Articles

jansheri · Articles

Yeng Constantino at the top of the world
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer

WHAT a difference a year makes.

For 18-year-old singer-songwriter Yeng Constantino, it was a dizzying 180-degree turn.

Before she auditioned for the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Dream Academy,” Yeng and her family had faced eviction from their home in Montalban (now Rodriguez), Rizal.

“We had lived there for six years. That was where I grew up,” she recounts.

She was seriously concerned for her family’s future. “My father’s salary (as assistant librarian in Ateneo de Manila University) wasn’t enough.”

To help out, Yeng had quit school and joined the Morning Glory band. Her talent fee as lead vocalist was P250 a night. “If there was an acoustic gig, I earned a little more, P500. But even that wouldn’t help us find a new house.”

Then PDA beckoned.

Wearing her “lucky” blue Converse Chuck Taylors, Yeng took a tricycle and then an FX taxi from Montalban to the ABS-CBN studios in Quezon City.

“I didn’t really expect to get in the show,” she admits. In fast-forward motion, Yeng experienced a total reversal of fortune.

Part of her prize as PDA grand champ was a luxurious condo unit, courtesy of Globe Asiatique, and a silver Suzuki APV.

“It would have been a cute, two-door Swift. But my ABS-CBN bosses suggested that a van would be more practical,” she says.

The three-room, loft-type flat, which was recently given a makeover on the ABS-CBN lifestyle show “At Home Ka Dito,” also proved helpful in her work.

She explains: “I do most of my songwriting in the bedroom, where it’s relaxing. It also offers a beautiful view of Mandaluyong and Makati -- which is inspiring, especially at night.”

Feels like she’s on top of the world.

“For us Filipinos, owning a house is a sign that life has improved,” she notes. “Now, we no longer worry about where our next meal is coming from. It’s a great feeling to know that I can help my family. My brother, who had to quit for a while, is back in Nursing school.”

The 44 sq. m. unit is home to Yeng, her parents and brother. The rest of the clan is still living in the old house, pending the scheduled demolition which seems to have been put on hold because of the elections, she candidly says.

She dedicates her blessings to her parents.

“My PDA medal and Metro Manila Film Fest trophy (for “Hawak Kamay,” Best Theme Song) are displayed in my parents’ room. I would’ve put my Gold and Platinum Record awards (for “Salamat”) in their room, too, if there were enough wall space,” she says.

The Dreamer continues to dream: “My wish is for my family to someday move into a house and lot in the suburbs.”
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.n...view_article.php?article_id=57757

MORE SHOWS: With their return here in late April, a hectic schedule is set for Grand PDA Dreamer Yeng Constantino who’ll be testing her own popularity.
Yeng will have her debut real concert at the Araneta Coliseum on June 16.
Some name entertainers will be guest performers and the PDA stars are set to support her. After all, Big Dreams’ stables include not just the Final Six, the Cebalo -- 9 of them -- but also RJ Jimenez and Iya Ginez.
And Yeng will be the star of the US show tour, Al Chiu prepares in the US for almost a month-long period, July 15 to August 12. She will be having shows in 12 cities, probably with Jay-R and Ronnie to support her.
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar1807/main.htm

Star Dreamer at Big Dome

By Reggee Bonoan

The First Grand Star Dreamer of Pinoy Dream Academy, Yeng Constantino, was surprised and was teary-eyed when she learned she’d be having a concert on June 16 at the Araneta Coliseum.

This was probably the reason why the production staff asked her who she’d want to work with in a concert. Immediately she mentioned Kamikazee, because she’d like to jam with the band vocalist named Jay, the Itchyworms, and Sharon Cuneta. The production staff are hoping the megastar would agree to be a guest performer on Yeng’s first big venue outing as a solo performer.

Right now, the Top 6 scholars of the Pinoy Dream Academy are in the United States for a concert tour together with Kristoff Abrenica as special guest. Before they left for the US, we asked what she would do first. She said she’d have a photo taken beside the airplane she took the flight on, or with any aircraft in the US, and all the places the group would stop by.

The singer also said she’d buy for her father a video camera, a mobile phone for her mother and a guitar for herself.

