Love is still welcomed here, however, Pops Fernandez isn’t in a hurry.
She isn’t seeking out dates at the moment, yet she also doesn’t rule anything out completely. If things are supposed to work out romantically, they will for her. In contrast to how she felt when she was younger—when she thought love was all-important—the Concert Queen has adopted quite a distinct perspective on romantic relationships nowadays.
During an intimate talk with The STAR, the "Masked Singer Pilipinas" judge-detective shared insights into love, life, and present endeavors. Despite handling multiple projects like shows and television work along with her personal beauty line, Pops still keeps herself available for the possibility of meeting "the right person," provided it occurs organically.
Of course. Who wouldn't be open to love, right?" she laughed. "I'm still very receptive to it. But I'm not like how I was before; back when I was younger, I used to think love was everything. You come to understand that while love can motivate you, it can also... make you miserable too, couldn't it, if you're not happy in your relationship.
She acknowledged it has been quite some time since her last date. Although commitments at work and with family played a role, she also shared that she feels somewhat anxious about jumping back into the dating world.
Long time ago (the last time I went out on a date)," she chuckled. "Let’s not talk about that." "Perhaps I've been swamped with work, but besides that, I feel a bit nervous and scared too. Could you imagine?
Nowadays, Pops sees love in a different light. She mentioned that it remains wonderful, yet it shouldn’t be what defines someone or causes them to stray off course.
We must approach love with ease. Even though romantic love is stunning—and yes, it truly is breathtaking—if we experience pain, it shouldn’t be all-consuming. It shouldn’t shatter us nor destroy our lives. Instead, it ought to motivate us.
And if things aren’t going well, often we simply need to acknowledge it and move on. Keep in mind, you yourself are of utmost importance.
But sure, I'm still up for it," she clarified again. "And anyway, I think if it does happen—if I run into 'the one'—it'll just fall into place. Of course, if it turns out to be really serious.
Right now, she is swamped—and she couldn’t be happier about it.
When still performing," Pops, who also works as a producer, mentioned in response to inquiries about her recent activities, which include her upcoming reunion concert tour "Always and Forever" alongside her ex-husband, the "Concert King" MartinNievera. This event will take place on July 19 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. She added, "We're currently on this tour, and I'm thrilled to be back onstage in Cebu. As for my future performances, more details will follow shortly, but right now, that's the next big thing.
Pops is also a consistent judge-detective on TV5’s "Masked Singer Pilipinas," working alongside Janno Gibbs, Nadine Lustre, and Arthur Nery. Her part involves more than just criticism; she adds comedic timing to the mix when interacting with the rest of the panel.
Actually, I'm really enjoying 'Masked Singer Pilipinas.' Throughout the entire duration of the show, we're having so much fun. Even us detectives get along very well and have a blast together. We also find joy in watching the masked singers as their performances truly amuse us. This kind of entertainment is quite unique.
The program broadcasts on Saturdays at 8:30 PM and Sundays at 8:45 PM on TV5 where famous personalities conceal themselves behind extravagant outfits as they showcase their talents. Both judges and audience members attempt to uncover these stars' true identities through hints provided during the acts.
As a judge, I want to claim that I'm serious, but I actually am not," Pops pondered. "I genuinely take their performances very seriously, but being around someone like Janno and even Arthur… you might find this hard to believe, but Arthur has an innate talent for comedy. Nadine as well. Initially, I thought she was extremely reserved and solemn. However, after getting more at ease with one another, we ended up having lots of fun together.
The judges get quite competitive too. "Arthur and I are part of the same squad — we go by PopsThur. Over here, you’ve got JaDine (that’s Janno and Nadine). Just sit back and decide for yourself which group comes out on top. There was lots of competition among us."
Beyond her musical and television pursuits, Pops has expanded into the cosmetics sector with her personal label, Pick Cosmetics. This line includes six different lipsticks and can be found on platforms like TikTok as well as online marketplaces such as Shopee and Lazada.
When asked about where she gets all her energy from, she mentioned it boils down to practicing self-care.
I believe each of us should prioritize taking care of ourselves — our daily habits, what we consume, and how we maintain both our physical health and skincare.
Asked about her beauty secret? “It’s sleep. I really try to sleep before 10 o’clock. I think sleeping helps a lot.”
She also exercises regularly, particularly when getting ready for a performance. "Especially when I know there’s a concert coming up, I really amp up my workout routine. I want to ensure that I won’t be gasping for breath while singing."