OPM icons Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza got candid about what they still want to achieve and share with their fans after decades in the entertainment industry.
During the intimate press conference for their Sa Aking Puso concert, Dingdong shared how their journey as individual artists and as a couple is something they want to open up to their audience.
“At this point, it's more of what else do we want to share. Kasi feeling namin talaga na there's still so much more that people haven't experienced between what we have. Jessa and I, we are never a love team to begin with, we are both solo artists. We want to share to them how we manage to put together our music,” he said.
“Making music with my wife is something I want to experience because there is something there,” he added.
Dingdong has been in the entertainment industry for almost 40 years, while Jessa has spent more than 30 years in showbiz. Establishing themselves as artists has been a challenging yet rewarding journey for the couple.
Now that they have built a life and career together, Dingdong and Jessa said their focus has also shifted toward supporting their daughter, Jayda Avanzado, as she builds her own name in the industry.
“Ako ang gusto ko makita ngayon ay yung anak namin na magpatuloy at mamayagpag sa career niya. Ayon yung mas happiness namin,” he said.
Jessa echoed her husband’s sentiments, expressing how proud she is to see their daughter excelling in both singing and acting, the same path that she and Dingdong took during their early years in showbiz.
“It is her time to shine. Panahon niya ito nayon. Natutuwa kami pag nakikita namin na nagsasuceed siya, maganda yung mga projects. Talagang she's making a name for herself, hindi lang anak ni Dingdong and Jessa,” she added.
The couple also shared the characteristics and lessons they believe young artists should embrace if they want to build a career that lasts.
For Jessa, an artist’s uniqueness is one of the qualities that can help them stand out and remain in the entertainment industry.
“Ngayon maraming magaling. You have to be original,” Jessa said. “Doon magkakatalo kasi kung pare pareho kayo ng ginagawa, sino ang pipiliin.”
Dingdong, for his part, emphasized the importance of having good character and remaining humble.
“If you want to last long in this business, you have to be humble. You have to be humble in a sense na you always make room for improvement, and you have to acknowledge those that came before you,” he said.
The singer also pointed out the importance of knowing when to step into the spotlight and when to take a step back.
“I think being relevant, as an artist, is constantly how you leave a mark and you have to have a balance. Hindi rin maganda yung overexpose yung artist. Kailangan balansehin mo kung kailan ka magiingay or kung kailan steady ka lang,” Dingdong said.
Dingdong earned the title of Prince of Pinoy Pop throughout his decades-long career.
While he has been in the industry for nearly four decades, Dingdong said his daughter has also given him and Jessa an opportunity to connect with a younger generation.
“What makes us more relevant now is our daughter, Jayda. It helps when someone from this generation nakikilala kami (through her),” he said.