TNT five-time defending champion Eich Abando gets recording break

MANILA, Philippines — A famous basketball player in the professional league is what Eich Abando wanted to become when he was younger. Although he achieved the height to play in the hardcourt, Eich apparently veered towards God’s other plans for him.

As early as seven years old, Eich was influenced by his dad, Boyfriends’ lead singer Joey Abando, to start singing. No wonder, Eich really pursued a career to become a singer-songwriter, music producer, voice coach and sound engineer.

“My family, they really pushed me to show people my singing style, especially on national television,” Eich disclosed. “They supported me every step of the way.”

He made a name for himself on nationwide TV when he joined It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan last year and became a five-time defending champion.

“I really cherished Tawag ng Tanghalan because the contest gave me the break in my singing career,” Eich asserted. “Tawag ng Tanghalan unlocked my new level and improved my style.”

On TNT, Eich holds the record as the highest scorer among all the contestants of the noontime show’s sixth season, with his soulful renditions of popular songs that went viral on social media.

Over the holidays, Eich released his debut single, a Christmas track, Ngayong Pasko, under Curve Entertainment. The song is an original single that he penned three years ago. It features label-mate Duff Uno of Kawago fame. The single is released in all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

He has other unreleased songs which he previously wrote and contained in his music chest. Among them are I Miss You, Nasan Ka Na, Ikaw ang Forever Ko and There’s No Easy Way.

Eich also wrote and arranged songs for teleserye and films — Ang Probinsyano (ABS-CBN), Chuno: The Slave Hunter (GMA), Jack Em Popoy (movie), 3pol Trobol Huli Ka Balbon and more.

Even before he joined TNT, Eich has already made a name for himself as a celebrated singer-songwriter. He got the Saludo Excellence Award as Best Musical Director of 2022.

Director Alvin Caravejo of It’s Showtime introduced Eich to Curve Entertainment CEO Narciso Chan, who subsequently signed up Eich to a recording contract.

“Ninety percent of my songs are originals,” Eich granted. “Actually, I also want to record covers of some of the songs of James Ingram, Brian McKnight or Michael Bolton this year.”

Not surprisingly, Ingram, Bolton, McKnight and Dan Hill, too, are among the foreign artists whom Eich idolizes. Locally, he looks up to Jay Durias of South Border and Boyfriends’ Joey Abando.

Eich completed his BS Management course at University of the East. “I’m using my knowledge as a Business Management student in some of my businesses, big or small.”

This pandemic, Eich faced the biggest challenge in his singing career. “I lost my source of income because performing in bars or restaurants is my bread and butter,” he disclosed.

“Good thing, my manager (Joel Rentoria) who helped me put up a studio that could cater to live streaming online and recording. I usually sing in some application on cellphone as alterative to my bar and restaurant gigs for a small amount of money. That helped me get by.”

Eich made his concert debut with Ako Naman last Feb. 4 at the Valenzuela People’s Park Ampitheater. He rendered his original songs, as well as some popular covers that he performed on TV.

With Eich’s professional music career, he admirably still finds time for his family. “Now, a day’s time for me is so difficult, but I still keep my promise to my wife and children,” he said. “I still give time to them after my work and my shows. If I can’t make it, I bring them to wherever I am.”

He spends his regular day inside the studio creating new songs and banking them to his files. His weekends are devoted to his family and they go to church.

Eich is thankful to the support he constantly gets from his family. “Especially my wife, Toffee, she always boosts my confidence and always prays for my success and safety.”

That is constantly reassuring for him.