Gian Bernardino & KZ Tandingan

From their formative years emulating their musical idols to now performing alongside them, younger and younger musicians are getting their foot at the door. Some like pop rock band Cup of Joe’s Gian Bernardino kick it wide open with platform shoes, standing on the shoulders of those who left it ajar enough for new talent to break through. 

While he grew up singing Celine Dion and Mariah Carey power ballads to the delight of his parents, one OPM artist captivated his younger self onscreen: KZ Tandingan, then a fixture of singing competitions until she got her big break on The X Factor Philippines. From covering songs and reimagining them in Singer 2018, Tandingan has since become a household name in R&B, soul, and hip-hop/rap with hits like “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako” and “Palagi,” her collaboration with her husband TJ Monterde, which has over 150 million streams on Spotify.

Still, to Bernardino, Tandingan is that girl in a floral dress and sneakers on TV, who inspired him to make off-kilter choices in his career. “Nung nakita kita, nung narinig ko ‘yung music mo, there’s this feeling of representation na never kong nakita before,” he says of seeing Tandingan on X Factor.

Tandingan, now a seasoned act trying to set out on her own after going independent early this year, meanwhile, remembers the Cup of Joe lead vocalist as “her kid,” an endearment from back in 2018, when Bernardino was just a fan singing with her onstage at her first major solo concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“Parang nakita ko ‘yung sarili ko sa ‘yo nung nagsisimula ako na parang I’d always go for the weirdest choices of outfits, makeup, ‘yung pinaka-unexpected na mga bagay,” Tandingan tells Bernardino. “Like, first impression ko sa ‘yo, ‘Okay. Alam niya kung sino siya. Alam niya ‘yung pinaglalaban niya.’”

Sharing a stage once more on Rolling Stone Philippines Musicians on Musicians, eight years after their first duet, the two talk about first impressions, breakthroughs, and the risks they took to get to where they are, from CoJ breaking out of Baguio to Tandingan deciding to go independent after a decade of being under a record label. —Christian San Jose

The following has been edited for clarity.

KZ Tandingan: Do you remember the first time we met, or the first time na nakilala mo si KZ the artist?

Gian Bernardino: I think it was 2012.

Tandingan: X Factor?

Bernardino: Yes, 2012. Mahilig kasi akong manood ng TV as an OFW kid. Na-fi-feel ko lang ‘yung pagiging Pinoy ko sa TFC. Tapos ‘yun, nanunuod ako ng X-Factor. Tapos may isang babaeng naka-floral dress, umakyat sa stage na…

Tandingan: Naka-sneakers. Na may kulot na hulas. Ilang taon ka nun? Eleven? Wow. 

Bernardino: Kasi lagi ko namang nasusubaybayan ‘yung mga singing contest. Kasi sila ‘yung mga next na aabangan sa ASAP. So nakita ko ‘yung audition. Tapos kinanta niya “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Tapos nag-rap pa siya. Sabi ko, “Wait, parang kakaiba ‘to ah.” Kasi ever since, nung kumakanta-kanta ako, feeling ko may something din na iba sa akin.

Nung napanuod ko ‘tong babae na ‘to, I felt very inspired and motivated and represented. Tapos ‘yun, sinubaybayan na kita hanggang sa naging champion. Well, expected naman. 

Tandingan: Si OA naman ‘to?

Bernardino: Totoo. And then, ayun, ever since, naging taga-subaybay na ako ng lahat ng mga videos mo sa YouTube. Himig Handog. “Scared to Death.” “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako.”

Kaya nung umuwi ako ng Pinas, nasaktuhan ko, 2018, first solo concert mo sa MOA. Talagang pinilit ko ‘yung mama ko na makapunta. VIP talaga kasi sabi ko, “Huwag na tayong celebrate ng birthday ko. ‘Yun na ‘yun.”

Kasi sakto, July ‘yung birthday ko. Bago kami pumunta doon, gumawa ako ng sign kasi gusto ko talagang maka-duet ka. Tapos nakita mo ako sa Twitter. Tapos pagpunta ko doon, tinawag mo ako. 2018, eight years.

Tandingan: Tapos hindi natin inakalang we would be here talking about music and you and your band.

Bernardino: Ikaw ba, kelan mo nalamang may Gian Bernardino aside from the concert?

Tandingan: Well, familiar ako with Cup of Joe. Pero hindi ko alam na ‘yung bata palang ka-duet ko nung concert ko noong 2018 is part of that band. Tapos parang nalaman ko lang nung nag-Baguio kami. 

Bernardino: Oo. Dinala ko ‘yung sign.

Tandingan: Correct. Tapos doon ko lang naalala. Tapos sabi mo, “That was me. This is the actual sign. I brought it today.” Tapos kasi naalala ko ‘yung bata. Pero hindi ikaw ‘yun. Iba ‘yun. Bata ‘yun eh. So parang sobrang kagulat. Grabe, antagal na pala nun. 

Grabe ‘yung paglipad ng banda niyo. Like, the first few videos I’ve watched ng mga performances niyo, like, literal, may mga baby teeth pa kayo. [Laughs] Tapos ‘yung mga damitan niyo noon… tapos ngayon, parang fast forward to nung na-meet kita for the first time. ‘Yun na ‘yung parang siguro mas naging intentional ako into diving into the CoJ music. Tapos ‘yun na, pina-follow ko na kayo. ‘Yung mga performances niyo, also Cozy Cove. I think, ‘yun na ‘yung pinaka nag-meet tayo ulit. Kasi from 2018, ‘yung Baguio meet-up natin, ano na ‘yun, parang mga 2022? 2023? I was there only as an assistant, makeup artist, and hairstylist for TJ. So, hindi ko alam kung paano mo nalaman na pupunta din ako.

Sobra talagang pinagtugma ng tadhana na magkita tayo.

Bernardino: Having said that, anong first impression mo sa akin as an artist?

Tandingan: Nung sinabi mo na ikaw si Gian na ka-duet ko nung 2018 tapos napanood kita, nakita kita paano magdamit, parang na ganun ako, “Yeah. This is really my kid.” Parang nakita ko ‘yung sarili ko sa ‘yo nung nagsisimula ako na parang I’d always go for the weirdest choices of outfits, makeup, ‘yung pinaka-unexpected na mga bagay. Minsan kahit sobrang laki ng damit sa akin, if I like it, I’m gonna wear it, parang ganun. And I felt that vibe from you na alam mong as an artist, part ‘yung the way you present yourself, na alam mo na dapat nag-ta-translate sa nakikita ng tao kung ano ‘yung naririnig nila at ‘yung kung ano ‘yung nararamdaman nila sa ‘yo.

So, ‘yun pa lang. Like, first impression ko sa ‘yo, like, “Okay. Alam niya kung sino siya. Alam niya ‘yung pinaglalaban niya.” Kasi, syempre, when you decide to become part of this industry, it’s so easy to forget who you are, para lang masigurado mo na mag-se-stay ako. Kasi people always tell you, “Oh, this is the formula. This is what works. If you want to stay in this industry, this formula has worked for decades.” So, kung gusto mong magkaroon ka ng malaking chance na mamayagpag ‘yung career mo, ito lang ang pwede mong gawin.” Hindi, hindi mo ginawa ‘yun. Hindi nyo ginawa ‘yun. And I think ikaw nga ata nag-influence sa buong banda mong mag-eyeliner kayo, ‘yung mga buhok na may kulay, or whatever.

It’s so exciting and refreshing. Kasi hindi kayo natatakot mag-explore. 

