With the positive reception online of their recent singles “Inday” and “Dodong,” husband-and-wife singers KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde both shared their advocacy to encourage regional singers to create and share more songs.

“Pag given a chance feeling ko kaya makipag-compete kasi ang dami daming mga artists from Mindanao and Visayas who are amazing singer-songwriters na naghihintay lang talaga magkaroon ng opportunity.

“Even producers na pag pinakinggan niyo yung quality ng pag-produce nila ng mga tracks, wala pang vocals ito ha, just producing the track na kakantahan mo, puwede siyang nandun sa international level ng quality. And that is something that we should be proud of.

“Sana lang mabigyan ng pagkakataon na mapakita nila yung mga kaya nilang gawin. Kasi siyempre tayong nandito sa Luzon, sa totoo lang, mas malawak yung platform natin. And the reason being is lahat ng tao sa Pilipinas nakakaintindi ng Filipino but hindi lahat nakakaintindi ng Bisaya, hindi nakakaintindi ng Ilokano, ng Ilonggo, and other languages from the Philippines,” KZ explained.

READ: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde share advocacy for more regional songs

TJ, who wrote the song “Inday” for his wife of one year, said that they want to change the mindset that non-Tagalog songs are just for regional release.

“Marami ng Bisaya songs na na-ri-release, marami ng naging hits. But personally I think makakapag-breakthrough lang yung Bisaya songs if we keep on producing if we take out the regionalistic mindset. Yung parang pag tinanggal natin na it’s a regional song. Parang nakulong siya lagi sa regional eh. Example na lang siguro na there are magagandang songs pero in award giving bodies it never gets to be nominated as Best Pop Song, Best Mellow Song despite kahit gaano kaganda yung Bisaya song. Lagi siyang nag-fo-fall sa Best Regional Song. Kahit na ang dami pa sanag categories na puwede niyang puntahan. That’s personally how I see it,” he said.

READ: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde release Bisaya songs ‘Inday’ and ‘Dodong’

KZ said that she hopes the local music industry can give opportunities to those who live outside Luzon.

“Naghihintay lang sila ng pagkakaton. Isa yan sa mga reasons why we’re trying to do this. We are trying to open a door na hindi masyadong napapansin na puwede nating i-explore, na puwede nating ipakita hindi lang sa buong Pilipinas kundi puwede natin ipakita sa buong mundo,” she added.

WATCH: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde | Push Evolution

Having already released Bisaya songs in the past, TJ hoped that the message of the song transcends the language barrier once people start listening to it.

“Personally parang naging part na siya ng system ko to write Bisaya songs. Parang advocacy. It’s my third Bisaya release and when I go to Vizmin areas kahit pre-pandemic for gigs, my biggest songs in Manila aren’t my biggest songs in Vizmin. Parang they always wait for the Visayan songs to come in.

“Masasabi ko na successful yung song pag meron talagang kahit na konti lang na na-encourage akong nag-ti-tweet sa akin, nag-me-message sa akin na, ‘Kuya, anong ibig sabihin nito? Anong ibig sabihin ng song mo?’ I’d be happy to answer that. Para mas lumawak din yung Bisaya knowledge nila at ma-share ko din yung language ko sa mga Tagalog speaking individuals. Sabi ko successful na ako pag may mga ganun. Yun ang successful na Bisaya song sa akin, pag na-she-share ko at madaming gustong magtuto mag-Bisaya,” he shared.

“Dodong” and “Inday” are now part of the “Simula” playlist available on Star Music’s YouTube channel.