Why Pablo is Dingdong Avanzado’s SB19 bias

Dingdong Avanzado discovered SB19 through his Gen Z daughter. Because of a collaboration between Jayda Avanzado and SB19 in 2021, Dingdong got to meet the acclaimed P-pop boy band a couple of times. He also once bumped into them in the United States, he recalled. Since those encounters, he felt that they somehow managed to create a connection.

Dingdong checked out Pablo, Stell, Ken, Josh and Justin’s performances. He listened to their catalog. Now, he calls himself a fan.

“Their passion and desire for excellence is very high. They have great attention to detail. Those are the things I like most in an act or artist,” he told the Inquirer in a recent interview.

Not only does Dingdong listen to SB19’s songs, he also keeps tabs on each member’s solo efforts.

“I may not be as hardcore as the others, but I’m really a fan. I sometimes engage with SB19-related posts on Twitter like those about Stell’s performance [of ‘All By Myself’]. I watched it so many times. Bilib na bilib ako, because the song was arranged for a woman (Celine Dion). I always knew that he’s a great vocalist, but seeing him being recognized this way makes me so proud and happy,” he said.

“I also listen to their solo singles like those by Ken, Josh and Justin,” he added. “What I like about their work is that you know it’s well-crafted … pinag-iisipan.”

Playfulness

While he admires the group as a whole, Dingdong’s bias is Pablo.

As a singer-songwriter, he found it impressive that Pablo is the group’s main songwriter and producer. “I like them all collectively. Each one of them has his own strengths. I also love Stell. But when Jayda asked me who my bias was—and I didn’t know what the word meant then—I said Pablo. When I found out that he writes most of the band’s music, I said, ibang level ‘yun,” he said.

“We’re both songwriters, so I felt we had a common denominator. That’s something I truly appreciate,” said the 56-year-old artist, who even calls the SB19 leader by his nickname, “Pinuno.” “That’s the beauty of having a daughter who’s also on the scene … I also know that his fans are called ‘Hotdogs.’”

Dingdong is especially fond of Pablo’s latest solo single, “Edsa,” which showcases the young artist’s “musical playfulness” and the ability to create music “can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

“His song ‘Edsa’ is beautiful. That someone can write a song about Edsa like he did is great. It’s apt for his generation, but it’s still something my generation can relate to. The lyrics are fun. Ang likot ng isip niya,” Dingdong noted.

“That’s what music should be about. If you can express it in a way that’s fun, in a way that will make people gravitate to it, then I’m all for that.”

Concert

As such, Dingdong thought of having Pablo as one of the special guests in his upcoming concert “Dingdong Avanzado: The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop” on July 19 at The Theatre at Solaire.

“I just reached out to him. I asked him if I could invite him to my show. He obliged. Maybe it was just the right timing. Jayda told me a month ago or so that the group’s ‘Pagtatag’ tour had just ended, so I gave it a try. I think Pablo wants to do it as well. I’m excited how things will work out,” he said.

Did he try getting the whole group for the concert? “Baka ‘di kaya ng budget,” he said, laughing. “Of course, I would like to work with all of them. But yeah, that would involve a lot of dancing if ever. At my age, baka ‘di ko kayanin!”

The upcoming concert, which doubles as Dingdong’s 37th anniversary in show biz, will also feature performances from other guests like his wife, Jessa Zaragoza, Jayda and Randy Santiago. The setlist will feature his greatest hits, like “Maghihintay Sa ‘Yo,” “Wish I Could,” Makapiling Ka Sana,” “Tatlong Beinte Singko” and “Basta’t Kasama Kita.”

And who knows, he might end up squeezing in some songs by artists dominating today’s music charts.

“People have been asking me to try. There are so many to choose from. With Jayda’s help, I get an idea about what young fans are listening to these days,” he said. “Of course, I want to stay true to my core, which is the music I created. I also want to perform songs that I enjoyed listening to growing up, songs that helped shape my artistry.”

In his almost four decades in the industry, Dingdong has earned numerous recognitions and scored platinum-selling records. Choosing a single career highlight is impossible but he especially cherishes his Song of the Year trophy for the song “Paalam Na” at the 1995 Awit Awards.

“From a musical standpoint, there are so many things that come to mind but that one stands out for me because I was recognized as a songwriter. Being a singer-songwriter, being able to create is something I treasure,” he related. “The following year, I won best dance recording for ‘I Will Be There for You’ (also at Awit Awards).”

God’s plan

Dingdong has had his share of challenging moments, too.

“Not everything you put out become hits. There were times when I was unsure how to proceed with my career. When you get to the top, how do you stay there? When you find your momentum, how do you sustain it?” he said. “Sometimes, people can get so caught up in the idea of success that they lose the sense of joy in what they do.”

If there’s one thing he has learned, it’s taking care of things he can control, and surrendering everything else to God. “At the end of the day, if it’s God’s plan, it will happen,” he said.

Thankfully, he’s still here, doing shows and recording songs. After all, it’s longevity, not fame, he strived for. “I feel so blessed that I still get to do the thing I love. Everything else is just a bonus,” he said.

Reflecting on his life and career, no career achievement, Dingdong stressed, will ever compare to the happiness and fulfillment he gets from his family.

“Building a family, especially here in show biz, is hard but by God’s grace, we’re still here,” he said. “Nothing comes close to being a father and a husband.”