TJ Monterde


Titus John Dabuan "TJ" Monterde is a Filipino singer-songwriter. He gained recognition in 2011 through his viral YouTube videos, where he shared his original compositions, reaching a wide audience and receiving positive feedback online. His song "Ikaw at Ako" became his signature hit and was featured in the YouTube viral short film My Super Fan Girl.
In 2024, Monterde gained mainstream popularity again with his single, "Palagi, which was released back in 2023, and has topped the Billboard Top Philippine Songs and Philippines Hot 100 year-end charts of 2024. He also received an award from Billboard Philippines for his song "Palagi" as the number one song of 2024. He was regarded as the most streamed OPM artist on Spotify.

Early life and education

Monterde began his career at the age of 16 in 2006 as a radio jockey in Cagayan de Oro, initially guesting on his father’s local radio show before moving on to a regular radio slot. By 18, he became a television host for ABS-CBN's regional magazine program MagTV.
He graduated from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan with a degree in Development Communication. By 2010, his profile had grown as a multimedia entertainer, appearing on local television and performing at various events across Mindanao.

Career

2012–2023: Early success

In 2012, Monterde uploaded his original composition titled "Ikaw at Ako" on YouTube, and later he signed on Galaxy Records, a subsidiary of PolyEast Records, in which his composition "Ikaw at Ako" released as a debut single. In 2014 and 2016, Monterde released his following singles, "Tulad Mo" and "Dating Tayo", which became one of the top music charts on Myx and Billboard Philippines.
In June 2017, Monterde held his first major concert titled "Ikaw at Ako" at Music Museum in San Juan. Later that month, he released his extended play, titled "Kahit Kunwari", including his single, "Mahika".
In July 2019, he released his single, "Karera", for his inspiration of his girlfriend, KZ Tandingan. On 2020, "Karera" was nominated at the 33rd Awit Awards and won for Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist.
In May 2020, he released "Puhon", a song he wrote in Cebuano. He said that this was a part of his personal advocacy to introduce Visayan pop to the world. Three months later, Monterde and Tandingan married on August 28, and had collaborated two months later with the single, titled "Simula".
By late July of 2021, he and his wife, KZ Tandingan, released their Cebuano-language songs, titled "Inday" and "Dodong", respectively. His song, "Inday", was nominated for Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year at 7th Wish 107.5 Music Awards in 2022. On October, he and South Korean singer, Yelo, collaborated and released their new single, titled "Little Things".

2023–2024: "Palagi", and "Sariling Mundo" solo concert

In July 2023, Monterde released "Palagi", a song dedicated to his wife, KZ Tandingan. In September 2024, "Palagi" peaked at number two on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart, following its debut at number six on July. On October 26, "Palagi" topped the Billboard Top Philippine Songs chart, also debuting at number six.
In April 2024, after the success of his single, "Palagi", Monterde announced his next album, titled "Sariling Mundo", and has also announced that he would be holding his solo concert, titled with the same name at New Frontier Theatre at Quezon City in May. Nearly a day after the announcement, the tickets were sold out within 24 hours, and also announced its second day of the concert. The second day also sold out within three hours.
On August 27, Monterde announced on Instagram that he is set to re-release his track "Palagi", featuring his wife KZ Tandingan. The following day, the track has released, titled with the same name, adding "TJxKZ Version", to coincide with the couple's fourth wedding anniversary.
In September, Monterde announced that he would be holding his concert at Canada on October and November. The following month, he also announced his solo concert, titled "Sariling Mundo At The Big Dome" in 2025.

2025–present: "Sarili Nating Mundo" concert and further success

In January 2025, Monterde shared his disbelief and heartfelt gratitude following the sold-out success of his three-night "Sariling Mundo At The Big Dome" concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Later that month, Monterde would be holding a concert at SMX Convention Center in Davao City on March.
"Sarili Nating Mundo at the Big Dome" had its stops at Dubai, Singapore, Cebu City and Taiwan, and some cities in the Philippines.
In February 3, during Monterde's concert at Araneta Coliseum, Billboard Philippines awarded him and Tandingan for "Palagi" as the number one song of 2024. Later that month, Monterde was regarded as the most streamed OPM artist on Spotify in 2024. On February 17, Aurora Music Festival announced that Monterde would perform in the first day of the music festival's 2025 iteration, which was held on May 3 and May 4 in Clark, Pampanga. At the inaguration of the Official Philippines Chart on February 19, Monterde was recognized as the seventh Local Artist of the Year, while "Palagi" was recognized as the Local Song of the Year.
In March, Dunkin' Donuts announced an endorsement deal with Monterde and Tandingan, and became the brand's ambassadors, forming the title "Ang Palagi".
On May 6, he and South Korean singer, 10cm Kwon Jung-yeol, collaborated and released two singles, titled "Silver" and "After 3", after performing one of the singles during "Sarili Nating Mundo" concert in February 4. Later that month, Monterde and his wife, Tandingan, hosted their first fan-meet, titled "Never Been Sweeter" at Mall of Asia Arena. Three months later, the couple is set to have another fan meet in Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino at Cebu on November 8.
On June 6, Monterde was featured in James Reid third album jgh with their country and R&B single "Pahinga". At the same month, he announced that he would be holding another day for the Baguio leg of his "Sarili Nating Mundo" concert during his fan meeting due to sold-out tickets on the first day.
Monterde's former label, PolyEast Records announced to release Monterde's music in vinyl record. On July 2, the record label has released the vinyl.
On August 21, Monterde released his single, titled "Unang Halik", after performing the song as an unreleased track during his kick-off at his "Sarili Nating Mundo At The Big Dome" in Araneta Coliseum.
In October, Monterde and his wife, Tandingan, is set to hold the concert at Araneta Coliseum on February 6-7, 2026, titled "TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan: In Between Live at the Big Dome", and was sold out just 7 hours after its announcement.

Personal life

Monterde married fellow singer KZ Tandingan on August 28, 2020. The couple married again for the second time on August 28, 2023.

Discography

Studio album

Extended plays

Singles

Other charted songs

Concerts

  • Sariling Mundo
  • Sarili Nating Mundo at the Araneta Coliseum
  • In Between Live at the Araneta Coliseum

    Awards and nominations