Divas
MANILA, Philippines - Supreme’s headquarters is much too crowded. A quick glance will tell you there are about 30 people in here, plus a beagle who seems stressed out by the commotion that typically follows celebrities.
Yeng Constantino, labeled Pop Rock Superstar, is being glammed up for the shoot. Yeng, who was recently on the cover of Supreme, smiles warmly and thanks us for her feature. In another room, Kyla, dubbed the Queen of RnB, is being dolled up, while KZ Tandingan, called Soul Supreme, is chilling by our dining table, hair and makeup already done. (Of the four divas, she was the first to arrive — on the dot, at that. Her makeup artist tells us she’s only had one hour of sleep. KZ decided to forego extra shuteye so they can start doing makeup at 6 a.m. She didn’t want to be late for the 9 a.m. call time. What a pro.) Angeline Quinto, meanwhile, arrived shortly, ready to roll.
These four gifted singers all belong to one management company, they’re going to share one stage for the first time ever on November 11 for the Divas: Live in Manila concert. We’re glad to report that despite the diva label, there were no outrageous demands or behavior on set, and the only “drama” (if you can call it that) that happened was a minor debate about a pair of shiny green disco pants. (To KZ’s credit, she agreed to give it a shot. And she turned out to be right. The pants were only good in theory.) On the rooftop of the building, we shot the girls, under the midday sun, and saw glimpses of their personalities: Yeng, steady and unfazed; Kyla, a little shy, apologetic about not knowing how to pose; KZ, a joker who likes to break the ice with her punch lines; Angeline, the natural comedian prone to making funny faces at the camera. Post-shoot, we realize we can’t do the group interview as planned: Yeng needs to be at the studio, KZ is exhausted. The girls leave with a promise to answer questions via email. This is the divas making good on their word.
All of you are singing show champs. If you didn’t win the talent competition that changed your life, ano kayang ginagawa mo ngayon?
Angeline: Kung hindi ako singer ngayon, chef ako. Pero dahil sa pagmamahal ko sa pagkanta, siguro magiging singer pa rin ako in the future.
Kyla: Siguro painter ako. Pangarap ko kasi yun dati pero hindi ko tinuloy dahil mas pinili ko ang singing. Magaling ako gumaya ng mga images, ng colors. Or pwede rin voice teacher.
KZ: I’d still be in school taking up a Masters Degree in Biology.
Yeng: Siguro nag-aaral ako ngayon ng mass communication. Ita-try ko maging isang UP graduate. Bata pa lang ako gusto ko na magsulat sa diyaryo about women empowerment, lifestyle, ganyan.
When your manager Erickson Raymundo brought up the idea for the Divas: Live in Manila concert, what was your initial reaction? Were you immediately on board or may hesitation? Why?
Angeline: Excited; sobrang excited to share the stage with Yeng, ate Kyla and KZ. Lalo sa mga songs na kakantahin namin.
Kyla: I had no hesitation at all. I was immediately on board. Who wouldn’t say yes to performing with extremely talented artists like Yeng, KZ, and Angeline — my sisters in Cornerstone.
KZ: I was shocked. I asked Sir Erickson three times if he was sure about giving me this break. I was hesitant at first because I’ve only been in this industry for four years. I wasn’t sure if I was worthy of the title Diva! After the meeting with my handlers, I decided to take the challenge. I think I made the perfect choice!
Yeng: Inisip ko kung diva ba ako? Pag diva kasi ang papasok sa isip mo niyan si Regine V, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion. Vocally, hindi naman yun yung pinapakita ko as a singer lalo na sa pop scene. Tapos yung line-up pa, makakasama ko si ate Kyla, Angeline, na sobrang diva. Si KZ di mataas ang boses pero may ibang style. Kaya naisip ko bagay ba ako dun? Eventually, nung pinaliwanag nila sa akin, dun mas nag-sink in sa akin na ang beauty ng show is to showcase ang iba’t-iba naming kayang ibigay sa bawat kanta. Kasi siguro nakakaumay kung pare-pareho kami ng timpla ng boses na lahat manipis, lahat mataas, or kung lahat mababa, lahat alto. Kaya ang ganda ng variation naming apat. Tapos iba’t ibang genre or flavor na kinakanta, so yung show hindi iisang mukha, iba-iba siya talaga ng kulay.
You are four talented women in the same cutthroat industry. How do you avoid being catty and competitive with each other? Nagkakaroon ba ng sapawan minsan?
Angeline: Sa pagkakakilala ko sa tatlong divas na kasama ko, hindi naman nila ugali ang manapaw. Importante sa amin na magawa naming maayos ang lahat ng part namin sa mga songs or production numbers namin.
Kyla: I’m not the type who competes with other artists. I just focus on my own stuff. That way, I don’t get distracted and I get to perform better. And I don’t think nagkaroon ng sapawan kasi kanya-kanya talaga kami ng style. May respeto kami sa isa’t isa as artists and as friends.
KZ: Respect is the perfect answer. Respect every artist you are given the opportunity to work with. If there is competition, it is the competition with yourself. Always work hard to make sure your next performance is better than your last.
