Musician TJ Monterde thinks it is but fitting to include a Visayan song in the album “Simula,” his collaboration with his wife, award-winning singer KZ Tandingan. The album’s playlist has recently been released on various music platforms, including Star Music’s YouTube channel.
Monterde recalled how he was able to compose the song, which he said was inspired by how women ask their partners if they love them. He said in an online press conference for the album on Aug. 3 that even after he and Tandingan got married, she still tends to ask the question, “Babe, mahal mo ba ako?” (Babe, do you love me?)
“So, ‘yung ‘Inday’ is a show of reassurance sa love ko sa aking Inday. May line doon na ‘imoha ra ko’ na ang ibig sabihin in Tagalog is sa iyo lang ako para ma-reassure siya na ‘wag kang mag-alalala, sa iyo lang ako,” he explained. “That’s the story of the song.”
(So the song “Inday” is a show of reassurance to my love, to my Inday. There’s a line there, “Imoha ra ko,” which in Tagalog means “I’m yours only,” so she could be reassured that she should not worry, “I’m just yours.”)
Tandingan and Monterde got married in August last year. Monterde said he did not need to make any adjustment in his relationship with her because “KZ is fun to bet with.”
He added, “She is very understanding and takes care of me everyday.” JB
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