TJ Monterde, may inaming dahilan kung bakit iniwasan niya ang singing contest noon

• TJ Monterde revealed that he never joined a singing competition early in his career
• He admitted that he lacked confidence in his abilities as a performer
• TJ said he believed his voice was only suitable for singing his own songs
• His cousin Champ Lui Pio of Hale inspired him to pursue music professionally

TJ Monterde opened up about a major insecurity he had when he was still starting his journey in music, revealing why he never dared to join a singing competition.

The successful singer-songwriter admitted that he did not have enough confidence in himself as a performer during his younger years. Rather than seeing his voice as something that could compete with other singers, TJ believed it was simply enough for performing songs he had written himself.

During his interview on “I-Listen with Kara David,” TJ shared that his passion for music started at a young age. He had already been writing and creating songs when he was just 13 years old.

At 16, he entered the world of radio as a DJ at a station where his father worked as a manager. Two years later, he was given an opportunity to become a television host on a regional variety show, a role he continued until he graduated from college at 21.

After finishing his studies, TJ decided to move to Manila to pursue opportunities in songwriting and further develop his career in the music industry.

One of the people who strongly influenced his decision was his cousin, Champ Lui Pio, the frontman of the band Hale. TJ looked up to Champ, particularly whenever he watched him perform onstage.

“Kapag napapanood ko siya noon, doon ko napi-feel na ‘I want to be like him. Gusto kong maging ganito, nagsusulat siya ng songs’, kinakanta niya yung mga originals niya sa mga tao, sumasabay yung mga tao. I want to be like this guy,” he said.

Interestingly, TJ also recalled that he initially learned to play the guitar because of a crush. He believed that being able to play the instrument could make him more appealing to girls.

As he became more skilled at playing guitar, however, TJ discovered that he also had a natural talent for songwriting.

Despite finding his strength in creating music, he still did not consider himself a strong enough vocalist for competitions.

“Wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko as a performer, na feeling ko matatanggal ako kaagad, hindi ako matatanggap sa audition."

“Feeling ko hindi siya pang-competition. Enough lang siya for me to sing my songs. Parang ganu’n ang tingin ko,” TJ added.

His experience highlights how TJ's musical journey was shaped not only by talent but also by overcoming the self-doubt that once kept him away from singing competitions.

TJ Monterde, born Titus John Dabuan Monterde, is an acclaimed Filipino singer-songwriter and acoustic artist who gained national attention through his viral YouTube original compositions. He launched his music career with hit singles like "Ikaw at Ako" and solidified his place in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) with massive chart-toppers like "Palagi".

In another report, TJ Monterde gave KZ Tandingan a meaningful gift by securing the lot they hope to build their dream home on last month. The singer-songwriter looked back on a difficult period in his career, particularly during the pandemic when financial struggles pushed him to consider leaving music behind. KZ remained by his side during that time and even became the main provider for their family while TJ was struggling to regain his footing. He credited “Palagi” with helping restore his confidence, eventually giving him the opportunity to support their family and move closer to the future they had envisioned together.

Meanwhile, TJ Monterde shared how his passion for songwriting began when he was only 13 years old. He explained that his songs often develop naturally as melodies and lyrics come together during the creative process. TJ also revealed that a single word became the inspiration behind “Palagi,” one of the songs that became particularly meaningful in his career. Even after years of creating music, he admitted that the songwriting process can still leave him emotional and amazed at how an idea can eventually turn into a complete song.

Source: KAMI.com.gh