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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider KZ Tandingan comes to TJ Monterde's rescue at Laguna concert

KZ Tandingan comes to TJ Monterde's rescue at Laguna concert

Published Oct 7, 2025 10:29 am

At A Glance

  • The singer-songwriter shared how his partner went out of her way to help him after he lost his voice during a recent performance.
Before wrapping up his highly successful "Sarili Nating Mundo" concert, singer-songwriter TJ Monterde encountered one of the most challenging moments of his career: Losing his voice just before taking the stage.
He revealed this during the finale press conference for the concert tour last Oct 2.
"Isa sa pinaka hindi ko makakalimutang experiences, bago lang ito. Mga two weeks ago, we were in Laguna and we had a two-day show. Sold out yung buong show before nangyari pa yung show. So na-sold out na siya mga weeks before pa lang. On the first day, in the middle of my set, last song ko bago pumasok si KZ, I was singing ‘Kung Siya Man,’ yung Bisaya song ko, nawala yung boses ko. As in total zero," TJ shared.
(One of the most unforgettable experiences I've ever had happened just recently. About two weeks ago, we had a two-day show in Laguna—and both shows were already sold out even before we got there. Like, completely sold out weeks in advance. On the first night, right in the middle of my set—my last song before KZ was supposed to come on—I was singing ‘Kung Siya Man,’ my Bisaya song… and I completely lost my voice. As in, zero. Nothing came out)
TJ continued, "Meron sound pero hirap na hirap ako magsalita. Walang lumalabas and first time ko siya ma-experience. So sobra akong in shock na natakot ako na ano na gagawin ko, may three songs pa ako mamaya, kakantahin pa namin yung 'Palagi.' Kakantahin ko pa yung mga iba kong songs,” he added.
(There was still a bit of sound, but I could barely speak. Nothing was really coming out—and it was my first time experiencing something like that. I was so shocked and honestly, I panicked. I didn’t know what to do. I still had three more songs left, including 'Palagi,' and a few of my other songs)

TJ's wife, KZ, immediately took the stage when she noticed that he was struggling to sing "Harana" by Parokya ni Edgar.
"So nung pagbalik ko after ng set ni KZ, kumanta ako ng ‘Harana,’ yung kanta ng Parokya ni Edgar, tapos the first few lines narinig niya na nawala nga, so lumabas siya sa dressing room, kinuha niya yung mic tapos sinabayan niya ako hanggang matapos yung song na yun," he said.
(So when I came back on after KZ's set, I sang 'Harana,' the song by Parokya ni Edgar, then while trying to sing the first few lines she heard how I lost it, so she came out of the dressing room, took the mic, and sang along with me until the end of the song)
Since it was a two-day concert, TJ revealed that concert director John Prats considered postponing the second day of the show after what happened.
"So we had to consult a doctor kung ano bang puwedeng gawin. I took meds kung anong puwede. Tapos eventually, dun ko nakita at dun ko na-appreciate  yung importance of having a team that’s really core talaga. Well, magkasama na kami sa maraming shows sa kilalang kilala na namin ang isa’t isa. So sabi ko, ‘Guys, I need your help. Feeling ko hindi ako 100% today.’ Lahat sila sabi sige ako bahala diyan, sige lagyan na lang kita ng keyboard, sige babaan natin ito, so tulungan talaga kami nung day na yun," TJ said.
(So we had to consult a doctor to figure out what we could do. I took some medication and rested as much as I could. That moment made me truly appreciate the value of having a solid, core team. We’ve done so many shows together, and we really know each other well. So I told them, 'Guys, I need your help. I don’t think I’m at 100% today.' And right away, they stepped up—'Okay, I’ll handle that,' 'Okay, I’ll just play keys for you,' 'Let’s simplify the setlist.' They really had my back that day.)
Saying goodbye to "Sarili Nating Mundo"
"Sarili Nating Mundo" started via a 3-night sold-out concert at the Big Dome. It went on to conquer 40 big stages, eventually carving a record of 22 sold-out shows.
With only a few shows left, KZ and TJ gave thanks to all the fans and their crew for making the journey a memorable one.

"We're just happy for all the support and love from the fans na sumama sa amin from the start of this concert. That's why I never want to take this opportunity for granted," TJ said.
The show also made history as the Bituins - his fans - chose it as the perfect and safest place to celebrate their life’s unforgettable milestones including marriage proposals and an unexpected gender reveal, which happened during TJ and KZ's much-awaited performance of their phenomenal hit “Palagi.” 
The couple has since announced that they will be having another concert February next year at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, as directed by John as well. 


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