The future is ‘AYT’

It’s been almost seven months since 18-year-old Yeng Constantino won the Pinoy Dream Academy competition on ABS-CBN. It was after that victory that Yeng was tapped by Globe Telecom to be the main endorser of their Globe Kantabataan as the company was looking for someone who stands for what she believes in.

“The best person to encourage the young to participate in singing competitions is someone who went through the same thing, just like Yeng,” said Justine Tajonera, Globe Telecom, segment business head for youth, value-added services and reload. “She won Pinoy Dream Academy so she knows what it’s like to be in a competition. She represents the youth of today and, best of all, she is a singer and a songwriter.”

Globe’s Kantabataan Youth Music Festival was launched in 2006 because the company believes in the talent of Filipino youth, such as Yeng. Globe Kantabataan is the first countrywide songwriting contest for bands of three to five members. The entries to the contest should be original compositions that speak about the life of students, and embody themes that reinforce positive values among the participants.

“Huwag ka nang mamroblema

Huwag ka nang magisip pa

Huwag ka nang manibago

Pakinggan mo ako

Posible kabataan

Posible ang madadaanan

Posible kahit saan

Posible ang kinabukasan…”

Thus sang Yeng when she was tasked to come up with her own composition, on the spot, using the key word “posible” that each song entry to the Globe Kantabataan requires. “Lakas” is another key word required for the entries. The compositions should revolve around the theme, “Isang Tinig ng Kabataan para sa AYT na Kinabukasan.”

Yeng is thrilled that nowadays the young people who see her at the mall or even in her concerts call out to her, “Ay, si Kantabataan.”

“A sure sign,” she says, “that they know me because Globe is well known among the young people today.”

Yeng embodies the idealism, enthusiasm and joy of living that all young Filipinos of her age group have. She knows that no matter how young they are, they too have something to say. And music is one great way to convey this message. Globe has given Yeng an opportunity to speak for her peers through song. Also, Globe hopes that Yeng will keep the young focused on the good they can do in society.

Yeng is still overwhelmed at being chosen as Globe’s Kantabataan endorser. She likens it to a dream come true — perhaps one, if it were really a dream, she would prefer never to wake from. She is also aware of the responsibility that comes with representing the young. She knows that there are many people who look up to her and she does not want to disappoint them.

“It is really different, being chosen by Globe. Hanggang ngayon, I am surprised that I was chosen. Especially when I see myself in the print ads, it still astonishes me,” she quips. “Mas nakakagulat pa kasi may tagline sa ilalim ng photo ko na Globe Kantabataan.”

Through Yeng’s eyes she sees that Globe Kantabataan has allowed her influence over the young to reach even further. And then, as she weighs the responsibility, the young girl in her smiles and says, “Iba rin ang saya. It is an honor to be chosen by a company like Globe, to act as an inspiration to young people.” Yeng says that when her friends talk about Globe, they say that it is hip to use Globe. “Wow, in ako,” says Yeng. “Wow, endorser ako ng Globe. Iba talaga.”

The “wow factor” of being with Globe hit Yeng when she did the radio ads for Kantabataan. It was during the taping that it dawned on her that what Globe Kantabataan was asking her to do was to call on young people to compose music that best represents them. “Kailangan original tayo. Mabuhay ang musikang Pinoy.”

It is really great for Yeng, who is leading a campaign for Globe that cries out, “Ito musika natin, ipaglaban natin.” There is room for everyone and anyone who has something to sing about. This is Yeng’s take on the music industry. Any artist, whether they are part of a band or not, needs to recognize that they have talent. It is important that they share this message with whoever is willing to listen.

“Joining this contest will help young bands believe in themselves and be proud not only of being Pinoy but also of being who they are,” she adds.

Yeng knows whereof she speaks. She experienced the same thing when she was in Pinoy Dream Academy. She had something to share, and she wanted to reach as many people as she could with her message. “I wanted to release who I am. Malaking fulfillment ‘yon. It is good we are able to release what we feel, who we are. And to be able to do it through music makes it all the better,” she says.

Yeng waxes philosophical when she talks about the problems of today’s generation. Like most kids her age, Yeng says that most of their problems concern parents who don’t understand what they are going through in life. She points out that even her own choice of alternative rock might have been a result of conflicts with her parents when she was younger.

“Kasi pag bata ka akala mo alam mo na ang lahat. Parang gusto naming sabihin sa mga parents namin na huwag na silang makialam. Alam na namin kung ano ang ginagawa namin,” shares Yeng, who has passed through that stage.

She says that most kids pass a stage where they feel the world is against them, and that they are misunderstood. “I am what I am today because I passed that stage,” she notes.

Other concerns are love life, studies and peer pressure. Yeng says that these are likely to be some of the themes Kantabataan’s songs will tackle. But she adds what is great about Kantabataan is that it fosters a positive appreciation for life.

When it comes to writing songs, Yeng points to her ka-tropa as the people who have been most influential. They have been there for her. And since they are about the same age, they understand each other’s gripes about life. “I get ideas from what my friends talk about,” she says. “I try to convey what my friends are feeling through my songs.”

Friends are not her only influence. Her song Hawak Kamay was written for a family member, her closest cousin. Yeng says that when her cousin left there was a void in her life that she found difficult to fill. She turned to songwriting and this helped her cope with the difficulty of feeling so alone.

But what is most important to Yeng is that when one speaks through music one’s sincerity has to be felt. If a song is written from the heart, people who hear it will be touched. Yeng says that if you write a song and are too busy analyzing the words you may lose the deep-felt emotions that go with the song.

“Mas maganda kung galing sa puso,” she says. “My experience has been that if a song is written from the heart, other people will feel what you are singing and then they can relate to you.”

As a musician, Yeng goes for alternative music. “Gusto ko yung may suntok talaga,” she shares. “Mahilig talaga ako sa ganung tugtog. Kahit love songs basta alternative music.”

Yeng loves Alanis Morissette. But on the local scene she likes female vocalists like Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal and bands like Session Road.

Inspiration for a new song may hit Yeng at any time of the day. This is why she stays attuned to herself all the time. “My inspirations come to me like butterflies. I have to make sure that I am attentive when these ideas and inspirations come so that I can catch them,” she says. “I also hear melodies in my head which I immediately add words to.”  At the end of the day, Yeng knows that Pinoy Dream Academy gave her the boost she needed. She knows that people began to sit up and listen to her when they saw her talent shine through.

 “I believe that when I write a song it is really puso-sa-puso,” she says. “When I write a song and you listen to my song you will also feel what I feel. And then you will be able to relate to the song as your own experience.” That is the mark that Yeng wants people to know her by. She is someone who is true to herself and is willing to go the distance for what she believes in.

Yeng, who is just beginning her career as a songwriter and singer, has a lot of advice for young people out there who want to join Globe’s Kantabataan. “Once you know what kind of music you love to do, panindigan mo until the end. Huwag mong bibitawan. Kung nasaan ang puso mo, doon ka,” she adds. “Hindi mo kailangan gawin ang isang bagay kasi gusto mo maging sikat. It is most important to stand up for what you believe in especially when it comes to the music that you perform.”

Yeng continues to pursue her dreams. This is the same wish she has for the bands that will join Kantabataan. “Just keep pursuing your dreams. Every one of us will have our own time to shine.”

Yeng says that people who don’t fight for something are the real losers. “Globe Kantabataan offers an opportunity for people like us to sing out our hopes and dreams. It would be great to be heard,” says Yeng. “Walang titigil. Lahat posible.”