Yeng Constantino no longer superstitious about Good Friday
Alex Datu
Thursday, March 20, 2008
12:18 AM
Kagagaling lang ni Yeng Constantino sa kanyang mall tour na may kinalaman sa kanyang ikalawang album na Journey. Ibinalita niya sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) na matagumpay naman ang kanyang mall tour at maganda rin ang takbo ng sales ng kanyang ikalawang album. Pero nakukulangan pa sa ginagawang promo si Yeng dahil gusto na niya itong makarating ng gold record status.
NOT A PASYON SINGER. Dahil Semana Santa ngayon, tinanong namin si Yeng kung nakakanta na ba siya sa pasyon.
Inamin ng Grand Star Dreamer ng Pinoy Dream Academy na mula pagkabata hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa ito nakakakanta sa pasyon.
"Sa church po, kumakanta po ako, kasi worship leader ako. Born-again po kami at doon talaga sa church, kumakanta kami. Pero never pa po ako kumanta sa pasyon."
Para kay Yeng, ang Semana Santa ay hindi lamang panahon ng pag-oobserba sa naging sakripisyo at pagkamatay ni Hesukristo kundi pagninilay-nilay na rin sa sariling buhay natin kung naisusunod sa mga utos at aral ng Diyos.
"Bukod sa panahon ng pagsasama-sama ng pamilya ang Holy Week, ito rin ang panahon para mag-reflect sa sarili mo. Kung ano na ba ang nangyayari sa 'yo, yung paghahanap uli ng sentro mo.
"Siyempre, kapag nasa showbiz ka, marami kang bagay na naririnig at kumukuha ng atensyon mo. Dapat tingnan mo talaga sa sarili kung ano yung real o tunay. Kaya 'yon po, reflection po talaga dapat."
NO BATH. Noon daw ay may pamahiing sinusunod ang pamilya nina Yeng na hindi naliligo kapag Biyernes Santo. Ngayon ay hindi na nila ito inoobserba, dahil ayon kay Yeng, pamahiin lang naman daw ito.
"Magkakasama kaming mga magkakapamilya tuwing Semana Santa. Naghahanda ng mga kakanin at hindi kami naglalalabas ng bahay. Pero hindi na po yung bawal maligo, pamahiin lang naman po yun," sabi pa ni Yeng.
Break na rin talaga ito ni Yeng sa showbiz commitments niya. Panahon ng pagpapahinga at pag-i-spend ng oras sa kanyang pamilya.
Sabi ni Yeng, nag-e-enjoy ang kanyang pamilya kapag magkakasama. Hindi kailangang maging sobrang saya, pero hindi naman nila kailangang malungkot dahil nga sa Semana Santa.
"Sobrang okey po yung Holy Week namin palagi," pagtatapos ni Yeng.
Which, of course, isn’t to suggest that Yeng has aged into an old hag. In fact, her face is glowing but you see it in her eyes and the way she sings on her new CD, titled Journey, that she has matured as a songwriter, singer—and subject for an interview.
You seem different since the last time I saw you. There’s now a certain maturity....
Really? I wouldn’t know about that. I’m not saying that showbiz is very taxing and that it makes you feel older but with all the different life experiences I gained since I entered the business through Pinoy Dream Academy, it has made me wiser and more mature.
Tell me about those experiences. What is the happiest one that you can relate to us since you started?
Every day is a happy experience for me. Showbiz has helped me and my family. It has opened a lot of doors for me. Doors I never even knew were there when I was starting. And the fans make it all worthwhile. They give me strength to go on.
YENG CONSTANTINO
What about the bitter experiences?
I guess it’s being the subject of rumors that aren’t true....
Let’s talk about the most recent one...that you aren’t giving your manager his deserved commission and that you are hiding from him.
That’s not true. We always remit to him his commission. I have to admit that I sometimes don’t see him because of my schedule, but it’s my father who would meet up with him if ever I can’t. In fact, I saw him just last week and everything is OK. We support each other.