Bernardino: Pero ‘yun nga, the term is refreshing. Nung nakita kita, nung narinig ko ‘yung music mo, there’s this feeling of representation na never kong nakita before. And parang naging delulu lang ako before na if ever I enter the industry, mapagbigyan ng universe or something, I’d also have that goal to somehow make younger artists see a glimpse of their faces sa akin. That’s what you did sa ‘kin. 

Tandingan: What made you fall in love with music? 

Bernardino: Feeling ko, medyo, ano siya, hereditary. Kasi ‘yung parents ko, basically — long story short — nag-meet sila dahil sa music kasi meron kaming small town sa Pangasinan, Villasis. Tapos parang rival orchestras sila doon. Tapos parehas silang bokalista nun. Dahil doon nag-meet sila, tapos nag-date sila, tapos ‘yun, nagka-anak sila. Kaming lima, buong family, kumakanta kami. Tapos parang ever since nung bata ako, pina-practice ako ng papa ko kas nakita niyang sumabay ako sa song ni Celine Dion nung two or three years old ako, “My Heart Will Go On.”

Tapos parang sobrang na-inlove ako sa art of hindi lang singing, but performing. Pinapatungtong niya ako lagi sa table, ganyan. Maliit pa ako. Tapos parang na-enjoy ko siya.

As early as three years old, na feel ko ‘yung sobrang nawawala ako sa mundo. Tapos parang na-i-immerse ko ‘yung sarili ko sa kanta. Merong feeling of parang peace. And dahil doon, doon na nag-start na ako ng music online. Tapos, parang doon lang din naman nag-start. Pinapakialaman ko ‘yung mga collection nila ng mga records.

Nag-start, syempre, sa mga Celine Dion, ganyan. Mga Mariah Carey. Ang taas kasi ng boses ko noon. Tapos, pinaka na-inlove talaga ako sa tunog ng OPM.

Tandingan: Ako, first time I realized I was falling in love with music, I think, parang, ikaw din eh.

I don’t remember exactly anong age siguro, pero, sabi ng tatay ko, as early as mga three years old daw, ganun din. Kumakanta-kanta na ako, sumasabay-sabay na ako, tapos mag-pe-pretend ako palagi na nagbabasa ako ng lyrics, kahit hindi naman ako marunong magbasa.

Tapos, kumakanta ako sa church, kumakanta ako sa barangay. ‘Yun ‘yung unang gig ko actually. Kumanta ako sa parang barangay meeting or something. Tapos binigyan lang nila kami ng pagkain and parang feeling ko like, I’m “it”!

Pero, I think the first time na na-realize ko na “Okay, this is something that I wanna do for the rest of my life. I love how it makes me feel.” Parang nag-start siya muna with kung paano ko nakikita ‘yung tatay ko pag kinakantahan niya ‘yung mommy ko. Kasi ‘yung daddy ko, he loves singing so much. Hindi lang talaga siyang nagkaroon ng pagkakataon to pursue music because, of course, music, especially nung panahon nila, it was never considered a career that could feed your family. So, parang ‘yung pangarap niya na ‘yun na maging musician, nandyan lang. Parang hobby lang siya. “I could never pursue this.” But he would always sing to my mom, and I would see my mom’s reaction. Nakikita ko kung paano lumiliwanag ‘yung mata ng nanay ko. Nagniningning ‘yung mata ng nanay ko every time kumakanta ‘yung tatay ko. And I wanted to give that feeling. Every time na kumakanta ko, I would look for people, and I would just stare at them. “Is this making you feel seen?” Parang ganun. Gusto ko na pag nag-pe-perform ako, merong mga taong sumasaya. 

So, doon na nag-start na nag-pe-perform ako. Although, in the beginning, I was very scared. Takot nga akong kumanta with a live band. Gusto ko minus one lang. Parang ayoko nang may mga unexpected na mga ganap-ganap.

But, ‘yun ata. It started with my dad and my mom. Nakuha ko ‘yun. Naramdaman ko ‘yung pag-ibig na ‘yun. And I think that love na na-plant sa puso ko, parang it grew. And it has now become what it is na parang it’s overflowing na gusto ko na lang palaging kumanta at kumanta kahit saan sa mundo. Na-miss ko tuloy ‘yung tatay ko.

Bernardino: Ano ‘yung kino-consider mong breakthrough moment mo?

Tandingan: Parang siguro mas more on breakthrough moments siguro. Parang merong three major breakthrough moments for me. Number one would be winning X Factor kasi I’ve auditioned for so many singing competitions in the past tapos pre-audition pa lang, I would always be rejected. Like, I’ve almost gotten used to being rejected nung time na nag-audition ako for X Factor na dapat hindi na ako mag-o-audition. ‘Yung audition ng X Factor, sakto siya sa I think one of our final exams nung college ako. So it was auditioning with 99 percent chance of rejection and also failing your subject. Or baka pumasa ka o may mangyari sa buhay mo. But it turned out to be one of the best decisions na ginawa ko sa buhay ko, that I never gave up on my dreams.

Talagang nagbago ‘yung trajectory ng buhay ko. And that’s the first time that I finally felt like, “Okay, maybe music could be a career.” 

Number two would be joining another competition, Singer 2018. Kasi parang at that point, parang six years in na ako sa music industry and parang feeling ko, tapos na ako dun sa mga competition. That opportunity presented itself and nung simula ayoko kasi parang paano ko siya gagawin? Like I don’t wanna join another competition na alam ko namang puro birit-birit na naman ang mangyayari. I would never thrive in that environment because that’s not who I am. Pero nung sabi nila sa akin na  the main goal of this competition is for you to rearrange songs so that the audience would appreciate it, parang when I was able to sing my rearrangements in China, I think that kind of cemented who I am as an artist, na aside from writing my originals, aside from interpreting songs written by other composers, strength ko ang mag-reimagine ng mga kanta. Like I love telling the same story from a different angle. Sobrang na-e-enjoy ko siyang gawin. So I think when I was able to perform like “Rolling in the Deep,” ‘yung Chinese na kanta, like all the arrangements we did, parang mas tinanggap ako ng tao na “Okay, KZ is not just an artist who keeps covering songs. KZ is an artist who is able to reimagine songs.” Parang ganun.

Number three would be doing the “Palagi” collab with TJ kasi after nung Singer, parang akala ko from this point to nag-MOA Arena ako, like “wala na ‘to.” Parang nandun na ako sa I’m grateful kung nasaan ako sa industry na ‘to but I don’t think na meron pang mangyayari.

But then again, syempre hindi natin alam kung may plano po ang Panginoon sa buhay natin. And dumating ‘yung “Palagi,” TJ asked me to collab with him. ‘Yun, ginawa namin siya. Parang nagkaroon ako ng panibagong buhay. “Well, may iba na namang nangyayari.” And as an artist, parang I was given another chance to perform more, to perform with my husband. Kaya ko siya na-consider ng breakthrough moment kasi that collab opened so many doors na never man lang bumukas sa akin sa more than 10 years ko in the industry. 

And I hope there are more breakthroughs coming. 

Ikaw? What are your breakthrough moments?

Bernardino: By the way ‘yung Chinese song na ‘yun memorize ko ‘yun dahil sinubaybayan ko ‘yung performances. Sabi ko, “Oh my god.” Kasi parang idol ko rin si Jessie J.

