{{Short description|Filipino-American singer and businessman}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Philippine name|Dela Cruz|Nievera}} {{Infobox person | name = Bert Nievera | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Roberto Jose Dela Cruz Nievera | birth_date = {{Birth date|1936|10|17}} | birth_place = [[Baguio]], [[Commonwealth of the Philippines]] | death_date = {{Death date and age|2018|03|27|1936|10|17|mf=yes}} | death_place = [[Las Vegas, Nevada]], United States | citizenship = {{unbulleted list |Philippines |United States<ref name="US citizen">{{cite news|first=Jojo|last=Gabinete|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/14845/ayen-munji-laurel39s-estafa-case-against-martin-nievera39s-father-still-ongoing|title=Ayen Munji-Laurel pursues estafa rap vs Bert Nievera|date=September 20, 2007|accessdate=July 5, 2020|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706064207/https://www.pep.ph/news/local/14845/ayen-munji-laurel39s-estafa-case-against-martin-nievera39s-father-still-ongoing|archive-date=July 6, 2020|url-status=live|language=fil}}</ref> }} | alma_mater = [[University of the Philippines Diliman]] | occupation = {{flatlist| * Singer * businessman }} | years_active = 1959{{ndash}}2017 | spouse = {{unbulleted list |Conchita Razon |Carol Hernandez }} | children = 6<!--Martin, Victoria, Rachel, Lance, two adoptees-->, including [[Martin Nievera|Martin]] | relatives = [[Robin Nievera]] (grandson) | module = {{Infobox musical artist | embed = yes | genre = {{flatlist| * [[Easy listening]] * [[traditional pop]] * [[show tune]] * [[Original Pilipino Music|OPM]] }} | instrument = Vocals | label = {{flatlist| *Silver Sword *[[Blackgold Records|Blackgold]] *[[Warner Music Group|WEA]] *[[RJ Productions|RJ]] }} | associated_acts = [[Society of Seven]] }} }} '''Roberto Jose Dela Cruz Nievera''' ({{IPAc-en|n|j|ɛ|ˈ|v|ɛər|ə}}; October{{nbsp}}17, 1936{{spnd}}March{{nbsp}}27, 2018) was a Filipino-American singer and businessman. He rose to prominence in 1959 after winning the "Search for [[Johnny Mathis]] of the Philippines", a singing contest on the television [[variety show]] ''[[Student Canteen]]''. He was one of the original members of the [[Society of Seven]] (SOS).
Born in [[Baguio]], Nievera grew up participating in many amateur singing contests. He studied at the [[University of the Philippines Diliman]], where he was trained by [[National Artist of the Philippines|National Artist for Theater]] [[Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero]]. He found moderate success in clubs singing as the "Johnny Mathis of the Philippines" after ''Student Canteen''. Nievera then joined the [[Hawaii]]-based musical group the Fabulous Echoes in 1966, which later became the Society of Seven.
In 1976, following a decade-long stint with the SOS, Nievera released his self-titled debut album in Hollywood. He recorded three more albums released from 1978 to 1996. Nievera came back to the Philippines in 1989 and mounted a series of concerts called Timeless through the 1990s and the early 2000s, which earned him another moniker as the "Timeless Balladeer". He also endeavored into business by opening various restaurant franchises in the country. After it failed, Nievera returned to the United States in 2003, where he settled until his death in 2018 at the age of 81. He was the father of [[Martin Nievera]], whom he inspired and mentored.
