After releasing their latest singles “Dodong” and “Inday” this month, KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde said that they want to help regional songs become more mainstream. Their new singles were written as Visayan lullabies for each other.

“Parang naging stereotype siya. Kasi ako pang-ilang release ko na ito na Bisaya, parang to educate din other friends. It’s not their fault. Hindi lang sila na-expose eh. ‘Inday’ means loved one, sweetheart, a lady, a noblewoman. Ginagamit namin yun pero hindi siya yung main term of endearment namin ni KZ,” TJ said.

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

KZ said she hopes that even non-Bisaya speakers can appreciate their latest compositions which are also very personal to them as a couple.

“Bawat lenguahe kasi merong sariling beauty eh, na pag-trinanslate mo yung beauty niya nawawala. It gets lost in translation. So sometimes you just have to listen to the song as is. I think ma-fi-feel namin na naging successful yung cause namin sa pagsulat ng Bisaya na songs pag meron na ding mga artists na mas na-encourage magsulat in their language, not only Bisaya but other artists who speak Ilocano, Ilonggo. This is my first Bisaya release so I am super thankful,” she said.

WATCH: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde | Push Evolution

Through their latest singles, the real life couple also hoped it will pave the way for more regional singers to share their work with the world.

“This is us trying to open a door na dati dinadaan daanan lang ng mga tao. This is us trying to tell people na, ‘Hey there’s another door that you should look into.’ Na merong sobrang daming mga kanta sa Pilipinas na nasa iba’t ibang lenguahe hindi lang natin alam, hindi lang natin naririnig yung artist kasi hindi natin nabibigyan ng chance because hindi natin naiintindihan yung lenguahe. But if we look or hear beyond the words and try to really feel the song, music transcends language kasi so you just have to give it a chance kasi nakukuha nga natin suportahan yung ibang kanta sa iba’t ibang parts ng mundo na hindi natin naiintindihan tapos hindi natin mabibigyan ng ganung chance yung mga singer songwriters sa ating sariling bansa. Yun yung pinaka cause kasi sana, na ma-encourage yung mga songwriters na mas magsulat pa in their language and ma-encourage din yung mga listeners, kahit yung mga non-Bisaya speaking people na bigyan din ng chance na pakinggan yung mga kanta from different parts of the Philippines. Ang dami dami nating mga lenguahe,” she explained,

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