TJ Monterde reveals gifts for self following historic three sold-out concerts at Araneta Coliseum


At a glance

  • When he started, TJ revealed that he only had 13 people for a fan meet at the Ninoy Aquino Wildlife and Park in QuezonCity.


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TJ Monterde (Images courtesy of Smart Araneta Coliseum Facebook)

A rising star has emerged in the music scene as TJ Monterde dazzled audiences during three consecutive sold-out performances at the iconic Araneta Coliseum in Araneta City, held from Feb. 1 to 3. 

Each night, the atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly singing along and celebrating TJ's heartfelt lyrics and captivating stage presence. 

Dubbed the "Sarili Nating Mundo" concert, the event marked a significant milestone in his career, as the sheer enthusiasm and support from the crowd highlighted his undeniable talent and growing popularity in the industry.

At 35, TJ found himself reflecting on his journey as a musician. He confessed that he had never envisioned himself performing to sold-out crowds, an experience that felt surreal yet exhilarating. 

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There was a time when he considered abandoning his dreams, overwhelmed by frustration and disappointment as he struggled to gain traction in his career. 

The months of waiting and uncertainty weighed heavily on him, but now, standing on stage before a cheering audience, he realized that perseverance had finally paid off.

"Oh my God! Day 3! Grabe!" shouted TJ as the audience screamed for joy. "Lunes ngayon pero ang energy parang pang Biyernes! Ramdam na ramdam ko kayo mga bituin. (Oh my God! Day 3! Awesome! It's Monday today but the energy feels like Friday! I can really feel you stars.)

The singer added: "Noong sinabi sa akin na mag-a-Araneta ako for three nights, to be honest nanginig ako. Hindi ko talaga alam paano siya gagawin. Pero nandito kayo ngayon. Tatlong araw tayo sa Araneta ng dahil sa inyo. Maraming salamat for making this simple songwriter's dreams come true. Tinupad ninyo ang mga pangarap ko. (When I was told that I would be at Araneta for three nights, to be honest I was shaking. I really didn't know how to do it. But you are here now. We are at Araneta for three days because of you. Thank you very much for making this simple songwriter's dreams come true. You made my dreams come true.)

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KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde

"Kahit sa lahat ng panaginip ko wala ito. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Susulitin ko ang gabing ito. Sabi ko sa salamin, 'TJ, buti na lang hindi ka sumuko. (Even in all my dreams this wasn't there. I couldn't believe it. I was going to make the most of this night. I said to the mirror, 'TJ, it's a good thing you didn't give up.)

"It took me almost 15 years to see this view. Kaya pinaghandaan ko talaga ito. Nagready ako at nag vocalize ako. Natulog ako ng maayos. Tapos pinaiyak pa ako ni sir Martin bago magsimula ang show. I was crying when I saw you (Martin). Your humility is an inspiration para sa aming lahat. You are the concert king pero pumayag ka (maging front act). We look up to you. "So I prepared for it. I got ready, and I vocalized. I slept well. Then Sir Martin made me cry before the show started. I was crying when I saw you (Martin). Your humility is an inspiration for all of us. You are the concert king, but you agreed (to be the front act). We look up to you)," TJ said.

TJ is very grateful for all the good things in his life, including his recent work achievements, which he dedicates to the Lord. He feels joy about reaching new goals in his career and appreciates the opportunities that have come his way.

"Gusto ko lang i-share ito. Kung meron man dito na nawawalan na ng pag-asa, kahit na ano'ng bagay, meron kayong dine-desire sa puso ninyo, huwag kayong tumigil. (I just want to share this. If there is anyone here who is losing hope, no matter what, you have something you desire in your heart, don't give up.)

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"Maniwala kayo sa time ni Lord. Magpursige lang kayo. Kasi sa akin, sa case ko, ayoko na. It was 2022 at nagusap na kami ni KZ na mag-aaral na ako ng coffee business. I want to put up a coffee shop. Yun na ang trajectory ng buhay ko. (Believe in the Lord's timing. Just persevere. Because for me, in my case, I don't want to. It was 2022, and KZ (Tandingan) and I talked about studying the coffee business. I want to open a coffee shop. That's the trajectory of my life.)

"Sabi ko kay KZ siya na lang sa music. Yung ambag ko, dito na lang ako. Masaya naman nangyari sa akin yun and it was fun. Pero tulad ng sinabi, kapag yung plano ni Lord ang masusunod, iba. (I told KZ to focus on music. As for my contribution, I'm just here. I'm happy that it happened to me and it was fun. But like I said, the Lord has other plans. It's different.)

"Iba siya magbigay: above, over and beyond. Lahat ng pinangarap ko binigay niya sa akin with just one song. Kung feeling niyo wala na kayong oras, ibibigay yun sa inyo ni Lord ng isang iglap tulad ng ginawa niya sa akin," TJ said. "In God's time. (He gave differently: above, over and beyond. He gave me everything I ever dreamed of with just one song. If you feel like you don't have time, the Lord will give it to you in an instant like He did to me.)

