Where were you on February 5, 1995?
For Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, it feels like it was just yesterday. It was the day she first set foot on the "ASAP" stage for the very first time as one of it's four original main hosts. Little did they know, they were about to launch what would become the longest-running Sunday variety show in the country—a stage where generations of Filipino talent would shine, all while serving as the ultimate weekend concert TV experience for Pinoy audiences.
Fast forward to 2025, “ASAP” is now celebrating 30 legendary years, and Pops is back for an exciting homecoming. Wearing her "Batch 1995" shirt, she feels the rush of memories as she vividly recalls the show's early days. Before moving to its current home at ABS-CBN Studio, “ASAP” was first telecast from Delta Theater, which, at the time, wasn’t exactly prepared for a show of that scale. Pops remembers how cramped their backstage was and how they all had to squeeze into one dressing room. "Pero somehow, we made it work," she smiled.
When "ASAP" was being conceptualized and she was tapped to host alongside her then-husband Martin Nievera, that era’s biggest OPM heartthrob Ariel Rivera, and Puerto Rican beauty queen Dayanara Torres, she wondered how they would make it all come together as a quartet given their diverse personalities. "No’ng sinabi na magkakasama kaming apat, sabi ko kay Martin, 'Bagay ba tayong apat? Magwo-work ba ’to?'"
Joining them were some of the hottest young stars of that time, including Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin, Diether Ocampo, and Claudine Barretto. They had no elaborate pre-show rituals, no fancy introductions—everyone just met at the press con and then dove straight into the pilot episode. But somehow, everything just fell into place. "Lo and behold, who would think that after all of that in our humble beginnings, ‘ASAP’ will now celebrate its 30 years," she reflected.
“Even back then, ASAP was already one big family until, of course, it grew. Ang dami nang changes. As I see now, mas lumaki pa ang ‘ASAP’ family,” she expressed. She fondly remembers sharing a tiny dressing room with Dayanara, which led to their endless conversations and tight friendship. The younger stars also loved hanging out with her, like she was their 'Ate.'
Looking back, Pops is nothing but grateful for the countless beautiful memories and career milestones her "ASAP" journey ahs given her. It brought her so many opportunities that shaped her path in the industry. Of course, there were challenges and heartaches too, but through it all, she’s just incredibly proud and thankful to have been part of something this iconic—especially as one of its original hosts.
"Definitely ‘ASAP’ has been such a big part of my life and my career also," she mused. "Here's to many, many more successful years, ‘ASAP’!"