“We speak the same language. Ako, sobra akong nage-enjoy na katrabaho ang asawa ko. Secured ako, lalo na when we perform,” shared singer Jessa Zaragoza on how it is working with her husband, Dingdong Avanzado, in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during Cornerstone’s 20th anniversary celebration last October 29.
“It’s natural,” said Dingdong. “As the years go by, kumportable na akong kasama siya on stage. Minsan alam ko na kung anong sasabihin niya. I guess it gets sweeter as we get older.”
Dingdong and Jessa have not only been working together for decades; they have also been happily married to each other for close to 25 years now.
Reflecting back on what makes their marriage work, Jessa noted that love should always be coupled with respect and faith. “Kailangang stable. Laging nandiyan ‘yung — hindi lang love — kailangan respect. Malinaw ‘yung roles ng bawat isa sa relasyon. At importante talaga ‘yung may relationship sa Panginoon.”
Music truly runs in the family, and their daughter Jayda has closely followed their footsteps into the music industry.
“We want her to make a name for herself. We’re in the same business, yes, but as much as possible, we don’t want her to be under our shadows. Gusto namin na mag-fly siya, mag-soar siya, mag-excel siya. Na kung ano ‘yung ginagawa niya, authentic siya sa sarili niya,” said Dingdong.
Being a songwriter himself, Dingdong works closely with Jayda on her songs. “That is a different experience altogether. I’m in awe, sa totoo lang, when I see my daughter. May sarili na siyang pag-iisip, mga ideas niya na nakikita ko. I’m very proud of her.”
Of course, there are also times that his role as a father has to take precedence. Dingdong explained: “Bata pa lang naman siya, I’ve already drawn the line. Sabi ko sa kanya na ‘yeah, there are times that we work as artists, but I’m still your dad. There are certain moments that I have to be your dad.’ When it comes to values, or certain advice pag dating sa industriya, doon umiiral ‘yung pagiging ama ko or pagiging mentor ko sa kaniya.”
When it comes to their work, though, they approach it in a very collegial and professional way. Jessa views being in the same industry with Dingdong and Jayda as an advantage.
“Meron ding advantage kasi you speak the same language e. Sa aming tatlo, ‘yung dynamics namin, mas maraming advantage. Nagkakatulungan,” shared Jessa. “Pag dating sa trabaho, para lang kaming magkaka-edad. As in ganon kami magwork together. Marami kaming natututunan sa bawat isa.”
“Pero laging may respect. Hindi nawawala ang respect,” maintained Dingdong. “Pag dating sa work, I respect her artistry.”
Jessa revealed that Jayda is in fact her supervising producer for her latest single, “Ang Sakit Sakit”.
“Ang dami niya talagang contribution, kaya nakakatuwa. Iba na talaga ang panahon ngayon. ‘Yung anak na ang nagtuturo sa nanay,” Jessa expressed proudly. “Marami akong ire-release na content sa Tiktok, sa social media. Makikita ninyo kung paano turuan ng anak ‘yung nanay. Siya ‘yung nagrecord sa akin. ‘Yung vocal production, siya rin. Tapos kapag pinakinggan ninyo ‘yung kanta, ‘yung backup ko dun, si Jayda.”
“Ang Sakit Sakit” marks Jessa’s reunion with her mentor and discoverer, Vehnee Saturno, after over a decade.
“Si Tito Vehnee ‘yung unang nagbigay sa akin ng mga earlier hits ko — Bakit Pa’, ‘Paano Kaya’, ‘Di Ba’t Ikaw’ — noong 1997, unang panahon. ‘Yung last na song na ginawa namin ni Tito Vehnee ‘yung ‘Nasaan’, na naging theme song pa ng Koreanovela. 13 years later, eto na ulit. ‘Ang Sakit Sakit,’” shared Jessa in a previous interview with PUSH ABS-CBN during the launch of Christian Bables’s skin care brand, Wildskyn.
While acknowleding that Jayda presents a grounded and positive front, Jessa revealed that her now 22-year old daughter has also had her own share of troubles. “Siyempre hindi naman lahat ‘yun inilalathala namin sa madlang people, ‘no. Pero ang lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanya, siyempre magpakatatag siya. And lahat ng mga pagsubok ay may katapusan. Pero kailangan din may lesson ka na makukuha sa mga pinagdaanan mo.”
Can anything good that come from pain?
“Oh yes. Of course. Pero dapat hahanapin mo,” Jessa explained. “Hindi mo hahayaan ‘yung pain na manatili lang sa’yo at pabigatin ‘yung buhay mo. Kailangan ikaw mismo, may effort din sa’yo kung paano mo gagamitin ‘yung pain para maging matagumpay ka sa buhay mo.”