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Here’s the secret behind TNT Duets champions JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano's chemistry

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Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Aside from winning hearts with their powerful vocals as Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets Grand Champions, JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, popularly known as JMielle, continue to captivate fans with their undeniable chemistry both on and off stage.</p><div> </div><p>In an interview with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong></a>, the duo opened up about how their strong connection and shared roots as Bisaya helped solidify their partnership.</p><div> </div><p>“Siguro ako if I may share lang, ang laking factor na nagkakaintindihan kami on the same level dahil we’re both Bisaya. So may mga humor na kami-kami lang din ang nakakaintindi,” said Marielle. She hails from Cebu while JM is from Davao.</p><div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750691297778tnt.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>Both were initially solo contestants on the <em>Tawag ng Tanghalan</em> stage—Marielle in its first season in 2016, and JM in its third season in 2019. They were later paired for the Duets Edition, where their authenticity resonated with audiences.</p><div> </div><p>“For me, actually andami pong nagtatanong niyan, anong ginagawa, anong sikreto, and everything– actually wala po talaga. Pag nasa stage kami or kahit off-cam po, kung ano kami sa off-cam ganon din po kami sa stage– sabi nga nila organic daw,” JM shared.</p><div> </div><p>JMielle remains surprised by the strong support they continue to receive even two years after their win.</p><div> </div><p>“Grabe po. We’re so blessed po to have a lot of people po na nagpakita sa amin ng suporta din po sa amin. Simula pa nung mga unang seasons namin up till now na nandito na po kami as JMielle,” Marielle expressed gratefully.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGIR0bYS76-/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A279567.60000000056%2C%22ls%22%3A279193.2999999998%2C%22le%22%3A279549.60000000056%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1383" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" 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><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>JM added that their journey is a testament to perfect timing and faith.</p><div> </div><p>“Plan din talaga ni Lord, eh. Kasi alam mo ‘yon? Nagshe-share nga kami sa mga kanya-kanyang buhay namin dati na, akala namin wala na, ‘don na nagtatapos yung career namin, pero may plan pala si God para sa aming dalawa,” JM said.</p><div> </div><p>Now, the duo is ready to mark a new chapter with the release of their debut EP, <em>JMielle In Love</em>, on June 27.</p><div> </div><p>“After two years of being JMielle, very excited din po kami na maibabahagi naman po itong buong album sa aming mga JMielles, pati na rin po sa iba pong makikinig. May halo din pong kaba kasi may expectations din ang ibang tao, pero we’re very happy and very excited,” Marielle told PUSH ABS-CBN.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK6dYPrS0qi/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A279578.2000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A279193.2999999998%2C%22le%22%3A279549.60000000056%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1091" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" 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><div><br/></div><div><strong> </strong></div><p>As per the duo, the album is composed of six tracks, including “Magpakailanman“, a song written by OPM icon <em>and</em> It’s Showtime host Ogie Alcasid which he dedicated to his wife, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, 22 years ago.</p><div> </div><p>“All of the songs are mga Tagalog or OPM, tapos wala naman kaming masyadong ginawang sobrang preparations, kasi beautiful na yung mga songs na nasa album. So, ang ginawa nalang siguro namin ay nilagyan ng JMielle mark– nilagyan ng tatak JMielle,” Marielle shared. </p><div> </div><p>They also shared brief details on the creative process of making their first album, saying “Some of the songs din po are existing na. So, naririnig na natin din sa mga radios, na p-perform na din sa mga stages.”</p><div> </div><p>JM added, “Wala po kaming kinompose sa mga songs po but may mga songs or song na kinompose ni Sir Soc Villanueva and ni Sir Ogie Alcasid.” </p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DK1XkW0SoSg/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A279587.7000000002%2C%22ls%22%3A279193.2999999998%2C%22le%22%3A279549.60000000056%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1454" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" 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><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Marielle also teased that the themes of the songs reflect their journey as a duo and close friends.</p><div> </div><p>“Actually, halos lahat ng mga tracks din may connection sa amin. Pero hindi na lang po namin masyadong i s-spoil para mapakinggan niyo,” she stated.</p><div> </div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLE8neFSaPR/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=630&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A281605.5%2C%22ls%22%3A279193.2999999998%2C%22le%22%3A279549.60000000056%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1059" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" 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><div><br/></div><div> </div><p>Prior to the album launch, JM and Marielle also had a sold-out album launch event on June 19 in Noctos Music Bar in Quezon City. </p>

<p>TNT Duets Grand Champions JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano talk about the reasons behind their strong connection. </p>

TNT Duets Grand Champions JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano talk about the reasons behind their strong connection.

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s the secret behind TNT Duets champions JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano's chemistry

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EXCLUSIVE: Here’s the secret behind TNT Duets champions JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano's chemistry

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published Jun 23, 2025 11:09 PM PHT

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JMielle In Love

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