== Life and career == === 1936{{endash}}1957: Early life and education === Roberto Jose Dela Cruz Nievera was born on October{{nbsp}}17, 1936 in [[Baguio]], Philippines.<ref name="TMT">{{cite news|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/03/28/news/latest-stories/ph-balladeer-bert-nievera-passes-away-at-81/389104/|title=PH balladeer Bert Nievera passes away at 81|newspaper=The Manila Times|date=March 28, 2018|accessdate=July 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703104222/https://www.manilatimes.net/2018/03/28/news/latest-stories/ph-balladeer-bert-nievera-passes-away-at-81/389104/|archive-date=July 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Remembering Baguio">{{cite web |last1=Cimatu |first1=Frank |title=Remembering Baguio boy Bert Nievera |url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/199239-bert-nievera-baguio-boy-tribute/ |website=Rappler |access-date=July 2, 2020 |date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330132301/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/news/199239-bert-nievera-baguio-boy-tribute|archive-date=March 30, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Inquirer Mathis">{{cite news |last1=Policarpio |first1=Allan |title=Bert Nievera, the 'Johnny Mathis of the Philippines,' sings his swan song |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/268227/bert-nievera-johnny-mathis-philippines-sings-swan-song |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |date=April 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702084844/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/268227/bert-nievera-johnny-mathis-philippines-sings-swan-song|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> His father, a doctor who worked for the transportation company Benguet Auto Line, was from the province of [[Ilocos Sur]]; his mother was from [[Bulacan]].<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star">{{cite interview|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2001/10/14/136578/sad-and-happy-ballads-bert-nievera|title=The sad and happy ballads of Bert Nievera|last=Nievera|first=Bert|interviewer=Ricky Lo|date=October 14, 2001|accessdate=October 8, 2018|website=The Philippine Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702084834/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2001/10/14/136578/sad-and-happy-ballads-bert-nievera|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He also had a sister.<ref name="Bert Metro">{{cite web|url=https://metro.style/people/celebrities/2163/martin-nievera-tribute-his-dad-bert-nievera|title=Exclusive: "Forever Proud To Be 'The Son Of Bert Nievera'"—Martin Nievera Gives Tribute To His Late Dad|author=Libero-Cruz, Grace|date=April 16, 2018|website=Metro|publisher=ABS-CBN|accessdate=October 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703104909/https://metro.style/people/celebrities/martin-nievera-tribute-his-dad-bert-nievera/9138|archive-date=July 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> At the age of seven, Nievera already started singing.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/> The earliest song he learned was "{{lang|tl|Ang Binatang Caviteño}}" ("The Young Caviteño"), taught to him by his mother, which he often performed when she would ask him to sing to people.<ref name="Bert Star"/> He joined many amateur singing contests in his hometown.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Inquirer Mathis"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> As an elementary student at [[Saint Louis University (Philippines)|St. Louis School]], Nievera wanted to become a priest; he also imagined himself becoming a doctor like his father.<ref name="Bert Star"/>
Nievera attended the Baguio Military Institute and initially planned to enroll at the [[Philippine Military Academy]].<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> He eventually opted to study foreign service at the [[University of the Philippines Diliman]], where he became a member of the UP Dramatic Club.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera later told in a 2001 interview, "From then on, my life changed completely."<ref name="Bert Star"/> He received training from playwright [[Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero]], who was the club's director: "Freddie [Ma. Guerrero] found out that I could sing. So he tried to mold me. During intermission in the plays, Freddie would ask me to sing".<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera said that he realized he could pursue singing as a profession when he was sixteen, while also having ambitions of perhaps becoming a newscaster or a deejay.<ref name="Bert Star"/>
=== 1958{{endash}}1965: Career beginnings === He began singing professionally in 1958.<ref name="TMT"/> He was a daily performer at the Airmen's Club of [[Camp John Hay]] in Baguio.<ref name="TMT"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Reynante |first1=Rafael |title=It's In Their Blood: Musicians That Come From Musical Parents |url=https://www.onemusic.ph/news/they-got-it-from-their-parents-and-siblings-245 |website=One Music PH |publisher=ABS-CBN |accessdate=July 3, 2020 |date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703140152/https://www.onemusic.ph/news/they-got-it-from-their-parents-and-siblings-245|archive-date=July 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Manila]], he continued to participate in amateur singing contests.<ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera joined the "Search for [[Johnny Mathis]] of the Philippines" on the television [[variety show]] ''[[Student Canteen]]'' in 1959.<ref name="TMT"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> He went on to win the competition performing the song "[[It's Not for Me to Say]]".<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera "nurtured" aspirations when he started singing, one of which was "to go to America."<ref name="Bert Star"/> While performing at the [[Clover Theater]] in Manila for one week (which was one of his winnings from ''Student Canteen''), he was accepted as a flight steward at [[Philippine Airlines]] (PAL): "I thought at that time that PAL was more stable than a showbiz career."<ref name="Bert Star"/> He worked there so he could go to the United States, but later quit in 1960 because he was "confined to the domestic flights" and was never able to fly internationally.<ref name="Bert Star"/>
