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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Music and Concerts devider Asia's Diamond Soul Siren Nina says 'no' to another live album

Asia's Diamond Soul Siren Nina says 'no' to another live album

Published Mar 1, 2026 12:17 pm
Asia’s Diamond Soul Siren, Nina, is set to dazzle fans with her highly anticipated "Nina XX" concert on May 9. Tickets are selling out fast, making this a must-see event of the season.
Asia's Diamond Soul Siren Nina
Asia's Diamond Soul Siren Nina
Happening at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Nina’s 2026 concert will feature special performances by Jay Durias, Thor, and Kris Lawrence.
This milestone event marks the 20th anniversary of Nina’s iconic album "Nina Live!"—home to smash hits like "I Don't Want To Be Your Friend," "(Love Moves) In Mysterious Ways," and a collection of timeless covers.
To date, "Nina Live!" ranks as the fourth-best-selling Filipino album in OPM history, achieving Diamond Award status with over 150,000 units sold since its release on Feb. 23, 2005, under Warner Music Philippines. It is the last album honored with a Diamond certification by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).
Despite her remarkable success, Nina has no plans to record another live album.
"I chose not to release another live album because 'Nina Live!' is already part of history. We felt there was no need to create a follow-up—we couldn’t top that achievement. While it’s possible for me to do an album with a fresh set of cover songs, another live album just wouldn’t compare. Even now, I'm listening to 'Nina Live!' still feels like a new experience," Nina explained.
Nina is expected to perform songs from the hit album. But Christian Bautista, who was part of the album singing a duet with Christian for the song "Burn," won't be part of the concert.
"I’m not exactly sure why Christian isn’t part of the concert," Nina said. "He might have a prior commitment coming up, so I think that explains it."
Nina also recalled why she added her rendition of Gloria Estefan’s "Anything For You" to the album at the last minute.
"It wasn’t originally part of the setlist, but during that period, I was going through a tough relationship. For a time, it became my personal theme song," she shared.
The album’s celebrated tracklist includes fan favorites like "Sweet Thing," "Stay (With Me)," "Burn," "Through the Fire," "Fall for You," "Coloured Kisses," "Cool with You," "Constantly," "Sunlight," "The Closer I Get To You," "Steep," "I Love You Goodbye," "I Can't Tell You Why," "Piano In the Dark," and "Time to Say Goodbye," all chosen based on listener requests.
Asked about critics of cover songs, Nina responded, "That’s okay with me. Sometimes, a song only becomes a hit when it’s covered. Listeners often discover and connect with these songs through new interpretations."
Nina, now 45, first made waves with hits like "Jealous" and "Someday." She shared that her version of "Love Moves" became so successful that many listeners believed she was the original artist.
"Julia Fordham, who wrote and originally sang '(Love Moves) In Mysterious Ways,' was so pleased with my cover that she personally signed my Diamond Award," the OPM icon recalled.
Concert director Calvin Neria shared that the team aimed to capture the spirit of the original live album for the upcoming show. He noted, however, that some fans have questioned the "XX" (20) in the concert title, since Nina’s career spans more than two decades.
Calvin clarified that the concert specifically commemorates the 20th anniversary of Nina’s hit album "Nina Live!"
"As a concert director, I prefer to keep things simple, allowing the artist to shine with minimal backdrops and visuals. When I watch a concert, I’m drawn to the artist and the songs—that’s what I truly enjoy," he explained.
Calvin added, "Nina doesn’t need flashy gimmicks—her pure, clear voice will take center stage. I want the show to tell more stories, almost like a diary or journal, and we’re planning a unique opening for this concert."
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