MANILA, Philippines — Before “Palagi” became one of the biggest Filipino love songs of recent years, TJ Monterde never even intended for the song to reach the public.
The singer-songwriter revealed that the now-massive OPM hit began as something deeply personal: a song written for his wife, KZ Tandingan, as the couple marked 10 years since they first met.
During a recent appearance on Kara David’s “i-Listen,” Monterde said there was originally no plan to professionally record or release “Palagi.” He had written it simply to celebrate an important milestone in their relationship.
Monterde prepared a surprise dinner for Tandingan and performed the song for her privately.
Her response became the turning point.
According to Monterde, Tandingan immediately told him that the song was beautiful. That encouragement eventually convinced them that “Palagi” deserved to be recorded.
What happened next was something even Monterde did not expect.
From Private Love Song to OPM Phenomenon
“Palagi” was officially released in July 2023, but its rise became much bigger as listeners connected with its straightforward message of lasting love, reassurance and commitment. Billboard Philippines later described the track as Monterde’s breakout hit.
Monterde has said that part of the song’s appeal may have come from how little he tried to manufacture its emotions. Instead of worrying about whether the lyrics might sound overly sentimental, he wrote openly about what he actually felt for Tandingan.
The story became even more personal in August 2024 when Monterde and Tandingan released the “Palagi – TJxKZ Version” in celebration of their fourth wedding anniversary.
The response was immediate.
According to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the duet accumulated one million Spotify streams in just one day. Tandingan later admitted that she had not expected the collaboration to connect so strongly with listeners, particularly audiences discovering and sharing it through TikTok.
But social-media virality was only the beginning.
‘Palagi’ Became One of the Biggest Songs in the Philippines
The track eventually climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on the Top Philippine Songs chart in 2024.
By the end of that year, “Palagi” finished at No. 1 on Billboard Philippines’ year-end Philippines Hot 100 and Top Philippine Songs charts, making it one of the defining OPM releases of 2024.
Its longevity proved equally remarkable.
Billboard Philippines reported in May 2026 that “Palagi” had accumulated more than 95 weeks on the chart before re-entering the Philippines Hot 100 at No. 78. It had also remained successful well beyond its breakout year, finishing among the country’s biggest songs again in 2025.
The song’s reach expanded further when the TJ-and-KZ version became associated with Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards’ blockbuster film “Hello, Love, Again.”
Monterde said having one of his songs used on the big screen had long been something he prayed for. The song later received a Silver Award for Best Original Song for an Asian TV Series/Program or Movie at the 2025 ContentAsia Awards.
ABS-CBN News also reported that Bernardo herself had requested “Palagi” as the theme song for “Hello, Love, Again.”
Behind the Success Was a Career TJ Thought Might Be Ending
The most revealing part of Monterde’s latest story, however, is what was happening before “Palagi” exploded.
Monterde said his career had gone through what he described as a “slow burn.” After years in the music industry, he reached a point where he questioned whether he had already written his best songs.
He had also become an independent artist, meaning he no longer had the same organizational machinery supporting his releases.
The uncertainty affected him personally.
Monterde recalled praying about his inability at the time to contribute as much financially as he wanted to in his marriage. When he and Tandingan moved into their home, he said she handled major expenses while he was largely paying household bills such as water and electricity.
It was during that difficult period that he wrote “Palagi.”
Ironically, the song created without expectations became the song that changed his circumstances.
After its success, Monterde said invitations and projects began arriving again. His confidence returned, and he increasingly found himself able to provide financially for their future.
Three Years Later, Another Surprise for KZ
The contrast between Monterde’s situation in 2023 and where he stands today became especially clear this year.
In his interview with David, Monterde revealed that he recently bought Tandingan a lot in the location where they hope to build their dream home.
Just three years earlier, he remembered asking whether paying for utilities was all he would ever be able to contribute.
Now, he says he intends to shoulder the construction of their dream home himself.
That makes the story of “Palagi” bigger than a viral love song.
It began as an intimate anniversary gift that Monterde had no intention of releasing. KZ Tandingan heard something worth sharing, audiences heard something they could relate to, and the song ultimately helped transform a period of professional uncertainty into one of the biggest chapters of Monterde’s career.
And perhaps that is why the success of “Palagi” feels unusually fitting.
A song written about choosing the same person again and again ended up giving its songwriter another reason to choose music again, too.
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