Push Admin

Article (news)

KZ Tandingan flexes mom’s achievement

Stephanie Rose Manhit

Many people know that singer KZ Tandingan rose from humble beginnings to become one of her generation’s most celebrated singers. It was in 2012 when she first started out her showbiz career as the winner of The X Factor Philippines, and now, she has made a name for here both here and abroad.<div style="line-height:normal"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/KZ-flexes-her-moms-achievement-1.jpg" style="width:513px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Just this year, Asia’s Soul Supreme celebrated a decade in the industry. <div style="line-height:normal"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2022/10/18/fresh-scoops/kz-tandingan-celebrates-a-decade-in-showbiz-203117" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">READ: KZ Tandingan celebrates a decade in showbiz</a></div>Those who have been following her career are also familiar with her husband, TJ Monteverde, and their love story. They bonded over their mutual love for music, and went into a relationship in 2015. They got engaged in 2019, and finally tied the knot on September 28, 2020 in an intimate wedding ceremony at The Farm at San Benito in Lipa, Batangas. <div style="line-height:normal"><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2020/10/22/fresh-scoops/kz-tandingan-and-tj-monterde-push-evolution-189175" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">WATCH: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde | Push Evolution</a></div><div style="line-height:normal"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/KZ-flexes-her-moms-achievement-2.jpg" style="width:513px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div>Recently, though, KZ took to social media to honor someone very special: her mom, Mommy Tess.KZ began with a disclaimer: “Long post ahead but definitely worth the read!”It was a glimpse of the woman that, in part, made KZ into the woman she is today. For this post, KZ was no star; instead, she was simply a proud daughter.KZ went back in time to share her mom’s life story. She revealed that her mom was already a licensed midwife at 18 years old, then became a clinical instructor. She got married and had KZ and her sister. Despite a promising start to her career, she eventually had to let go of it.  “She attempted to balance being a mom and working, but in the end, she decided to abandon the career she had fought so hard to achieve in order to concentrate on caring for her children.”By the time KZ and her sister got into high school, their mom once again tried to build her career, this time in nursing. Yet again, she found out she was pregnant with her third child just a year into her course.For years, her mom would slowly continue to pursue her education while raising her children.“She had to transfer to a university that was primarily established for ‘second coursers’, or working people looking to get a new degree with flexible class schedules,” shared KZ. “Mum continued her education attending classes ’til she received her diploma.”She was 44 years old when she took the licensure exams. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to review properly and failed.“She was so heartbroken,” said KZ. “She thought maybe she was too old or that she didn’t have what it took anymore.”This 2022, ten years later, at 56 years old, she dared to take the test again. This time, she was determined to give it her best shot.“She confined herself to her and my dad’s bedroom for almost six months and reviewed for the exam in secret,” KZ revealed. “Only the family knew about it because she didn’t want people to be disappointed just in case she didn’t pass it again. She would study so hard that she’d fall asleep while reading her books and sometimes forget to take a break to eat.”Finally, she took the exam.“On the last day, she burst out in tears of worry and joy and collapsed in my dad’s arms,” said KZ.Eighteen days later, the results came out.With heart full of pride, KZ announced: “My mom, 56 years old, Marites Lobrigas Tandingan, is now a registered nurse.”Indeed, her mom’s perseverance is one to be celebrated and shown off. KZ took this opportunity to give tribute to Mommy Tess who has shown her never to give up on dreams.“Mommy, I can’t thank you enough for loving us so much that you sacrificed your career just to make sure we had the best future,” wrote KZ. “Today is a reminder that God sees everything and that He rewards His children in His perfect time.”“Congratulations, Mommy Tess!” flexed KZ. “I’m do proud of you. I love you.”

Proud daughter KZ Tandingan shares her mom’s story of persevering against all odds.

Proud daughter KZ Tandingan shares her mom’s story of persevering against all odds.

KZ Tandingan flexes mom’s achievement

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Showbiz

KZ Tandingan flexes mom’s achievement

Ann Manhit

Published December 03, 2022 10:40 AM PHT

Read More:

KZ Tandingan

mother

celebrity tribute

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.