Tandingan: Alam mo, when they said it was a competition, sabi ko nga, “[Ayoko ng] competition. Hindi nga ako kontesera,” ganyan, ganyan. Sabi nila, “I heard there’s another international contestant.” So ang tawag nila sa amin “international contestant” kasi nga hindi from China.

“There’s another international contestant and she’s from U.K.” Sabi ko, “Oh my God, oh my God, Jessie J ba ‘to?” Tapos hindi pa nila sinasabi. Pero sa utak ko talaga, I was hoping like, “Sana Jessie J.” So ang pangalan ng chat group namin, “Road to Meeting Jessie J.” I wasn’t even sure kung Jessie J ‘yung contestant.

Tapos nung nilabas nila na Jessie J, okay, I’m gonna join this competition. Whatever it takes, I’m there. Ganun. Like, literal, ‘yun ‘yung nagpaano sa akin na sumali talaga para ma-meet ko si Jessie J. And I met her.

Bernardino:  Ako naman, iceberg lang siguro ‘yung breakthrough na “Multo.” Pero parang before sobrang liit ng mundo, sobrang dami parang kino-consider kong breakthrough.

Una na dyan, syempre, ang first solo concert namin sa New Frontier Theater pa ‘yun. It was not that big, pero…

Tandingan: No, it was big. 

Bernardino: Tapos ‘yun, parang sobrang sayang, sobrang rewarding sa feelings eh. Isa rin sa dahilan kung bakit nangyari ‘yun, ‘yung naging break sa song naming “Tingin” with Janine [Teñoso].

And ayun, parang from there, kami kasi sa band, we kept grounding each other and everything. “Dapat hindi tayo mag-expect ng achievements, breakthrough. Kasi we should remain sa core natin.” Sobrang naging unexpected na ‘yung mga nangyari after. Kasi gumawa kami ng full album na sobrang iba sa una. It turns out to be our biggest project ‘yun ‘yung Silakbo. For me, as of now, it’s my favorite breakthrough, aside from it being critically acclaimed…

Tandingan: Commercially successful, excuse me.

Bernardino: Parang dun ko din nabuhos ‘yung mga nasulat namin nung teenagers kami. It was a collection of our stories. Sobrang sarap sa feeling na maraming tao nakapag-receive ng body of work na ‘yun.

Pero, ‘yun kasi, madaling na lang ‘yun ngayon kasi parang everything’s digital na eh.

That being said, do you think it’s easier to have a breakthrough now sa industry compared to traditional days?

Tandingan: I think yes and no. Yes, because dati kasi when you want to release a music, the only way for you is if you are signed with the label. E dati, parang hindi mo siya basta-basta na magagawa. That’s the only way na makakapag-release ka ng music. The only way for people to hear your music, ganyan.

Ngayon, everything is digital. You don’t have to be under a label. You can be independent. You can even promote your own songs. Siyempre, iba naman ang machinery ng big label, of course. But, yes, breakthrough is possible kasi hindi mo naman masasabi talaga. A lot of independent artists have made it so far in their careers na hindi sila nangailangan ng big label.

But at the same time, meron ding hirap because sobrang daming artists ngayon na nag-re-release ng music. So I think one way to really make a breakthrough and make yourself known as an artist is when you really produce music that’s authentic to you kasi that’s the only way na mag-sa-stand out ka. Kasi walang another Gian. Mag-isa ka lang. 

So parang siyang yes and no. Kasi pwede ka na mag-release ng music. But how do you do that when everybody else is able to do that too? How do you make yourself stand out para ‘yung breakthrough mo, hindi lang same ng breakthrough nilang lahat. Like how do you break through all the breakthroughs?

Bernardino: Kami naman, parang we entered the industry dun sa parang last era bago maging digital lahat.

Tandingan: Correct. So may CD pa?

Bernardino: Oo. So entering the industry, parang feeling namin sobrang important factor for a foundation ng record label. Pero feeling ko kasi ‘yung pag-achieve ng breakthrough ngayon, it’s a case to case basis. It depends on where you are standing in your life and in terms of experience, resources, ganyan.

So, sa dami ng opportunities ngayon, sobrang daming doors na pwede mag-open for a lot of artists. And ang pinaka-challenge ngayon talaga is, ‘yun nga sabi mo, how do you sustain that? Para magkaroon ng breakthrough of all breakthroughs. 

Speaking of breakthroughs, this year you just announced na you went independent. I want to ask, ano ‘yung mga conversations and realizations na nangyari when you finally decided to be an independent artist?

Tandingan: Technically, I’ve been independent since last year. Pero I took my time para isipin like, “Do I sign with another label? Do I renew? Or do I try being an independent artist?” And one of the biggest factors why I decided to become independent is my conversation with my husband. Kasi si TJ din, he came from a big label and in the middle of the pandemic, he was asked if he wanted to renew or hindi. And if there’s one thing that we both learned in the pandemic, it’s that nothing is promised.

Like, even tomorrow is not promised. You can plan for your entire life and pwedeng hindi mangyari lahat ng iyon. So sabi niya sa label niya na parang, “I’m grateful for the years that I’ve spent with you sa journey ko as a musician but I think gusto kong i-try ‘yung sarili ko namang path. Kasi kung hindi ko siya gagawin ngayon, kailan ko pa siya gagawin?” So, sobrang naging understanding ‘yung label niya. And then “Palagi” happened. So sabi niya, “Love, alam mo ‘yung natutunan natin sa pandemic?” Sabi ko oo. It taught us to take each day as it comes. And it also taught us na hindi lahat ng bagay sa future ay promised sa ‘yo. So, gawin mo na kung ano ‘yung hindi mo pa nagagawa ngayon para wala kang pagsisihan.

And I’ve been with a big label for more than 10 years. And I’m very grateful for that part of my journey as an artist. Literal na I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for my previous label. Pero, ‘yun din, parang narealize ko din na, okay, after 10 years, baka pwede naman akong mag-try ng ibang bagay. Like, I wanna learn what it takes to release music from like, conceptualizing, writing, meetings, pitching, whatever, kung ano man yan. I wanna learn it.

Kasi, syempre, iba ‘yun ‘pag mas alam mo na ‘yung mga nangyayari behind the scenes. Iba ‘yung passion, courage, and strength required para magawa ‘yan. I wanted to learn all those things and alam kong, hindi ko siyang magagawa if nasa label pa ako. And of course, syempre, may factor din dun ‘yung, I wanted complete freedom, artistically.

So, ayun, I think okay naman siya. Parang it’s not an easy journey to be an independent artist. It definitely is not because I don’t have like the machinery of a big label. I don’t have connections. I only have myself and, of course, like a few people that I have with me, my husband, ganyan. Sobra kong nai-enjoy ‘yung process of learning kung paano bang lutuin ang isang kanta. Well, kayo naman din. Like, you work on your own things, ‘di ba? Creatively, parang kayo naman ‘yun talaga, ‘di ba? For sure.

Pero medyo weakness ko siya, whenever it gets too business-y. Sometimes, it removes the fun for me. So, thankfully, meron akong person who works on that side for me.

How much compromise is necessary when navigating the music industry? Like, hanggang saan nang kaya mong i-compromise as an artist? 

Bernardino: Ilang taon na ba ako sa industry? 8 years. Sa maikling oras na ‘yun, marami na rin akong natutunan. Maraming bagay na nagpamulat sa mga mata ko sa totoong nangyari, sa reality. Pero kasi siyempre, we were once dreamers lang na ang vision natin sa papasukan nating industry ay very ideal.

