OPM icons Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez are reuniting for their much-awaited pre-Valentine concert dubbed "Always and Forever" at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City on Feb. 7.

At a recent media conference held at Viva Cafe in Araneta City, the former couple discussed their preparations for the concert and what the audience can expect during the show.

"Marami kayong maririnig na familiar songs during our era, bago naman ang mga areglo. I've been locked in my room, trying to concentrate as we prepare for the concert.

 I'm very excited because it's a brand new show," said Pops.Martin answered: "I'm also very excited, and I've been studying naman. When Pops and I are on stage, people expect songs from our era in the 1980s. In our case, these songs tell our stories using the songs from that era."

The "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" singer shared how he got hooked on music of the 80s.

"For me, music is the best in the 80s. Na-hook talaga ako sa 80s. Even when I'm listening in my car, puro 80s. Hindi na ako maka-move on sa 80s," Martin said.

Pops agreed with Martin. "I find the music of the 80s more poetic. Nakaka-in love and mga words and lyrics ng songs of the 80s. But as Martin said, the whole concept of the show is our life story together through music."

The last time Martin and Pops had an entire show was before the pandemic. "We did seven straight shows at the Solaire. That time, may rumor pa lang na magkakaroon ng pandemic."

Birthday greetings

Pops and Martin also gave each other their birthday greetings.

"I wish that everything she does will blossom into great things. She wasn't business-minded before. So my birthday wish is that every dream you have will come true," said Martin as he greeted Pops, who celebrated her birthday on Dec. 12.

On Pops' birthday wish for Martin, she said: "I always tell Martin, whatever it is, may he find his peace and happiness." Martin will celebrate his birthday on Feb. 5.

Martin and Pops also recall their theme song from when they were still married. Then they hummed the theme from Beverly Hills Cop by Axel F.

"People often asked what our theme song was when we were together. But that's truly our theme song. I don't know why," Pops added.

Martin and Pops married in 1986. Then they called it quits. Their marriage was annulled in 2000. They have two children, Robin and Ram. Martin is now in a relationship with Anj del Rosario, while Pops is single.

Team Hopia

After all these years, hardcore fans of Pops and Martin are still hoping they will reunite in real life.

"Meron pa ring Team Hopia (hopefuls). We understand that in their minds, and they wish na magkakabalikan pa kami. We're not going to lie by pretending. What they see is what they get.

"Maybe we are so honest about that topic. It gives them excitement and curiosity. So I guess our show is still interesting," she said.

Martin added: "They know so much about us through social media and the press. They know everything about us, so let's not fool them for the sake of money. This is a great team."

In harmony

"Kami ni Martin weird kami. Whether okay kami or not, when we are on stage, we are okay. So I guess it would be very difficult for you guys to see if we are okay or not.

"The moment we step on stage we let go of everything. Lahat ng pinagdadaanan namin. We are focused on the show. 

"As a matter of fact, minsan magugulat na lang kayo, nag u-usap kami sa stage, akala ninyo part of the spiel yun. But we are actually dealing with what we're goin through at that time habang nasa stage kami.

"Ang weird, no? Actually, siya lang ang weird," said Pops. "I guess you call it professionalism. Ang turo sa akin ni Direk Fritz Ynfante, the moment you step on stage, it is important that you entertain the people na dapat wala silang alam sa pinagdadaanan mo.

"So I was able to carry it all throughout. It was always difficult but they always say the show must go on," said Pops.

Martin said that in this later stage of his and Pops' lives, they have noticed that they are becoming a team.

"We managed to perform without the script, and we achieved a sense of harmony. We can direct each other with our facial expressions," he added.

Pops confessed to having fears when performing with Martin, but everything changed as she became more open about their relationship.

"Ngayon mas open na kami. We can talk about ourselves. We are private, but now you know what we have gone through. 

"We don't make fun of it, but now we can talk about it in a lighter way. What happened to us was serious, but now we were able to twist it. Back then, it wasn't.

"Perhaps we want the audience to know what we went through was okay. It happens," Pops said.

Martin said: "We may have personal problems, but when it comes to performance, we complement each other. When it comes to performance, that has never changed. If there's one we can be proud of, it is that we hold a certain stature in the industry that we were able to perform regardless if we were together or un-together."