TJ Monterde reflected on his journey as an artist, sharing how his faith became instrumental in helping him persevere through uncertain times in his career.
In an interview with Kara David, TJ recalled reaching a point in 2023 when he questioned whether his career would ever allow him to achieve more than simply covering their household expenses. Three years later, he was able to purchase a lot for his wife, KZ Tandingan, where they plan to build their dream home.
"2023, three years ago sinabi ko three years ago na, 'Lord hanggang kuryente at tubig na lang ba ako?' And just last month, I gifted her our dream lot where we will put up our dream home in three years. Kaya I am sharing this story 'cause I want to encourage people also. That was just three years. And 'pag time na ni sinabi na ni Lord na, 'This is your time, this is for you,' mabilis 'yun," he said in an interview with Kara David.
For TJ, the dramatic change in his circumstances became a reminder of God's perfect timing. He shared that this is also a message he and KZ often impart to audiences during their concerts.
"Opening statement namin lagi sa concert na ginagawa namin, iba ang oras ng Panginoon sa oras natin. Di ba if you imagine that three years ago as in I was crying to God na hanggang dito na lang po ba talaga? And ngayon I never imagined na kaya kong bilhin ang lupang 'yun sa dream place namin and itatayo namin 'yung dream home namin. And promise ko sa kanya ako magpapatayo ng dream home na 'yun para sa kanya," he said.
In the same interview, TJ also looked back on the uncertainty he faced when he first pursued a career in music after moving from Cagayan de Oro.
"Ako kasi masasabi ko talaga kamay talaga ng Diyos eh kung saan kami ngayon. Grabe ang slim ng chance talaga. Coming here [from Cagayan de Oro], alam ko talaga ang slim ng chance. Grabe 'yung competition I know people who tried this industry from our place na umuuwi, ganun, alam mo 'yun? So, I was ready to face na uuwi talaga ako, ganun 'yung feeling ko. I just wanted to give it a chance," he recalled.
Drawing from his own experience, TJ encouraged aspiring artists to focus first on their passion for creating music.
"Sa mga ganung songwriters ngayon na nagta-try — and I heard this from one of our discussions [with] sir Ogie Alcasid just a few weeks back — ang pinakaimportante is you write because you want to write. Kung magustuhan nila, bonus na 'yun lahat. Kung sisikat, si Lord na 'yung bahala dun. But the fact that you can create something out of nothing, I think that's enough for us to keep on creating music," he stated.