Your songwriting in your new album shows a very mature and more reflective Yeng. Is it because of your breakup with fellow Pinoy Dream Academy ‘scholar’ RJ Jimenez?
It’s very painful what happened to us. I wouldn’t want to go on to the details but let’s just say that I learned a lot.
Is it true that some songs you’ve written, about breaking up and letting go of a relationship, are your answers to his songs?
(Laughs) It’s up to the listener to think and interpret what he or she wants. I just want everyone to be able to relate to the songs I’ve written. I know a lot of people were able to relate to RJ’s song (“Superstar”), so I hope everyone can relate to my songs, too.
What is the difference between Journey and your previous album?
I would like to think that this album is where you can feel my energy and my passion as a singer and as a writer. Life is a journey and this album is part of mine. I hope to continue to develop this talent that God has given me.
Yeng Constantino admits she is used to bottling up emotions.
She rarely cries but lets the lyrics of her songs weep the loudest. Yeng made this confession in an interview during the launch of her sophomore CD "Journey" at Cibo, ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City.
"I’m not comfortable with drama but I do write off all my emotions through songwriting," she said.
The Pinoy Dream Academy winner also said the song "Promise" (which is a cut off "Journey") was penned after she and rumored boyfriend RJ Jimenez decided to quit whatever feelings they were having for each other during the time they got close. "We decided na huwag na ituloy kung ano yung nararamdaman namin at unahin muna yung mga careers namin. It was one talk I will never forget.
When asked if she can completely say that she had gotten over the "feelings" (Yeng specified that they weren’t an item at the time but admitted to mutual feelings for each other), her eyes seemed to have welled up a bit and answered, "No."
Yeng wrote eight songs for the new CD with the carrier track "Ikaw Lang Talaga." "We were choosing which song should be the single and arrived at ‘Ikaw Lang Talaga.’ Siguro pang-third single pa yung ‘Promise.’"
Like the rest of her written tunes, the controversial "breakup" song was deeply personal, she said. More controversial however are the lyrics of "Promise" which opened with lines like, "Since this is what you wanted then I’ll just walk away.
You’ll have your time to think of all the things and what you need while I’m gone away. Is this really what you wanted? Then I will let you go. I’ll be keeping all my fears though I’m drowning in my tears with the thought of a life without you."
Yeng named age gap was one of the factors she and RJ weren’t able to take things between them a notch higher. "Maraming mga dahilan. Medyo serious na rin kasi siya because he was already in his mid20s." Yeng is just 19 years old.
Yeng, who has always donned the image of a rock chick, added she has never experienced being in a real relationship but that does not mean she hasn’t felt how it was like to fall in love. "This is how special this album is to me. It’s all the facets of myself now and a very different, better person that I was since nakilala ako ng mga sumusuporta sa akin."
Yeng said she is not the type of singer-songwriter who saves up songs for later records. "Lahat ng alas ko nilabas ko na sa album na ito. Kung magkaroon ako ulit ng pagkakataon, gagawa na lang ulit siguro." When that time comes, Yeng is sure there’d be newer experiences to draw inspirations from.
Keeping all the rock sensibilities intact, Yeng said she seems to be peaking as far as writing songs is concerned. "I try to write off everything. Tapos pag binabalikan ko yung mga ginagawa ko noon, naiisip ko yung mga emotions ko at the time I wrote the words and it’s kind of like a journey back to my old self and I discover how much of that part I was able to retain in the same way that I learn which parts I was able to change."
Yeng named Sandwich frontman Raimund Marasigan as her rock icon. "Idol ko talaga siya. Iba yung kanta niya eh. I once had the privilege of watching them practice and admired how he puts the same energy sa jamming as on stage."
Yeng, who is Josephine Constantino in real life, was born on Dec. 4 1988. She pulled off versatility right away at 18 and took advantage of her rakista appeal to hang on to stardom post-PDA.
