TJ Monterde savors ‘Sarili Nating Mundo’ world tour’s final shows

Sepanx kicks in for TJ ahead of his last five shows

Back in February, TJ Monterde took the stage at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for what was meant to be his three-day “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert. He had no idea it would grow into a months-long world tour but as all good things do, it will soon come to an end this December.

“It’s super overwhelming,” TJ told Radar Entertainment and other select outlets before his packed October shows in Melbourne (Oct. 5), Auckland (Oct. 11), Sydney (Oct. 12), and Perth (Oct. 17). His world tour will conclude in Abu Dhabi on Dec. 2.

TJ, who was joined by his wife and collaborator KZ Tandingan and concert director John Prats, said that even ahead of those five final shows, “sepanx” (separation anxiety) has already crept in.

“Buong taon, ito na ‘yong ginawa namin talaga,” he said. “A lot has happened this year, pero si Direk, ayaw niya munang pag-usapan. Nase-sepanx na siya, ngayon pa lang.”

KZ, masking her sepanx with smiles and laughter, noted they began brainstorming as early as 2024.

“Literal na buong taon halos. Magkakamukha na nga kami, nagkakapalit-palit na ng mukha,” she said, drawing laughter.

John added: “Di namin inexpect talaga na ganito ‘yong mangyayari sa ‘Sarili Nating Mundo.'” He recalled telling TJ that he’d miss the three-day Araneta show after it ended, only for TJ to reply, “‘Wag kang mag-alala, Direk, lilibutin pa natin ang mundo.”

And happen it did. “SNM” has since spanned 40 shows across the Philippines, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates, from intimate mall venues to massive arenas.

‘Special, every single time’

Despite the exhaustion that comes with “SNM” for months now, TJ said they make sure to deliver quality performances every time, especially for overseas Filipinos.

“Pinaghirapan nila itong ticket na ito. Pinagpuyatan. ‘Di madali ang buhay doon, kaya kailangan namin ibigay ‘yong nararapat na experience for them,” he said.

KZ acknowledged TJ and John’s dedication, saying they “always work hand in hand” to make each show better than the last.

“[We put every] effort to make it special, every single time,” she said. “Particularly sa set ko, ‘yong ginagawa ko, para siyang customized.”

TJ also recalled “special moments” during the tour, from marriage proposals to gender reveals.

“Iba-iba ‘yong nangyayari,” he said. “May special each and every city kasi excited din sila na ma-experience ang buong concert, excited silang i-share ang story nila through the concert we’re having.”

Challenges during tour

“SNM,” however, wasn’t without challenges. TJ remembered a tough night when he lost his voice mid-set.

“I was singing ‘Kung Siya Man,'” he said. “Nawala ‘yong boses ko, as in, totally zero… First time ko siya ma-experience. Natakot ako. I still had to sing three more songs later in the show.”

It happened again during his rendition of Parokya ni Edgar’s “Harana.” Fortunately, KZ noticed something was amiss and “rescued” him on-stage. 

There had also been the proverbial technical difficulties.

“Mga limang beses kami nagpalit ng mic. ‘Di ko na alam ang gagawin ko,” TJ said.

John recalled an instance when TJ was audible only in the stage monitor system, causing much “panic” among everyone.

“’Di ko naman kasalanan,” he said, “pero parang nanghihinayang kami sa moment na ‘yon. I got so frustrated.”

But this didn’t stop them from running successful shows, with John noting how their lean team was able to “do so many things to give that experience to our kababayans.”

TJ added, “When you are just closely working with everybody, and you’re in an environment na alam mong sasaluhin ka ng lahat on-stage, na-pull off naman namin siya.”

Starting the day with a prayer

With grit also comes grace. TJ, a devout Christian alongside KZ, makes it a point to always start his day with a prayer.

“Sa mga hotels, usually, maganda ‘yong labas,” he said. “[Pagdadasal] ‘yong una kong ginagawa every single day. I always thank God bakit sa amin binigay itong experience na ito? Bakit sa amin nangyari itong ganitong bagay? Oo, pagod tayo, but let’s not forget that we’re doing something extraordinary. I never want to take that opportunity for granted.”

John fondly recalled KZ calling him and TJ for a quick prayer when the day started to feel overwhelming.

“Ang ganda lang noong moment,” he said, “na at the end of the day, tao ka lang din, nagagalit ka rin, pero may isang tao na talagang humahatak sa amin to say, ‘Wait lang, hinga muna tayo, magdasal tayo.'”

John added that he has since started his day by listening to gospel music.

Concert ‘survival’ tips

Asked how they manage life on the road, KZ couldn’t resist making a coquettish joke.

“Asawahin mo ang main artist,” she said, drawing laughter again. “Four songs, dalawang income!”

Turning serious, KZ underscored the importance of being unassuming and grateful.

“I always remind myself that what I get to experience as an artist, kahit nakasuporta lang kami kay TJ, I feel very proud to be a part of history,” she said, noting how TJ is the only solo Filipino artist to date who did 40 shows in a single tour within a year.

KZ also expressed her practical side, but not without injecting her signature humor.

“Ipa-deposit agad ang TF (talent fee) at ang per diem sa account para hindi makuha sa bulsa,” she said. “At pag sinabing may sponsors’ dinner, sumama kayo para wala kayong babayaran. Tapos, pag day off at may nag-aya ng outlet, magtulug-tulugan kayo!”

Nevertheless, KZ, with a knowing smile, teased some of their touring habits. “May iba sa amin, umuuwi nang may lima, walong sapatos… Sampu ‘yong sombrerong inuwi. O kaya, mag-uuwi ng gitara,” she said, causing John and TJ to turn red.

Time and again, endings are also new beginnings. TJ and KZ will return to Smart Araneta Coliseum for “TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan: In Between” on Feb. 6 and 7, 2026, with John at the helm once more. Tickets for will go on sale on Oct. 30.

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