OPM singer-songwriter TJ Monterde recently shared a candid account of the challenges he and his wife, KZ Tandingan, faced during the early years of their marriage. In an interview with Karen Davila, TJ recounted a period where his career hit a rough patch, and how KZ stood by him through it all.

TJ revealed that shortly after their wedding, he experienced a significant downturn in his career. "There’s this time na kakakasal pa lang namin, medyo down din ako sa career ko nu’n. Wala ako masyadong trabaho. I asked my management to just, ‘Babaan niyo na yung (talent fee) TF ko, kahit ano, just be visible.’ I just want to be there. Kahit wala na masyadong TF, mababa lang," TJ shared.

During this period, KZ's support was unwavering. "And KZ, she’s always been KZ. She’s always been there. Knowing na I’m the head of the house, I’m the lalaki, ako ’yung lalaki, so I felt like I should be the provider. But she never made me feel that way. Not even once," he expressed. "Never ko na-feel ’yung masabi niya sa akin na, ‘Ikaw naman, ikaw yung lalaki dito.’ Wala akong naramdamang ganun. That’s one thing I really appreciate about her," he added.

TJ went on to explain that his contribution to their household expenses was limited to utility bills. "[…] Minsan humihingi ako [ng] pasensya, ‘Babe, sorry, ano muna…’ Kasi bumili kami ng bahay, wala akong masyadong ambag du’n sa binili namin na bahay. Yung sa akin lang, parang minsan kuryente, tubig. Magkano lang naman ’yun."

“Parang lagi kong inaano, ’Lord, ano ba ‘to, pang-kuryente, tubig na lang ba talaga ako dito? Paano kaya ‘to, Lord? Paano ko kaya maaabot yung ako naman ang magbabayad ng monthly namin na malalaki or magbabayad ng kotse, ganun?’” he further revealed.

Despite his financial struggles, KZ remained confident in his potential. "Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, ‘Okay lang, maaano yan, darating yung time na ano naman.’ May tiwala talaga siya sa akin. […]," TJ said. "Nung times na kailangan na kailangan ko siya, andun siya. And yung manner niya of handling it, na never akong na-insecure. I mean, ako ’yung lalaki, pero siya ’yung parang mas nagpo-provide for us during that time," he continued.

TJ happily shared that they are now both able to contribute financially. "[Now], parehas na kami. Nakakapag-share na ko… Ngayon, kaya na," he said.

TJ and KZ tied the knot in 2020. Their story is a testament to the strength of their relationship and the power of unwavering support in overcoming life's challenges.