He resumed his singing career by performing in clubs, including [[Ember's Club]] in [[Quezon City#Cubao|Cubao]] where he was earning [[Philippine peso|₱]]15 a night.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="Fil-Am Courier">{{cite magazine| author =<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> | title = In Memoriam| url= https://issuu.com/radiantcordero/docs/april_1_issue_color_for_web| magazine = Fil-Am Courier| location = Honolulu, Hawaii| date = April 1, 2018| access-date = July 3, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Inquirer 2018">{{cite news|url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/290160/bert-nievera-dies/|title=Filipino balladeer Bert Nievera dies at 81 in Las Vegas|first=Pocholo|last=Concepcion|newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer|date=March 27, 2018|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704173052/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/290160/bert-nievera-dies/|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Nievera said that he initially struggled in the entertainment industry, which he observed was dominated by "sexy singers like [[Pilita Corrales]] and [[Carmen Soriano]]": "To be noticed{{nbsp}}... we started imitating American singers."<ref name="Bert Star"/> Two of Nievera's contemporaries, [[Eddie Mesa]] and [[Diomedes Maturan]], were also dubbed the Filipino counterparts of foreign acts [[Elvis Presley]] and [[Perry Como]], respectively.<ref name="Bert Star"/> According to Nievera, "{{lang|tl|dapat noon may {{noitalic|title}} ka, usong uso 'yan noon}} [you must have a title then because it was very popular]".<ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera met his first wife, Conchita Razon,<ref name="Bert Star"/> who gave birth to twins [[Martin Nievera|Martin]] and Victoria in 1962.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/05/10/martin-nievera-cristine-reyes-celebrate-birthdays|title=Martin Nievera, Cristine Reyes celebrate birthdays|date=February 5, 2010|website=ABS-CBN News|access-date=October 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505181702/https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/02/05/10/martin-nievera-cristine-reyes-celebrate-birthdays|archive-date=May 5, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was later offered to sing in the US.<ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="Fil-Am Courier"/>{{Rp|9}}<ref name="Inquirer 2018"/>
=== 1966{{endash}}1976: Society of Seven === [[File:Society of Seven promo print.jpg|thumb|220px|right|Nievera ''(rightmost)'' with the Society of Seven in a promotional print material]] Nievera belonged in the original lineup of the [[Society of Seven]] (SOS), a [[Hawaii]]-based musical group of [[Filipino Americans]] formed in 1969.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="SOS Star Bulletin">{{cite web|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/03/12/features/index.html|title=The Waikiki act is 30 years old and can still be trusted for fun|first=John|last=Berger|website=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|date=March 12, 1999|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201091156/http://archives.starbulletin.com/1999/03/12/features/index.html|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> He joined in 1966,<ref name="Bert Star"/> when it was still the Fabulous Echoes.<ref name="SOS Star Bulletin"/> Nievera had to learn to play a [[trombonium]] as it was required in their acts.<ref name="Star-Advertiser"/> Frannie Kirk, who previously managed the SOS and Nievera, said in 2018: "He was bleeding in the lips by the time he learned how to play it."<ref name="Star-Advertiser"/> Nievera eventually became the lead singer.<ref name="Fil-Am Courier"/>{{Rp|14}} When he was with the group, he was known as Roberto because two other members were also named Bert.<ref name="Fil-Am Courier"/>{{Rp|9}}<ref name="Star-Advertiser">{{cite news |last1=Harada |first1=Wayne |title=Bert Nievera, 81, performed with Society of Seven |url=https://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/03/28/hawaii-news/bert-nivera-81-performed-with-society-of-seven/ |accessdate=July 3, 2020 |work=Honolulu Star-Advertiser |date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328144741/https://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/03/28/hawaii-news/bert-nivera-81-performed-with-society-of-seven/|archive-date=March 28, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The Society of Seven mainly performed at the Main Showroom of the [[Outrigger Hotels & Resorts|Outrigger Waikiki]].<ref name="Star-Advertiser"/>
