Photo via Martin Nievera's Official Instagram (Screenshot) Balladeer Bert Nievera dies at 81. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Original Pilipino Music lost another gem. Bert Nievera, father of Martin Nievera died at the age of 81. Bert was one of Philippines’ most noted singers in the 60’s before he migrated to the United States. Martin announced his death via Instagram on Tuesday. Although he took his last breath in Las Vegas, Bert gave the Philippines the music it deserves before he left the country. He released countless albums and was even named “Johnny Mathis of the Philippines.” Bert Nievera: A Slow And Steady Ballad Like all singers, everything started from a dream. In a small mountain city called Baguio, Robert “Bert” Nievera started singing at a young age. He was an amateur singer who joined contests from his hometown up to the busy streets in Manila. In a twist of fate, he won a contest in a show called “Student Canteen.” It is a noontime show from 1958 to 1990. He grabbed the title of “Philippine Johnny Mathis” from the show. Then the rest is history. The Nieveras are a family of singers. After Bert, came Martin. He is also an esteemed performer in the Philippines. After him, came his child, Robin. Robin is a product of Martin and his ex-wife Pops Hernandez who also is a veteran singer in the Philippines. Music runs in their blood, and their legacy stems from music. After winning the “Student Canteen” contest, Bert’s career continued into bars and pubs in Manila. He then got an offer to make a name in the United States which he took in an instant. In there, he joined a group called “Fabulous Echoes” which later turned into “Society of Seven.” His group was a variety group. They performed different genres. “Fabulous Echoes” released music in Asia. In Hong Kong, their song “A Little Bit Of Soap” sat on top of the charts for 32 weeks. After his gig in the band, he stayed in Las Vegas for good. There, his health became poor. In the last weeks, his confinement in the hospital was a result of severe infection. Beside his deathbed was his son Martin Nievera. On Tuesday, Martin Nievera announced his father’s death on Instagram. He wrote, “#RobertInParadise I can’t believe you’re gone. Life will never be the same again. #RobertinParadise I can’t believe you’re gone. Life will never be the same again. A post shared by martinnievera (@martinnievera) on Mar 27, 2018 at 4:50am PDT Meanwhile, his wife, Pops Fernandez showed sympathy as well. She wrote, “To daddy Bert Nievera, my second dad, may you rest in peace. So saddened to hear this news. Thank you for the beautiful memories. Condolences to the Nievera family.” To daddy bert nievera.. my second dad… may you rest in peace… so saddened to hear this news… thank you for all the beautiful memories… 😢😢😢😢condolences to the nievera family… @martinnievera @vixnievera @zdzieba A post shared by popsfernandez (@popsfernandez) on Mar 27, 2018 at 4:45am PDT Their son, Robin Nievera, gave his lolo the last message. He wrote on Instagram, “To the one that started it all. The one that keeps on singing even though “he forgot the stupid words.” Thank you for the memories, Lolo. I love you and I will miss you.” To the one that started it all. The one the keeps singing even though he "forgot the stupid words." Thank you for the memories, Lolo. I love you and I will miss you. A post shared by Robin Nievera (@robinnievera) on Mar 27, 2018 at 6:05am PDT In music, Ballad is a genre narrating a song in short sentences or stanzas. It is a slow, sentimental, or romantic song. Bert Nievera is a ballad. His life was slow, sentimental, and romantic. He narrated himself in short sentences and stanzas. But through him, we experienced music that drove us. Wherever he is right now, he’s singing; still making music. The life of a balladeer never stops. Facebook Comments
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