How Yeng Constantino Unlocked nine-month (song) writer's block

CEBU, Philippines - After nine months of suffering from a (song) writer’s block, Yeng Constantino, who composed hit after hit before and after winning the very first “Pinoy Dream Academy,” finally recovered from the dry spell with a third album set for release this August. 

This was what Yeng gleefully revealed to The Freeman Entertainment in an interview after the Western Union-presented Gintong Galing ng Pinoy concert featuring Jericho Rosales, Christian Bautista and herself at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

  “I had a writer’s block for nine months. Grabe ang tagal talaga bago ako naka-recover, sobrang na-pressure ako pagkatapos ng mga hit singles ko,” Yeng said.

After becoming the first-ever Grand Star Dreamer, Star Records launched Yeng’s debut album entitled “Salamat”—seven tracks of which were her original compositions. The album reached “Gold Record” status just two weeks after its release, and then after a month, received a “Platinum Record” award. It was followed by a “3x Platinum Record” after a couple more months. 

With the multi-platinum success of her debut album, Star Records fully supported Yeng’s second offering, entitled “Journey,” which also merited a platinum recognition last year.

Afterwards, Yeng went into a hiatus, a tense time wherein she was bombarded with criticisms from other people, who tagged her as simply an “overnight sensation.” But the 20-year-old singer-composer would like to prove detractors wrong with her upcoming album.

There were certain reasons that Yeng disclosed to The Freeman as to how she was able to muster enough motivation to write songs again.

First, she got inspired by Raimund Marasigan, the lead vocalist of Sandwich. The former E-head gave her some encouraging words of wisdom when they happened to perform together in one concert.

“Kinausap ako ni Kuya Raimund (Marasigan) na siya ang magpo-produce ng album ko kasi sayang daw ang talent ko sa pag-gawa ng kanta kung hindi ko ipagpapatuloy. Ini-encourage nya po talaga ako na hindi ako magpapadala sa mga sasabihin ng iba. Dapat ibalik ko raw ang tiwala ko sa sarili ko,” she shared.

And what really moved Yeng to compose songs again was when she saw a child with a cleft palate singing her composition “Hawak Kamay” in the Will-of-Fortune segment of the Wowowee program hosted by Willie Revillame. So touching was the scene that it left her sobbing.

“Noong nakita ko sa Wowowee na kinanta ng bata ang ‘Hawak Kamay’ talagang iyak ako ng iyak kasi hindi ko lubos akalain na kahit nga ang bata na may ganuong kapansanan, nakakanta rin ang kanta ko,” she expressed.

“So talagang, simula nuon, tinatak ko sa isip at puso ko na tama na ang pananahimik ko, at bumalik na ang sigla ko na gumawa ng kanta ulit.”

Along with the determination to write again was the resolve to simply enjoy the experience and shrug off any mounting pressure.

“Sobrang happy ako. Ngayon ko lang na-enjoy ang pagkakanta ng walang pressure, at gayun din ang pagsusulat ng kanta. Parang naglalaro lang ako pag nag-pe-perform ako.” she said. “Na-e-enjoy ko ang bawat performances ko na talagang ma-fe-feel ng mga tao kung ano ang ipinapahiwatig ko sa mga kantang ako mismo ang gumawa.”

What also contributed to Yeng’s happiness was the success of her brother, who earned his Nursing degree last March. It was Yeng who supported the education of her brother.

“Happy rin ako kasi nakatapos na ang brother ko sa college bilang nurse. Siya ang unang bunga ng pinaghirapan ko,” she happily shared.

Yeng is aware of how PDA Season 2 Grand Star Dreamer Laarni Lozada is being compared to her.

But comparing herself with others and vice-versa is not her cup of tea. “Ayaw kong kinukumpara, iba-iba kasi tayo,” she said “Sobrang bait siya sa personal. Siguro sa ngayon nasa stage ng pressure pa si Laarni.”

“Advice ko lang sa kanya na huwag intindihin ang mga criticisms ng nga tao,” the preppy rocker added.

Aside from the album, there’s something else that Yeng is very excited about—and that’s finally getting the opportunity to cast her vote in the 2010 elections. Asked if she will be endorsing a politician, her answer was a resounding “No.”

“Unang boto ko ‘to, so gusto kong wala akong ini-endorse. Gagamitin ko talaga ang boto ko kung sa kung sino yong nararapat. Ayaw kong mag-endorse kasi ayaw kong magkamali at pagsisihan sa huli. Ang one day na pagkakamali, maaring umabot pa ‘yon ng ilang taon,” she concludes.