Nievera and his family resided on the fifteenth floor of the Outrigger;<ref name="Bert Metro"/> his wife had separated with her first husband in the Philippines and fled with the twins to Hawaii when they were three years old.<ref name="MB childhood">{{cite interview|last=Nievera|first=Martin|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhbmjU43Nn4|title=''Magandang Buhay'': Martin Nievera talks about his childhood|publisher=ABS-CBN|interviewer=''Magandang Buhay'' hosts|via=YouTube|date=August 19, 2018|accessdate=October 9, 2018}}</ref> The couple soon had another child, a daughter named Rachel.<ref name="Bert Metro"/> Nievera inspired his son Martin to become a singer himself, who told in 2018 that he "would watch [his father] perform downstairs with the Society of Seven, and every night I would dream and imagine myself as one of the members of that group, singing for audiences both big and small."<ref name="Bert Metro"/> By the age of fourteen, around 1976, Martin was performing with him in Society of Seven shows.<ref name="Career highlight">{{cite web|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/36409/martin-nievera-recalls-highlights-of-his-career-admits-separation-from-ex-wife-pops-fernandez-was-ve#8c2yDmQaORcih3Fx.99|title=Martin Nievera recalls highlights of his career; admits separation from ex-wife Pops Fernandez was "very first slap on my face"|author=Sancon, Allan|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|date=November 12, 2012|accessdate=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403134248/https://www.pep.ph/news/36409/martin-nievera-recalls-highlights-of-his-career-admits-separation-from-ex-wife-pops-fernandez-was-ve|archive-date=April 3, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In Hawaii, they also owned a restaurant where Martin worked in the kitchen.<ref name="Hawaii restaurant 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/01/18/13/list-celebs-who-started-out-restaurant-staff|title=THE LIST: Celebs who started out as restaurant staff|date=January 18, 2013|website=ABS-CBN News|access-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201133133/https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/01/18/13/list-celebs-who-started-out-restaurant-staff|archive-date=February 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hawaii restaurant 2">{{cite web|url=https://test.abs-cbnnews.com/image/lifestyle/07/07/15/they-were-stars-7-celebs-who-worked-restaurants-3|title=Before they were stars: 7 celebs who worked in restaurants|date=July 7, 2015|website=ABS-CBN News|accessdate=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704173505/https://test.abs-cbnnews.com/image/lifestyle/07/07/15/they-were-stars-7-celebs-who-worked-restaurants-3|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Hawaii restaurant 3">{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2004/03/27/244094/martin-i-go-wherever-my-music-takes-me|title=Martin: I go wherever my music takes me|author=Lo, Ricky|website=[[The Philippine STAR]] |date=March 27, 2004|accessdate=October 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704011923/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2004/03/27/244094/martin-i-go-wherever-my-music-takes-me|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
He toured with his group in [[Las Vegas]], [[Los Angeles]], [[San Francisco]], and other major cities in the [[West Coast of the United States]].<ref name="TMT"/> Johnny Mathis saw Nievera perform Mathis' signature song in one of Society of Seven shows in [[Lake Tahoe]].<ref name="Star-Advertiser"/> SOS manager Frannie Kirk recalled in 2018, "He was doing '[[Misty (song)|Misty]]', with eyes shut, and the real Johnny Mathis heard this voice and came to see where it was coming from. Roberto had his eyes shut and was surprised [to see Mathis] but was excited that he liked the act."<ref name="Star-Advertiser"/> In 1976,<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> he left the SOS, after which he recorded and released his debut album, ''Nievera'', in Hollywood through Silver Sword Production (which had also produced the SOS).<ref name="TMT"/><ref name="Nievera 1976">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Nievera|others=Nievera, Bert|year=1976|type=album|publisher=Silver Sword}}</ref><ref name="SOS Flashback">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Flashback|others=[[Society of Seven]]|year=1973|type=album|publisher=Silver Sword}}</ref> [[Gary Bautista]] filled the vacant position left by Nievera's departure in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2006/01/31/319304/gary-dies-clutching-microphone-151-singing|title=Gary dies clutching a microphone — singing!|first=Ricky|last=Lo|website=The Philippine Star|date=January 31, 2006|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704174726/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2006/01/31/319304/gary-dies-clutching-microphone-151-singing|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== 1977{{ndash}}1989: Solo ventures === The Nieveras relocated to [[Concord, California]].<ref name="Bert Metro"/> While working at a restaurant with his son Martin, he also taught him "[[The Greatest Love of All]]", showing him "how and when to [[belting (music)|belt]] and how to end the song in a big way."<ref name="Bert Metro"/> Martin performed the same song at the 1981 California State Talent Competition, which he won.<ref name="Bert Metro"/> Around this time, when his son was nineteen, Nievera and his wife were already having problems with their relationship.<ref name="Bottom line with Boy">{{cite web|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/blogs/switchingchannels/bottom-line-boy-martin-043553244.html|title=The bottom line on Boy and Martin|author=Villena, G.|date=October 17, 2011|accessdate=October 12, 2018|website=Yahoo News Singapore|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016165120/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/amphtml/blogs/switchingchannels/bottom-line-boy-martin-043553244.html|archive-date=October 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