So, definitely, frustrating nung first-hand mong ma-e-experience or malalaman na you can’t fully be free kung anong ilalabas mo. Pero alam naman ng management namin — mukhang nasanay na sila — meron kami pagka-rebellious, you know? Pero, parang natutunan naman namin na there’s a difference between compromising your art and compromising how you put out your art. So, parang namulat kami sa reality, sa industry na may mga limits in terms of logistics when it comes to pag-produce ng mga bagay-bagay.

Kunwari budget, timeline, may mga sinusunod talaga. Pero I think ang natutunan lang namin maging matatag is ‘yung alam namin kung ano ‘yung negotiable at non-negotiable. So being in a record label, talagang meron kami mga vision na hindi matutuloy dahil sa technicalities. Pero we have learned to adapt with what we have, and kung ano ‘yung scope na pwede naming paglaruan. And, ayun, okay naman. Pero, at the end of the day, it’s really all about not compromising kung ano ‘yung pinaka-core ng art nyo. 

So, “Okay sige, kahit walang music video ‘to, basta mailabas namin in our own way kung paano namin kaya ‘yung gusto naming atake. And I think, that’s what’s important sa stage ng career namin.

Tandingan: Parang mas more on, ang mas willing kayong i-compromise is what happens after the song is made. Parang ganun, “Sige po, the way natin siyang ibibenta, the way natin siyang i-present sa mga tao, sige, willing kami dyan. But whatever happens within the song, how we write the song, how we produce the song, that’s us.” Tapos, you were clear from the very beginning?

Bernardino: Yes, we were clear from the very beginning. I think, if tama ‘yung memory ko, during our first meeting, siyempre, parang I think, normalized naman sa mga industry talagang mag-se-set ng rules for the artists with how they present themselves. Pero, ewan ko e, parang ever since nagsimula ako, meron na talaga akong… Hindi, parang kulang ng representation sa industry. We want to be this breath of fresh air na na-e-envision namin. Pero kung ano man sabihin niyo sa amin, sige we’ll work around that. 

Tandingan: So in terms of the way you guys style yourself, kasi very unique. Walang ibang band na ganyan din ngayon. All of you are guys, comfortable wearing makeup, may kulay-kulay sa buhok, ganyan. And that’s something na lalong-lalo na nung dati, parang konting makeup lang sa lalaki. “Ano ‘yun? ‘Di cool yan,” ganyan-ganyan.

Bernardino: Lalo na boyband kami.

Tandingan: With your label, the first time you guys decided, “Okay, this this is our branding,” did they push back or, “Okay, we love this idea. Let’s roll with it.”

Bernardino: There were comments, siyempre, kasi when they signed us, high school pa lang kami noon e. So, ang initial nilang nakita, ang initial nilang vision for us, ‘yung boy next door boy band. Pero hindi nila alam pinalaki ako ni Sarah Geronimo at KZ Tandingan. [Laughs] Sorry, boss. Parang ganun na lang. May mga naririnig kami, pero hindi kami nagpatinag.

I mean, gets naman, that’s their job as superiors. They just want what’s best for us. Pero thankful naman ako na hindi nila tinake away sa amin ‘yung we know what we want.

And ayun, parang thankful din ako na nabigyan kami ng chance to do what we want. Kasi parang kami din naman ‘yung mag-fe-face ng consequences if ever hindi nag-translate sa audience ‘yung nagawa namin. Pero thankfully, nag-click siya kasi every time na na meron kaming gig sa susunod, ‘yung audience namin naka-face gems na rin.

Tandingan: Like the fact na nag-te-trending ‘yung ‘pag may red hair si Gian Bernardino…

Bernardino: Yes. Tapos nagkaroon kami ng makeup brand. Tapos I can see kids going to the event. Tapos talagang cheering, tapos kumuha ng makeup. And they’re not all girls. Meron ‘yung young boy. And ayun, parang for me, it’s groundbreaking. And parang nag-re-reflect ako na if I didn’t take the risk of fighting for how I want, what we want to be, how we represent ourselves, hindi mangyayare ‘to. Who’s going to represent those kids?

Parang ang hirap itawid sa next topic. Pero ‘yun nga nagugulat din talaga ako every time na meron akong nakikitang cover mo. Sabi ko, “Ayun pala ‘yung kantang ‘yun!” 

Tandingan: Pag nangailangan ng pera, magagawa mo naman. [Laughs]

Bernardino: Ito ‘yung napansin ko sa ‘yo. You’ve become known kasi as someone — ‘yung sabi mo kanina — na nakaka-reimagine ka ng song. That’s your master power. And you make it very successful. Dumating ba ‘yung time na parang bumaba ba ‘yung confidence when it comes to releasing music na ikaw ‘yung mismong kumanta?

Tandingan: Yes. Kasi the reimagining thing happened because nagkaroon ako ng problema sa vocal cords and so, hindi ko na kayang kantahin ‘yung mga kanta na mga kinakanta natin, mga Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, mga ganyan. Hindi ko na sila kayang kantahin the way they’re supposed to be performed. And so, I almost quit singing, pero I discovered na pwede ko naman palang i-re-imagine ‘yung mga kanta. So, since high school, ganun ako. I love re-imagining songs. I write on the side. I write sometimes. Pero mas nag-re-reimagine ako ng mga kanta. Tapos, fast forward to like ngayon, after winning X Factor, I was blessed to be able to interpret songs na sulat naman ng iba mga artists, na mga na-release na for like mga movies, mga ganyan-ganyan. And some of them have became commercially successful, ganyan. So, there are certain expectations na parang minsan pakiramdam mo, if I write my own song, if I write my songs, sana kasing successful din sila ng mga kantang na re-imagine ko. Parang ganun. So for a time, I think, I wasn’t confident in my songwriting only because I was scared that it wasn’t gonna be received as well as ‘yung mga reimagined or mga reinterpreted ko ng mga kanta. But papasok ulit dito ‘yung asawa ko na si TJ talaga ‘yung nag-encourage sa ‘kin after I became an independent artist na mag-release ako ng mga kanta. Kasi analysis paralysis talaga. Most of the time, I overthink about the songs I write. And ang ending, nawawala na ‘yung joy in the songwriting. So, hindi ko na naman siya tinutuloy kasi feeling ko, ay, corny. Ay, hindi maganda. Hindi ganito, hindi ganyan. Most of the time, I become too critical of the songwriting. Tapos si TJ ‘yung nagsabi sa akin, “Love, i-release mo ‘yung mga kanta mo because a bad song is always better than a good song you never wrote.” Oo nga ‘no? ‘Pag masyado kong in-overthink, ang ending wala ‘kong na-re-release.

Eh, kahit sabihin nating corny ‘yung kantang ‘yun, or feeling ko hindi siya technically as amazing as I’d want it to be, parang ikaw ‘yun eh. ‘Yun ‘yung nararamdaman mo nung moment na ‘yun. Nung moment na ‘yun, that was your truth. That is your truth.

So sabi niya, “Release mo kasi definitely another person is gonna recognize themselves in your story through that song.” 

And so, to answer the question, yes. I’m not as confident as the KZ who reimagined songs. Pero, I’m working on it. Kasi, syempre, you don’t become confident overnight. You become confident when you keep on doing something. With practice, like, as performers, ‘di ba? Like, ‘di naman tayo nagsimula na confident tayo as performers. But we became confident or at least we’ve become confident in pretending to be confident.

Like me. Magaling akong mag-pretend na confident ako on stage. Because we’ve had so many chances to do it on stage. ‘Yun na lang ginagawa ko ngayon.

