Marking her 19th year in the entertainment industry, Philippines' Pop Rock Superstar Yeng Constantino shared how she now chooses to focus on enjoying the fruits of her hard work while continuing to make music as an independent artist.
In an intimate interview, Yeng expressed her deep gratitude as she looked back on her humble beginnings, from being a young dreamer to becoming one of OPM’s most beloved singer-songwriters.
Photo by: Cosme Photography via Yeng Constantino / Instagram)
“To be honest, to be truly, truly honest, ito talaga, genuine, I’m thankful sa lahat na ginawa ni God sa life ko. Nanggagaling ako sa place na, when I look at my head kung saan ako nagsimula noong bata na, Pinoy Dream Academy, lumalakad lang sa tulay pa-hum-hum ng mga kanta. Yung girl na sumusulat ng kanta sa kwarto niya tapos walang kisame yung bahay. Sobra sobra yung ginawa ni God sa akin,” Yeng told PUSH ABS-CBN.
Yeng shared that everything she’s experiencing now feels like a bonus, especially with the continued support from her fans and listeners.
“Everything, ngayon, bonus na lang. Everything is just bonus that I get to enjoy making music and sharing passion ko. Nakikinig pa rin kayo. Sobra akong amazed. When I look at my Spotify parang, ‘Talaga ba this week may nakinig sa akin na ganito karaming tao?’ Hindi ako makapaniwala. Ano bang ginawa ko? Bata ako nagpapacute-cute lang naman ako noon. Parang sobrang amazing lang din. Parang overwhelmingly grateful,” she added.
The “Chinito” hitmaker also spoke about how humbled she feels when fans approach her to say how her songs have touched their lives—even lesser-known tracks that were never released as singles.
“Actually, hindi siya something na parang iniisip ko, 'Ay grabe lahat ng kanta ko gusto ng mga tao,' parang kung ano yung dumating na admiration, dun lang ako lagi sa 'Uy talaga ba? Salamat ha,'” Yeng said. “Kapag may nag-aapproach sa'kin outside halimbawa, lalo na nung minsan nakakagulat may mga songs na hindi naman naging single tas i-memention sayo na kahit sobrang kaunti lang yung streams nun pag tinignan sa album, pero may mga particular people na nakikinig, nata-touch ako.”
She added, “All the more, siyempre yung songs ko na naging parte na ng mga tao. Kapag umaakyat na ako ng stage tapos they sing along too ibang klaseng feeling talaga. As in, is really grateful.”
Yeng just recently released her first self-produced original single “Lumulutang Nahuhulog” which explores the emotional contradiction of being swept away by infatuation while fearing the possibility of falling for someone who might not reciprocate.
READ: Yeng Constantino marks new era with first self-produced single 'Lumulutang Nahuhulog'
As she enters a new chapter in her career as an independent music artist, Yeng described her journey as colorful, yet not always easy.
“May season ng career ko that I was asking myself, “Akala ko sobrang saya nito. Ba’t ang hirap pala?” Kasi doon mo na makikita yung work na you have to put in. Yun yung sinasabi ko na when you're starting, you have to prove yourself, and you have to work really hard. Kailangang pag may project ka, ikaw yung pinakapagod, ikaw yung pinakapuyat,” Yeng said.
“Kapag nagbubunga na po iyon, just keep on writing, keep on praying, keep on investing, and be surrounded with people who you know will help you grow. So ako po personally, ang saya po,” she added.
Yeng also shared that she wants this new chapter in her journey to be more joyful and rooted in gratitude.
“Kapag nag-release ako ngayon, it should be fun. And yung husband ko (Yan Asuncion), lagi niya akong nire-remind na, 'Grabe, meron kang privilege to be in this industry for 19 years.' Nineteen years na. So parang sa akin, more than anything, parang andoon na ko sa season ng life ko na I could have fun with my fans,” Yeng stated.
She went on: “Ngayon, siguro I’m just reaping in yung pinaghirapan ng younger self ko na thank you that I get to do this now kasi alam ko rin yung pressure that she went through to get here, to have this longevity sa career. I promised myself, to my younger self, that I will enjoy kung ano man yung pinaghirapan niya, so that maging worth it yung journey.”