“I’ve never thought na kaya ko mag-concert,” admitted TJ Monterde in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the 20th Anniversary of Cornerstone Entertainment last October 29 at Okada Manila.
“Kasi dati… I’m a songwriter pero hindi ko nakikita ‘yung sarili kong performer. Ganoon akong klaseng artist. Feeling ko, I write songs, I release them, and that’s it. Enough na ‘yun. Enough na ‘yun sa akin. Hindi ko na-imagine magperform,” he explained.
READ: TJ Monterde looks back on his beginnings as a musician
TJ continued: “The way I’ve envisioned myself before, hanggang 3 to 5 songs lang ako. Lagi akong guest, not a full concert. I didn’t know how to do it, hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya gagawin.”
This may come as a surprise, given that TJ’s Sariling Mundo World Tour isn’t even done yet with its 40-show run.
“Cornerstone pushed me to do concerts,” revealed TJ. “First, it was KZ. Sabi niya, magconcert ka, deserve mo magconcert. Then Cornerstone, support sila.”
“That was at New Frontier Theatre (NFT), that was my first concert na medyo malaking venue after Music Museum. Then ‘yun na, tuloy-tuloy na. We did 2 days at NFT, kinausap agad ako ni Sir Erickson (Raymundo). Sabi niya, ‘You’re gonna do Araneta,’” he recalled.
Tickets were sold out for all three days of TJ’s Sariling Mundo at The Big Dome.
Still, there are times that it all still feels surreal for TJ. “Hanggang ngayon, question ko pa rin kung paano siya nagagawa.”
READ: TJ Monterde reflects on emotional journey as 'Sarili Nating Mundo' tour nears final leg
TJ believes it is ultimately God’s will that allows him to be where he is today. “Hindi ko naman siya pinili; ako ‘yung pinili ni Lord na gawin itong tour na ‘to, na gawin itong concert na ‘to. Cornerstone is really one of God’s blessings na ibinigay sa akin.”
At the first-ever Filipino Music Awards held last October 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, TJ was nominated in 4 categories: Artist of the Year, Concert of the Year, Tour of the Year, and People’s Choice Award.
At this point, TJ is all about celebrating and savoring the journey. “I’m just living in the moment, kung anong meron kami ngayon. I trust Cornerstone, wherever they are leading me. I’m just taking each day as it comes,” he said. “Kasi alam ko, ngayon siguro sabihin mo malakas ‘ung concerts namin, pero nobody ever stays on top. So whatever God gives, kung sabihin Niya na ‘ok, you’re done’, e di ok lang. I’ve had my beautiful time.”
Throughout this, KZ has been his steadfast partner, both as a wife and as a colleague. For TJ, it has always been their respect for each other that makes them such great partners. “Yes, mag-asawa kami, but whenever we talk about music or when we work together, andun ‘yung respeto.”
“Oo, asawa ko siya, pero siya si KZ, so kailangan kong galingan kasi kasama ko si KZ on stage. ‘Yung respeto nandun. And whenever we write songs, ‘yung respeto niya rin binibigay niya sa akin. Kaming dalawa, our mutual respect for each other, ‘yun ‘yung feeling ko makes the partnership work,” he explained.
READ: KZ Tandingan on TJ Monterde: ‘TJ is my inspiration’
KZ and TJ’s joint concert, In Between: Live at the Big Dome, will be held on February 6 and 7, 2026 under the direction of John Prats. Tickets to both days already sold out less than 7 hours after dropping.