Birthday boy, Martin Nievera has been busy shuffling time between fathering and performing around the US and back home in Manila. He celebrated his birthday recently (Feb. 5) with his loved ones in Las Vegas.

Not one to pry on his private moments, I personally sent him my salutation via text and asked what is his birthday wish. And the Concert King replied with several wishes. He said: "My wish is to grow with my music and for those who care to listen to grow with me. My wish is to perfect my craft. My wish is to be a better father to Santino (his newborn son with ladylove, Katrina Ojeda) than I ever was to Robin and Ram. My wish is to find a wish that will really give me happiness inside and out - the kind that lasts forever, indestructible happiness that can weather any and every storm. My wish is to never be forgotten. To be a blessing to all those who I touch, but more importantly to those who touch me."

With that said, I can only sigh and look back some years back when this pop star was just starting his career in the late 80s in the Philippines. He was different…all eyes were on him. He is what you call Amboy (American boy). With his American-slang accent, boyishly handsome appeal and funny Tagalog words - Martin was an instant hit among the colegialas.

But definitely there was more to Martin than meets one's eyes. He can truly sing. He is gifted with a soothing, solid vocal range perfect in all the ballads we all have grown to love him with. As a singer, Martin reaches out to his audience. He sings straight from the heart that you feel every word he croons. His warm rapport to his audience makes him a cut above the rest.

It did not take long and Martin took the Philippines by storm - selling records by the millions and filling the concert stadiums and coliseums by the hundreds of thousands. Clearly he topped the recording and concert biz and successfully broke record and box office sales. Thus, he was easily declared the "Concert King of the Philippines." He started a new genre of artist - a classy, first rate performer that appealed to all ages and to all walks of life.

Like a true blue follower, I myself became a "Martinian." Why not? I started my career in entertainment writing almost at the same time Martin was on the rise in the late '80s. Obviously, he was one of my first assignments in the Bulletin Today (now known as Manila Bulletin in the Philippines). I was always amazed how spontaneous and glib he was. He was also transparent - what you see is what you get. Charming and often funny, Martin also became the sweetheart of the press. Thus, Martin and I shared the ups and downs of the biz for some 20 years now.

I did not realize that the Martinian in me would continue here in the US. The first time we met again, he hollered and called me "Jackstone," a nickname he coined while we would sit down and do our usual one-on-one interviews. I can't be happier having Martin and his music with me for two decades now…and I am sure I am not alone for there are just countless fans out there who are just as excited as I am. We are always eager to listen to his recordings, whether old or new. We always enjoyed his shows whether big or small - Martin delivers his best.

To Martin, your wish "not to be forgotten" is surely granted. Like wine, you just get better and better with time. You have created a niche in the biz which no one has dared taken away. Sure, newcomers have mushroomed all over the place but there's only one Martin Nievera. Happy birthday to my dearest friend. May you find the "happiness inside out" that you truly deserve!

Cayabyab's "Paraiso" is the Title and Theme Song of The Gawad Kalinga Movie

This just in from Maricel Villanueva, a good friend and devoted volunteer of Gawad Kalinga. She is excited to share the news that artist and composer par excellance, Ryan Cayabyab has agreed to have "Paraiso" be the title and theme song of the forthcoming movie, "Gawad Kalinga."

When the well-loved and respected award-winning songwriter, musical director and conductor Ryan Cayabyab was asked by TV Executive Bobby Barreiro if his composition "Paraiso" could be used for the Gawad Kalinga trilogy of the same title, his one word reply - "Gladly" - given without hesitation, said it all.

Cayabyab is the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts and most recently sat as Head Judge for Philippine Idol. He has received numerous awards attesting to his talent and creativity. He is 2004 Gawad CCP Awardee for Music. He was the first recipient of the Antonio C. Barreiro Achievement Award for significant and lasting contributions to the growth and development of Filipino music. Awit Awards, the recording industry awards, bestowed upon him a Lifetime Achievement Award for "invaluable contribution and outstanding achievements in the promotion and development of Filipino music."

Ryan's music and lyrics mirror a whole gamut of emotions, some of them reflecting the deepest sentiments of a wide spectrum of people - lovers, mothers, children of overseas workers, and a whole lot more. The song, "Paraiso," which won the grand prize at the 1992 Tokyo Pop Music Festival, has been given moving renditions by the group Smokey Mountain as well as Lea Salonga and is known to have brought tears to Filipino audiences in different parts of the globe. Call it accidental or providential, "Paraiso" is now the theme song of a different kind of movie based on real life stories of those touched by Gawad Kalinga, a movement that is radically transforming the Philippines.

