Pops Fernandez

Concert Queen Pops Fernandez is not upset that her sons Robin and Ram backtracked from their plan of studying in the U.S.

“Robin already took a short course while Ram was supposed to start school –they must have valid reasons for coming home,” Pops told Manila Bulletin Online in an exclusive interview.

Although she won’t reveal what these are, Pops said that she and her kids are “very open to each other” and that she doesn’t pressure them to do things against their will.

“Ang mga bata ngayon, iba. Alam nila kung ano ang gusto nila. Kahit na may input ka, sasabihin nila sa’yo, ‘Mom, this is what I wanna do…’ Hindi kagaya dati na kung anong sabihin sa’tin ng parents natin, wala na tayong choice [kundi sundin ‘yon].”

Pops started young in the entertainment industry which is why she knows that learning how to discern things for oneself takes time.

“We just have to enjoy what we love doing best and never be afraid to try something new, even if it doesn’t work out,” she said.

Sometimes misunderstood—and maligned--by people who hardly know her, Pops maintains that she doesn’t allow herself to be affected by such criticisms since she knows herself best.

“They create this image [of who I am] and then base their judgments on that. Pero alam ko kung ano yung totoo. If you really know me, you know that I’m not like how some people paint me to be.”

Nevertheless, Pops has not become so jaded that she only believes her own (as per industry lingo) “press release.”

“When you think you have achieved so much, some things can humble you. [One should] pray a lot that you don’t lose your sense of self. ”