Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera

Fatherhood comes before anything else even for such music icons as Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera who told the Manila Bulletin that they have their sons backs as Gab and Paolo Valenciano and Robin and Ram Nievera as they embark on the same business.

“I hope so,” Martin said to the Bulletin when asked to react if he is ready for Gab and Ram (also present during the interview for the forthcoming “As 1” concert on Sept. 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds) to take the thunder off Mr. Pure Energy and the Concert King come show night.

Martin added during the press affair at Friday’s in Quezon City last Tuesday, “We would love for them to continue our legacy. It would have been easier if they went for a different field but at the same time they took on a field where we can help. So yes I hope they overpower us. I hope they’re stronger, better, smarter [artists].”

The concert icons traded once more their royal status in the industry to be stage dads during the interview where Gab and Robin told the entertainment press of a surprise number they’ve been working on for the concert.

Gab said he worked for the past 26 hours to perfect what they’ll be doing in the show. He also raved about Robin’s talent saying, “Nobody knows how good his playing really is,” to which Robin said, “While everybody knows how good he is [at dancing]!”

However, Gab disclosed how hard it is at times to be the son of a Gary Valenciano or a Martin Nievera. He opened up, “If I had a chance to choose a different field I would have gone for it. Sometimes it could really be hard in showbiz. I said showbiz because the music industry is different. Since mas visible na ako ngayon, it opened more doors to... pa’no ko ba sasabihin ‘to? Yung mga hindi ko masyadong gusto sa business.”

He continued, “Like yung mga [harsh] comments that I’m able to read sa Pep (Philippine Entertainment Portal) or sa YouTube wherein there’s a video of my performance. Merong nagpost: ‘Kaya lang naman nandiyan yan, dahil sa tatay niya!’ And it’s true! But if I could, I would have joined battle of the bands or auditioned for a dance competition pero hindi nga eh.

“If not for my dad’s encouragement, I would have quit. But he keeps telling me wala yung mga ganun, that I cannot please everybody and that some people are just jealous.”

Gab was recently made to comment about Freddie Aguilar’s negative remark on Charice Pempengco and Arnel Pineda. For this, Gab got to read quite a number of comments in favor and against his statements. “Marami naman ding in favor pero may mga negative din. Ang sa akin lang I was asked to comment about the issue. If I don’t say naman anything, they would still say something so damn if you do, damn if you don’t.”

(“As 1” happens on Sept. 19, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Concerts Grounds. The show is presented by ABS-CBN and Globe and co-presented by Real Leaf, “ASAP,” MYX, MTV GluControl, Belo Medical Group, Hewlett Packard, McDonald’s, Goldilocks, Lee, Power Mac, The Manila Bulletin, among other media partners and co-presentors.)