Hindi ako kasing bilis niyo ni TJ magsulat, but I always force myself to try and write something whenever I can para lang mas maging confident ako. And to also stop comparing my songwriting to other songwriters. Kasi hindi ko pwedeng i-compare ‘yung baby songwriting ko sa songwriting ng mga greats. That would be the end of me. 

Bernardino: And thanks for releasing ‘yung mga sinusulat mo. Kasi every time na nakikita ko, grabe ‘yung story behind ‘yung mga latest mong releases about sa system.

Tandingan: Yeah, definitely. Merong mga kanta na iba ang pinanggagalingan. Malalim ang  pinanggagalingan. Go continue, sorry. Interrupt kita. Sorry, sorry.

Bernardino: Nagpapasalamat din ako kay Kuya TJ na pinush ka nya kasi grabe ‘yung mga kwento ng mga ni-re-release mo. Like, Hindi mo lang alam pero there’s a certain community waiting for those songs na they won’t feel seen, heard, ‘pag di mo nilabas ‘yun.

Tandingan: Kayo ba? How did you find the confidence? Kasi syempre, kayo ‘yung lumapit sa label, ‘di ba? Tama ba? 

Bernardino: Sila. 

Tandingan: Sila ‘yung lumapit sa inyo. Tapos, where did you find the confidence na “Ito ‘yung mga originals namin.” Like, were you that confident from the very beginning? Like, “Alam namin ‘yung mga kanta namin. Hits ‘to.”

Bernardino: Well, as teenagers, may ganun na wishful thinking. Na parang medyo nalakasan din kami ng loob kasi nung nag-release kami ng first two songs namin independently. And talagang naghanap kami ng mga pwedeng mag-ambag para lang makapag-release kami. Kasi ang gusto lang namin, parang remembrance siya bago kami gumraduate ng senior high school. And then magkakanya-kanya na kami. And then, nung pine-perform-perform namin siya sa school, parang Buwan ng Wika, Students’ Day, ganyan, nagugustuhan ng school. So, nung ni-release namin, medyo nagkaroon siya ng konting noise online. At least sa Baguio. Kumalat siya sa Baguio, tapos nakarating sa probinsya namin. Tapos bigla siya nang pasok sa, alam mo ‘yung mga editorial playlists sa Spotify?

So, ‘yun, parang medyo nabuhay. “Uy, baka baka likable naman pala ‘yung mga song natin?” So, nung nakita namin nag-email ‘yung record label na, g kami agad.

Parang ever since na-practice na namin ‘yung pagiging mapilit sa higher ups kasi kinonvince namin ‘yung mga school admin na payagan kaming absent sa klase para sa meeting and supportive naman sila. Pinag-mi-meeting nila kami sa library gamit ‘yung WiFi na hindi accessible sa students. [Laughs]

Tapos ‘yun, sabi namin, “May dalawa po kaming kanta, eto po ‘yun.” Tapos ‘yung mga sumunod na kanta, meron din silang mga comments kasi parang gusto namin kasi parang every release nagbabago nang konti e. So meron silang, syempre, mga sinasabi na, “Okay, but what if ‘yung katunog na lang nito kasi ito ‘yung nag-viral?” Pero ‘yun eh, parang gusto naming sumugal.

Tandingan: You love reinventing yourselves every single time.

Bernardino: Tapos ayun, nung na-release ‘yung una naming EP, ‘yung Patutunguhan. ‘Yung andun ‘yung “Tingin,” “Estranghero.” Medyo iniba kasi namin ito. And then, ‘yun na ‘yung time na nag-rebrand na rin kami physically. May face gems, eyeshadow.

Tandingan: Hindi ka na naka-hoodie sa loob ng jacket.

Bernardino: Hindi na ako naka-tracksuit [Laughs]

Tandingan: Hindi na nag-ta-transition ‘yung boses ni Gian doon.

Bernardino: Hindi na. Bibinata na kasi ako. In terms of the songwriting, medyo may confidence na kami doon. Pero during that time, sa performing ako, mababa ‘yung confidence. Kasi — side note lang — ‘yung first experience ko sa Araneta Coliseum is music awards siya ng radio station tapos pumiyok ako. Tapos pinag-tripan ako sa school dahil doon. So parang, siguro mga two years buffer na hindi ako masyadong confident mag-perform. Pero ‘yun, ginive ko naman sa sarili ko kasi hindi pa fully developed ‘yung lalamunan ko.

Tandingan: Tsaka first time mo, excuse me.

Bernardino: First time ko ‘yun, wala kaming mga gamit. Tapos wala kaming naririnig.

Tandingan: Tsaka it happens to everybody. Nangyayari ‘yun sa lahat. Suwerte ka lang nangyari sa ‘yo sa simula. ‘Yung iba nangyayari sa kanila kung kailan namamayagpag. So it’s okay. Don’t be hard on yourself. Sila nga… Makapang-away naman sila sa iyo. Hindi naman sila nag-perform sa Araneta. Kayo kaya pumiyok sa Araneta?

Bernardino: Nang-away!

Tandingan: Okay, ito. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learned when you became part of the music industry? 

Bernardino: One of the hardest lessons na natutuhan ko entering the Philippine music industry is that, bago ka talaga mag-commit sa industriya, kailangan mo munang ma-equip ‘yung sarili mo with proper knowledge, sa technicalities and legalities. Kasi ako, sa personal experience, 17 years old ako na pumasok. And ayun, as a kid, meron akong childlike enthusiasm, childlike passion. So, as in ‘yung eye ko lang nasa to make it big, to share my music to the world. So, once an opportunity arises, grab.

Tandingan: Correct. Hindi mo natin anong, anong, anong pong kapalit? 

Bernardino: Grab ko ‘yan, grab ko ‘to. Parang, ‘yun ‘yung talagang… ‘yung kumatok sa utak ko na kaya nga siya, ano eh, business. Music business. You should really see it as a business as well, not just as something na parang genie in a bottle na to make your wishes come true. 

And ayun, another thing is that not everyone in the industry is your friend or kaya genuinely there for you, genuinely happy for you. Kailangan mo rin maging careful sa mga sinusurround mo sa sarili.

Ikaw ba? 

Tandingan: Biggest lessons? ‘Yun din eh. Well, it’s possible now because of technology, social media, na madami na tayong pwedeng mag-post about it, ganyan. But I think it’s really important for artists to equip themselves pagdating sa pagpasok sa mga kontrata. Kasi ‘pag sinignan mo na ‘yan, like out of excitement, tapos hindi mo siya na-check, there might be things that you might regret in the end na pwede mo sanang na-negotiate with the label kung talagang naiintindihan mo kung ano ‘yung mga nakalagay dun sa kontrata. Find someone who can explain it to you. Explain kung ano ba ‘yung nire-require nung pagiging part ng label na hindi lang siya talaga nag-i-end dun sa ‘pag may label ka na, “Okay, makakapag-release na ako ng music.” No, you also have responsibilities kasi they’re investing in you. So, syempre meron silang mga gustong mangyari din.

Number two would be to make sure na kung ano man ‘yung mga kinikita mo, as an artist, you have to be wise kung saan mo siya nilalagay. Kahit sabihin mong ikaw ngayon ang pinakamalaking artist, number one ka sa Spotify, number one ka sa lahat ng mga music streaming platforms worldwide. Because sobrang fast-paced na ng music industry. Like pinag-usapan natin kanina, so many artists are getting their breakthroughs. So hindi ka naman palaging nasa taas eh. And it’s easier for you to not have the same effect kasi madaming mga mas bago ang dumadating. 

