"Sakit kaayo": KZ Tandingan, nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng kanyang Kuya Makoy

Published 11 Aug 2026 at 5:35 PM

by Chris Franco

4 min read

Award-winning singer KZ Tandingan expressed profound grief on Instagram following the passing of her longtime friend and bandmate, Kuya Makoy
KZ recalled their early days 15 years ago when they uprooted their lives to pursue music in Manila, hanging out in her tiny condo unit to arrange covers
She credited Kuya Makoy for co-creating the very first arrangements of her previous hits
Promising to keep playing music in his honor, KZ thanked him for supporting her in life

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KZ Tandingan just paid tribute to her longtime friend, guitarist, and bandmate, Kuya Makoy.

Taking to her verified Instagram account @kztandingan, the singer shared a emotional photo carousel documenting their journey together—from intimate stage performances to candid throwback pictures from their early days in the industry.

"Sakit kaayo": KZ Tandingan, nagluluksa sa pagpanaw ng kanyang Kuya Makoy
Source: Instagram

In a long, emotional caption, KZ bared the humble beginnings of their music career together.

"Almost 15 years ago, we were just kids who uprooted our lives and moved to Manila to chase our dreams. I still remember all of us hanging out in my tiny condo, trying to figure out how the hell we were going to make a living doing what we loved," she fondly recalled.

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KZ revealed that Kuya Makoy was instrumental in crafting the signature arrangements that first defined her unique style as an artist.

"Those versions of Rolling in the Deep, Royals, Tadhana, Say Something, Isang Linggong Pag-ibig — the very first versions of those arrangements — it was just me, a VoiceLive 2, and you, Kuya Makoy. Just us. Before everything became what it is now, there was that tiny condo. Those long nights. Those little gigs that felt like the biggest thing in the world. And you were there," she added.

Expressing her sorrow in both English and Bisaya, KZ admitted how difficult it is to process the loss of someone who was present since day one for both her and her husband, TJ Monterde.

"I don't know how to imagine the band without you. I don't know how we're supposed to play those songs without looking for you. So I'll just say thank you. Thank you for the music. For the memories. For the laughter, the long nights, the gigs, and for sharing so much of your life with us... You made our lives better, kuya. You really did. Sakit kaayo kuya," KZ shared.

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Closing her tribute, KZ promised to keep playing music in his honor, taking comfort that he is now resting in peace.

Fellow artists and celebrities, including Anne Curtis and Benj Manalo, left sincere condolences in the comment section to offer support to KZ during this difficult time.

KZ Tandingan is a world-class Filipino singer and rapper, widely celebrated as "Asia’s Soul Supreme." After winning the inaugural season of The X Factor Philippines, she gained international recognition through her groundbreaking performances on China’s hit show, Singer 2018. Known for her unique vocal texture and masterful genre-blending, KZ remains a dominant force in the OPM industry. In 2026, she continues to release chart-topping hits while performing on global stages, cementing her legacy as a versatile and influential musical artist.

As previously reported by KAMI, her husband, TJ Monterde made headlines when he surprised her with a grand, luxury item. The singer then recalled a time when his bank account only had a few thousand pesos. He credited KZ for believing in his success long before it became a reality for his career. Netizens were very touched by the couple's 'started from the bottom' romance story as well.