According to a colleague, Nievera thought he was already retired from music after 1976, but he found gigs performing with Pilita Corrales, who invited him to her concerts.<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/> In 1978, he followed ''Nievera'' from the two previous years with another release, an all-[[Filipino language|Filipino]] album titled ''Sumasainyo, Nievera'', under the Blackgold label of [[Vicor Music|Vicor]].<ref name="TMT"/><ref name="Sumasainyo, Nievera 1978">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Sumasainyo, Nievera|others=Nievera, Bert|year=1978|type=album|publisher=Blackgold Records}}</ref> His son began his own singing career in the Philippines in 1982.<ref name="Highs and lows">{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2001/08/26/131393/martin-nievera-highs-amp-lows|title=Martin Nievera: The highs & the lows|date=August 26, 2001|author=Lo, Ricky|accessdate=October 12, 2018|website=The Philippine Star|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704174406/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2001/08/26/131393/martin-nievera-highs-amp-lows|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Martin, "Dad gave me a choice. He said, 'Stay in America and try your luck in Hollywood or come to the Philippines and let me help you start living your dream.'"<ref name="Last 27 hours">{{cite web |last1=Lo |first1=Ricky |title=Martin recalls his last 27 hours with dad Bert |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/04/06/1803126/martin-recalls-his-last-27-hours-dad-bert |website=The Philippine Star |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704174635/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/04/06/1803126/martin-recalls-his-last-27-hours-dad-bert |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Nievera arranged his son's first media interview after returning to the country.<ref name="Mr. Big Mouth">{{cite web |last1=Lo |first1=Ricky |title=So what else don't you know about Mr. Big Mouth? |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2013/09/12/1199411/so-what-else-dont-you-know-about-mr-big-mouth/ |website=The Philippine Star |accessdate=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200708103822/https://www.philstar.com/funfare/photos/2013/09/12/1199411/so-what-else-dont-you-know-about-mr.-big-mouth/amp/ |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |date=September 12, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 1985, his third album, ''Nievera Remembers'', was released by [[Warner Music Group|WEA]].<ref name="TMT"/><ref name="Nievera Remembers 1985">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Nievera Remembers|others=Nievera, Bert|year=1985|type=album|publisher=WEA Records}}</ref> Nievera also came back to the Philippines in 1989.<ref name="TMT"/> He and his wife separated, of which he later said in 2001, "Some good things never last. Something happened, so... I'm so lucky that I've found love the second time around."<ref name="Bert Star"/> Carol Hernandez, his second wife, bore their child, son Lance, in {{c.}} 1989{{ndash}}1990.<ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera also took in Hernandez's three children from her previous marriage and his new family grew to include two more children who were adopted.<ref name="Bert Star"/>
=== 1990{{ndash}}2002: Timeless === In the Philippines, he launched the Bert Nievera Music Lounge in [[Makati]] and also made guest appearances on television.<ref name="Dignity Memorial">{{cite web|url=http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Robert-Nievera&lc=1009&pid=188588736&mid=7805617|title=In Memory of Robert Jose Nievera|website=Dignity Memorial|year=2018|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704174839/http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Robert-Nievera&lc=1009&pid=188588736&mid=7805617|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Nievera himself began hosting on television, starring on [[IBC-13]]'s ''Chairman of the Board''<!-- with [[Eddie Mercado]] and [[Bobby Ledesma]]. In 1991, they were nominated for Best Musical Program Host at the [[5th PMPC Star Awards for Television]]-->.<ref name="Dignity Memorial"/> In 1991, he started embarking on a series of concerts titled Timeless at the [[Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex]].<ref name="Timeless IX">{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2002/10/07/178846/bert146s-new-145baby146|title=Bert's 'new baby'|first=Ricky|last=Lo|website=The Philippine Star|date=October 7, 2002|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704094809/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2002/10/07/178846/bert146s-new-145baby146|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Nievera described Timeless as a montage of his career's evolution.<ref name="Bert Star"/> Accompanied by the [[Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra]],<ref name="Timeless IX"/> he sang medleys of musicians [[Henry Mancini]], [[Frank Sinatra]], [[George Gershwin]], [[Nat King Cole]], [[the Platters]], [[Michel Legrand]], and [[George Canseco]], along with songs from [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]].<ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="Timeless IX"/> Martin also performed, as well as other guests of Nievera's choice.<ref name="Timeless IX"/>
