Award-winning singer-songwriter TJ Monterde and his wife, fellow artist KZ Tandingan, are known to work closely together.
However, TJ shared in an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN that he and KZ also have their differences.
“May mga ganun minsan, may mga ideas na parang feeling niya, eto maganda ako, feeling ko eto maganda, but may mga times na parang tingin ko, hindi nagkakatugma yung ideas namin as artists,” he admitted.
The "Palagi" hitmaker noted that, despite their differences, they continue to maintain mutual respect both as artists and as husband and wife.
“But ultimately, at the end of the day, yung respect namin sa isa't isa, not just as husband and wife, but as artists also, nandun. So, sobrang open kami sa mga, ako tingin ko, pag anong tingin ni KZ, tingin ko talaga, tama yun eh. Kahit feeling ko, ito yung tingin kong tama eh. Pero pag ito sinabi ni KZ, ang taas na respeto ko sa kanya bilang artist. So, batuhan kami. And eventually, naayos naman kung ano yung goal na sini-set talaga namin,” he explained.
He went on to say that he always finds a way to compromise with KZ whenever disagreements arise: "Of course. (It’s) Mostly me. Joke lang.”
Meanwhile, TJ left the recently 11th WISH Awards with a haul of trophies, sharing the moments that made this milestone unforgettable.
“This just encapsulated the whole 2025 for us. 40 shows, one year, ‘Sarili Nating Mundo.’ Kaya maraming salamat sa Wish for this KDR Breaking Boundaries award. And also this one (Artist of The Year), kasi siyempre, sabi ko kanina sa isip ko, third time's a charm. Kasi parang pangatlong year itong year na to, na consecutive na nominate ako for Artist of the Year. And finally, we got the award. Sabi nga, sa tamang panahon, darating din yun,” he expressed.
TJ was honored with the KDR Breaking Boundaries Award, a recognition given to artists who have reached significant career milestones and continue to push the boundaries of the Filipino music scene.
He also won the Wish Ballad Song of the Year for “Darating Din”, competing alongside KZ in the same category.
“Wala kami expectations (na kami mananalo) to be honest kasi expected namin yung The Juans yung mananalo ng award na yun. Kaya sobrang surprised ako nung nakita ko,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, TJ is gearing up for an upcoming four-night concert with KZ.
“Sold out yung 3 nights, one more night, konti na lang. I heard, I'm serious na, konti-konti na lang. Excited kami na siyempre kinakabahan kami and we're doing all our best na mabigay namin lahat ng may offer namin sa four nights na yun. Kasi sabi ko nga, sabi namin sa kanila, ginawa na ng fans yung part nila, inubos na nila yung tickets. Let's do our part. Let's give them a beautiful show. Ready na kami, (si) Direk Pratty (John Prats), gigil na gigil na siya, Cornerstone (our management), ready na kami lahat.
He also teased what’s in store for him this 2026.
“Ngayon, focused lang talaga ako sa 'In Between' (their concert). Yun muna kami and more music for the rest of the year. I'm not gonna stop. Diyan yung mga between, nag-aabang ng mga songs namin. I'm just gonna continue to inspire people with what God gave me and what I'm gonna do,” TJ shared.