KZ TANDINGAN
Music
“Astar is born in Digos,” a very enthused Martin Nievera exclaims during the tail-end of the wildly successful X Factor Philippines audition of KZ Tandingan. The words proved to be prophetic, as the firecracker of a talent would not only win the reality singing competition, but she would soon take over the local music scene as the fitting and most deserving Soul Supreme.
While she has enjoyed a considerable amount of success on the local front, little did she know (and the rest of us, really) that this was only the beginning. Sure, she did harbor a dream to share not only her musical gift, but to also show the world what original Pinoy music was. It seemed like a dream that was beyond her, however she kept this at her core and worked at it slowly, surely and well, subtly until she would find a greater opportunity to make it a reality. During her X Factor audition she sang with an evocative restraint and bravado: “Somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly. And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can’t I?” Well, it looks like she sure did.
Early this year, KZ Tandingan shocked the nation when she was announced to compete in the Chinabased reality competition, Singer 2018. However, the moment she stepped on the red backlit stage and opened her mouth to sing the first few bars of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep, it was not just the Philippines that were stunned, but this time, the whole world as well— her idol, Jessie J, included.
Throughout the course of the competition, she would consistently and continuously claim the attention of the world with refreshing renditions, whether it was the heartfelt Mandarin medley mash-up or a soul-gutting take on the classic Freddie Aguilar hit, Anak. Whatever the challenge was, she took it to heart and smashed it to the delight of the audience and a wave of new supporters. She may have not won the tilt, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t do the country proud. On the contrary, KZ Tandingan has laid claim to a brimming sense of hope and inspiration that anyone, if they so willingly push themselves, will reach the border-breaking success that she is now building.
There was no doubt that KZ Tandingan was going to be the star that she is. This time, however, ready or not, she is taking it further than she has perhaps ever dreamed before. —ARDC