. Eto pa, I was annuled right away!”

Does she regret marrying Martin? “Hindi naman. You know what? I always, always tell Martin this. When I look back, whatever happened to both of us, nagpapasalamat na rin ako kasi for me, I feel that everything happened for a reason. I wouldn’t have discovered the Pops that I am today kung hindi dahil sa mga pinagdaanan ko. I was such a child. When we were married, I didn’t know anything. But I really grew up. I’m more responsible now. I know what I want. I really discovered who the real Pops is. And I have to thank Martin for that.”

“The Penthouse Live Reunion” will be directed by their friend, Rowell Santiago, with Homer Flores as director, presented by Sta. Elena Construction, PLDT, Pamica Graphics, Prouna Hankook Chinaware, Jet 7 Bistro. For tickets, call DSL Office at 659-3474, 0918-5633781.