Dingdong Avanzado works with established and new names in ‘Prince of Pop’ at Solaire

MANILA, Philippines — Like any Filipino artist, Dingdong Avanzado commits to his craft and carries on the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) tradition. That’s why Pinoys abroad see him and his singer wife, Jessa Zaragoza on a tour named “Sa Aking Puso” (“In My Heart”). It has brought them to Los Angeles and Australian cities like Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, said Dingdong in a virtual interview with The STAR. The couple will also touch base with our kababayan in Canada this year.

When he is in Manila, Dingdong sits as a hurado (judge) in the singing competition segment, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” of “It’s Showtime,” and performs with his band, The Doorbells, if their schedules allow.

The singer-songwriter will have his The Theatre at Solaire show titled “The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop,” based on the moniker given to him, on July 19.

“I do gigs with them para mahasa (to better ourselves) and we try to learn new stuff,” shared Dingdong. “It so happened that in one of the gigs I did, one of our producers now (for the upcoming concert) saw (and watched us) and then it so happened that night, I decided to do most, more of my hits, sometimes in a gig, you would do covers.”

That was how “The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop” came into being. It marks his 37th year in the recording industry and aligns with his wish early this year to mount a solo concert as a musical creative.

Dingdong is happy with the way things are going for the showcase, including the line-up of artists. Jessa and their daughter, young singer-songwriter, Jayda will grace it. Another OPM artist Randy Santiago, “Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Duets” champions Marielle Montellano and JM dela Cerna, “Idol Philippines Season 2” winner Khimo, singer-actor LA Santos and singer-songwriter Pablo of SB19 will also join him in that one-night musical presentation of timeless hits.

“I’m an SB19 fan. I mean I really like their music. I’m not just only confined to (the music of) my generation,” said Dingdong. “I’ve been following them for a couple of years now. When I was asked who I wanted to guest, ‘Well, it would be nice to have SB19.’”

His wish was granted. Pablo of SB19 could be part of the concert. According to Dingdong, he discovered the P-Pop group when he presented them the Wisher’s Choice award and saw for himself how supportive the fans of SB19.

“I went to Spotify and I listened to their music, and I became so impressed (by) their musicality and I found out later on that Pablo wrote most of their songs… that’s why I became even a bigger fan because I’m also a songwriter,” said he.

Speaking of songwriting, has his creative process changed through the years?

“I wrote my first song when I was like 18 years old, which was Maghihintay Sa’yo,” said Dingdong. “Of course, it started with an inspiration and I had very limited (knowledge) on chords before. I just knew some of the basic chord progressions, but they were enough for me to be able to write a song.”

“I based it off a personal experience. Sometimes I could (compose the melody and write the lyrics) at the same time, na-fe-feel ko yung melody na kailangan aakma yung lyrics. Other songwriters write first the lyrics,” added he. “I’ve also experienced that like for Paalam Na. Nilatag sa akin yung lyrics (The lyrics were given to me beforehand). They made it into a poem. From there, I composed the music, nilagyan ko ng music yun. Pwede naman ako either, but on my own, sometimes I’m more into (composing the) melody and (writing the) lyrics at the same time.”

This year, Dingdong also hopes to write more songs.

“That’s one of my personal goals this year, is to be able to release a single, but right now, I’m focused on the show at Solaire,” said he, adding that his concert allows him to collaborate with the new generation of artists and offers the audience “to experience my songs in a different way.”

“Some of them are already in a different age and in a different phase of their lives. So, there are memories attached to the songs and when they hear (them) now, (the experience becomes) more of nostalgia and we want to make it (each song) more fresh and siguro mas madamdamin pa kung kinakailangan o mas masaya pa (perhaps, more heartfelt and happier).”

Asked what are the Top Three songs he considers significant in his career, Dingdong generously said, “Tatlong Beinte Singko would be (part of it). That really sort of put me on the map at that time, especially when it was released. There were no cellphones back then, just payphones (the public telephones). Everybody knew what tatlong beinte singko was (the three 25 cents that one needed to make a call).”

“I think it survived (stood) the test of time because the melody is beautiful and at the same time people that grew up with that song, they still have fond memories of those times,” continued he. “Another one would probably be Basta’t Kasama Kita. It has evolved just like me as an artist. It started as a solo, then it became a theme song of a movie, a theme song of a teleserye. It had a duet version and was sung by other artists. For me, it’s stood the test of time. I guess that’s one song that I’m really, very proud to have recorded.”

“The other one would be, I wrote it but I did not get to sing (it), Paalam Na… it won Song of the Year,” shared he. “That cemented my place in the industry as a legitimate songwriter.”

Dingdong also chose Maghihintay Sa’yo, the first song he ever wrote and it was a hit. He ranked it along with Paalam Na.

All these songs have become part and parcel of Dingdong’s career, spanning over three decades and counting.

(Watch “Dingdong Avanzado: The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop,” on July 19, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire. Tickets can be purchased online at the Ticketworld website.)