In 1994, Nievera and his wife organized the concert of Italian opera singer [[Luciano Pavarotti]] at the [[Philippine International Convention Center]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tariman |first1=Pablo A. |title=The Three Tenors' Manila connection explored |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/155592/the-three-tenors-manila-connection-explored/ |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331053420/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/155592/the-three-tenors-manila-connection-explored/ |archive-date=March 31, 2014 |date=March 31, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> He recorded another album titled ''Salamat sa Pag-ibig'', his fourth and last, released in 1996 by [[RJ Productions]].<ref name="BusinessWorld"/><ref name="Salamat sa Pag-ibig 1996">{{Cite AV media notes|title=Salamat sa Pag-ibig|others=Nievera, Bert|year=1996|type=album|publisher=RJ Productions}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Salamat Sa Pag-Ibig by Bert Nievera on Amazon Music |url=https://www.amazon.com/Salamat-Sa-Pag-Ibig-Bert-Nievera/dp/B01GDUPOLU |website=Amazon |accessdate=July 6, 2020}}</ref> Its song "A Christmas Lullaby" won the 1997 [[Awit Award]] for Best Christmas Recording.<ref name="Previous Awit Awardees">{{cite web |title=Previous Awit Awardees|url=http://www.awitawards.com.ph/awitwinners.doc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328120010/http://www.awitawards.com.ph/awitwinners.doc |website=Awit Awards |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |format=DOC |url-status=live}}</ref> He also contributed to Martin's 1999 album ''Return to Forever'', singing a duet of [[Jeffrey Osborne]]'s "The Greatest Love Affair".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gonzales |first1=David |title=Return to Forever |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/return-to-forever-mw0001222861 |website=AllMusic |publisher=RhythmOne |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234257/https://www.allmusic.com/album/return-to-forever-mw0001222861 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Nievera concurrently traveled to Australia, the Middle East, US, Brunei, Singapore, and Malaysia to perform;<ref name="Dignity Memorial"/> Malaysian Prime Minister [[Mahathir Mohamad]] also employed him several times.<ref name="Dignity Memorial"/><ref name="Timeless IX"/> Timeless ran until 2002 after nine iterations,<ref name="Timeless IX"/> which earned Nievera another moniker as the "Timeless Balladeer". Nievera said that "the word 'timeless' just came up during our brainstorming and that was it. 'Timeless' is the word that best describes what I've been and what I'm still doing.<ref name="Bert Star"/>
=== 2003{{ndash}}2018: Business activities and death === Nievera and his wife Hernandez, a businesswoman, owned the Philippine [[franchising|franchises]] of [[Hard Rock Cafe]]<ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="Gulf News 2004">{{cite news |title=Businessman flees to US leaving millions in debt |url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/businessman-flees-to-us-leaving-millions-in-debt-1.310178 |website=Gulf News |publisher=Al Nisr Publishing |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |date=January 5, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702084837/https://gulfnews.com/uae/businessman-flees-to-us-leaving-millions-in-debt-1.310178|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Bubba Gump Shrimp Company]].<ref name="Gulf News 2004"/><ref name="Bubba Gump">{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/food-and-leisure/2003/03/20/199664/life-bowlful-bubba-gump|title=Life is a bowlful at Bubba Gump|first=Ching M.|last=Alano|website=The Philippine Star|date=March 20, 2003|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200705094404/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/food-and-leisure/2003/03/20/199664/life-bowlful-bubba-gump|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The couple had also opened the country's first branch of the international food chain [[Country Waffles]] in 2000.<ref name="Gulf News 2004b"/><ref name="Bert Star"/> They went on to establish more Country Waffles restaurants around [[Metro Manila]]<ref name="Bert Star"/><ref name="Timeless IX"/> and in Baguio,<ref name="Remembering Baguio"/> the investors of which were mostly entrepreneurs and celebrity friends.<ref name="Gulf News 2004b"/><ref name="Country Waffles">{{cite web|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2004/06/27/255497/country-waffles-back|title=Country Waffles is back!|first=Tanya T.|last=Lara|website=The Philippine Star|date=June 27, 2004|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200705094529/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2004/06/27/255497/country-waffles-back|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2004, some Country Waffles outlets began closing down as the Nieveras sparked "what's probably the decade's biggest food industry scandal" after fleeing to the US in late 2003, amid purported death threats from Country Waffles employees, angering the investors who did not receive returns.<ref name="Country Waffles"/><ref name="Gulf News 2004b">{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/uae/singer-bert-wife-face-fraud-charges-1.311532|title=Singer Bert, wife face fraud charges|date=January 21, 2004|accessdate=July 6, 2020|website=Gulf News|publisher=Al Nisr Publishing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706033842/https://gulfnews.com/uae/singer-bert-wife-face-fraud-charges-1.311532|archive-date=July 6, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TMT Estafa"/><ref name="US citizen"/> During this period, the [[National Bureau of Investigation (Philippines)|National Bureau of Investigation]] sought to file charges against them after several investor complaints.