On her one year old showbiz career, she said she has tasted the most hurtful of write-ups but the one that really got to her was an article insinuating that her father is doing prohibited drugs. "It was most untrue at talagang nakakapikon. I’m used to anything written negatively as long as it does not involve my family. Pag kasama na sila, affected na ako."
For a more personal account of the young rock alternative artist, listen and take the "Journey" with Yeng under Star Records.
Yeng Constantino admitted that she just got emotional on camera, which is why she broke into sobs last week during a guesting on the show Boy & Kris. When host Kris Aquino mentioned a song in Yeng’s second album, Journey that speaks about a message about a relationship gone wrong, the singer failed to control her emotions and tears started rolling down her cheeks.
Yeng kept very quiet about her "relationship" with former co- Pinoy Dream Academy scholar RJ Jimenez and never revealed it or confirmed it until her appearance on Boy & Kris. According to Yeng, she and RJ struck a connection and they got very close. "Totoo, nagustuhan ko siya, malungkot nga lang at di nag-work-out," said a somber Yeng. She added that although it seemed like they were getting into a commitment, the two then aspiring singers talked and decided to cut the budding relationship short. "Nagkalayo kami, at nagdecide na unahin ang career namin," RJ said during an interview with The Buzz. "Hindi ko maikakaila na gusto ko siya. Hanggang ngayon mahal ko pa rin siya." he confessed.
Yeng however said that he and RJ remain good friends. The male singer even made an appearance in Yeng’s music video for her new single Di Na Ganon
IPINAGTANGGOL ni Yeng Constantino ang kanyang ama na inaakusahan ngayon na naglulustay ng kanyang salapi. Sabi sa tsismis, wala raw pakialam ang tatay ni Yeng kung gumastos, kaya si Yeng ngayon ay halos hindi na natutulog sa kakakayod?
May mga manunulat din na nagtataka, na hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin natatapos ni Yeng ang ipinapagawa niyang bahay, samantalang milyones naman ang kinikita niya, dahil sa sangkatutak na raket.
“Mahal po talaga ang mga materyales ngayon sa pagpapagawa ng bahay.
Atsaka, ako po mismo ang may gusto na ganito ang design sa bahay namin, kaya medyo napamahal.
“Mabuti nga at nandiyan ang father ko na tumututok sa lahat. Na kahit huling sentimo eh, napupunta sa ipinapagawa naming bahay,” sabi ni Yeng.
Ikinuwento ni Yeng na hindi lang naman ang bahay na ipinapagawa nila ang pinagkakagastusan niya. Nandiyan ang pagpapaaral sa kanyang kapatid at mga kamag-anak.
“Hindi naman po ako nagrereklamo sa pagtulong ko sa kanila. At hindi rin ako nagmamadali na matapos ang ipinapagawa naming bahay.”
Sa Mayo nga pala ay magbubukas na muli ang Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. Si Yeng ang winner sa PDA 1.
At hanggang ngayon ay tinatanaw niya na malaking utang na loob sa ABS CBN ang tagumpay na nararanasan niya ngayon.
At may payo rin si Yeng sa mga susunod na sasali sa PDA.
“Once in a lifetime experience lang ‘yan kaya dapat itodo na nilang lahat ang nalalaman nila. Ipakita nila na kaya nilang gawin ang inaasahan sa kanila.
“At siyempre, mas maganda kung makikinig sila sa mga teachers na nagtuturo sa kanila. At higit sa lahat, dapat maniwala sila sa kakayahan nila, at lalung-lalo na sa Diyos,” sabi na lang ni Yeng.