Yeng: Hindi kasi ako competitive na tao. Kaya pag sinabing patalbugan ako siguro yung unang titiklop. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako nag tha-thrive sa competition. Mas okay ako na gagawin ko lang yung ikaka-enjoy ko, na hindi kailangan manapaw or makipagpagalingan. Pero at the same time, hindi naman yung bigla ka nalang aatras. Mas maganda mag-stand out ka sa kung saan ka masaya.
Are you friends outside of work? Yung tipong nag ha-hang out kayo pag walang trabaho or you share problems with each other? Who are you closest to sa mga co-divas niyo and sino yung nasa process pa lang kayo na magkakilala nang mabuti?
Angeline: Yes. Si Yeng ang pinakamalapit sa akin, pero sa ngayon, si ate Kyla ang bagong nakakasama at nakakatrabaho ko dahil sa galing din sya ng kabilang station. Pero wala naman akong naging problema sa ilang buwan na magktrabaho kami.
Kyla: KZ is the one closest to me kasi kami ang madalas magkasama because of ASAP Soul Sessions. We got to bond more when we stayed in one house in New York. I’m in the process of getting to know Yeng and Angeline more. I believe that God is putting us together not just to work but also to build good friendships.
KZ: Yes, we’re friends. [We’re] not together every day, but we talk about life when we have the chance. Most of the time, I’m with ate Kyla because of ASAP Soul Sessions, but I also get to have heart-to-heart talks with ate Yeng and ate Angeline.
Yeng: Hindi pa kami nakakapag hangout outside work kasi baka siguro dahil iba-iba kami ng batch? Ang pinaka close ko sa lahat si Angeline, lagi ko kasama sa dressing room sa mga out-of-the-country shows. Pangalawa si KZ and last si ate Kyla, galing sa ibang network. Pero mas lalo ko siya nakikilala, and nag-e-enjoy ako. Yung tahimik na side niya yun yung nagba-balance sa aming lahat. Kami yung partner lagi sa pagtawa sa mga jokes nung dalawa kasi makulit talaga si Angeline pati si KZ.
Musically, sino sa mga co-divas mo yung paborito mo yung boses or style?
Angeline: Ate Kyla. Gustong gusto ko yung hindi nya pinag-iisipan yung mga kulot or bali sa mga songs. Kaya rin niyang mag ballad.
Kyla: I love them in different ways. The one closest to my genre is soul kaya I think KZ. I admire Yeng’s music. Pangarap ko ring magawa yung pop rock style niya. Hands down naman ako kay Angeline when it comes to belting.
KZ: Ate Kyla can cross over to all our genres. She can do soul, RnB, power ballad, and even jazz. She can hit all the right notes flawlessly and effortlessly! I think it is safe to say that ate Yeng, ate Angeline, and I grew up listening to ate Kyla’s music.
Yeng: I think lahat! Without echos. Gusto ko kay ate Kyla yung pakulot kulot at pag hit ng notes. Si KZ yung pagbali niya sa kanta, grabe napapabilib ako. Si Angeline, I wrote two songs for her para sa album niya. Isang RnB and isang ballad. Sabi ko sa kanya, “Alam mo, forte mo ang ballad lalo na yung mga parts na hihina boses.” Alam natin na magaling bumirit si Angge, pero you will really appreciate kahit low notes niya.
Since four kayong mag pe-perform sa concert, how will you stand out? What should people expect from you?
Angeline: Kung ano yung strength ko, kung ano yung ine-expect ng mga tao from me, ibibigay ko lahat yun, sa solo spots ko and sa mga numbers namin together.
Kyla: We’re all given the same number of songs. If there’s something people should expect, it’s that we will all give our 100% best para sa mga supporters. I believe lahat kami magsha-shine for sure. That night will be a celebration of music and our common purpose is to entertain and inspire people.
KZ: Each of us will stand out, because we will just be ourselves. The concert is going to be a celebration of our identities as artists and performers. People will see how different the four of us are, but they will appreciate how we will sound when we are together.
Yeng: I’m more a songwriter, so I’m going to sing the songs na minahal ng tao. Ang aim naming lahat mapaganda yung mga production numbers. Yung lahat kami magkaroon ng shining moment.
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Tweet the author @IrishDDizon.
Produced by IRISH CHRISTIANNE DIZON
Photos by CENON NORIAL III
Special thanks to CARESS CABALLERO and ROYD SANTIAGO
ANGELINE QUINTO
Makeup by EMMAN CONCEPCION FOR MAC COSMETICS
Hair by BIANCA ANNE VERGARA FOR CYRIOS
Styled by HARLEY ATTRACTIVO FOR BANGBANG STYLE CREW
TOP, BCBG; PANTS, JAZZ CEREZO
KYLA
Makeup by ANTON PATDU FOR LAURA MERCIER
Hair by MONG AMADO
Styled by JUSTINE RONQUILLO AND JANA SILAO FOR KAT CRUZ
DRESS, MARK BAUMGARNER
KZ TANDINGAN
Makeup by MAC IGARTA FOR NARS
Hair by MARK FAMILIARA FOR KHIEL’S STYLIST SERIES
Styled by JANRA FOR MESMYRRHRIZED
Jumpsuit, JOHN RUFO
YENG CONSTANTINO
Makeup by QUA FOR LAURA MERCIER
Hair by ARIES MANAL
Styled by CHINO AGUILAR FOR TEAM RAINXEM
Jumpsuit, KARIMADON
