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Martin and Pops’ Christmas: ‘More magical’—and ‘less stressful’
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Martin and Pops’ Christmas: ‘More magical’—and ‘less stressful’

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Their first grandchild turning a year old this month is all the more reason for Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera to be merry this holiday season.

“Christmas has a whole new meaning again,” Fernandez told Lifestyle.

The singers and ex-couple were recently in Chicago, USA, to celebrate not only Christmas, but also the first birthday of Finn—the baby boy of Nievera and Fernandez’s elder son, Robin, with his wife Mian.

“I remember feeling the same way when Robin and Ram (younger son) were babies. And then they grew up,” Fernandez said. “But now, with Finn, there’s magic again. He fills our hearts with endless joy and love.”

Pops Fernandez visits Santino, Nievera’s son with Katrina Ojeda, in Las Vegas.

Finn was born just before Christmas last year, on Dec. 17. That’s why Fernandez reminds Robin to make sure that her beloved apo is with him when he puts up the tree.

“Last year, I told Robin, ‘Was Finn there when you guys were setting up your tree? Because I want Finn to get used to that tradition. And when he’s older, he can start helping decorate, too,” she related.

Nievera, meanwhile, hopes to bring Finn to malls or other places replete with glittery holiday displays—just like how he used to do it with his sons.

Family time

“I love watching kids, babies especially, as they admire the ornaments. Seeing them all wide-eyed and full of wonder just brings tears to my eyes. It makes your heart all melty,” he told Lifestyle. “That’s Christmas for me. That’s the magic of Christmas.”

Fernandez and Nievera also went to Las Vegas, where the latter’s youngest son, Santino, is based. The young man, who turned 18 this year, is Nievera’s child with ex-partner Katrina Ojeda.

And she would be lying, Fernandez said, if she claimed that the first Christmas with Nievera’s second family didn’t make her feel uneasy.

Fernandez says Finn gives Christmas “a new meaning.” —INSTAGRAM

“We have done [blended celebrations] before. The first one wasn’t as comfortable, only because it was something that hadn’t happened before. I think it was more uncomfortable for Martin,” Fernandez said, laughing.

But things are “very fun, nice, and warm” now. “It’s like I have an extended family in Vegas. I don’t cook, so nakikikain lang ako kina Katrina!” Fernandez said. “And of course, our love for Santino is something I share with my sons.”

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That everyone gets along now means that Nievera’s Christmases have become “less stressful.”

Nievera with his boys: Ram, Robin and Finn —MARTIN NIEVERA

“It was very complicated for me. But it’s a blessing that everything’s good between the two families. I feel at ease and relaxed,” he said. “It’s just tiring because of all the traveling. But I love it.”

After the holidays, Nievera and Fernandez will focus on preparations for their upcoming pre-Valentine show, “Always & Forever.” Set at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 7, 2025, the concert will celebrate the two OPM icons’ 40+ years in the music scene.

“Of course, we no longer celebrate our wedding anniversary, but at least we can do so as a musical tandem,” Fernandez pointed out.

But for now, it’s all about the holidays. “I love Christmas. I love Christmas music. I get so happy-sentimental, like you want to cry and laugh at the same,” Nievera said. “I still believe in Santa Claus and I still believe my kids are babies!”


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