TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan’s love story had us rooting for them from the start. From courtship to saying “I do,” their journey has given many couples hope and inspiration. So, fresh off their sixth wedding anniversary, TJ and KZ had lots to unpack with Vice Ganda on “Gandang Gabi Vice.”
Endgame manifested!
Back in 2017, during their boyfriend-and-girlfriend era, they guested on “Gandang Gabi Vice” and talked about hoping they would be each other’s endgame. Nine years later, they manifested that beautiful wish and reunited with Vice as husband and wife.
They gave us a little peek into their dynamic as sweethearts, like, what their usual term of endearment is. They also looked back on why they had two weddings. Their first was a pandemic ceremony, which they kept simple because of health protocols, and because they didn’t want to start living under one roof without tying the knot. And with so much uncertainty in the world at the time, they just wanted to seal their commitment to each other.
Unfortunately, neither of their families could attend due to unavailability of domestic flights. So, on their third wedding anniversary, KZ and TJ held another ceremony as a gift to their parents who missed the first one.
And it was such a treat to see this rarely seen 'makulit' side of them, especially when they spilled about their wedding night. KZ admitted that, with TJ being her first boyfriend-turned-husband, the whole evening was actually "stressful" for her since it felt new.
The ‘baby’ chapter
Eleven years together and six years into marriage, they have built a life filled with love, music, and shared milestones. Admittedly, one question they often get is whether having a baby is part of their plans anytime soon.
When asked how they feel about it, KZ revealed that between the two of them, TJ is more ready for the baby chapter. That's why she appreciates that, despite his yearning to have kids, he never treats his readiness as a deadline and instead respects that she has her own timeline.
KZ isn't closing her door on motherhood. It's just that she wants to give herself enough time to grow as a person and an artist. “May mga gusto pa akong gawing bagay sa career ko. May mga gusto pa akong i-build sa sarili ko as a person, as a woman. I want to make sure that I'm not a baby taking care of a baby,” she said. “I owe that to my child na alam kong you will never be ready sa pagiging magulang but I also think it's your responsibility to at least try to be ready.”
She also pointed out that being financially capable doesn’t automatically mean you’re ready to raise a child, as many people assume. KZ and TJ see parenthood as a full-on lifestyle responsibility that requires emotional readiness, too, more than just financial support.
Besides, KZ is certain that she doesn’t want motherhood to happen just because society says it’s the next step. "Ayaw ko na mag-aanak lang ako just because I was pressured into becoming a mom. Ayaw ko lang maging nanay kasi kailangan mo ng mag-aalaga kapag tumanda," she shared, adding that she's been honest with her husband about it, which was difficult for her as well.
From TJ’s point of view, having a child must be a mutual choice. “Hindi pwedeng decision ko lang,” he opened up. “Kasi dalawa kaming [magiging] parents, eh. So ‘pag sinabi niya hindi siya ready, so be it.” And while he would love to become a dad someday, he doesn’t see their marriage as incomplete without a child because he and KZ are already a family, “Sapat na sa akin 'yun.” He added with all sincerity, “Kung magkaka-baby kami, that's a blessing. But kung kaming dalawa lang, I'm very much happy with my life right now with my wife.”
The season that tested their love
Change is inevitable, especially for couples navigating married life. But for KZ and TJ, many of those changes have only made their relationship sweeter and stronger. “Part ng commitment mo 'yun, eh... to love every version of your spouse,” said KZ. “Kahit kahit naman ikaw magbabago ka, and you want the same grace na 'yun para sa sarili mo na, sana mahalin din niya ako sa lahat ng ups and downs ng KZ. So gano'n din dapat ako sa kanya, sa lahat ng versions ng TJ.”
They have already seen so many versions of each other. And rather than resisting changes, they’ve learned to adjust the kind of love they give depending on what the other person needs at a certain point in life.
There was a time when KZ struggled with depression, so much that she felt she didn't have any love left to give, even to herself, so she thought letting TJ go was the kinder choice. “Sabi ko, ‘Makikipaghiwalay na ako sa’yo kasi I'm not able to give you the love that you deserve. Hindi kita nabibigyan ng atensyon.’ Kasi no'ng time na 'yun, depressed talaga ako,” she bared.
KZ was pushing people away, especially TJ, thinking that breaking up with him would spare him from the darkness she was going through. But TJ didn't give up. “Ako ang magmamahal para sa ating dalawa,” he told her back then.
KZ and TJ turn a little spicy
Because their “GGV” guesting can’t be all sweet and sentimental, the episode got extra fun and spicy when they played “Deep Truth" where they threw out statements while Vice and the Geng Gang tried to figure out whether they were 'truth' or 'charot.'
TJ’s statement was, "Sinuot ko ang panty ni KZ sa isang concert." Funny as it sounded, it was real. It happened during a concert tour in Las Vegas when his underwear got packed into a different suitcase, so he had to borrow KZ’s.
KZ followed it up with an equally wild statement, “Nahuli kaming bumibili ng adult toy.” That one was “charot na may halong truth,” according to KZ. It also happened abroad. They were freezing in the cold, so they entered a store just to warm up by the store's heater, clueless that they had just wandered into an adult toy shop.
Watch the full "Gandang Gabi Vice" episode with KZ and TJ for free on iWant (for Philippines-based users only).
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