Think of Martin Nievera and the word “forever” will come to mind. And why not? His songs and his talent have lasted a long time. And now that he celebrates his 25 years in the industry, we know that this is not the end…it’s only one of the many milestones in his illustrious life and career.

As a testament to his musical brilliance, Martin Nievera takes another milestone of his career as he releases a 2-disc CD aptly titled, Milestones. It contains 25 memorable tracks that have touched Martin Nievera’s life and will surely leave a mark to his fans. Each track corresponds to a year – from 1982’s Somewhere Down The Road when Martin debuted as a singer in the Philippines to his take on a Billy Fayne and Clint Holmes penned song, I Sing for 2007.

“This album is about 25 years of music in my life. It’s all about giving back now rather taking in. Every year in my career is represented in this album,” Martin shared.

Martin’s achievements are extraordinary. His first album released in 1982, Martin…Take One turned platinum in only 5 months (a record back then). He also won the Most Promising Entertainer award the same year. It was indeed the start of something big for Martin.

He continued to rake in gold and platinum awards for his albums and even went on to host a number of hit TV shows, endorse a multitude of products and, yes…even act in several movies. He also headlined various sold-out concerts and was hailed as “The Concert King of the Philippines.” His ticketron appeal isn’t limited only in the country. He has starred in a number of sold-out shows all over Europe and in the United States. To this day, that moniker is still attached to Martin Nievera as it is still undisputed.

Martin’s singing style is very versatile, claiming he has been influenced by the likes of Kenny Loggins, Chicago, James Ingram and Bryan McKnight. He can sing upbeat songs with flair but it his love ballads that have endeared him to Pinoys.

In the new millennium, Martin has added two more milestones in his very memorable career. Some may say that these milestones are Martin’s finding of two new “homes.” First of which is his new “home” in Las Vegas where he is doing a starring turn in famed international hotel The Golden Nugget. To this day, Martin continues to impress an international audience with his show stopping performances at the entertainment capital in the world.  

His second milestone was when he signed up with EMI-Phiippines, Martin’s new “recoding home.” With this new partnership, Martin has expanded his artistry that started with the release of the album When Love Is Gone. It boasts 17 tracks that talks about heartbreak and of love lost at which Martin excels.  This album was a topseller and was certified Gold.

Riding on the crest of the success of When Love is Gone, EMI Philippines released Awit Ng Puso, another winning concept album that covers OPM pop classics. Again, it turned Gold proving that Martin Nievera is still at the top of his game.

Now, for 2007, Milestones is set to further cement Martin’s reputation as one of the most endearing singers in the country. Standout tracks include recordings of Martin’s signature songs like Forever, Hard habit to Break, `Til My Heartaches End and Forevermore. Upbeat tracks like Time of My Life and Smooth will certainly remind you that there’s more to Martin than power ballads and his take on more contemporary ballads like Aiza Seguerra’s Padating ng Panahon and Jimmy Bondoc’s Let Me Be The One and Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On make you appreciate the “Martin Magic” applied in these songs.

Indeed, Milestones is a fine assemblage of songs that every music lover should have. While most artists record albums to further their career, you would feel and sense while listening to Milestones that this album was recorded with an unselfish goal in mind: to please and entertain the music-lover.

It is all in this album – happiness, heartbreak, passion, love, all presented in the unique Martin Nievera way. 25 years from now, you will listen to these immortal songs and will still appreciate the painstaking artistry that was put in them by Martin. Because like these songs, Martin Nievera is forever.

*Martin Nievera’s new album called Milestones is now available in stores released under EMI Phils.