Mr. C, as he is fondly called volunteers some facts about the song: "Paraiso was the very first song I composed for the group Smokey Mountain. This is the very theme song of that group - named after what used to be a garbage dump in Tondo." The lyrics speak of a dark and dreary environment where scavengers are free to make what they get from the garbage pile. But that does not make them any less free to imagine, any less free to hope, and any less free to dream. Mr C adds: "It is an inspirational song that I had dedicated not only to marginalized folks but especially to young people who have hopes and dreams of a better future. Now it will be doubly memorable because now I can say that I have contributed something to the GK project, a movement that has made Filipinos proud and the whole world take notice."

Written over ten years ago, Ryan Cayabyab never imagined that the dump that he spoke of as well as the youth that he almost exhorts in the song is the same reality and the same vision that spurred Tony Meloto, Gawad Kalinga's founder on a mission to transform squatter areas into beautiful and peaceful Gawad Kalinga communities, no longer the same hopeless place where only a gloomy predetermined future looms ominously before its desperate residents.

Mr. C was not directly involved in the making of the GK Movie, and admits that he has never contributed to GK, in thought, in deeds or monetary form. But, music is his passion and in a special way, he feels that his being asked to "contribute" his composition is most appropriate. "The song holds a special place in my heart and soul. So it is like sharing my heart and soul to GK through Paraiso."

"I have heard and read so much about GK and Tony Meloto even before it reached this peak status and I am awed at what it had accomplished. The GK has become the best model for projects that try to help marginalized communities seek not only adequate shelter but an improved way of life."

While Mr. C has never had the occasion to share his time with GK, he has definitely been inspired by the movement and looks forward to the day when he rolls up his sleeves to join other passionate volunteers at a GK Build. In the meantime, he contributes what he does best - his music - so that more may grasp the essence of Gawad Kalinga.

Not all of us can enjoy the thrill of weaving beautiful melodies with the stroke of our fingers on the piano keys or putting into words the deepest longings of a heart. Not all of us can deliver compositions that people would want to listen to over and over. Not all of us can savor the excitement of having our art or music recognized in a prestigious festivals or awrds ceremonies, but as Mr. C has said, we all have our gifts to contribute. He gave his song in a way he never envisioned. Paraiso was an extension of his soul. He may have been alone when he wrote the music and put the melody in it but now he shares it with the world in a most meaningful way. Because he had given it to Gawad Kalinga.

Paraiso, the Gawad Kalinga Story, will premiere in key global cities during the months of March and April. For more information on schedules in your area, please visit www.ancopusa.org or call 888 GOGK777 (4645777).

Here and There: To all those who have been asking about South Border's next gig, the band will have a Valentine show on Feb. 14 at The Attic (above La Conga) in San Pedro. Then they will hold their usual gig at BB King's at Universal Citywalk. South Border is one of the leading Asian performers commissioned by KSCI 18 to perform in the Annual Lunar Festival at Pasadena on Feb. 18. The Lunar Festival is considered the most celebrated Asian Holiday of the year. KSCI 18 will hold it at The Central Park located in S. Fair Oaks Ave. & E. Dayton St). Apl.de Ap of Black Eyed Peas has agreed to be the Grand Marshall of the event. The Lunar parade starts at 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Colorado Blvd. from Pasadena Ave to Raymond Ave… Here's another news item from my e-box. Gary and Angeli were recently in the US to attend the very productive NAMM convention. She actually held Stevie Wonder's hand, introduced to her and Gary by Don Griffin. The latter is the president of West LA Music and he was also the man who invited Gary to the convention. Stevie and Gary had a good introduction at the Anaheim Convention Center. By the way, Angeli is inviting everyone to support their ongoing Typhoon Reming: Bicol fundraiser, "WAVE OF HOPE." The ancestral town of Gary, Camalig in Albay, was also badly hit and we are doubling our efforts to help in the rebuilding of the region… Belated happy b-day to a very dear friend, Maricel Flores (Feb. 3). Maricel leads the team of All Access with her hubby, Eugene. Together, they are co-promoting the concert of Side A back-to-back Freestyle II" (The USA Concert Tour 2007) on June 1 at The Grove of Anaheim. Early bird specials are given to those who purchase their tickets on or before Feb. 15. Do call KATZ at 562-529-8680 or All Access at 909-223-2409…For correspondence, you may drop me a line at JackieRegala@ca.rr.com. ..Remember to always be an "angel-on-call" for a friend.

(Ed’s note: Jackie Regala-Katigbak has been writing and doing promotions in the entertainment business since the 1980s. The past two decades saw her columns and articles published in the Philippines via the Manila Bulletin, Panorama, Manila Standard and Philippine Times Journal. Currently her articles are published by www.CarouselPinoy.com, the Asian Journal publications and in various newspapers in Southern California. For correspondence, you may send her an email at JackieRegala@verizon.net. Thank you.)