TJ was referring to the song "Palagi," which has already hit one billion streams on Spotify. The same song was also the official soundtrack of the blockbuster movie "Hello, Love, Again" starring Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards.

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TJ and KZ

At the same event, Billboard Philippines officially recognized "Palagi" as the No. 1 song for 2024. Additionally, TJ received an award from Araneta Coliseum, certifying him as the first Filipino male artist to sell out three consecutive concerts at the Big Dome.

TJ calls his fans "bituin" (star), who cheered for him during the show. Fans sang along to his songs such as "Sariling Mundo," "Dating Tayo," "Ikaw at Ako," "Kung Siya Man," "Mahika," "Hanggang Dito Na Lang," "Puhon," and more.

Singer KZ Tandingan, wife of TJ, shared the stage with him when they performed "Palagi." After their performance, KZ revealed in her message she wanted to give up music. However, seeing her husband every morning inspires her to continue.

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TJ Monterde and 10cm (left)

"Thank you for choosing TJ the past few days. Hindi kayo nagkamali ng taong susuportahan. This person is an example of God's testament. 

"TJ is my inspiration. As an artist, I feel like I'm in my season of waiting. Sometimes I think of throwing the towel and give up on music and everything. But everytime I wake up in the morning, I see this man. Then I am reminded that a few years ago, he was about to give up. But he chose to fight. In less than a year, he's now one of the most streamed artists in the Philippines," said KZ in her message.

When he started, TJ revealed that he only had 13 people for a fan meet at the Ninoy Aquino Wildlife and Park in Quezon City.

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TJ Monterde and Arthur Nery (right)

Martin sings for TJ

For the first time in his career, Concert King Martin Nievera performed as a front act, returning a favor to TJ.

“Maybe you are wondering what I am doing here. Hindi dahil ako yung tatay ni KZ Tandingan. Hindi dahil doon. There’s an artist, his name is Martin Nievera. 

"He was launching many albums, noong uso pa yung mga CDs at yung host at yung front act performer was this new guy, some young boy by the name of TJ Monterde. He came out every single CD promo and started the show the way I’m doing right now.

“So, I thought, maybe one day, I could return the favor if he ever became a big star. Filling up this beautiful venue three times in a row is not easy but nobody deserves the success more than my boy, TJ," Martin said.

TJ was watching backstage when Martin performed "I'll Be There for You" and "You Are My Song." The OPM singer was moved to tears of joy, and his wife KZ comforted him during the performance. TJ admitted that he cried while watching Martin sing for him.

Other guest performers in the concert were Arthur Nery, Kenji Exaltacion, and Korean indie artist 10cm who debuted with TJ their upcoming duet entitled "Silver." 

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Gifts for himself

TJ expressed his anticipation for a massage after performing for three days at Araneta Coliseum.

"Magpapa-masahe ako. Naka-schedule na ako bukas. Sabi ko sa masahista, bukas talaga magpapamasahe ako. Lahat ng gusto kong kainin, kakainin ko na. Bukas talaga, magpapa-hinga ako. (I'm going to get a massage. I've already scheduled it for tomorrow. I told the masseuse, I'm really going to get a massage tomorrow. I'll eat whatever I want. I'm really going to take a break tomorrow)," said TJ when asked about a gift for himself.

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TJ Monterde receives the Billboard Philippines award for his No. 1 song 'Palagi' as KZ Tandingan looks on.

In addition to the massage, TJ has another gift in mind: a watch.

"I want to tell a little story. I want to celebrate this by buying a watch. I want to buy this certain watch—pina-alam ko yun. Sabi ko, 'Pwedeng malaman kung ilan ang TF ko sa concert? Kasi bibili ako ng relo. Then sabi sa akin, 'Makakabili ka naman ng relo. Before the show started, binigyan ako ni KZ ng relo. I was touched because wala siya noong brand na yun. So inuna niya ako. Na-amaze talaga ako sa kanya. Yun sana ang celebration na gusto ko pero binili na niya ako ng watch. (I said, 'May I know my talent fee for the concerts? Because I'm going to buy a watch. Then I was told, 'You can buy a watch. Before the show started, KZ gave me a watch. I was touched because she didn't have that brand. So she gave me a watch first. I was really amazed by her. That was supposed to be the celebration I wanted but she already bought me a watch.)

Asked if the watch costs millions, TJ said: "I'm not sure about it. Hindi naman siguro. Para may souvenir lang na nag-Araneta ako. Hindi naman sobrang mahal. Sakto lang. Gusto ko rin magbakasyon. Pero paano? Masahe muna. Yun talaga ang una. (I'm not sure about it. Probably not. I just went to Araneta for a souvenir. It's not too expensive. Just right. I also want to go on vacation. But how? I'll get a massage first. That's really the first thing.)"