Yeng Constantino’s journey after PDA
By: Cheekie Albay | YEHEY! In-house Production
19 March 2008 | 2:09 PM
In 2006, a cute and spunky 18-year-old rocker chick from Rizal emerged as the victor in the first season of the ABS-CBN reality talent search Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA). In the short span of time since she won the title of Grand Star Dreamer, Yeng Constantino has released triple-platinum debut album Salamat; come up with a number of hits, among them “Hawak Kamay” which also appears on the Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo soundtrack; scored big-time endorsement deals; secured a regular hosting stint at ASAP; and received numerous music awards, both as a singer and for her first hit “Hawak Kamay”. Now, this petite rakista has a new album, Journey, and it promises to be packed with more Yeng than you can handle.
Journey plays like an earnest, starry-eyed diary of the emotional rollercoaster that is teenage love, packed with songs about love, heartbreak, confusion, resignation, and longing. On the more upbeat rock-infused tracks, the influence of one of Yeng’s favorite bands Paramore is apparent. On the slower numbers, one can detect hints of Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Paramita, and even Liz Phair. Journey contains 12 tracks, eight of which Yeng wrote herself or with her band Morning Glory.
Yeng is pleased with this latest studio release because she has more input in this album than she did in Salamat. “Gulatan yung first album, one week lang namin ginawa. Pagkapanalo ko, isang linggo, labas na agad ang album,” the singer explains. “Walo yung kanta ko sa [Journey], hindi na kalahati. Yung mga songs na sinulat ko dito sa album, para talaga sa album.”
Yeng has been with her band Morning Glory since high school, back when she had no stardom to speak of and she (gasp!) still lost band competitions. She expresses hope that she’d get to share the recording studio with her band for her third album. Despite her celebrity status, Yeng has remained close with her bandmates and is excited at each milestone she achieves with them. “Nung Sunday na magkasama kami sa ASAP sobrang ligaya ko. Sobra. First time yun eh na na-televise kami,” she gushes.
Yeng believes that she has grown up both personally and professionally since her PDA days, and this can be heard on Journey. “Kung napansin niyo, medyo nag-mature [ang music ko]. Kahit one year pa lang ako sa industriya, sobrang dami ko na din naranasan. At dahil sa mga karanasan ko, nasulat ko yun,” she shares.
At only nineteen years old, Yeng has proven herself a commendable songwriter, scoring a number one hit with “Hawak Kamay” even before she was out of the PDA house. Compared to other celebrities who attempt to launch a singing career, Yeng at least has the talent and creativity to write her own stuff and not rely on composers to do the job for her. “Sa tingin ko plus yung nakakasulat ka ng kanta. Sobrang laking advantage kasi hindi ka na magbabayad ng composer. Mahal kasi sila,” she quips. On a more serious note, she explains, “Mas maganda kung mas honest yung kinakanta mo sayo. Mas naiinitindihan kasi [ng listeners].”
And because she has exerted so much effort in nurturing her budding career, Yeng is hopeful that she won’t be pushed entirely out of the picture once the next season of PDA comes round and a new batch of rising talents is groomed for stardom. “Binigyan na [ang first batch ng Star Dreamers] ng isang buong taon... Kung hindi ako makapag-stay sa industry, hindi ko pwedeng isisi sa bagong manalo or ma-insecure dapat sa kanya. Kasi I had my time. Ako yung may hawak kung mag-stay ako o hindi. Sa tingin ko nagawa ko naman, nagtatrabaho ako… Sobrang hinirapan ko ‘to para pabayaan,” she declares. Incidentally, she is set to host the second season of PDA, so expect that Yeng won’t be out of entertainment circulation anytime soon.
This sensible take on the short-lived fame that comes from a reality show victory hints at a greater depth of emotional maturity in the young celebrity. Another example of this maturity is her eventual liberation from her self-imposed stereotype of what a rocker should be. Yeng relates how dead-set she was on being a tough rakista when she was younger, abhorring the cutesy, the weak, the melodramatic, and other characteristics commonly associated with the female of the species. And today, dressed like a modern-day punk in a cool black shirt, tight jeans, black sneakers, and a studded black leather wristband, it seems like she is no different. But wouldn’t you know? This rocker chick actually admits to having an immense collection of stuffed toys at home. And a growing collection at that. Clearly, beneath the tough exterior lies an unabashed softie.
