Husband-and-wife concert illustrates difference between singers and entertainers

TO LAST in show business for a combined five decades and counting, stage performers and real-life couple Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado said they have learned to be original and relevant.

Dubbed the “Phenomenal Diva” and the artist behind the iconic ’ 90s songs “Bakit Pa?,” “Hindi Ba’t Ikaw,” and “Ibigay Mo Na,” Ms. Zaragoza said she has learned to be true to herself and her craft while forging good working relationships with people in the business.

“You have to be original and true to yourself,” added Ms. Zaragoza, whose distinct voice is still a crowd-pleaser after 20 years in the business.

Her husband, Mr. Avanzado, chimed in and said that he’s learned “to be relevant in the business while knowing who your market is.”

“You have to appreciate your fans who have been with you all this time. Do not alienate them, and let them grow with you,” said the singer, songwriter, actor, and concert director whose hit songs include “Ikaw Lamang,” “Tatlong Beinte Singko,” “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” “Basta’t Kasama Kita,” and “Maghihintay Sa ’Yo.”

Mr. Avanzado is celebrating his 30th anniversary in the music industry.

Together, the two OPM hitmakers will hold their anniversary concert, titled 20/ 30, on Dec. 8, Friday, at 8 p.m. in Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Joining them are guest performers Ogie Alcasid, Angeline Quinto, Jason Dy, Lloyd Zaragoza, Xian Lim, and Klarisse de Guzman.

The couple will also be joined by their only daughter, Jayda. At 14, she likes to play the piano and guitar while singing. She keeps a Youtube page (Just Jayda), where she shares her cover songs. In the vernacular, Ms. Zaragoza told the press: “mas magaling siya sa amin (She’s better than us).”

Directed by Elmer Blancaflor, the one-night-only concert highlights the difference between singers and entertainers. As Mr. Avanzado explained: singers “record three to four songs in a studio” while entertainers “carry a two- to three-hour show while keeping the audience delighted.” He added that they strive to be the latter whenever they are on stage.

The husband and wife also said they have always been each other’s coaches and critics, but Ms. Zaragoza said she learns more than her husband learns from her.

She confessed she has stage fright to this day, which developed when she joined That’s Entertainment in 1992: “pumiyok ako on national TV ( My voice cracked on national TV).”

Since then, the husband and wife have been working to further develop their skills. “Our calling card is our performance,” said Mr. Avanzado. —