Minsan kasi parang na-overwhelm tayo kasi parang, “Oh, ang laki na ng TF ko ngayon as an artist. Laki na na kinikita ko sa rights ng music ko.” So, minsan nakakalimutan natin maging wise and i-remind ‘yung sarili natin na, “Okay, this is not something permanent.”

Kasi ang daming mga artists na sobrang laki ng mga careers nila dati. Laki ng kinikita nila. Laki ng na-re-receive nila. And then, nung humupa na ‘yung hype, humupa na ‘yung ingay, biglang wala na. 

And also ‘yung mga sinabi mo kanina. Very important to surround yourself with people who genuinely want you to succeed in life. 

Bernardino: Nagkakaroon ng mga discussion about Filipino musicians owning their own music. What do you think makes it so difficult for us musicians or even mga bago to achieve long-term ownership of their song?

Tandingan: I think it all goes back to not being well-informed dun sa pinipirmahan mong kontrata. Although ngayon, I think because of what happened with Taylor Swift, like kunwari nga si Ate Yeng [Constantino] — ibang case naman ‘yung kay Ate Yeng — but now, she also owns her masters. I think you really have to be open to your label. Kung ano ‘yung gusto mo sa music mo. Kasi I think if they really see potential in you and they really value you as an artist, then I think they’d be willing to negotiate. Kung saan ba kayo pwedeng mag-meet? Ano bang pwede mong ibigay at anong pwede nilang ibigay? Kasi definitely hindi naman pwedeng ikaw lang panalo because they’re investing in you. And hindi din pwedeng sila lang ang panalo kasi ikaw ‘yun eh. Literal na, they wouldn’t have any song to release, promote, use in whatever shape or form nila gusto if hindi mo binuo ‘yun.

So, ‘yun. I think that’s what makes it hard, ‘yung hindi tayo equipped. Pero feeling ko there’s a better person to explain this because from my point of view, wala pa ako ganun kadaming kanta na parang sobrang gusto ko nang makuha ‘yung ownership ng kanta. I’m blessed that the songs I’ve written, na itong ngayon na na season ng life ko, I’ve released them when I became independent. So I own them 100 percent. And that’s a blessing, that’s a privilege. But for artists, babalik at babalik lang dun eh.

Before you go into an agreement with a big label, make sure that you know everything, you’re able to understand everything. Kung hindi mo maintindihan, then ask someone who can to explain it to you. To deconstruct, reconstruct everything hanggang sa mag-gets mo.

It’s your music, your art is a representation of you. At ‘pag hindi mo naiintindihan kung ano ‘yung pinipirmahan mo, hindi mo na namamalayan na…

Parang some labels own the masters ng perpetual ata. Meron ding iba parang after. 10, 15 years. Parang ganun. So you really have to make sure kasi as artists, kahit na sabihin mong two years, five years lang yan, ang dami pwede mangyari sa kanta mo. So you have to make sure na naiintindihan mo kung ano ‘yung pinapasok mo. 

And also, I think it’s a two-way responsibility na pwedeng ‘yung big labels could exert more effort in informing artists na alam nilang kakapasok pa lang sa industry. Like, malalaman naman nila ‘yan eh ‘pag this is a newbie. Gusto niya lang mag-release ng music. I know artists would appreciate ‘pag talagang in-explain nyo sa kanila na ganito siya, ito ‘yun. Para hindi ka magulat.

Bernardino: Pero ‘yun, graduate ka na sa record labels. So I wanna ask, ano sa tingin mo ‘yung mga biggest misconceptions about you being an independent artist?

Tandingan: That it’s gonna be easier. Siguro easier in some aspects, but sa totoong buhay, sobrang ma-mi-miss mo ‘yung kunwari, if you were able to exhaust all the machinery na kayang ibigay sa ‘yo ng big record label, tapos bigla kang nag-independent, bigla mo ma-mi-miss lahat ‘yun. Kasi dati pagkatapos kong makabuo, pagkatapos namin siyang ma-record and everything, ‘pag pinresent na namin siya, there’s a long table of people na merong mga kanya-kanyang assignment na. 

Ngayon, independent artist na ako, parang, I have other people who are working for me to make my life a little bit easier pero most of the things na dati pinapasa na namin at dine-delegate na namin sa iba, ngayon, ako na ‘yung gumagawa. So, as KZ the artist, it’s easier, I think. Kasi parang lahat ng gusto kong i-release, pwede kong i-release. Lahat ng gusto kong ka-collab, pwede kong ka-collab kasi wala akong poproblemahin sa kontrata, walang malalaking labels na kailangang may agreement na madami pang dadaan ng tao.

But as KZ the label, hindi siya madali. 

Tsaka kung naihirapan ako na I’ve been in the industry for almost 15 years, paano pa ‘yung mga artists who are just starting na independent artists? 

It’s really gonna require you to work. But, ‘pag nangyari naman na meron kang kanta na biniyayaan ng Diyos ng perfect timing at perfect audience, uulan ng madaming blessings. Ikaw naman ang mag-ri-reap ng lahat ng ‘yon. Ikaw ang aani ng lahat ng ‘yon. 

Bilang ano, bilang sabi mo kasi kanina — pati ako actually, feeling ko nandun tayo sa cusp ng ‘yung sumi-CD-CD pa, ‘yung parang ‘pag nagka-count ng diamond record award, mga ganun… Naabutan mo ba ‘yung nag-mo-mall tour tapos magbebenta ka ng CDs na i-sa-sign? 

Bernardino: Nasa Qatar pa ako nun.

Tandingan: So naabutan ko pa ‘yun na magbebenta ka ng CDs. Tapos people would line up, buy your CD, and then meet and greet  i-sa-sign mo ‘yung CD. Tapos nag-transition to like streaming, nagka-YouTube. Talagang naging mas digital. Kasi like it’s literally in their phones. Like hindi na kailangan pumila ‘yung mga tao kung saan-saan. Pwede na nilang marinig ‘yung music mo. Paano nabago ng social media, ng technology in general, kung paano nyo naaabot ‘yung mga audiences nyo?

Bernardino: Ako in a Gen Z perspective. Pero feeling ko, parang compared noon, there’s this, ano ba, ibang level of spirit of connection ngayon na we get to be connected online with our fans. So parang kami naman, ang naging approach namin towards our Joewahs, parang it’s more on a personal level na meron din dun ‘yung thinking na ma-break ‘yung parang ‘yung “idol treatment.”

Tandingan: Parang masyado kayong unreachable?

Bernardino: Oo, ganun. Mas parang nabago in a way na mas naging relatable. Parang mas naging totoong tao. Parang mas napakita namin kung gaano kami ka-same with the people na nakakakita sa amin sa social media. And parang ang pinaka-thankful ako na part, kasi sa social media and sa digital platforms, napapakita natin sa kanila kung ano ‘yung dapat nilang ma-look forward in person. Kaya feeling ko kaya sobrang lakas ng concert scene kasi we got to promote kung ano ‘yung kaya nating i-present in terms of our musicality. Na parang maeengganyo silang ma-witness in the real world.

Kasi parang, ‘yun nga, dahil nga nasa digital world na rin tayo ngayon, parang sobrang nakaka-drain rin siya in some aspect to the point na, “Ah, gusto kong maging tao, gusto kong mag-feel ‘yung music, ‘yung mabuhay sa music nitong artist na ‘to in person.” Kaya parang feeling ko makaka-four days kayo sa Araneta. 

