TJ Monterde, 35, couldn't hold back his tears when Martin Nievera, 63, performed as front act for Sarili Nating Mundo.
Day 3 of the concert was held at the Big Dome on Monday night, February 3, 2025.
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Before his number, Martin explained that TJ used to perform for promotions of the Concert King's album a decage ago.
Noting that the time has arrived for him to give back to TJ, Martin revealed that he was the one who offered to take part in the concert.
"Filling up this beautiful venue three nights in a row is not easy. But nobody deserves the success more than my boy TJ," Martin said.
"His humility, his hard work, and his dreams, and his love and faith in God, and his dedication and love to each and every one of you has brought us all here tonight.
"Allow me tonight to return the favor to my front act boy and the host of my CD promos as I am now for the very first time, I am your front act."
Back stage, TJ was crying while listening to Martin's good words for him.
Based on the video uploaded by Cornerstone Entertainment, TJ was standing next to his wife KZ Tandingan, who gave him a warm hug moments before the "Palagi" star stepped on stage.
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TJ MONTERDE ON MARTIN NIEVERA
It was truly a full-circle moment for TJ, who used to sell Martin's CDs in Martin's album launches and mall tours.
After his opening number, TJ addressed Martin who was seated in front of the stage.
"It took me almost 15 years to see this view. Kaya pinaghahandaan ko talaga ito.
"Nag-ready ako. Nag-vocalize ako kanina. Ni-ready ko katawan ko. Natulog ako ng maayos.
"Tapos pinaiyak lang ako ni Sir Martin bago nagsimula yung show," TJ exclaimed with a laugh.
Continuing: "Sir Marts, grabe. I was crying when I saw you.
"Yung humility mo and inspirasyon sa aming lahat. You are the Concert King pero pumayag ka to do that for me, you offered to do that for me.
"I love you. Thank you so much. We look up to you."
At this point, TJ recalled how giving up his music career once crossed his mind.
"Grabe talaga si Lord. Gusto ko lang i-share ito... Maniwala kayo sa timing ni Lord. Magpursige lang kayo.
"Kasi sa akin, ayoko na nung una. [Nung] 2022, nag-usap na kami ni KZ, nag-aral na ako ng coffee business because I want to put up a coffee shop. Yun na yung trajectory ng buhay ko.
"Sabi ko, 'KZ, ikaw na lang sa music side. Yung ambag ko sa atin, itong ano na lang, business. Tuloy mo lang music.'
"Masaya naman ako nangyari sa akin yun. It was fun. It was a good ride."
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TJ MONTERDE'S MUCH-AWAITED BREAKTHROUGH
But in 2023, TJ released "Palagi," which became a huge hit.
The music video of "Palagi," launched in April 2024, currently has a total of 22M views.
It was chosen as the theme for the record-breaking romance-drama film Hello, Love, Again in November 2024.
Then TJ's three-night concert at Araneta got sold out long before it happened on February 1-3, 2025.
On February 4, it was reported that he made a new record as the most streamed Pinoy artist on Spotify Philippines.
Filled with mixed emotions, TJ told the crowd: "Pero, pag plano ni Lord nasusunod, iba. Iba siya magbigay. Above, over, and beyond.
"Lahat ng pinangarap ko-mag-chart yung kanta, makapag inspire through a song, magka-OST ng malaking movie, three-night-Araneta-sold-out concert—binigay niya sa akin in just one song."
Emphasizing that his accomplishments are gifts from God, TJ added:
"Kung meron dito nawawalan ng pag-asa at nauubusan ng oras sa mga pangarap nila, kahit anong bagay, pag may dine-desire yung puso niyo, wag kayo tumigil...
"Ibibigay ni Lord yan ng isang iglap, tulad ng ginawa niya sa akin.
"In Bisaya, we have a very special word for that, 'in God's time.' We call it puhon."
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TJ MONTERDE WOWED BY THE FULL HOUSE
Overjoyed with the huge turnout at his concert, TJ said he wants to savor every moment during his last night at the Big Dome.
"Aranetaaaa! Oh my god. Day 3! Grabe yun.
"Parang totoo yata yung sinasabi nila, yung last day yung pinakamaingay. Wait lang, Lunes ngayon, e. Yung energy niyo pang-Biyernes!
"Alam niyo nung sinabi sa akin na mag-Araneta ako, yun pa lang, to be honest nginig na ako. Di ko alam kung paano siya gagawin.
"Pero nandito kayo ngayon. Tatlong araw tayong nasa Araneta."
"Maraming salamat po for making this simple songwriter's dream come true."
Continuing: "Kahit sa panaginip ko, wala ang lahat ng to. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Susulitin ko itong gabing ito.
"Sabi ko sa sarili kanina, habang nakatingin sa photos at videos ng Day 1 and 2, nakatingin ako sa salamin, sabi ko, TJ buti na lang di ka sumuko."
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KILIG OVERLOAD
Sariling Mundo turned out to be a concert filled with kilig feels as TJ serenaded his fans with his romantic compositions including "Puhon," "Nowhere," and "Little Paradise."
TJ said he wrote "Nowhere" while he was on a tour in Canada and found himself missing KZ.
Then for "Little Paradise," a collection of his photos with KZ was shown on the LED screens, indicating that the song was dedicated to her again.
TJ also thrilled the audience when he performed "Randomantic," originally performed by James Reid.
Co-written by Viva Music's Yumi Lacsamana & Thyro Alfaro, Randomantic is a song that TJ likes so much he wished he composed it himself.
As a personal touch, TJ made an effort to intereact with his fans by heading to the audience area all the way to the Lower Box area, singing and accomodating photo-ops.
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CELEBRITY GUESTS
Aside from Martin, TJ also invited Arthur Nery and Korean singer 10CM for Day 3 of Sarili Nating Mundo.
When TJ performed his original composition "Mahika," he surprised the audience when Arthur Neri joined him midway through the song.
Loud cheers welcomed Arthur, whose soulful falsetto blended with TJ's unpretentious singing voice.
Another surprise performance came up when TJ sang "Spring Snow" with 10CM. The said song was the OST of hit K-drama Lovely Runner starring Byeon Woo Sook and Kim Hye Yoon.
@pepalerts TJ Monterde says it's a dream come true for him to perform with Korean artist 10cm at the Big Dome. They sang "Spring Snow," the theme from the kilig K-drama Lovely Runner starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Soon. #SariliNatingMundoConcert #SariliNatingMundoDay3 #TJMonterde #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH #PEPVideo ? original sound - PEP.ph
They also treated the crowd with the song "Silver," which TJ composed with additional verse from 10CM.
TJ said they are set to record the song and release it internationally soon.
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SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
For the last part of the concert, TJ performed "Palagi" with wife KZ.
Adding drama to the number, they entered the stage aboard a red car.
TJ came out first to sing the first verse and chorus, before he was joined by KZ.
The anthemic love song inspired several male fans to pop the question to their ladyloves.
There were at least four couples who got engaged before the concert drew to a close.
TJ capped off his concert with his 2013 song "Ikaw at Ako."
He said, "Dito nagsimula lahat, dito niyo ako unang narinig. This is our song now."
@pepalerts Multiple couples get engaged as TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan performed "Palagi" at the Big Dome! #SariliNatingMundoConcert #SariliNatingMundoDay3 #TJMonterde #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH #PEPVideo ? original sound - PEP.ph