Emotional Martin Nievera opens up about son with ASD | ABS-CBN

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Emotional Martin Nievera opens up about son with ASD

Emotional Martin Nievera opens up about son with ASD

ABS-CBN News

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MANILA -- Singer Martin Nievera could not help but become emotional as he opened up about his son Santino, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

In Thursday's episode of "Magandang Buhay," Nievera, who is celebrating his 40th year in the entertainment industry, talked about his fear as a father.

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"I have a special child and I am so proud. So proud and so scared at the same time because I'm not going to be here forever," Nievera admitted.

"When he's already on his own, who is going to translate? Who's going to tell people -- not apologize but to tell people -- na ang ibig niyang sabihin ay gutom siya, na in love siya sa mga mermaid. Why does my son, a 16-year-old boy, 6 foot, why does he like mermaids? What is about mermaids? ...And we don't know how to handle it until it happens to you. It's happening to me and I love it. I love this challenge," he said.

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Santino is Nievera's son with former partner Katrina Ojeda. He has the other sons, Robin and Ram, with ex-wife Pops Fernandez.

"I wish I was a better father to all three boys but I am not. But it is what it is. I do the best I can. I'm still here to entertain everybody but my real life is a challenge and that's why I am always in the States so I can co-parent this child. Robin and Ram, they are helping me now because they are close to Santino. So this could be a good thing that they are all together in the same country, that they can take over. Is God trying to tell me that's it? You got your 40 years, maybe you have to start thinking what happens after, maybe that's what this day is all about and it's really scary," Nievera added.

Last July, Nievera also talked about Santino at the "Be You: The World Will Adjust" concert.

"Be You: The World Will Adjust" was described as “an extraordinary celebration for people with special needs" and featured performances from Nievera, homegrown acts BGYO, BINI and K-pop girl group Red Velvet.

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Regine Velasquez talks about married life with Ogie Alcasid: ‘Naging makulay ang mundo ko dahil sa kaniya’

Regine Velasquez talks about married life with Ogie Alcasid: ‘Naging makulay ang mundo ko dahil sa kaniya’

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Kapamilya star Regine Velasquez opened up about how her husband, OPM singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, influenced her to be more expressive and outgoing. 

In an interview with Ogie Diaz, Regine shared how she has adapted to her husband's humor and way of engaging with people.

“First of all, tawa lang ako ng tawa. Nahahawa na nga rin ako sa kaniya,” Regine shared. “Actually dati, tinuturuan talaga niya ako dati pero ngayon natatawa na rin siya sa akin.”

Regine credited Ogie for helping her break out of her shell. 

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“I’ve learned so much from my husband. We’ve been together for 15 years na married but as couple parang 20 years. Ang dami kong natutunan. Ako, actually, introvert ako. Noong bata ako, nagtatago ako sa likod ng tatay ko. I’m very shy,” Regine shared.

Despite her stage presence, Regine admitted she is naturally reserved, saying, “Kapag wala akong mic, I’m so shy but since I’ve been with Ogie, nadiscover ko iyong side na iyon na makipagusap ka sa ibang tao kasi yung asawa ko mister friendship.”

She also shared how Ogie would leave her alone with his friends just to see how she interacted with them. 

“Nasanay na ako doon. Minsan iiwanan niya ako with his friends tapos papanoorin niya pala ako on how I talk with his friends and natuto ako doon.”

Besides making her more outgoing, Ogie also taught Regine to be more confident in expressing her feelings.

“Natutunan ko rin na matapang pala ako dahil din sa kanya. Tinuruan niya ako sabihin kung ano yung totoo kong nararamdaman kasi dati nahihiya ako. Siya sasabihin niya, ‘You can still say it even if na-hurt ka, you can say it in a nice way’. Tinuruan niya ako noon,” she happily stated.

“Naging open ako at naging makulay ang mundo ko dahil sa kaniya.”

Regine also noted how living her married life with Ogie is all she ever dreamed of.

“Noong dumating yung asawa ko sa buhay ko, parang ito na iyon, ito na iyong life na gusto ko. Aside from my life as a singer, as an artista, ito yung pinapangarap kong buhay for myself. Yung career mo, magiging buhay mo pero yung magkaroon ka ng buhay aside from that, ayon yung pinapangarap ko, matagal na and ayon yung binigay ng Panginoon sa akin. Sa katauhan ni Ogie,” she expressed.

Enjoying their time together, Regine emphasized the significance of balancing a career and a personal life.

“Iniexplain ko nga sa mga bata na it’s good to have a career, it’s good that your career is your life but also you have to remember na you have a real life. Kailangan may inuuwian ka, kailangan may pamilya ka kasi masarap iyon. Yung career natin natatapos iyon dahil kapag natapos, tapos na. Kapag natapos na iyon, you feel more secure,” she added.

“Para sa akin, okay na may ibang dumating (na mas magaling) kasi para sa akin, I feel more secure.”

Regine also addressed rumors about her and Ogie’s relationship, initially finding them amusing. The singer recalled that she first laughed off the rumors about her and Ogie splitting up. However, as her husband started to get affected, she then needed to step up.

“Tawang-tawa kami doon. Kami parang ‘Huh? Hindi nga kami nagaaway’,” Regine shared. “I think nasa (It’s) Showtime ako tapos parang nagalit ako kasi tawang tawa ako pero yung asawa ko affected.”

“Nagalit ako kasi naffect siya,” she explained.

Despite not posting frequent romantic moments on social media, Regine assured fans that their relationship is strong.

“Hindi kami mapost ng lovey dovey. Yung ipopost lang namin yung nakakatawa. Magpopost kami kapag wala lang, kapag magkasama kami or yung magexercise kami naka-sambakol ako,” she stated.

Regine also shared that she couldn’t imagine life without Ogie.

“Ayaw ko. Hindi talaga kasi kasama mo, katuwang mo sa buhay mo, partner mo na iyan sa buhay.”

Regine also described how Ogie values her as his wife.

“Siya lahat ng gagawin niya, ikukwento niya kasi ang sabi niya sa aking vinavalue niya yung opinion ko. Nakakatuwa. He always tells me everything, kahit crush niya,” she laughingly shared.

“Hindi naman kasi ako seloso atsaka wala naman siyang ginagawa para magselos (ako)... Very secure talaga ako.”

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