KZ and TJ find harmony in contrast
Sound-wise, KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde couldn’t be more different. The former is fire; the latter, a soothing balm. And if it weren’t for the fact that they’re married, there would be no compelling reason for them to be in the same lineup of a music festival or gig.
For the longest time, that was how things were—two people pursuing their respective musical careers, yet largely on divergent paths. But to their surprise, the couple has recently found themselves getting booked more and more for the same events, thanks to the success of the duet version of Monterde’s career-defining hit “Palagi.” “I feel like people think we’re a love team!” Tandingan said, laughing.
Seriously, though, the turn of events has been an eye-opener. Sharing the stage, they’ve found, isn’t just artistically instructive—it also highlights how their contrasting styles and personalities make them a perfect match.
Of the two, Tandingan, the dynamite soul-R&B performer, is the more intense and meticulous, breaking her performances down to their smallest details.
“We’ve learned a lot from each other. As a performer, KZ hates settling for anything ‘pwede na’ (passable). She’s always ready. And I’m happy and grateful because I’m learning a lot from my wife,” Monterde told Lifestyle at a press conference introducing them as the newest endorsers of Dunkin’ Philippines, which is mounting an upcoming fan meeting dubbed “Never Bean Sweeter.”
“The downside of me being so detail-oriented is that, sometimes, I forget to enjoy the process … I overthink everything,” Tandingan said. “That’s why he tells me, ‘Let’s just enjoy ourselves. You’ve had enough practice. You know the material like the back of your hand. Let’s just try to be present. When there’s so much going on in my head, he balances everything out.”
“But if he’s too chill, I give him a nudge: ‘O, ‘di mo pa ’to kabisado!’” she added.
Like his breezy tunes and mellow love ballads, Monterde is more spontaneous and laid-back. In any case, they keep each other on their toes. “I’m confident onstage but I get nervous with KZ, because I know I have to do well. She’s the kind of artist you wouldn’t want to perform before you. She’s a tough act to follow,” Monterde said.
And if there’s anyone who can break into Tandingan’s swaggering exterior, it’s Monterde. “I’m known for being astig-astigan. But with him, I get shy—para akong lalagnatin,” she said, only half in jest. “It can be challenging. It takes you out of your comfort zone.”
Tandingan, the voice behind the hit “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako” and the poignant cover of “Two Less Lonely People in the World,” has long been an in-demand act in the live music circuit. Monterde, meanwhile, is still riding high on the success of “Palagi” (the solo and duet versions of which have 305.9 million plays on Spotify), which paved the way for three sold-out concerts at the Araneta Coliseum last February.
Packed schedules
Needless to say, the couple have never been busier, their calendars packed with engagements both here and abroad. And while they couldn’t be more grateful for such blessings, they must admit, the situation can be quite tricky to navigate as a couple. Every so often, they’d find themselves going to the airport together, only to go on different flights and reunite weeks later.
“We’ve become more intentional with how we spend our time. If we let our schedules take over, we’d lose our time for each other,” Tandingan said.
That they choose to make time for each other amid all the hustle is enough—no expensive gifts or grand gestures needed. After all, they agreed, happiness lives in life’s quiet details. Sometimes, a cup of Vietnamese coffee is all it takes to perk up Tandingan after a hard day’s work.
“I also write her letters and cards, and I make sure they’re by her bedside before she gets home. That’s already a big deal for her,” said Monterde, who, on the other hand, appreciates it when his wife takes care of spontaneous trips or vacations.
“When he has a few days off and wants to travel, I have it covered. I will just show him the itinerary after I’m done. I’d have everything already booked—restaurants, activities,” Tandingan said.
As such, they make sure to cherish every single collaboration and shared project that comes their way—like their fan meeting, which will be held on May 25 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena (follow Dunkin’s social media pages for info).
Who knew that they would one day hold such an event? A big surprise, they said. While they make it a point to interact with their fans as much as possible, it’s their first time to actually do an event dedicated just to that.
For the fans
This is for the people, they said, who travel for hours to see their provincial shows, the people who don’t tire of watching the same sets over and over again, the people who dye their hair blue—or whatever color Tandingan chooses to dye hers; the people who get song lyrics tattooed on their skin, the people who take comfort in their music.
“After my second show at Araneta, a fan came up to me for a photo and told me that my song ‘Palagi’ just saved a 17-year marriage. On the third day, she showed up again—this time with another person … the ‘17 years’ she was talking about. It’s moments like this that convince me I’m doing the right thing in life,” Monterde said.
Tandingan, on the other hand, has had the privilege of growing up with her fans and seeing them realize their own dreams—the same way they follow and celebrate triumphs.
“I have a fan who has been there for me since she was a student. The next thing I knew, she had brought her graduation toga with her to an event. Now, she’s pursuing a doctorate,” she related. “There are a lot of heartwarming stories with fans. You just have to give them time.”
“The money, the time, the energy they devote to us are something we can’t match with any performance. All we can do is give our best,” she added.
