Marion Aunor & Janine Teñoso: Viva’s Theme Song Divas

CEBU, Philippines — If you’ve ever found yourself in a jamming session, you might wonder how these songwriters and singers seem to get inside your head and sing what you feel. Turns out, there’s so much more to it before you get to churn out a good song. Take it from rising Viva artists Marion Aunor and Janine Teñoso.

The two were in Cebu last Sunday to promote Viva’s latest flick, “Hanggang Kailan” – in cinemas Feb.6 – alongside lead actors Xian Lim and Louise delos Reyes.

Having released various hits, Marion and Janine are hard to miss, having lent their voices and talent to many Viva Films. Dubbed as Viva’s Theme Song Queen, Marion has sang and written for films like “Ang Pambansang Third Wheel,” “Never Not Love You,” “A Day After Valentine’s” and now, “Hanggang Kailan” with a track called “Maling Pag-Ibig.” Janine, for her part, received rave reviews after “Sid and Aya” and “100 Tula Para Kay Stella.”

In a press huddle following the mall show at SM City Cebu’s Activity Center, the two shared their two cents on “Hanggang Kailan,” how songwriting is for them, as well as their future plans.

Have you ever gotten to a point where you got to ask yourself the question “Hanggang kailan?”

Marion: Yeah, I think so. Usually sa akin, deal breaker yung kunwari masyado na kayong comfortable with each other and you start to lose yourself in the relationship, na parang masyado na kayong co-dependent na hindi mo na kailangan yung sarili mo. Yun yung “hanggang kailan?” moments ko.

Janine: Hindi ko alam kasi wala along experience. Siguro ang itatanong ko sa sarili ko hanggang kailan ako magiging single? No boyfriend since birth [ako]. Priorities? Career, studies, travel, ang dami…

As singer-songwriters, is it easier to just sing other people’s songs and have them write it for you?

Janine: Ako it depends. Ako kasi ang type ng writer na hindi makakapagsulat when you ask me to. Kapag meron lang authentic na feeling. I’m a seasonal writer, if that’s even a term.

Marion: My job is a songwriter so I can’t be seasonal. I have to keep digging into my past memories to still get that authentic side. I like it better when I get to write my own songs. Although it was a good challenge to collaborate with Janine. We have our own way of writing and own genres so mag-a-adjust kami sa isa’t-isa. But I think the end result will be good.

Janine, how have things been since “Sid and Aya” and “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” where your singing was celebrated? Are you planning to go into acting?

Janine: Super, super happy. Hanggang ngayon it’s not sinking in but I’m really, really grateful for everything na binigay sa akin. Acting? Yeah, soon siguro. We have this new YouTube series na ila-launch. Isa ako sa mga lead.

Marion, we heard you are going to the Grammys. Can you tell us about it?

Marion: Yes I was supposed to go last year but nagkasakit ako. I was so disappointed but I’m definitely going. I’m going because I’m a member of the recording academy. It’s going to be on Feb. 10. I’m really excited! I don’t know what to expect, I’ve never been there. I’ll tell you guys when I get back!