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Felipe |first1=Cecille Suerte |title=NBI to file charges against Nievera |url=https://www.philstar.com/metro/2004/01/29/236864/nbi-file-charges-against-nievera |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=January 29, 2004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200706102030/https://www.philstar.com/metro/2004/01/29/236864/nbi-file-charges-against-nievera |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2006, the [[Department of Justice (Philippines)|Department of Justice]] charged them with [[fraud]] for allegedly failing to pay ₱14.5 million to an investor and for issuing unlicensed [[security (finance)|securities]].<ref name="TMT Estafa">{{cite news |last=Canlas |first=Jomar |title=DOJ charges Nievera couple with estafa |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2006/12/27/news/doj-charges-nievera-couple-with-estafa/632142/ |accessdate=July 6, 2020 |work=The Manila Times |date=December 27, 2006 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200706101428/https://www.manilatimes.net/2006/12/27/news/doj-charges-nievera-couple-with-estafa/632142/ |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Gulf News 2006">{{cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/court-charges-singer-bert-nievera-and-his-wife-with-fraud-1.272089|title=Court charges singer Bert Nievera and his wife with fraud|website=Gulf News|publisher=Al Nisr Publishing|date=December 28, 2006|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705094648/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/philippines/court-charges-singer-bert-nievera-and-his-wife-with-fraud-1.272089|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
Nievera settled into semi-retirement in Las Vegas with Hernandez.<ref name="Last 27 hours"/> In 2009, his 1978 album ''Sumasainyo, Nievera'' was [[reissue]]d by [[Vicor Music]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Re-Issue Series: Sumasainyo, Nievera by Bert Nievera on Amazon Music |url=https://www.amazon.com/Re-Issue-Sumasainyo-Nievera-Bert/dp/B07QBR62PT |website=Amazon |accessdate=July 6, 2020}}</ref> After performing in [[Toms River, New Jersey]], he told in 2013, when asked about voting in that year's [[2013 Philippine general election|Philippine general election]], that "I'm no longer in touch with what's happening in the Philippines.{{nbsp}}... I watch the news but I never saw the candidates talk yet, or give speeches in their campaign so I cannot tell."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trinidad |first1=Nadia |last2=Tagala |first2=Don |title=Why most Filipinos in US didn't vote |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/05/13/13/dismal-turnout-filipino-voters-us |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=July 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803194715/https://news.abs-cbn.com/global-filipino/05/13/13/dismal-turnout-filipino-voters-us |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Martin mentioned in a 2017 interview that his father suffered a [[brain seizure]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/67757/martin-nievera-gives-update-on-dads-health-condition-after-brain-seizure|title=Martin Nievera gives update on dad's health condition after brain seizure|first=Jojo|last=Gabinete|website=Philippine Entertainment Portal|date=August 6, 2017|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200705095034/https://www.pep.ph/news/local/67757/martin-nievera-gives-update-on-dads-health-condition-after-brain-seizure|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Martin had still occasionally performed with him in concerts in the US,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://balitangamerica.tv/49393/|title=CONCERT KING JOINS FATHER AND TWIN IN FIRST FAMILY CONCERT|first=Don|last=Tagala|website=Balitang America|publisher=ABS-CBN|date=December 25, 2013|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705095358/https://balitangamerica.tv/49393/|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> the last of which was a Christmas 2017 show at the [[Suncoast Hotel and Casino]].<ref name="Bert Metro"/> At 3:37{{nbsp}}a.m. on March{{nbsp}}27, 2018, Nievera died at the [[Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center]], at the age of 81.<ref name="Last 27 hours"/> The cause of death was [[multiple organ failure]] due to [[sepsis]].<ref name="BusinessWorld">{{cite news |last1=Chua |first1=Zsarlene B. |title=Balladeer Bert Nievera dies at 81 |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/balladeer-bert-nievera-dies-at-81/ |website=BusinessWorld |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702084840/https://www.bworldonline.com/balladeer-bert-nievera-dies-at-81/|archive-date=July 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Siazon |first1=Rachelle |title=Bert Nievera, father of Martin Nievera, dies at 81 |url=https://www.pep.ph/news/local/69957/bert-nievera-father-of-martin-nievera-dies-at-81 |accessdate=July 2, 2020 |work=Philippine Entertainment Portal |date=March 27, 2018 |language=fil |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704175138/https://www.pep.ph/news/local/69957/bert-nievera-father-of-martin-nievera-dies-at-81 |archive-date=July 4, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Celebrities in the Philippines paid tribute to him on social media,<ref name="TMT"/> while Martin, with the Society of Seven, dedicated to him his Las Vegas concert that April.