This couple from Cavite is a huge fan of Filipino singer-songwriter TJ Monterde. During his first-ever “Sarili Nating Mundo” concert last May 6, 2024, MJ and Daniel did not miss the chance to watch him on-stage.
In a video uploaded on TikTok, the two were seen enjoying themselves while singing to TJ’s songs. Little did MJ know, everything will be different in attending their favorite artist’s second concert last February 2025.
“Kitang-kita naman. ‘Yung first concert, sobrang saya. Kasi first time ko nakita si TJ, kasama ko ‘yung asawa ko. Tapos ‘yung pangalawa, wala na. Parang mas na-feel ko ‘yung mga sad songs niya,” MJ emotionally said in an exclusive interview with the Philippine STAR.
“Dala-dala ko ‘yung frame niya. Meron nga, meron nga akong katabi, tumitingin siya sa akin, hindi ko alam kung naiiyak siya sa kanta o naiiyak siya sa akin. Kasi lahat [ng songs] ng match na—sa love story namin, nung asawa ko, kinanta kasi ni TJ eh. So, the whole concert, wala akong ginawa, kundi umiyak lang. Umiyak ako nang iyak, hawak-hawak ko ‘yung frame,” she added.
Six months before TJ’s second concert, her husband Daniel unexpectedly passed away due to cardiac arrest while playing basketball.
“Sa basketball kasi siya namatay. Habang nasa game siya, biglang nag-collapse. Tinawag ako ng referee. Akala ko naman nagsuntukan or nahimatay. Tapos, nakita ko na lang na ano, na bumubula na. [Meron] mga indication na wala na talaga. Iba na ‘yung color niya,” she recalled while crying.
Daniel was immediately brought to the hospital but later declared dead on arrival on August 30, 2024.
“30 minutes siyang nire-revive until ‘yun, dineclare na po ng doktor na DOA [dead on arrival] na talaga. Nung time na ‘yun, hindi ako makare-react eh. Kasi parang hindi ko expect. Tapos parang, baka naman nalanginip lang ako. Hanggang ‘yun, wala na, nakikita ko na sila umiiyak,” she shared.
Adding, “As in, hindi ko alam, naglulupasay na nga daw ako doon sa ospital, nagmamakaawa ako sa doktor kasi sabi ko, ano, bakit, ewan ko bakit ganun, biglang, biglaan naman. Sana kung na-ospital, ‘di ba, ‘yung parang nagpaalam muna.”
MJ and Daniel unexpectedly met in 2018 at a coffee shop in Pasay City.
“Umiiyak ako. Discreet lang naman. Hindi naman ‘yung very disturbing. Nakatingin siya sa akin. Lumapit siya, makiki-share daw siya ng table. Disente naman siya tingnan. Later on, ‘yung kinakausap niya na ako, binigyan niya ako ng tissue. Dating kami for three years. So, ‘yun ‘yung tagal. Hindi namin inee-expect kasi we both have previous relationship that time na hindi naman okay,” MJ said.
Despite their 17 years age gap, the two became official in 2021 and got married in January 2024. MJ admitted that she was a bit hesitant to enter the relationship, but Daniel proved how much he loves her and accepted her daughter.
“Takot din ako kasi nga ‘yung gap namin. Sobrang hindi naman siya normal. Pero mabait talaga siya and then prinove niya talaga na, seryoso talaga siya. Sobrang hindi ko rin inexpect na magiging kami talaga. Pero syempre at the end, ayan naiiyak na ‘ko, ‘yon hindi ko naman alam na ganoon na na mawawala din siya,” she said.
According to MJ, she was the one who introduced TJ to Daniel, “Natutuwa siya. Siya nga kumakanta ‘pag nagda-drive kami. ‘Yun ‘yung pinapatugtog niya sa kotse.”
“‘Yung first ever concert ni TJ, siya ‘yung bumili ng ticket. Kasi buntis na ako nun that time. Tapos, nakunan din ako nung May. So, parang gift na niya sa akin,” she added.
Until now, MJ couldn’t believe that Daniel’s gone. She tries to continue her life for her daughter and will forever remember her, “Palagi.”
“‘Yung weight ko from 69 naging 63 within 5 days. Kasi hindi ako kumakain. Hindi nga ako natutulog eh.‘Yun nga ‘yung ‘Palagi,’ kasi ‘yung lyrics niya, match talaga sa samin. Mahirap po ‘pag biglaan talaga.Kasi magkasama lang kayo everyday. Magkatabi kayo matulog. Nagpi-pray lang po ako na bigyan ako ng strength ni Lord, na hindi ako manghina. Hoping pa rin ako na maging okay,” MJ noted.