Pero may ganun siyang aspect. Those are the things na alam mo ‘yung kaya mong ipatikim online.

Tandingan: Alam mo, isa sa mga bagay na sobra akong natutuwa sa ‘yo na pagdating sa social media mo, especially sa TikTokTikTokA social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short-form videos, featuring music, trends, challenges, and personalized content.Go to TikTok Glossary mo, hindi ikaw ‘yung ano, like for other artists, especially mga artists na siguro mga ka-batch ko or older, takot silang maging tao sa social media. Parang ang daming artists who always want everything on social media to be curated. Pero ikaw, hindi. Kung kino-curate mo siya, kino-curate mo siyang mukha kang siraulo and I love it.

It makes me love you even more. Kasi hindi ka natatakot na… May isang video ka na tawang-tawa ko na nag-tu-tour kayo. Parang siya nag-get ready with me. Suot siya ng top, ng sombrero, nag-sunglasses. Tapos parang gumanon lang siya sa camera na okay, tapos na ‘yung get ready. ‘Pag alis niya, naka-brip lang siya.

Bernardino: Sa Canada ‘yun. [Laughs]

Tandingan: Oo, na parang kunwari nakalimutan niya ‘yung salawal niya. Like, those are things na someone who is considered PR-trained, hindi gagawin. So, sobra siyang refreshing na si Gian, hindi siya natatakot, magmukhang ewan. “Ganito ako eh, ito ‘yung nararamdaman ko today eh.” Like, sobra siyang nakakatuwa kasi tama ka sa sabi mo: If ‘yun ‘yung goal nyo na for people to feel that you guys are their friends and not just people that they look up to, ‘yung parang feeling nila, “Check ko nga si Gian. Gusto ko lang matawa.” Parang ‘yung feeling nila para ka nilang barkada. Talagang na-achieve nyo ‘yun. Kasi kahit ako, parang gusto ko lang makanuod ng siraulo today, pupunta ako sa TikTok ni Gian.

Bernardino: Ikaw din naman. Lagi mong pinagtitripan ‘yung asawa mo. [Laughs]

Tandingan: Oo, wala na nga siyang magawa sa buhay niya. Pero gusto niyang meron siyang TikTokTikTokA social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short-form videos, featuring music, trends, challenges, and personalized content.Go to TikTok Glossary pero ayaw niyang gumagawa. Nabubwisit ako pag nag-TikTok kami tapos nagpapa-cute siya. “Hindi gumagana ‘yan. Alam kong nagpapa-cute ka.” Tapos natatawa siya sa akin. 

But ikaw, sobrang nararamdaman ko as an audience ‘yung gusto niyong iparating. Na gusto naming maramdaman niyo na parang kaibigan niyo kami. Na beyond the comfort of the music na ni-ri-release namin, na you also find comfort in knowing na okay, ‘yung mga taong pinapakinggan ko, tao din sila. That they experience life as I experience it, too. 

Bernardino: Kinigilig naman ako. Na-sa-starstruck pa rin ako.[Laughs]

Tandingan: Pero ‘yun, as in ‘yung hindi ka natatakot na maging ikaw. “Eto ako eh, bakit ba?”

Bernardino: Pero nakikita ko din ‘yun sa iyo eh. I mean, parang nung napanood kita for the first time ever, sobrang fearless mo when it comes to performing to the point na wala ka nang paki sa mukha mo.

Tandingan: Uy, kasi in the beginning I tried to fit in. ‘Pag binalikan niyo po ‘yung mga videos and photos ko, sa early years ng aking career, I tried so hard to fit in. Also because I was told to.

Naka-gown, big hair ako tapos bigla akong sisipa, para mag-rap. Parang tanga. So, whenever I perform, lalo na ng early years, parang I would always be conscious. Prim and proper, whatever. Pero hindi eh. If it’s not authentic, it’s not sustainable.

So, grateful na lang din talaga ako kasi when I became part of Cornerstone, ‘yung management ko ngayon, ‘yun talaga ‘yung unang-unang sinabi ni Sir Erickson [Raymundo] sa akin, “Hindi naman ikaw ‘yan eh.”

So, nung nararamdaman ko na na okay, nakikita ko na kung sino si KZ nung ginupitan ‘yung buhok ko, ‘yung damit ko. “Okay, this is me.” I think, na-re-recognize ko na ulit ‘yung sarili ko. I think doon ako mas nagkaroon ng stronger connection to the other world, which is music. So, whenever I perform, like sabi mo kanina in the beginning, I just get lost in the music and sometimes I forget I’m surrounded by people watching me. Kaya hindi ko na nakikita na minsan nakatalikod na nga ako eh. Or minsan ‘yung mukha ko nakakulubot na or ganyan. Like I really don’t care what I look like when I’m performing, how my face looks like when I’m performing. If ‘yun ‘yung dinidikta ng katawan ko ‘pag nararamdaman ko ‘yung kanta, so be it. That’s who I am. That’s how I tell my story. 

Ganun din kayo. 

Bernardino: Oo, sabi nila, “Hindi ka ba naki-cringe sa sarili mo?” Hindi. ‘Yung na-fi-feel ko parang lumulutang ‘yung kaluluwa ko. 

Tandingan: ‘Di ba, isang pitik lang, the most iconic choreography of the year. 

Bernardino: ‘Yun din ang aking goal sa sarili ko na someday, makaka-face-to-face ko rin ang isang taong pinalaki ko. Hindi naman literal. Pero parang alam mo ‘yung malalaman na inspire siya sa ‘yo. Parang gusto ko rin makamit someday in the future sa 30s ko, 40s, na younger artist na in some way na inspire sa akin.

Tandingan: And you definitely will. Tsaka ma-mi-meet mo na sila kahit ngayon pa lang. Definitely, meron at merong taong lalapit sa ‘yo. “Gee, alam mo, mas naging confident akong i-embrace ‘yung kung sino ako as an artist because of you.”

Meron lang mga hindi pa nila nasasabi sa ‘yo in person. Pero definitely, meron at merong mga taong na na-i-inspire sa ‘yo. Artists na na-i-inspire sa ‘yo.

Bernardino: Pero ikaw naman, ano naman ‘yung gusto mong ma-witness sa future ng OPM industry?

Tandingan: Sana mas madami pang artists ang hindi matakot mag-explore, hindi matakot ipakita ‘yung tunay na sila. Kasi I’m really happy with what’s going on with the music industry right now na parang artists like kayo ‘yung mga bagets, you’re not afraid to experiment. You’re not afraid to try new things. Like sabi mo kanina, every time you release music, you always try to reinvent yourselves. And ‘yun, sana hindi siya mawala na trait sa mga susunod na generation na huwag kayong matakot to try new things, to just be who you are and who you want to be. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung magsisemento ng kung sino ka eh. As an artist, that will actually be your legacy.

‘Yung, ‘yun ‘yung kunwari, like kayo, ang Cup of Joe, part na ng legacy nyo ‘yun eh. ‘Yung music nyo, kung paano nyo pinaglaban ‘yung kung ano kayo, ‘yung mga pinapaniwalaan ninyo.

