The jampacked crowd at the Big Dome cheered for the Concert King, Martin Nievera, the previous weekend; but he was forever grateful, singing his thank-yous to the significant people who formed part of his illustrious 42-year singing career.

Regine Velasquez – “Forever”: Louie and he, along with their dear friend Rowell Santiago, put their hearts and storytelling talents to the test when they wrote the duet for Regine and himself, but little did they know how special this song would become.

Regine and he had major concerts together both locally and globally. Their friendship dated back to the ‘80s when she launched her career on a TV show he hosted with Pops called “Penthouse Live,” but he felt that it was this song that truly brought them closest together. Each time they sang this song, he was sure that their love and friendship was of the “forever” kind. Regine was the sweetest, most thoughtful friend he had. He would love her forever.

Zsa Zsa Padilla – “Beautiful”: He had never met anyone more beautiful inside and out, and inside again than his dear friend Zsa Zsa. She was the most reliable friend he had, willing to go out on a limb for any of them. She had been everyone’s favorite person for as long as he had known her. Never mind her one-of-a-kind velvet voice—she was first a friend till the end. Such a beautiful person. Such a beautiful soul.

Ariel Rivera – “How Can I”: He knew it sounded like a song a guy would give a girl, but he explained.

There were so many chapters in his life that were either lost or left unwritten. There were friends he lost or who stayed away when he needed them the most, but not Ariel. He stayed around to help him pick up the pieces and find his way back. He didn’t think he could have made it out of the hole he dug for himself without Ariel. Of all his friends, he saw him the least, but needed and loved him the most.

Crossover and Villar Family – “You”: He would always remember his Crossover family. At one time back then, he was over for lunch almost every Sunday, so he nearly changed his last name to Villar.

They picked him up off the ground and breathed new life into his concert career. He would never forget them for that. They made so many beautiful memories together. Besides, this song was the favorite of his sister Sari, whom he loved and adored. They helped him “crossover” to a happier time in his life.

EMI / POLYEAST Family – “Against All Odds”: He had some of the best years of his career with his Polyeast family. They made CD after CD, sometimes three in less than a year, but the one thing he could never forget was when his boss Ramon Chuaying met him and saw that he had no car at their meeting. He could see what Martin was going through with his public separation and all, and he gave him an advance to get himself a car. Such a beautiful man.

The “Martin After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” Family – “Biggest Part of Me”: When he was a young boy, he thought he only had one dream, and that was to be a singer. When he came to the Philippines back in the 1980s to live that dream, he never once considered becoming a television host.

He remembered loving to watch the Johnny Carson show and the Arsenio Hall show, finding himself directing and critiquing these seasoned talk show hosts from his living room, only to be blessed with the opportunity to host his very first TV show, “Penthouse Live” with Pops on GMA7. This opened the door for him to host his own talk show, MAD or “Martin After Dark,” also on Channel 7, and “Martin Nievera After Dark” and “Martin Late @ Nite” on ABS-CBN. This was where he learned how to interview the most interesting celebrities and feature talented individuals from all sectors of society; but the people who made him look like a credible host were the incredible family of writers and creative minds who spoon-fed him with the most brilliant scripts and gimmicks that would later become some of the most award-winning pieces of the shows they enjoyed today. They were all the biggest part of him and all he had become in his 42 years, and he could never thank them enough.

The “X Factor” Kids – “I Sing”: His “X Factor” kids—Jeric, Kedebon, Allen, Gab, and his KZ—not to mention his “The Voice” kids and teens, had blessed him not just with their beautiful voices but had taught him many lessons about life. Believe it or not, he learned from them more than