FOUR KINGS AND A QUEEN. From left: Marco Sison, Rey Valera, Pops Fernandez, Hajji Aljenadro & Nonoy Zuniga

It wasn’t Valentine’s Day, but the five original Pilipino music (OPM) icons – Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuniga, Marco Sison, Rey Valera, and Pops Fernandez – were in the mood to talk about love when they met the entertainment press recently.

During a media conference for their upcoming concert “Four Kings and a Queen” at Newport World Resorts on Aug. 26-27, the popular OPM stars shared a few life lessons when it comes to love. And just like their immortal songs, real love taught them many things, and they were full of hugot.

“Love is unconditional. It doesn’t mean a friend or a special someone na hindi mo physically kasama, ang buhay kasi namin as an artist, parating on the go, aalis. Tapos kapag gagawa ka ng pelikula may mga ma me-meet ka na colleagues, hindi mo rin sila makikita. Ganyan ang buhay namin. But it doesn’t mean na if we don’t see each other, doesn’t mean na hindi na namin sila naiisip. It’s a feeling na kapag naaalala mo sila at nagkikita kayo, para kahapon lang. Love should be unconditional,” said Pops, at the press conference held at Mesa Restaurant in Morato, Quezon City. “Parang hindi sila naniniwala sa sinabi ko. Parang sinasabi nila generic ang sinabi ko.”

Hajji: “Isa sa dahilan kaya nagkasama-sama ang grupo na ito ay may common denominator – lahat kami hiwalay. Para sa akin ang love ay parang siopao. Ang akala mo siopao, bola-bola lang pala.”

“Si Marco kasi nagtinda ito ng BBQ sa Binan, Laguna. Yung MS BBQ (Marco Sison BBQ). Ikuwento mo pare. Ikaw mismo ang nag-hihiwa, nag-i-ihaw,” Hajji added.

Marco said: “Ako mismo nagtutuhog, nag-iihaw. Ako rin mismo ang nagka-cut ng size ng BBQ na according to your price. Tinitimbang, namamalengke.” But Marco said he’s not selling anymore.

“Pero malakas ‘yun noong pandemya,” Hajji added. “Doon lang naman niya ginawa ‘yun eh. Pero puro ang mga babae ang bumili sa Binan. Sabi ko wala ba sa’yong nagtanong Marco kung bakit mahal na mahal ng lalaki ang isang babae? Malalaman mo raw yun kapag itinuring kang BBQ. ‘Yun bang tinuhog ka na, kinain ka pa.” Then crowd roared into laughter.

Pops smiled and reminded her fellow singers that her mom Dulce Fernandez will watch their show. “Manonood ‘yung nanay ko sa concert natin ha. Conservative yun.”

“Ang masasabi mo about relationship, ang love ay parang hiwalay na Diyosa yan sa akin at I have had my share of relationships na sabihin natin meron maganda, merong manipulator lang, meron din pera pera lang. Iba’t ibang tao, iba’t ibang ugali. May makakaharap ka na tao na mahal ka, me tinataas at meron naman nilalaglag ka. Basta ang alam ko lang, kapag nagkaroon kayo ng ganung experience, always speak yourself up. Itayo ninyo ang sarili ninyo whatever happens. Akala mo ikaw ang pinaka-pogi, then bigla kang ilalaglag na ganun. Kung mangyayari sa inyo yun, advice ko lang ay speak yourself up,” said Rey. “Ikaw lang naman ang kakampi mo, wala ng iba.”

Marco said: “Parang gusto niyang sabihin ay learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all. Iba iba ang level ng love. Merong professional, may personal, merong financial. Pero ako naman, as a man, as a person, as a passionate person, hindi naman ako titigil na ma-in love. Alam naman natin kung paano kontrolin ang sarili natin. Sabi nga ni Rey, pag nadapa ka, tumayo ka uli. But you should never stop loving.”

Rey commented: “Parang tutoo ang mga sinabi natin dito ah? From the heart.”

“Sa akin naman, mabagal pagdating sa love. Kasi hindi naman puwedeng biglaan. It takes time to process. At sa aming mga hitmakers, nasa 60s na kami pero hindi namin pinapansin yan, parang nasa 40s lang kami. So kahit papaano meron na kaming na experience, mga relationships, in and out of relationships. Ang masaasabi ko lang, love doesn’t know no boundaries. Kahit anong hitsura niya, ugali niya, kahit malayo or nawawala, hanapin mo. Kasi mahal mo eh. Kahit anong edad, basta mahal mo. Old fashioned pero ganun talaga eh,” said Nonoy.

Get your regal groove on as Newport World Resorts hosts the royal affair that is the Four Kings and a Queen concert, a world-class musical extravaganza with the OPM royalty: King of Hearts aka “Kilabot ng Kolehiyala” Hajji Alejandro, King Crooner aka “Crush ng Bayan” Marco Sison, Hitmaker King Rey Valera, and Ballad King Nonoy Zuñiga, together with Concert Queen Pops Fernandez.

Fresh from performing their sold-out shows in the United States, they are set to conquer the award-winning stage of Newport Performing Theater Arts this Aug. 26 & 27, 8 PM.


As homage to their glory days, they will relive one hit after another through a variety of thrilling solos, duo, and group performances. Among the veteran OPM hitmakers well-loved tracks are Alejandro’s “Nakakapagtataka” and “Tag-Araw”, Sison’s “Make Believe” and “I’ll Face Tomorrow”, Valera’s “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” and “Maging Sino Ka Man”, and Zuñiga’s “Never Ever Say Goodbye” and Kumusta Ka?”


The gentlemen icons will give the audience a taste of their chemistry and talent. This time, in collaboration with fellow OPM superstar and special guest Fernandez who is famous for her songs “Dito” and “Don’t Say Goodbye”.

Fans here at home can expect thrilling live entertainment full of nostalgic music and laughter as these five legendary musicians sing their hearts onstage and take a trip down memory lane.


Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets: P7,000 (PLATINUM)
P6,000 (SVIP), P5,000 (VIP), P4,000 (GOLD), P2,500 (SILVER), and P1,000 (BRONZE). For
inquiries, contact the Newport World Resorts National Sales Team via Archli Enriquez at
0917 823 9602, Kenneth Navoa at 0917 807 9387, and Jefferson Federizo 0917 658 9378, or
call Ticketworld (02) 8891-9999, or SM Tickets (02) 8470-2222.


Escape the ordinary at Newport World Resorts, you know you want to. For more
information on the latest entertainment thrills NWR has to offer, visit
www.newportworldresorts.com and follow @newportworldresorts on Facebook and
Instagram, and @nwresorts on Twitter.

Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/21/lessons-in-love-from-hajji-nonoy-marco-rey-and-pops/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=lessons-in-love-from-hajji-nonoy-marco-rey-and-pops)