The Biggest Risks Pops Took

These are some of my own views as a fan and a keen Pops observer:


1. Petitioning for Annulment of her Marriage to Martin Nievera


We all knew that in our society, men are given better opportunities even after separation or divorce or even after committing an adulterous liaison which is the case of Pops' ex.


People most especially their multitudes of fans - me included though i have always been a solid pops only since day 1 up to this time have thought that theirs is a match made in heaven and seemingly like a fairytale that has forever clauses. unfortunately not.

Now, almost eight years after, and with some fans now living elsewhere in the globe, Pops is still here and busy in her career.

Even she has admitted thru the YES mag revelation last october 2007 that she never thought that she will be able to perform again and alone at that. afterall, it has always been a Martin and Pops tandem to beat.


After a series of romantic but short-lived liaisons, now Pops enjoys a quiet two-year relationship with fellow celebrity Jomari Yllana... Like Pops, Jomari had a bitter-sweet taste of marriage and separation and a series of failed relationships.

Hopefully, theirs would last and end up in a second plunge into Holy Matrimony.



2. Changing Manager and Handler from Mom Dulce to ALV


Since 1982 to early 2005, Pops was managed by her own Mom, Ms. Dulce Lukban and her DSL Productions. All the very successful concerts that catapulted Pops into the Concert scene and made her the ORIGINAL and UNDISPUTED CONCERT QUEEN of the land is under her mom's wings.

like any other artist, Pops gambled and dreamed for more reinventions and challenges which were not yet explored.

almost some of her next generation artists are not mounting their own concerts and some press people are almost always calling every next very successful female artist as the new concert queen of the land. much to us fans' ire and irritation. it is not like a boxing game where a player always have to defend his crown and boxing title nor is it a beauty title where the outgoing beauty titlist will relinquish her crown and scepter to a new beauty queen. celebrities have earned their places under the sun so to speak just like the titles 'superstar' for nora aunor; 'star for all seasons' for vilma santos; 'megastar' for sharon cuneta, 'diamond star' for maricel soriano, etc. etc.

among the popular divas of the land, each also earned their own respective titles - 'asia's songbird' for regine velasquez; 'pop diva' for kuh ledesma; 'asia's nightingale' for lani misalucha; 'divine diva' for zsa zsa padilla and 'queen of soul' for jaya ramsey.

pops is the original and undisputed CONCERT QUEEN of the philippines and she will always be considering her unmatched record to this day.

each entertainer or singer is good as his/her last performance and the staying power for more than two decades is enough to allow her a niche and stature already.

looking at the sudden shift in her talent management and despite some inadevertent misunderstandings, all's well between mom and her darling ward. afterall, theirs is an ideal mom and daughter relationship.

Under ALV's wings, Pops has added several feathers in her cap as one of the most sought after corporate performers and events host and most of all, global tour concert performer.

From movies, to TV guestings, to any high profile media and product launches, Pops earned a lot of media mileage.

A much-publicized FHM cover, a villainess movie role, a new album and a major anniversary concert are just small proofs of how ALV has mapped out a new blueprint for tapping Pops' new career zones....

We fans could only wish that Pops would soon be visible again in our television sets and in the big screen....


3. Portraying a sexy villainess role

now here is another big risk for Pops. this has been a subject of debates and dissenting opinions of people - her fans included. not a few of us have remarked that Pops should not have agreed to the role for fear that when it became successful, she might be typecasted and relegated to supporting roles as the nemesis of the lead stars.

the outfits as Queen Femina Suarestellarbaroux and her English twang befits her and her acting as well...

unfortunately, the movie failed to make a killing in the box office despite good critic reviews and accolades.



perhaps, the country is not prepared for this type of film genres.

i guess, Pops should stick to tried and tested female roles and different film genres.

4. Deciding to be a Freelancer

Nobody thought that after more than a decade of being loyal to a network like ABS-CBN of which she is a pioneer celebrity that held many shows would Pops decide to leave ABS and her long-time running show, ASAP.

Pops has always been a favorite part of our sunday afternoon relaxation at home. Until she went out, we failed to note that perhaps, she might want to do other things other than being a part of the now smorgasboard show.

The network ratings war then between abs-cbn and GMA were not as big as now. But when Pops left abs, and shortly joined tha rival kapuso channel, it seems to me that Pops carried the lady luck for shortly, GMA has took over the number one slot until now.

Unfortunately, the kapuso channel also somehow have some misgivings and they failed to provide Pops better shows and offers.

She was given two primetime shows but was only part again of the smorgasboard casts.

Since the two networks are now in a close fight for supremacy, Pops returned to another former mother station - ABC 5 and was able to get two shows - "Singgaling ni Pops" - a show which she just took over when ai ai delas alas resigned and "Pops!" which is a show more befitting her hosting prowess.

Between the two, it is the latter show which has promises and given more time and perhaps, media mileage could have rated well within the next seasons.

The major setback of ABC 5 was that it does not have the media connection and advertising clouts which the two giant networks enjoy.

And so, we fans were all sad that we have to miss seeing Pops in our daily TV habit.

The advantages if one would see it, is that Pops will be able to guest in the shows of both the two network giants.

However, with our present slump in the local showbizlandia, having a regular TV exposure is a must to sustain additional offers and further media mileage.

Some lesser and minor stars are enjoying these.

4. Accepting more daring multi-media roles

a. Doing more movies with daring roles

after separation with Martin and the grant of her annulment, Pops accepted more challenging and daring roles - as a victim of an infidel husband in "Linlang" and again as a victim of another ruthless and user for a husband in "Gusto ko nang Lumigaya".

A few were surprised but since these movies have made good reviews, it was well worth it for Pops. she even earned acting nominations for "linlang".

b. Posing for FHM

now, this one really made the headlines. not a few are surprised and questioning why Pops accepted such a bait from a men's magazine - with no less than ex-husband martin overreacting and acting still like a dear old hubby throwing a mouthful that he is unhappy with Pops' decision.

add insult to injury, this became a WORD WAR I for Pops and Martin.

somehow, the advantage it generated was people saw Pops on another light as an ageless woman and an "IT" girl forever.

now more than ever, 40 is the new 25 for women like Pops....