Janine Teñoso and Arthur Nery’s music collab brings real-life kilig

MANILA, Philippines — Their chemistry is real. Fans and the press can’t help but notice the “magic” between Viva Records’ “music love team,” Janine Teñoso and Arthur Nery, who recently released their track and music video, Pelikula.

Both are currently single. Their fondness for each other was obvious during the recent virtual media conference for Pelikula and in the music video as well, but sorry to disappoint people, the two are just “friends.”

“Hindi namin alam kung paano sagutin kasi kahit kami hindi rin namin alam,” commented Arthur when “grilled” about their relationship status.

“We’re trying to explore individually to be able to contribute to each other. And yun po yung paraan kasi same kami ng goal — to create music and tingnan na lang po natin kung saan patungo,” he continued.

Known to fans as JaniThur, Janine and Arthur felt that “special something” too, beyond their music collaboration. They were teased during the press conference and the young artists responded with genuine kilig, smiles and laughs.

On the possibility of them falling in love with each other, Arthur replied, “Hindi ko po alam. We never know. Hindi po natin alam ang mangyayari. Siguro time will tell kung anong mangyayari. For now, focused kami sa work at sa career. Kasi kakagawa lang ng EP (extended play) ni Janine.”

Janine felt the same way, “We’ll see,” she said.

Arthur was a fanboy of Janine from way back. “I was just this typical fanboy who admires an artist. Then when I met her, na-realize ko na parang she’s more than just an artist. She’s a good person with a good heart.”

It was through Instagram (IG) that they constantly communicate after Arthur saw her perform two years ago in a festival. “Matagal na po namin gustong mag-collab. Nakita niya ako sa Bangus Festival and he sent me a message sa IG. Ngayon lang po talaga siya nangyari at natupad in real life,” narrated Janine.

Arthur on Janine: ‘She’s very beautiful in person. She’s happy to talk to and to work with. It’s easier to work when you’re happy. That’s why the (music) collab was easier to make than I expected because we were just having fun. So relaxed and chill.’ Janine on Arthur: ‘I was very comfortable the first time I met him. It’s like we’ve known each other for so long.’

They would eventually exchange music tracks through IG and produced their collaboration, Pelikula, virtually.

“Two months ago ko lang po na-meet si Arthur (in person). Actually, the first time that I met him, I already told him na parang matagal na po kaming magkakilala. Pero matagal na rin po talaga kaming magkakilala because sa chat sa IG,” shared Janine.

They easily clicked the first time they met. Arthur’s impression of Janine was, “Ang ganda pala niya sa personal. Sobrang saya niya kausap, ka-trabaho and it’s easier to work when you’re happy. Kaya siguro napadali yung work or it was easier to make than I expected kasi masaya lang. Parang relaxed lang, chill lang.”

He also showered Janine with compliments such as “pretty,” “easy to talk to,” “kind” and “happy and fun to work with.”

Janine, on the other hand, described Arthur as “super chill,” “calm,” “sweet” and “gentle.” “Sobrang comfortable the first time I met him. Very familiar. Walang awkwardness.”

Janine heard Arthur the first time with his song Binhi and she was impressed. “Ang daming musicality involved in it, especially with the writing of the lyrics. Yun talaga na-appreciate ko kay Arthur — the details, every time he writes songs. Actually, yun din natutunan ko collaborating with Arthur — to focus on the details,” she told The STAR.

For Arthur’s part, his initial music encounter with Janine was when she was just starting out. “High school pa yata siya nuon. Nasa YouTube. Kasama niya yata si Gabbi Garcia (doing cover). Yun yung first time na narinig ko siya kumanta.”

He was amazed, as well. “Hala, ang ganda ng boses habang nag-gigitara. Tapos nalaman ko na sumali pala siya sa Born To Be A Star. I watched her perform several times na din. Hindi natin ma-de-deny ang vocal powers. It’s there.”

Arthur added, “Yung nag-catch talaga sa’kin na while working with Janine is alam mo yung may puso. Alam niya kung paano i-deliver yung kanta kahit iba-iba yung mood niya. Kahit nakangiti siya, kaya niyang kumanta ng sad song. There is something sa vocals niya and her way of singing na parang ramdam mo talaga yung kanta at alam yung message. She’s a good messenger.”

Pelikula reminds the listeners of their prom days before the pandemic. “We wanted to take the youth back (to that time), kasi andami po nag-cancel ng debut, prom and stuff. We wanted to take them back there, dun sa mga canceled events. That’s why we created this love song to cheer people up and happy lang,” explained Janine.

Arthur disclosed he never attended a prom in high school. “Sobrang mahirap pumili ng partner sa prom. Yun din ang gusto naming maramdaman ng audience na mahirap din talaga pumili ng partner. Tapos i-enjoy nila yung moment.”

The budding music love team also detailed their creative process.

“Imaginative po kaming dalawa,” said Arthur. “Pag nag-sasama po kami for a songwriting session, gumagawa po kami ng isang buong story. Nagku-kwentuhan kami kung anong mangyayari. Nag-e-extract po kami ng lyrics out of the story.”

They have the same writing process which is to “think first, then create like an illusion or a fictional story and write something about it,” shared Arthur.

As for Pelikula, Janine basically sent chord progressions to Arthur. “Sinulat ko muna melody and music. Then sinulatan po ni Arthur. Nilagyan niya ng letra and then dinagdagan ko na lang po ng lyrics,” she recounted.

If they were to compose a song for each other, they would want it to be about “appreciation.”

“Gusto ko lang ma-remind si Janine always na she’s beautiful inside and out. Kasi minsan nakakalimutan niya. Minsan nag-o-overthink siya. Minsan nakakalimutan niya na siya si Janine. Para ma-remind siya who she is at yung impact niya sa buhay ng tao,” expressed Arthur.

Janine acknowledged back, “I’m really grateful na I met po talaga Arthur. Sobrang dami niya talaga na-contribute sa akin musically. I think I would write about that.”

Janine’s biggest hit single is Di Na Muli, while Arthur’s Higa is included in Letters Never Sent album.

They are currently working on an EP together and who knows, their “friendship” status might develop into something deeper by the time they finish their forthcoming album.