"Palagi' singer TJ Monterde. Screen grab: YouTube/Karen Davila 

MANILA -- "May tiwala talaga siya sa akin. ...Noong times na kailangan na kailangan ko siya, nandoon siya."

These were the words of OPM hitmaker TJ Monterde when he shared how his wife, KZ Tandingan supported him when he was not yet successful as a singer-songwriter. 

In the newest vlog of broadcaster Karen Davila, Monterde talked about his journey as a singer and his relationship with Tandingan. 

Monterde also opened up about how Tandingan showed her trust to him as a husband even when his career was down.

"There's this time na kakakasal pa lang namin, medyo down ako sa career ko noon, wala ako masyadong trabaho. I asked my management to just babaan niyo na lang TF (talent fee) ko, kahit ano. I just want to visible, I just want to be there. Kahit wala na masyadong TF, mababa lang," her recalled.

"KZ, she's always been KZ, she's always been there (sa taas). Knowing na I'm the head of the house, ako yung lalaki, I felt like I should be the provider but she never made me feel that way, not even once. Never ko na feel na 'yung masabi niya sa akin na 'ikaw naman, ikaw yung lalaki rito.' Wala. Wala akong naramdamang ganoon. So that's one thing I really appreciate about her," Monterde continued.

"Minsan humihingi ako ng pasensiya. Kasi bumili kami ng bahay, wala akong masyadong ambag sa binili naming bahay. 'Yung sa akin lang minsan kuryente, tubig, magkano lang ba 'yon? So parang lagi kong inaano, 'Lord, paano ba ito pang-kuryente tubig na lang ba ako rito? Paano kaya Lord? Paano ko kaya maabot na ako naman yung magbabayad namin na monthly na malalaki o magbabayad ng kotse?' Pero she never made me feel that way. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, 'okay lang' parang 'darating 'yung time.' May tiwala talaga siya sa akin. 'Darating 'yung time, sure ako maaano mo 'yan, bibili mo ako ng bag, bibili mo ako ng Chanel," Monterde added.

For Monterde, Tandingan was there when he needed her the most.

"I really felt na noong times na kailangan na kailangan ko siya ay nandoon siya. And 'yung manner niya of handling it na never ako na-insecure. I mean ako 'yung lalaki pero siya 'yung mas ano. Ito 'yung reality lang kinukuwento ko lang just being honest, ako 'yung lalaki pero siya 'yung mas nagpo-provide for us during that time," he said.

Monterde said that right now, he can finally get to share with his wife.

"Parehas na kami. Nakakapag-share na ako, kahit papaano nakakapag-share na ako. Kasi prayer ko 'yon noong time na yon 'Lord, sana ako ang makapag-ano kahit monthly lang ng bahay. ... Ang galing ni Lord, ngayon kaya na."

For Monterde, he is blessed with his marriage with Tandingan, whom he expressed his gratitude to always believing in him. 

"I can say I'm blessed with what I have. Thank you for believing in me from the very beginning and iyo ako palagi," Monterde said.

On August 28, 2020,  Monterde and Tandingan tied the knot at The Farm at San Benito, Batangas after being in a relationship for five years.

They first met on May 29, 2013 through Martin Nievera. Ten years after meeting Tandingan, Monterde wrote his massive hit "Palagi" for his wife.

TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan kiss on stage after ‘Palagi’

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