Bert Nievera, one of the country’s most popular balladeers in the 1960s, died on Monday, March 26, (Tuesday, Philippine Time) in Las Vegas, at age 81, his son Martin Nievera confirmed in a post on his Instagram page.

Born Roberto Jose “Bert” dela Cruz Nievera in Baguio, the aspiring singer joined amateur contests in his hometown as well as in Manila, where he won in the search for the Johnny Mathis of the Philippines on the TV show “Student Canteen.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg01uB2lPnL/?hl=en

His professional singing career flourished in the local club scene, until he accepted an offer to go to the United States, where he spent many years performing. He went on to become a member of the Hawaii-based vocal group Society of Seven.

He has been living in Las Vegas in the past decade and suffered from poor health in the last few years until his confinement in the hospital last week for severe infection.

At his bedside when he died were Martin, Vicky and Rachel – his children with Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Conchita Razon. /atm