‘ONLY the tough ones survive.”

This is how concert queen Pops Fernandez describes the entertainment industry she has been a part of for 25 years. And, indeed, Pops is one of the tough ones left standing, always bouncing back from the intrigues that have hounded her checkered career almost nonstop.

Pops is once again bound to surprise everyone with her silver-anniversary concert, Divalicious, to be staged at the Araneta Coliseum on December 8.

Looking fresh-faced and well-rested, Pops faced the entertainment media in a pink-and-white tube dress with a matching cardigan at the recent launch of her anniversary concert. “I even curled my hair!” she exclaimed, as she flashed her bedimpled smile to the gathered throng.

It wasn’t long ago when the young Pops charmed her way into the hearts and minds of the general public as the host of Penthouse Live, eventually evolving into one of showbiz’s enduring pop icons.

“I’m really known for doing concerts and hosting,” said Pops, when asked of her biggest accomplishment. She added that she’s happy to have been able to survive 25 years in the industry, and to continue having “so much passion for what I’m doing.”

Surely one of the productions that will end the year with a bang, Divalicious also features the country’s biggest concert names as Pops’s special guests, including Gary Valenciano, Kuh Ledesma, Jay-R, Kris Lawrence and Sharon Cuneta.

“It’s the totality of what I’ve done in the past 25 years in a more advanced level, in a more to-date sound,” said Pops of the concert that will be directed by Rowell Santiago.

So how has her style evolved over the past 25 years? “I think my style is more of the high-energy performance, although now I concentrate more on ballads and sentimental songs,” she said. “Most of the shows I’m doing abroad, that’s what I do. In a way, my sound has matured and also my total act.”

Besides the concert, there’s another thing that is keeping Pops excited these days. “I was recently approached by an international organization to represent women for world peace. I think that’s something different and I’m very much excited to join them and be a part of their organization.”

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Tough Cookie as Pop Diva

‘ONLY the tough ones survive.”

This is how concert queen Pops Fernandez describes the entertainment industry she has been a part of for 25 years. And, indeed, Pops is one of the tough ones left standing, always bouncing back from the intrigues that have hounded her checkered career almost nonstop.

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