Yeng is now promoting her second single “Cool Off” from her album Salamat with the music video recently shot together with Dream Academy runner-up JayR Siaboc.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_april12_2007

Winners all

04/12/2007

Yeng Constantino’s album turns platinum

In just two weeks, Pinoy Dream Academy Grand Star Dreamer Yeng Constantino’s debut solo album has cemented her status as one of the music scene’s fastest-rising stars. Bannered by the first single (and title track), Salamat earned a Gold Record Award when it sold 15,000 units a week after its release. A week later, it earned a Platinum Record Award when it sold another 15,000 units bringing its total 30,000 units. Considering the success of her debut solo album, it’s no surprise that the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation named Yeng the Most Promising Female Recording Artist of 2007.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20070412lif3.html

jansheri · Re: Articles

Yeng Constantino contradicts Irish Fullerton's statement
Dinno Erece
Thursday, May 17, 2007

It's a battle of she said-she said ang usapang Yeng Constantino and Irish Fullerton regarding sa sinabi ni Irish na nagsigarilyo raw si Yeng during the concert tour of the Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) scholars in the U.S. last month.

Hindi pa bumabalik si Irish sa U.S. Nandito lang siya ngayon but not as visible as she used to be. Kamakailan, na-interview si Irish sa kanyang side regarding what really happened sa U.S. tour nila.

Sa isyung inuman, Irish acquitted Yeng. Hindi raw ito uminom. Pero sabi ni Irish, nagsigarilyo raw si Yeng.

Nakausap namin kaninang tanghali, May 17, si Yeng sa Dencio's Grill in front of ABS-CBN. Very happy siya't matutuloy na ang kanyang first solo concert sa Pilipinas, although it won't be at the Araneta Coliseum anymore, kundi sa Aliw Theater na.

Paliwanag ng isang taga-PDA, naghihintay na ang U.S. promoters ng solo concert ni Yeng. Kailangan kasing dito muna gawin sa Pilipinas ang concert bago madala sa ibang bansa. Fully booked na raw ang Big Dome at kung madi-delay ang concert, pati ang U.S. tour ay madi-delay rin. Kaya kumuha na lang sila ng isang alternative venue, ang Aliw Theater nga.

Sa June 23 naka-schedule ang solo concert ni Yeng. Makakasama niya rito ang kapwa PDA scholars niyang sina Jay-R Siaboc, Ronnie Liang, RJ Jimenez, and the Cebalo Band minus Panky Trinidad. Special guests din sa concert ang mga Champion boys na sina Erik Santos, Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, and Jed Madela. Higit pa doon, inaayos na ring makasama sa concert sina Jett Pangan of The Dawn, Rico Blanco of Rivermaya, and Wency Cornejo.

Sa U.S. tour naman, loveteams ang makakasama ni Yeng bukod sa PDA scholars. Possibly sina Luis Manzano and Anne Curtis in one show, Carlo Aquino and Angelica Panganiban in another, and some other loveteams pa.

Dito pumasok ang usaping first U.S. tour na naging mitsa ng gulo at sanctions sa PDA.

Tinanong outright si Yeng kung totoo ba ang sinabi ni Irish na nagsigarilyo siya sa San Diego hotel where they stayed. Hindi raw, sabi ni Yeng.

Tinanong muli siya bakit ito sinabi ni Irish kung hindi pala totoo.

"Hindi ko po alam," sagot niya.

"Maaga po akong natulog noong gabing 'yon. Alam ko po nagpaplano na talaga sila ng party kasi last day na namin ‘yon sa States. Kaya lang, pagod na pagod ako kaya maaga akong natulog. Maaga rin po kasi ang alis namin," salaysay ni Yeng.

Bagama't sina Irish at Panky ang kasamahan ni Yeng sa kuwarto, si Yeng ang nag-stay at sina Irish at Panky ang lumipat.

Tinanong namin si Yeng kung naninigarilyo ba siya.

"Minsan lang po noong bata ako," pag-amin niya. "Gusto ko lang subukan. Alam naman ninyo ang kabataan, gustong ma-experience ang ganito."

Tinanong namin siya ulit kung nagsisigarilyo pa ba siya bago siya pumasok sa PDA. Hindi na raw.

"Nasibak na po ako agad ng tatay ko kaya hindi ko na po ito ginawang bisyo," paliwanag niya.

Articles

Re: Articles