Cover 2024 is considered TJ Monterde’s breakthrough year. Know more about the singer-songwriter here (Photo: Cornerstone Entertainment Inc)
2024 is considered TJ Monterde’s breakthrough year. Know more about the singer-songwriter here (Photo: Cornerstone Entertainment Inc)
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Filipino singer-songwriter TJ Monterde reflects on his career, his big breaks, and the deep emotional ties he shares with his fans
Every time TJ Monterde steps onto the stage, his humility and grace oozes in spades. His music, too, is stripped-back and unpretentious. There are no flashy stage setups or hundreds of backup dancers. Instead, it’s just him, his voice, and a raw honesty that permeates every lyric.
“My dad was a radio DJ,” Monterde says in an interview with Tatler. “I grew up in the corners of a radio station. Music was always around—it felt like the air I breathed.” That constant exposure to different genres and voices laid the foundation for his own songwriting, which Monterde describes as more instinctive than intentional.
“I can’t really pinpoint where all this started,” Monterde admits. “But writing songs became a way to express myself, especially to the people I love. When the words come with melodies, it feels like I’m showing them how I really feel.”
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Above After a successful tour this year, TJ Monterde announced a new one in 2025
After a successful tour this year, TJ Monterde announced a new one in 2025
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This simplicity—this ability to strip away excess and just be real—is what sets Monterde apart from other musicians. “I don’t think I’m any different,” he says. “I just stay true to my storytelling and express myself with raw honesty. What you hear is how I feel.”
For many fans, Monterde’s music is more than just a soundtrack to their lives; it’s a lifeline. “I get messages from people telling me how my songs have influenced their relationships or even saved their marriages,” he says. “It gives me a sense of purpose every single time.”
The connection between Monterde and his audience is palpable. Every time he performs Palagi (mostly with his wife KZ Tandingan), a song that has become a favourite at weddings and family gatherings, the crowd sways gently, singing along to every word. Monterde is moved by the experience. “I feel overwhelmed,” he admits. “I’m not used to this, but I believe this is all part of God’s plan.”
Palagi wasn’t just any song; it became a major milestone in Monterde’s career. Written in just under an hour in 2022, it struck a chord with listeners and eventually became the theme song for the Star Cinema and GMA Pictures movie Hello, Love, Again. The movie’s lead actress, Kathryn Bernardo, personally reached out to Monterde and requested the song for the film, making it a dream come true for the singer.
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Above TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan performing ‘Palagi’
Monterde’s rise to prominence has been marked by unexpected twists and turns. In 2012, he started his career with little fanfare, releasing songs quietly online and playing small gigs around Manila. It wasn’t until Palagi that everything changed. Monterde describes the track as a “song with no streams, no views, no plans, just pure writing because I wanted to.” That spontaneous act of creation turned out to be a life-altering decision. The song struck a chord with listeners, climbing the charts.
“This song changed my life,” Monterde says. “Everything I ever dreamt of, all my prayers, granted—all because of one song.”
For Monterde, it’s always been about the music and the connection it fosters with his audience. “There will always be more songs,” he says with a determined tone. “As long as I can write, I will.” Crowds at his concerts erupt in cheers, not just in appreciation but in gratitude. Monterde turns concert halls into something intimate—a place where stories are shared, and everyone feels seen.
Looking ahead, Monterde remains grounded and focused. “I just want to keep writing songs,” he says. “I pray God blesses me with melodies to accompany my lyrics. I’ve been doing this since 2012, and now I’m just taking each day as it comes, living in the present.” Monterde’s dream for the local music industry reflects his own journey. “OPM (Original Pilipino Music) is here,” he says. “Everybody’s all over the charts, selling out concerts. I really think we’re here. This is it.”
His vision for the future is one of growth and connection. “We’re where we are today because of the efforts of the trailblazers who came before us,” Monterde says. “I just hope we can continue to build on that foundation, creating opportunities for new talent and fostering a community that supports one another.”
Monterde’s advice to aspiring artists is simple and direct: “Hold on to your authenticity. Be you. Don’t focus on what’s current, what’s on the radio, what they want to hear. Don’t do it for them, do it for you.”
For TJ Monterde, the concerts were more than just a career milestone—they were a reminder of why he started this journey in the first place. And as he looks ahead, Monterde remains resolute in his mission: “There will always be more songs,” he reiterates. “I just want to keep writing, and I’m thankful for every moment along the way.”
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Credits
Photography: Dookie Ducay
Grooming: Hernan Soriano
Hair: Mycke Arcano
Styling: Aaron Mangsat
Location: Pioneer X Studios
Production: Erickson Raymundo, Jeff Vadillo, Caress Caballero; Cornerstone Entertainment Inc
Production: (Special thanks) Pherlouie Moya, Chander Aildasani, Jay Reyes, Mika Severa
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
