It was an act of love and genuine friendship for OPM singer-songwriters Yeng Constantino and KZ Tandingan as they co-produced Jason Dy’s 10th anniversary concert, “SoliDYfied: A Decade of Jason Dy,” held last June 27.
In an intimate media interview for her newly released single, Yeng opened up about her first experience producing a show and how it came straight from the heart.
“First time po ako nag-produce. Sobrang love talaga namin ni KZ ‘tong si Jason,” she said. “More than anything, kami ni KZ is just supporting our brother. Gusto namin kasi birthday niya at the same time 10th anniversary niya.”
She recalled, “Noong nag-start kasi (yung planning) nasa Taiwan ako. Tumawag sa akin si KZ one time tapos sinabi niya sa’kin, 'Ate, alam mo ba na 10th anniversary ni Dodong (Jason) ngayon?' So sabi ko, 'Talaga?!' Tapos yung utak namin parang connected. Sabi ko, 'Ano, gusto mo, i-produce natin?' Sabi ni KZ, 'Ate, naisip mo (rin) yung naiisip ko!' Magkakonekta talaga utak namin. Parang may ganoon lang kaming heart sa kanya.”
Driven by their close bond with Jason, Yeng emphasized how their personal relationship made everything feel natural.
“I think it’s because may personal relationship kami with him kaya it’s very natural na lumabas,” she stated.
Yeng described Jason as one of her closest friends in the industry.
“Yes, malalim. Masasabi ko na si Jason Dy isa sa mga best friends ko sa industry the same way na best friend ko si Erik (Santos), si KZ, si Angge (Angeline Quinto), sina Ate Ky (Kyla).. Ganun yung friendship namin,” she said.
She also praised Jason’s creativity and hands-on involvement in the concert’s planning, sharing how the three of them collaborated through group chats to bring the vision to life.
“Kasi pag artists like ‘tong si Jason, hindi alam ng mga tao yung kulay ng brain ng batang ‘to eh. Marami siyang ideas,” she expressed. “So hindi rin kami ni KZ yung tipong nagpo-poke na ng ideas siya. Siyempre, we want him to show kung sino siya sa show, eh. In the same way na kami ni KZ, we know what we want, kung paano namin i-represent yung sarili namin as artists.”
When asked if she encountered any challenges during the process, Yeng answered with sincerity: “Wala po. I don’t think may challenge akong nabangga kasi more of showing up and showing love. Mas ganun lang and when you’re coming from that place, parang hindi naman siya struggle.”
Both Yeng and KZ also performed as special guests during Jason’s milestone concert, joining him onstage in memorable numbers that highlighted their friendship and artistry.
READ: SoliDYfied moments: A recap of Jason Dy’s 10th anniversary concert
READ: Yeng Constantino marks new era with first self-produced single 'Lumulutang Nahuhulog'
Having had a taste of producing, does Yeng see herself doing it again in the future?
“Siguro sa mga tao na I genuinely feel parang compelled to. Relationship siya at the end of the day din kasi,” Yeng admitted. “The same way with collaborations, I don’t just do collaborations for the sake of: 'Ay, 'to. Relevant tong artist na ‘to. Collab tayo.' Hindi ako ganoong type of artist. Parang (always) nag-start siya with relationship.”
She went on, “If I would produce a show for an artist again, I think it would also come from that place na yung from genuine connection mo lang with the person.”