NO BAND, NO GLAM TEAM
EVEN celebrated Filipino singer/performer Kristine Zhenie “KZ” Tandingan’s Cebu concert was not spared from the flight cancellations due to a runway closure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Tandingan revealed after the opening number of her August 18 concert that her band, make-up artist, stylist and back-up singers did not make it to Cebu in time for the show because they are still stuck in Manila.
A worried Tandingan repeatedly apologized to the audience that they had to craft an entire set from the original show.
Teary-eyed, she said that they contemplated on cancelling the concert but she did not want to shortchange the Cebuanos.
“Gusto ko’g worth it ang inyong gibayaran kay gihaguan ni ninyo ang inyong gibayad,” she said which elicited claps and cheers from the audience inside Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
(I want you to find the show worth the money you spent because you worked hard for that money.)
A candid Tandingan also told the audience that she cried at the backstage as they were pressured to put up a show in less than three hours.
“Pero ana man gyud tang mga Bisaya, mao nga laban lang gyud,” she said.
(But that’s how Visayans are. We just move forward.)
Tandingan described the Cebuano audience as the “most understanding and best audience.”
“I am always excited to perform in Cebu because the Cebuanos have a different music appreciation. If the Cebuanos find your music fun, then you are doing the right thing,” she said.
Despite the setbacks, Tandingan managed to charm the Cebuano crowd. The crowd was likewise generous, high spirited and laughed at her spiels and jokes. Indeed, trust the Cebuanos to help a fellow Bisaya when she needs a boost of confidence and good vibes.
While Tandingan did not have the usual band, the 26-year-old singer/performer said they were able to tap at least two musicians who filled in the roles of guitarist and drummer/music director.
Tandingan sang her versions of Eraserheads’ “Pare Ko” and “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” She also sang a medley of hit teleserye theme songs with the
participation of some people from the audience.
Tandingan’s real-life boyfriend, singer TJ Monterde, joined the stage to sing with her. He then serenaded the audience with his original compositions. Tandingan rejoined him on stage and sang Visayan pop songs including “Hahahasula,” “Atik Ra” and “Balay ni Mayang.”
“We did not expect that we will survive this night,” said Tandingan, who was then overwhelmed by emotions and cried to an audience that filled the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Tandingan ended the night with her version of Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep,” which she also performed in the Chinese television series, Singer.
It pays that Tandingan speaks the Visayan language. But it is her sincerity, realness and pure talent that captured the audience’s attention and gained her their admiration.
Sans the band and a glam team, Tandingan regaled the crowd with her candid and relatable stories which allowed her to build an interactive and fun-filled concert.
This lady can stage a concert even with a megaphone as her lone equipment.