Tsaka, sana, ‘yung mga kababayan natin, mas mahalin pa nila ‘yung OPM. And I actually feel that right now, na ngayon sa charts, mas madaming OPM, ‘yung mga concerts natin ngayon. Like may mga artists na sold out like in two hours, nagkaka-day two, day three, day four, like ganun kagrabe ‘yung excitement to support OPM artists. Dati hindi ganun eh, ‘di ba? Masabi mo nga lang na nag-concert ka ng Araneta, kahit hindi sold out, iba na ‘yun eh. But for other artists na ngayon, like kayo, concert kayo, naka-ilang Araneta kayo, stadium pa kayo, magko-concert pa kayo ulit. Grabe, ‘di ba? Grabe ‘yung support ‘yun eh. So sana, sana maipagpatuloy ‘yun ng mga artists in the future. Sana maipagpatuloy din ‘yun ng mga kababayan natin.

Keep supporting OPM. If you’re willing to support international artists, sana maging supportive din tayo sa mga OPM artists.

Ano pa ba? Ang dami kong pangarap eh. Ang dami kong pangarap para sa music industry. Not only for myself. 

Bernardino: We share the same dream.

Tandingan and Bernardino: [Sings] “Sa isang pangarap.” [Laughs]

Bernardino: Ang pangarap ko naman, parang kailangan din talaga natin talaga ngayon ng mas marami pang artist who could be fearless when it comes to, first, sa mga sinusulat nila, sa kung paano nila i-present ‘yung sarili nila, sa mga goals nila. It’s really all about intention. 

Like, I hope the future generation of OPM artists will become more intentional sa platform nila. Like, I hope every OPM artist knows kung gaano ka-powerful ang platform na meron sila and how much their voice matters lalo sa state ng mundo, ng bansa ngayon. Kasi ‘yung music natin hindi lang siya nakakapag-bring together ng community who share the same music taste but who share the same mindset. 

I really see music as something that’s very powerful enough to bring a whole community. And ‘pag na-realize ng isang artist kung gaano ka-powerful ng platform, great things can happen. And kung meron mang aspiring artists na nakikinig sa atin, sana ‘yun ang isa-puso at isa-isip.

Ngayon ko na-confront ‘yung thought processes na dapat na-confront ko prior to entering the industry. Siguro, ang pinaka-takeaway ko dito, lalung-lalo na sa — para rin sa mga nakikinig — bago niyo i-pursue ‘yung industry, dapat alamin niyo ‘yung responsibility. You should look at it not just sa ideal aspect niya, kundi sa real aspect Kumbaga, you should look at it as a whole, not just as something na platform para matupad ‘yung pangarap mo, pero as a business as well. Kasi, sobrang ideal nga naman matupad ‘yung mga pangarap ko as a rock star pero reality is meron ding business side of it .And as early as now, kung teenager ka pa man din, pagtiyagaan mo lang na basahin lahat. 

Wala naman akong pinagsisisihan ngayon. I just learned to adapt. Wala akong regrets. Parang lahat ng nangyari sa akin, I think it’s what made me who I am today. 

Sana maka-inspire ako ng younger, aspiring artists. 

Tandingan: Tsaka ‘yung mga bagay na hindi mo nagawa dati, now that you’re talking about it, sharing about it, other artists or future artists are going to learn from you. 

Ako, take away ko, kasi kanina parang we heavily discussed about what it’s like being an independent artist or what it’s like being part of a big label. I think it just boils down to what works for you as an artist. Ano ba ‘yung gumagana sa ‘yo? Kasi syempre, again, sabi ko nga, if you’re under a label, parang you don’t have complete artistic freedom. Reason being is, you’re part of a company na siyempre mag-invest sila sa ‘yo eh. So they have goals and expectations. So kung willing kang ibigay ‘yun, willing kang mag-compromise sa side na ‘yun, then being in a label could work for you. Kasi makukuha mo naman ‘yung machinery nila, makukuha mo lahat ng mga bagay na hindi nakukuha ng isang independent artist.

If you wanna have complete freedom, release anything that you wanna release, then be an independent artist — ‘yun nga lang, wala ‘yung mga bagay na meron ang big labels. Walang madaming taong tutulong sa ‘yo, walang connections, walang resources. But at the end of the day, if you’re able to release a song, whether you’re an independent artist or someone who’s part of a big label, wala namang pakialam ang tao na nakikinig eh. If it’s a good song, it’s a good song. It doesn’t matter if you’re an independent artist or galing ka sa malaking kumpanya as long as it makes people feel seen, appreciated, or as long as they feel like they just want to have a good time and your song is helping them feel that, I think it’s a win for all of us. It’s not a matter of ano ba dapat; it’s just ano ba ang bagay sa ‘yo, ano ba ang mag-wo-work for you. And okay lang ‘yun, walang dapat maglaban-laban kasi at the end of the day, we’re all in one big industry. And ‘yun ang mga purpose natin to just be vessels of the soundtrack of the lives of the people. A rising tide lifts all boats. So, huwag po tayong maglaban-laban ‘pag umangat ang industriya, aangat tayong lahat. 

So, thank you, Gian. First time natin nagkaroon ng ganitong conversation.

Bernardino: Thank you rin, Ate KZ kasi for me, parang na-debunk ko ‘yung sinasabi nilang “never meet your heroes.” I’m happy and grateful to have met you.

Tandingan: Sobrang OA. Thank you.

Bernardino: Gusto kong sabihin sa ‘yo na napakalaki ng parte mo sa artistry ko ngayon, I’m very much looking forward sa mga bago mo pang releases kasi sobrang gaganda, sobrang tagos sa puso. And habang buhay kong ipagmamalaki na isa ka sa mga naging inspirations ko.

Tandingan: Gusto ko lang sabihin na I think I was only a soundtrack in your dream, sa paghanap mo ng kung sino ka. Siguro nandun lang ako, napapanood mo lang ako, napapakinggan mo ako, but this is you. You found it yourself. Thank you din sa ‘yo kasi na-inspire ako. After mong nagpakilala sa ‘kin na “Ako po ‘yung batang nakipag-duet it sa‘yo,” parang nagkaroon ulit ako ng fire in my belly to release more songs, to reimagine songs, to just do music more. Parang “Okay, I must have done something right for this kid to flourish like this.” Kasi sinasabi niya na may kinalaman ako doon. So, dahil sa iyo, dahil sa nangyayari sa iyo ngayon, parang mas gusto ko pang pagbutihin ‘yung pagiging artist ko. Mas gusto ko pang magsulat, gusto ko pang mag-perform in the hopes na sana mas madami pang mga batang artists ang gugustuhin din nilang ipaglaban ‘yung mga pangarap nila.

Bernardino: Love you! Thank you so much.

OFFICIAL STYLING PARTNER Qurator Studio
STYLING Steven Coralde assisted by Niña Cuyana and Charlotte Sombillo
Gian wears Le Ngok jacket and trousers, COS button-down, Saint Laurent jacket from Beyond Archives, Yen Kyla shorts

STYLING for KZ TANDINGAN Jan Raroque
KZ wears Balmain blazer from Beyond Archives, Essi trousers, Balenciaga boots, Genes & Hails jacket, Sandro jeans, Yen Kyla shorts

OFFICIAL MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING PARTNER Nix Institute of Beauty
Gian’s makeup by Nix Soriano and hairstyling by Jessey Miranda

MAKEUP for KZ TANDINGAN Ash Bantilan
HAIRSTYLING for KZ TANDINGAN Jaymar Lahaylahay

KZ TANDINGAN’S MANAGEMENT Cornerstone Entertainment Inc.
Erickson Raymundo
Cynthia Roque
Pher Moya

OFFICIAL SET DESIGN PARTNER Rocket Design Studio

PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT Aniken De La Cruz