As long as Yeng stays true to the carefree spirit that has endeared her to the Pinoy public, rockers and jologs alike, a little girlishness won’t hurt. Keep rocking, Yeng.
Yeng Constantino agreed with RJ Jimenez to stop their special relationship once they were out of the Pinoy Dream Academy. He wanted to pursue their special friendship that had been cut short when he was voted out of the Academy. But Yeng’s priorities have changed. She wants to focus on her new entertainment career. She knew this was the right thing to do as she would not have the time for him if they got more serious. This separation hurt Yeng a lot, and it gave her the motive to write a song. This song, “Promise,” is one of the tracks off her second 12-cut CD entitled Journey produced by Jon Ilagan for Star Records. She sings, “But if someday you’ll need a friend/I promise I won’t let you down/I’ll be there for you/Right there beside you/I promise.”
Yeng sings more mature songs in Journey, her style more sophisticated than her debut album but managing not to stray too far from her original style. It’s progress! It opens with a surprising slow number in “‘Di Na Ganun,” a reflective number about loss and acceptance. She does a fast one in “Ikaw Lang Talaga,” her band blasting away. “Promise” follows, the best track in this new collection for its honesty of emotion and organic arrangement. “Pili Ka Lang” is about life’s choices and picking them up. Other tracks are “Tao Lang Ako,” “What About Us,” “Himig ng Pag-ibig,” “Bakit Nga Ba,” “If You Go,” “Why Can’t You Go,” “Tala” and “Habambuhay.” Journey is now available in music stores worlwide.
Catch Yeng when she promotes Journey at SM Sta. Rosa on March 30, SM Dasmarinas on April 19, SM Lipa on April 20, SM North EDSA on April 27, SM Iloilo on May 3 and Sta. Lucia East Grand Mall on May 4.
Pinoy Dream Academy grand winner Yeng Constantino said she is still mending her broken heart after a breakup, but affirmed that she is now moving on with her life.
"I think I'm okay now. I'm not going to say that I'm happy but I'm moving on because you see... I'm strong," Constantino exclusively told abs-cbnNEWS.com.
Constantino's statement stemmed from reports of her sudden breakup with her off-screen parter and former PDA scholar RJ Jimenez, that she first revealed during an interview with hosts Boy Abunda and Kris Aquino in their daily morning program Boy & Kris.
After the recent split up Constantino revealed she is still feeling the pain, but is certain that she is now stronger than ever.
"I think this is just part of growing up and I believe that I have to experience all those things, and I think it's okay," the nineteen-year-old singer-composer said.
Constantino admitted that "technically" Jimenez was her first love, which is why she cried when they decided to part ways.
"For me it's really painful, I don't know but it's something like that," she said.
When asked if she is ready to share the exact reason behind the breakup, Constantino replied, "It's just like that. We'd been very busy, we are attending to a lot of things. You see before as in everyday we were together inside the PDA and you cannot help but to feel affection."
The singer recalled that her special feeling for Jimenez grew while they were still inside the academy and continued after they stepped out of the academy.
"I'm not gonna deny it, I really like RJ becaue he is so kind."
According to Constantino she last saw Jimenez during a rehearsal of the weekly show ASAP '08 but they did not even talk.
Now, the artist has decided not to entertain suitors and to just concentrate on her work.
"No dating. I will just focus on my career, my family. I really need to help my family not just my mother or father but as well as my lola and my other relatives."
Constantino has shown her versatility by singing with a rocker image, and by her love of writing and composing original songs.
She is the brain and voice behind the hit song "Hawak Kamay" that won the Best Theme Song at the Metro Manila Film Festival. The song was used by Star Cinema's film "Kasal Kasali Kasalo" as its official theme.
