Six years into marriage, OPM singers and songwriters KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde continue to find strength in the friendship that became the foundation of their relationship.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the couple opened up about what has helped keep their marriage steady, especially after more than a decade of knowing each other.
“Six years ito and ang steady lang kasi namin everyday,” TJ said. “Steady in a sense na parang kasi we've been friends, mula noong una. Sobrang sanay ako sa aming dalawa. At malaking factor sa eleven years natin na nagstart (kami) as friends.”
For KZ, their friendship also plays an important role whenever they encounter disagreements as a married couple.
“Yung pagiging mag-asawa namin, minsan nasusukat kapag medyo naging husband siya masyado, OA naman sa nagiging husband, pero yung kapag masyado mataas yung mga emosyon, pumapasok yung kung paano kami as friends,” KZ recalled.
As they have grown together, KZ said they have also learned the importance of communicating with each other instead of allowing their emotions to take over.
“Because I think we've reached that point in our relationship na parang, because we're committed to each other, we're committed to the marriage, na alam namin pag na kapag magkaroon man nung problem, kailangan namin makipag-communicate sa isa't isa,” she continued.
The couple also try to put their disagreements into perspective, especially when they realize that dwelling on an argument could take away from the time they could have spent making memories together.
“Kasi minsan pag pinapairal lang namin mga emosyon namin, nag-aaway kami, it ruins the day when we could’ve made many memories,” KZ said.
“So parang minsan nag uusap kami ‘in ten days ba maaalala ko ba kung bakit ako nabwisit sayo?’ ‘hindi naman na noh?’ ‘Sige kain nalang tayo,’” she added.
Beyond keeping their relationship strong, KZ and TJ are also taking steps toward building the future they have dreamed of together.
Earlier this year, the couple marked another special milestone when TJ purchased a lot where they plan to build their dream family home.
For TJ, finally securing the property was especially meaningful because building a home for KZ had been a dream of his since the beginning of their relationship.
“Sobrang happy kami. It's always been my dream to build her a house. Simula pa noong from the start of the relationship. Being the man of the house, somehow, parang ako dapat yung provide. Naging reality siya ngayon and doon pa sa dream village namin na gusto talaga in the south.” TJ said.
TJ also revealed that he waited until the lot had been officially purchased before telling KZ about his surprise.
“So noong finally na-purchase talaga namin na-purchase na yung lot, doon na parang nasabi ko na sa kanya na, kasi usually hati kami sa mga stuff eh. So hati-hati kami sa bahay. Tapos ngayon sinabi ko sa kanya na, ‘Gift ko sa'yo ito.’ Tapos, ‘Gift ko rin sa'yo yung house na bubuild natin dito.’ I felt very happy for the both of us,” he added.
“Pakiramdam ko na I'm able to provide for (her), somehow. That's how I feel.”
While KZ and TJ have been busy with their In Between world tour and their plans for their dream home, the couple is also looking forward to spending more time with their families.
KZ shared that they make it a point to treat both of their parents to an out-of-the-country trip every year, especially since their families are based in Mindanao.
“Every year kasi, we treat our parents, both of our parents, outside the country. So magkasama kami, pinag-iipunan namin talaga. Parang bawi namin yun. So despite the busy schedules, both parents namin wala dito, nasa Mindanao sila. Parang nag-a-allocate kami ng time na maki-celebrate with them,” KZ stated
“Since we became married, lumalabas kami Japan, Korea. Pero last year, hindi kami lumabas ng bansa. Nag-Philippines lang kami. Pero this year kasi, ito yung parang pinag-iipunan namin talaga. We're doing it next month. Mag-Euro tour kami,” she revealed.
The upcoming trip is something both KZ and TJ have long looked forward to, especially because they have always wished their parents could experience the places they visited while touring.
“It's a month-long trip for all of us. Sobrang excited kami. Sobrang look forward talaga namin. Kahit nung ano pa lang kami, kasi dati pag nag-tour kami, kahit mag-asawa pa lang kami, mag-jowa pa lang kami, kahit may mga lugar na pupuntahan kami, parang sana kasama namin sila mommy dito. Sana makapunta yung parents natin dito.”