OPM singer-songwriter KZ Tandingan shared the touching story behind her unexpected viral donation drive during her husband TJ Monterde’s “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert in Auckland, Australia.
On her TikTok page, KZ recalled how a lighthearted “budots” dance request from the audience turned into a deeply emotional and inspiring moment.
“I think one of the most memorable and inspiring things na nangyari sa tour ng Sarili Nating Mundo is yesterday. Kung napapanood niyo yung mga video from all the SNM tours, palagi yan na walang mintis, every single show na niloloko ako ng mga tao na mag-budots since noong nagshow kami sa Cebu and since then kumakalat na yung mga clips, memes even outside of the Philippines,” KZ shared.
She went on: “Last night, it started as a light hearted joke na sabi nila na mag-budots daw ako and most of the time I tried not to focus on it kasi siyempre ang pinunta naman ng tao sa concert ay kanta. May kaunti na nga akong jokes tapos mag-budots pa ako and hindi ko naman concert iyon.”
At first, KZ laughed it off, explaining that she rarely gave in to the request since it wasn’t her concert. But this time, she decided to turn it into something meaningful.
“Pero sabi ko, ‘Sige gawin natin pero kapag naglabas ako ng QR (code) mag-donate kayo.’ Noong una, tawa lang kami ng tawa tapos sabi ko ‘Kasi kapag nagdonate kayo, ipapadala namin yan sa mga nasalanta ng lindol sa Visayas at Mindanao.’ Tapos, naglabas si Direk John (Prats) ng QR code sa LED tapos nakita ko sila nagsiangatan ng cellphone.”
When the QR code appeared on screen, concert attendees started scanning it, and soon after, many ran to the stage to hand over their cash donations.
“Nakita na lang namin na nagsitayuan na lang yung mga tao and they were running towards the stage para magabot ng pera. It started slow na parang mga isa, dalawa hanggang sa maya maya biglang madami na nagsitakbuhan like literally running towards the stage to hand over the money for donations,” she stated.
What began as a fun moment became a powerful display of generosity that moved the singer to tears.
“From a moment of just pure fun, and then we all got emotional, I got emotional kasi syempre it was not even about budots anymore. It was about the heart of all the Filipinos who were in that show last night na noong nalaman nila na magdodonate sila at ibibigay sa mga taong may kailangan at mga nasalanta ng lindol sa Visayas at Mindanao, hindi sila nagdalawang isip. Literal na ipipinipilit nila na maiabot yung pera nila at tanggapin namin para masali sa contribution,” KZ expressed.
“I was crying kasi sobrang nakakataba ng puso na iyong mga tao na nagtatrabaho outside of the country, these people have to leave their families back home to find better opportunities for themselves to provide for their families so ibig sabihin noon na iyong pera na mayroon talaga sila ay talagang pinaghihirapan nila,” she continued. “Pinagipunan na nga nila yung pera na pinambili ng tickets and when I asked if they wanted to donate, hindi sila nagdalawang isip na tumakbo sa harap para magabot ng pera.”
KZ also reflected on the contrast between hardworking Filipinos and corruption back home.
“Ito pang mga tao na ito na pinaghihirapan ng todo yung mga pera para makapagbigay ng pera sa mga pamilya nila pero sila pa yung sobrang willing magbigay sa mga taong nangangailangan samantalang may mga tao na sobra sobra na ang yaman, wala na mapaglagyan ng pera, kuha pa rin ng kuha ng pera,. Hindi pa rin natatapos at hindi pa rin nananagot. Nakakagalit,” KZ said.
Despite her frustration, KZ said the experience gave her hope: “But at the same time what happened last time gave me hope and there is still hope for our country na kapag nagtulungan talaga tayo to fight what we know is right, we will definitely make a change.”
“Maraming maraming salamat po sa sa nanood ng Sarili Nating Mundo Auckland kahapon at sa mga nanood po at mga manonood pa po.”
Last October 11, KZ joined TJ on the last few stops for his sold-out concert Sarili Nating Mundo in Australia. According to concert director John Prats, the Auckland show raised ₱100,544.26 for earthquake victims in the Philippines.
“Grabe lang, kung sino pa ang mga kababayan natin na nagpapakahirap magtrabaho para kumita ng pera , sila pa ang may malasakit para sa mga kababayan natin na naapektuhan ng Lindol. Samatalang yung mga nagnakaw ng bilyon bilyon ay walang ambag at nakalaya parin! Hay. Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit! Pero maraming salamat sa mga kababayan natin dito sa Auckland! Napakabuti ng puso nyo. Makakarating ang 100,544 Pesos sa mga kababayan natin. God bless everyone! 🙏🏽,” John wrote.
KZ, TJ, and John even joined in on the “budots” dance to express their gratitude to the audience.
In recent weeks, several strong earthquakes have struck parts of the Philippines, including a magnitude 6.9 in Bogo City, Cebu on September 30, and a magnitude 7.4 in Manay, Davao Oriental on October 10, followed by multiple aftershocks and earthquakes.