<ref name="Last 27 hours"/><ref name="SOS tribute">{{cite news|url=https://balitangamerica.tv/martin-nievera-and-the-society-of-seven-pay-tribute-to-late-bert-nievera/|title=MARTIN NIEVERA AND THE SOCIETY OF SEVEN PAY TRIBUTE TO LATE BERT NIEVERA|website=Balitang America|publisher=ABS-CBN|date=May 7, 2018|accessdate=July 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705095505/https://balitangamerica.tv/martin-nievera-and-the-society-of-seven-pay-tribute-to-late-bert-nievera/|archive-date=July 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Artistry == [[File:Johnny Mathis 1960.JPG|thumb|170px|right|Johnny Mathis in 1960]] Nievera was a [[baritone]].<ref name="Fil-Am Courier"/> His voice has been described by some publications as "smooth" and "velvety".<ref name="Inquirer Mathis"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/648091/bert-nievera-veteran-singer-and-father-of-martin-nievera-passes-away/story/|title=Bert Nievera, veteran singer and father of Martin Nievera, passes away|website=GMA Network|date=March 27, 2018|accessdate=July 4, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200704175021/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/showbiz/chikaminute/648091/bert-nievera-veteran-singer-and-father-of-martin-nievera-passes-away/story/|archive-date=July 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Star-Advertiser"/> A 1991 issue of the magazine ''[[Asiaweek]]'' read that Nievera's "mellow style{{nbsp}}... took the Philippines by storm".<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=People |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BxtBAQAAIAAJ |magazine=Asiaweek |year=1991|volume=17 |access-date= July 4, 2020}}</ref>{{Rp|224}} While in college, Nievera was also coached by one of his colleagues, who was an opera singer.<ref name="Bert Star"/> However, he said that he "found it monotonous, so after only two sessions {{lang|tl|nag-{{noitalic|drop out}} na ako}} [I dropped out]. I resorted to self-study{{nbsp}}..."<ref name="Bert Star"/> He added, "Through the years, I developed my own style, my own technique. Who knows, had I continued my lessons{{nbsp}}... {{lang|tl|baka naging {{noitalic|opera/classical singer}} ako}} [I might have become an opera/classical singer]."<ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera said in 2001 that "I learned a lot from the Society of Seven."<ref name="Bert Star"/>
Besides Johnny Mathis, whom he stated "was harder to impersonate than you'd think",<ref name="SOS Flashback"/> his musical influences included [[Perry Como]], [[Vic Damone]], [[Mario Lanza]], and [[Jo Stafford]].<ref name="Bert Star"/> He said he grew up listening to their [[Sentimental ballad|ballads]], which he termed "semi-classics", such as "[[Be My Love]]", "[[No Other Love (1950 song)|No Other Love]]", "[[Till the End of Time (song)|Till the End of Time]]", "[[If You Are But a Dream]]", and "[[Innamorata (song)|Innamorata]]".<ref name="Bert Star"/> Nievera also considered "[[Misty (song)|Misty]]", Mathis' signature song, to be his during his first few years in the show business as the "Johnny Mathis of the Philippines" after his success on ''Student Canteen'' in 1959.<ref name="Bert Star"/> He mentioned, "It was very popular then, very memorable to me.{{nbsp}}... The line in it that touches me the most is the last one... I'm too misty and too much in love."<ref name="Bert Star"/>
He heavily inspired his son Martin, who said:<ref name="Bert Metro"/>
{{quote| As a singer, he always told me to look into the eyes of my audience and not just in their general direction. This is why you never see me looking in just one place when I sing. My face, my eyes, even my body pan the audience left to right and right to left again, just like how a{{nbsp}}... cameraman would do when directed to. For dad, the only way to one's soul is through his or her eyes. He would tell me, "Ask yourself this question before you go out onstage, do you want to just sing a song or change a life?" }}
== Discography == *''Nievera'' (1976) *''Sumasainyo, Nievera'' ("Yours, Nievera") (1978) *''Nievera Remembers'' (1985) *''All This Time'' (1991) *''Salamat sa Pag-ibig'' ("Thank You for the Love") (1996)
=== Singles === *"Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko" (1978) (original by [[Ric Manrique Jr.]])
== See also == * [[Honorific nicknames in popular music]]
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{AllMusic|id=mn0002112223|title=Bert Nievera}} * {{IMDb name|1993662}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|Pop music}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nievera, Bert}} [[Category:1936 births]] [[Category:2018 deaths]] [[Category:20th-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:20th-century Filipino male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American male singers]] [[Category:20th-century American singers]] [[Category:21st-century American businesspeople]] [[Category:21st-century American male singers]] [[Category:21st-century American singers]] [[Category:American musicians of Filipino descent]] [[Category:American people of Ilocano descent]] [[Category:American male pop singers]] [[Category:English-language Filipino singers]] [[Category:20th-century Filipino businesspeople]] [[Category:Filipino emigrants to the United States]] [[Category:Filipino male pop singers]] [[Category:People from Hawaii of Filipino descent]] [[Category:People charged with fraud]] [[Category:People from Baguio]] [[Category:University of the Philippines Diliman alumni]]