Arzen Rose Dulzura

TJ Monterde looks back on his journey before gifting KZ Tandingan their dream lot

Article (news)

E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>TJ Monterde reflected on his journey as an artist, sharing how his faith became instrumental in helping him persevere through uncertain times in his career.</p><p>In an interview with Kara David, TJ recalled reaching a point in 2023 when he questioned whether his career would ever allow him to achieve more than simply covering their household expenses. Three years later, he was able to purchase a lot for his wife, KZ Tandingan, where they plan to build their dream home.</p><p>&quot;2023, three years ago sinabi ko three years ago  na, &#x27;Lord hanggang kuryente at tubig na lang ba ako?&#x27; And just last month, I gifted her our dream lot where we will put up our dream home in three years. Kaya I am sharing this story &#x27;cause I want to encourage people also. That was just three years. And &#x27;pag time na ni sinabi na ni Lord na, &#x27;This is your time, this is for you,&#x27; mabilis &#x27;yun,&quot; he said in an interview with Kara David.</p><p>For TJ, the dramatic change in his circumstances became a reminder of God&#x27;s perfect timing. He shared that this is also a message he and KZ often impart to audiences during their concerts.</p><p>&quot;Opening statement namin lagi sa concert na ginagawa namin, iba ang oras ng Panginoon sa oras natin. Di ba if you imagine that three years ago as in I was crying to God na hanggang dito na lang po ba talaga? And ngayon I never imagined na kaya kong bilhin ang lupang &#x27;yun sa dream place namin and itatayo namin &#x27;yung dream home namin. And promise ko sa kanya ako magpapatayo ng dream home na &#x27;yun para sa kanya,&quot; he said.</p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DclBcSyMVmn/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=728&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A20811451%2C%22ls%22%3A69825.80000007153%2C%22le%22%3A69830.39999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In the same interview, TJ also looked back on the uncertainty he faced when he first pursued a career in music after moving from Cagayan de Oro.</p><p>&quot;Ako kasi masasabi ko talaga kamay talaga ng Diyos eh kung saan kami ngayon. Grabe ang slim ng chance talaga. Coming here [from Cagayan de Oro], alam ko talaga ang slim ng chance. Grabe &#x27;yung competition I know people who tried this industry from our place na umuuwi, ganun, alam mo &#x27;yun? So, I was ready to face na uuwi talaga ako, ganun &#x27;yung feeling ko. I just wanted to give it a chance,&quot; he recalled.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/11/5/exclusive-tj-monterde-on-his-journey-as-an-artist-i-ve-never-thought-na-kaya-ko-mag-concert-0906"><strong><u>READ: EXCLUSIVE: TJ Monterde on his journey as an artist: ‘I’ve never thought na kaya ko mag-concert’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Drawing from his own experience, TJ encouraged aspiring artists to focus first on their passion for creating music.</p><p>&quot;Sa mga ganung songwriters ngayon na nagta-try — and I heard this from one of our discussions [with] sir Ogie Alcasid just a few weeks back — ang pinakaimportante is you write because you want to write. Kung magustuhan nila, bonus na &#x27;yun lahat. Kung sisikat, si Lord na &#x27;yung bahala dun. But the fact that you can create something out of nothing, I think that&#x27;s enough for us to keep on creating music,&quot; he stated.</p>

<p>TJ Monterde looked back on his journey in the music industry and shared how his faith gave him strength to keep going during uncertain moments in his career.</p>

TJ Monterde looked back on his journey in the music industry and shared how his faith gave him strength to keep going during uncertain moments in his career.