TJ: I knew KZ would make it

MANILA, Philippines — If there is anyone bursting with pride over KZ Tandingan’s stint in China’s Singer 2018, it’s her musician-boyfriend TJ Monterde.

KZ appeared for the third time on the reality show’s Episode 7 last week. She sang Say Something and ranked No. 4, thus ending her probationary run and turning into a regular contestant. 

For TJ, KZ has what it takes to make it to the finals in April and even win it. 

“As a musician, yes (she can win). Let’s brush off the idea that I’m her boyfriend. Feeling ko talaga kayang kaya niya manalo,” TJ said on the sidelines of last Wednesday’s announcement of MYX Music Awards 2018 nominees. He is vying for the Male Artist of the Year award.

“Iba ang versatility ni KZ. For me, she can perform all genres. In her first (appearance) on the show, she was powerfully rapping. Then her second, (she sang) in a foreign language. We don’t know the song but she made us cry. For me, she’s really capable of winning it. I hope she does. Of course, every day I pray that she will,” added TJ, who’s going to travel soon to China with KZ’s parents to watch her perform live.  

While TJ never imagined how big a deal KZ’s participation in the show would turn out to be, he said she deserves it. “Feeling ko talaga deserve niya ang international stage. Si KZ, she’s super humble as a person. All her blessings, she didn’t expect them. She deserves them, but she doesn’t expect them.”

Singer-songwriter TJ Monterde on long-time girlfriend KZ: No competition between us, only support and encouragement

That’s why, he said, KZ still couldn’t believe she’s part of Singer 2018. “Before she joined, her goal was to simply meet Jessie J. That’s it. Even her Viber group, they were like ‘Road to meeting Jessie J.’ Parang for her, when I meet Jessie J., I’m OK already,” said TJ, referring to when KZ met her idol, the British pop star, who happens to be a fellow contender.

KZ’s song choices in Singer 2018 are determined by her management Cornerstone and the Chinese producers, but if TJ were to suggest a song for the finals, he hopes it would be her version of Lorde’s Royals.

While any LDR (long distance relationship) is no joke, it helps that they belong to the same industry. He understands very well the demands of her job and tries to adjust accordingly. “Every now and then we talk, sometimes napupuyat ako kasi yung taping nila natatapos ng 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. I need to make sure that after her every performance, she’s OK and not depressed, whatever the results are.”

Cornerstone recently posted a video that showed Chinese fans having their photos taken with KZ at a a mall. If ever something bigger comes out of Singer 2018, he definitely won’t get in the way. He laughingly said that he just has to be sure that his China visa will be “multiple entry.”

TJ has entertained the thought of settling down, but that can wait. “Sooner,” he replied when asked about marriage plans. “Sana siya na talaga. Sabi ko nga sa kanya, siguro kung di ito yung career natin, pinakasalan na kita. But in this industry, especially for the women, they really have to take a break, for example, if they get pregnant… What’s important, secure siya, na siya lang, kasi sa trabaho namin marami ding temptation.” 

Though their relationship became public last year, unknown to many, they’ve been together for over three years now. They met through concert king Martin Nievera. They also clicked because they’re both from Mindanao — TJ from Cagayan de Oro and KZ from Digos, Davao Del Sur. 

He saw KZ’s rise to stardom and was part of it every step of the way. “When she won The X Factor Philippines (in 2012), we were still friends. I remember we’d go to the mall and nobody recognized us. When her single Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako (for Himig Handog), yun na…all the more now.”

Even though both of them are musicians, there’s no competition between them. “The good thing about it is that we don’t have the same music genres. She’s a powerful rap artist, ako naman acoustic, laidback. We’re super opposite in terms of music, although if we jam together, we try to meet each other in the middle.” They hardly talk about work or let alone, earnings when they’re together.

TJ on KZ’s participation on Singer 2018 in China: She couldn’t believe it

“People would ask me, wala ka bang insecurity? ‘Because your girlfriend is world-class.’ I would say to them, it depends on your partner. It’s a big thing if your partner doesn’t make you feel that way. She always uplifts me, ‘Babe, ang galing mo talaga ganito, ganyan.’ I’m also that way with her. So, there’s no competition or whatever between the two of us. It’s all encouragement.”

Obviously, TJ doesn’t mind getting asked about KZ all the time. “I’m willing to answer because I’m proud of her — very, very proud of her.” 

Nevertheless, he has not been spared from intrigues that he’s been riding on KZ’s coattails. “That’s why before, when I still had no single released and no song being aired on the radio, I avoided interviews. I wanted to avoid any issue. I just wanted to make a name for myself and have a hit song. That was my prayer: ‘Lord, sana magka-hit song na ako, na maka-gawa ako ng sariling kanta na makikilala ako,’ so that there wouldn’t be any issue that I’m just using her.”

The two have been making songs together, with one titled Ikaw at Ako Pa Rin released last year. “I hope we can work on many more songs. Actually, we have many collaborations, nakatago, masyado naman kasing nakakasawa kung tuloy-tuloy yung collaboration.”

From the looks of it, TJ is doing well, creating his own niche and getting attention from music jurors. He’s been nominated Male Artist of the Year for the MYX Music Awards on May 15, alongside Darren Espanto, Iñigo Pascual, James Reid and Quest. He’s busy promoting his latest album under PolyEast Records titled Kahit Kunwari. This week, he guested on ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda and GMA 7’s Unang Hirit.

All these he achieved by his own merit and hard work. TJ, a development communication graduate from Ateneo Xavier University, recalled traveling to Manila by his lonesome “without knowing anybody and bringing only my guitar and notebook” but armed with the belief that his passion for music would bring him somewhere.

“I’ve been here in Manila for roughly six years now. I used to host a (regional) TV show for ABS. After that, I wrote songs on the side. For me, if you’re from the province, you’re not from Manila, suntok sa buwan na makapasok sa main music industry. I gave it a shot and said, I would give myself two to three years, and if it didn’t work, I would go home.”

Then Ikaw at Ako happened sometime in 2013. It became an online hit. “It all started there. It started online for me,” he said.

Where he is now in his music journey, TJ feels happy and contented.

“Masaya na talaga ako sa pagsusulat ng sarili kong kanta. The next thing I would want to do is create a new sound, new music, explore more,” although he doesn’t see himself in the way KZ’s career is now unfolding.

“To have my own market, my own audience who are into the type of songs that I make, it makes me super happy already.”