She already launched her debut album called "Salamat", and just recently she launched her album entitled "Journey."
Currently, Constantino is a regular performer at ABS-CBN's weekly variety show "ASAP '08 and is busy promoting her latest album through out-of-town shows.
Catch her as she performs live with her band in Sta. Rosa, Laguna this Saturday, May 29 and May 1 in the City of Smiles, Bacolod City.
Masusulyapan na ang 30 aspiring Pinoy Dream Academy scholars sa pagsisimula ng Mga Kuwento sa Likod ng Pangarap: The Pinoy Dream Academy Primers ngayong Sabado (Abril 5) habang ipinapalabas ang Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus.
Sa pangunguna ni Yeng Constantino, kilatisin ang talento ng semi-finalists na sa isang iglap ay maaaring mabago ang buhay.
Kaabang-abang din ang audition footages ng mga sumubok ngunit hindi masyadong pinalad na scholars buhat pa sa iba’t ibang parte ng mundo.
Sinu-sino ang mapipili ni Headmaster na pumasok sa Pinoy Dream Academy?
Alamin iyan mamaya pagkatapos ng I Am KC sa ABS-CBN.
Yeng Constantino is a perfect example that products of reality search are armed with pure, uncorrupted talent.
Yeng is not pretty by showbiz standards but has a raspy, soprano voice that endeared her to the masa
Yeng’s training at the Pinoy Dream Academy equipped her with the skills to survive the maddening music industry. Yeng is still reeling from the pain caused by her break-up with rumored ex–boyfriend RJ Jimenez.
Yeng admitted that is used to bottling up her emotions. Her songs in her new CD "Journey" ‘do the weeping" for her.
Trading rock chick image for straight talk, Yeng reveals much about herself.
1.What do you think is the general perception of people about you?
Medyo matigas ang ulo, makulit, isip bata and mayabang.
2. What is your perception of yourself?
Normal lang po akong bata. But I can say that I am mature at masayahin but with a sentimental side especially when I am by myself.
3. If you are to say one thing that the public doesn’t know about you, what will it be?
No answer
4. What does it take to be your friend? Or partner?
Basta yung masaya kausap, pakikinggan at maiintindihan ako, ayos na yon sa akin.
5. Where and to whom do you think you owe your career?
God because matagal ko na po itong pinagdasal. Bigay Niya po ito.
6. Where do you invest your money?
Sa pagpapagawa ng bahay.
7. Do you pay taxes honestly?
Yes!
8. What’s your idea of splurging?
No answer.
9. Is being gay in show biz an issue?
Sa showbiz, yes. Pero to me, as long as nagagampanan mo ng maayos yung mga ginagawa mo, ayos na yon.
10.Do you consider yourself sexy? Why?
No!!! Hahaha Eh di naman talaga kasi yon yung nakikita ko!
11.Among other celebrities, who is sexy to you and why?
Ryan Eigennman, Piolo Pascual and Marc Nelson
12. What was the best thing ever written about you?
No answer
13. What do you pray for?
Sana po magtuloy-tuloy pa ang blessings sa akin ni Lord.
14. If you die tonight, where do you think you will go? Heaven or hell?
Heaven, love ako ni Lord.
15. Who are your favorite show biz people and why?
Gary V kasi ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya, Maja Salvador kasi siya ang unang namansin Sa akin sa "ASAP" saka ang bait niya and Ms. Kris Aquino kasi masarap po yung mga kritisismo niya.
16.Would you go for beauty or brains?
Both para balanced.
17. Would you rather be rich or goodlooking?
Both din kasi kung rich pero di good looking, magpapagawa pa. Pero pag good looking at rich pa, eh ayos.
18.What makes you angry? How do you let off steam?
Pag may nangbastos sa tatay at nanay ko at pag di ako naiintindihan sa mga opinyon ko.
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