MANILA — OPM singer Nina is looking back on one of the most complicated and emotional influences on her music career: her late father, Filbert Girado, the man who first taught her to sing but initially wanted her to pursue a more conventional profession.
As Nina celebrates the 20th anniversary of her landmark album “Nina Live!”, she recalled how her father’s influence remained deeply connected to her journey — even though he never lived to see the success that eventually made her one of OPM’s recognized voices.
Filbert, who had been a member of the Bayanihan Boys Choir, passed on his musical abilities to his daughter. But despite recognizing her talent, he was reportedly hesitant about Nina pursuing singing professionally, partly because of his own experience as an aspiring singer.
Instead, he encouraged her to finish her studies and envisioned a more traditional career for her, including accountancy and eventually law.
The Father Who Taught Her to Sing — But Told Her to Stop
Nina began performing with a band while she was still in high school and continued singing while studying accountancy in college.
Her father’s advice was straightforward: finish her degree.
But Nina’s passion for music continued to grow.
While her father was unaware, she began recording material for what she hoped would eventually become an album. She wanted to surprise him by presenting the finished record after years of being encouraged to pursue another career.
That moment never happened.
Filbert died in 2000 from a heart attack, two years before Nina released her debut studio album, “Heaven,” in 2002.
He Never Saw the Success She Worked For
Nina recalled the situation as bittersweet because the person who first taught her to sing was no longer alive when her recording career finally took off.
“Heaven” went on to reach No. 1 on the Philippine Top 10 Albums Chart and was associated with the acoustic-pop movement that became prominent in the Philippines during the early 2000s.
For Nina, however, her father’s absence did not mean his influence disappeared.
She said she feels that he continued to guide her through the music she created.
And when asked which of her songs were dedicated to him, her answer was simple: all of them.
From Family Doubts to a 24-Year OPM Career
Nina has now spent 24 years in the OPM industry, approaching her 25th year in 2027.
Her path was not without challenges. She has previously spoken about experiencing bullying early in her career, saying she preferred to focus on singing rather than competing with fellow performers.
Her approach has remained consistent: let the music speak for itself.
That philosophy has accompanied a career that includes her breakthrough “Nina Live!” album and a catalog that helped establish her as one of the Philippines’ prominent female voices in acoustic and R&B-influenced OPM.
Nina Returns to the Stage for “Nina XX”
The timing of her reflection is especially significant as Nina returns to the stage for “NINA XX: The Anniversary Celebration — The Repeat” on September 24 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.
The concert follows the anniversary celebration held earlier this year and will feature special guests Christian Bautista, Freestyle’s Top Suzara and R&B singer Thor. Newport World Resorts has also confirmed the September 24 show as part of its September-October entertainment lineup.
The concert celebrates two decades of “Nina Live!” while giving audiences another opportunity to hear some of the songs associated with her career, including “Jealous,” “Someday,” “I Don’t Want to Be Your Friend,” “Love Moves in Mysterious Ways” and “Through the Fire.”
A Legacy That Started at Home
Nina’s story carries an unusual twist: the person who first opened the door to music for her was also the person who initially warned her against making it a career.
Her father taught her to sing, encouraged her to finish her education and questioned whether music could provide a stable future. Yet Nina ultimately followed the path she had been quietly preparing for.
He never saw the album she had secretly recorded.
But decades later, his influence remains woven into the story she tells about her career.
As Nina celebrates 20 years of “Nina Live!” and prepares for another anniversary performance, her greatest musical tribute may be the career her father helped begin — even if he never lived to see where it would lead.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
