Nina's no playgirl by Mario E. Bautista (MALAYA Newspaper)

Nina's no playgirl

IS SOUL Siren Nina a playgirl? It's rumored she played with the hearts of former boyfriends, like Jimmy Bondoc and Nyoy Volante. Is this true?

"Hindi naman po," she says. "Never kong pinagsabay ang mga naging boyfriend ko. Baka sila nga ang tumu-two time sa akin."

How come it's reported that she didn't have a good parting of ways with both of them?

"Sa akin kasi, I listen to my family. Siempre, sila ang mas pahahalagahan ko. That's all I can say."

Nina launched her fifth studio album at Red Box Trinoma, "Nina Sings the Hits of Diane Warren," and it contains 15 compositions of the noted songwriter.

"This album was conceived after Warner Music released a compilation album of her songs, 'Dianne Warren Presents Love Songs,' in 2005. It contains original versions of her songs sung by the likes of Celine Dion and Toni Braxton. I was the only Filipino and I interpreted her song 'I Don't Want to Be Your Friend.' It was a hit and stayed on the number one spot for two months. I did another song of hers, 'I Love You Goodbye,' and it's part of my album 'Nina Live.' Naging hit din ito. Since then, fans have been requesting that I do a full of album of her songs so, heto na nga, bilang pagbibigay sa kanila. I did it with her permission and she even wrote me a note saying she hopes this won't be that last time I'd record her songs. Nagkaka-goosebumps nga ako each time I read her letter to me. I included it in the notes on my album."

One of the album's tracks is "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," originally recorded by Aerosmith. Nina's version is so different from the version previously done by Regine Velasquez. Other great cuts are "Because You Loved Me," "Un-Break My Heart," "How Do I Live," "I Turn to You," "There You'll Be," "Blue Eyes Blue," "I Could Not Ask for More" (Nina's personal favorite since she feels God is giving her so many blessings), "When I See You Smile," "If I Could Turn Back," "Love Will Lead You Back," "How Can We Be Loved," "Saving Forever for You," "I'll Never Get Over You" and "I Don't Want to Be Your Friend."

Nina will have a special concert, "Nina and Her Men," at the Music Museum on Saturday, August 2, and in September, she'll have a concert of all Diane Warren songs at the Aliw Theater. Her Diane Warren album will be released in other countries in Asia and she hopes this will start her international career. The special limited edition double disc package includes a minus one of all 15 songs for only P350. You can also get the "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing" ringback tone by texting WMT to 2728.

Nina Soul Siren