Yeng's many 'firsts'

By Bot Glorioso (The Philippine Star)

It’s lonely when you feel like you’re not good enough. Yeng Constantino felt the same way nine months back when she read a write-up about her songwriting style. She was so badly affected she experienced writer’s block.

“Pare-pareho lang daw ang sinusulat kong kanta kaya sabi ko, ‘ay di pala ’ko magaling.’ My heart was sensitive but now I’ve learned to take such criticism to better my craft,” says Yeng. “Besides, God gave me this talent so I won’t anymore let anything affect me.”

Thus, Yeng found herself wanting to collaborate with Raimund Marasigan in her third album titled Lapit under Star Records. It is her first time to work with her idol and the young rocker can’t help feeling that she’s on Cloud Nine. The collaboration has also affirmed her decision to go on writing songs again.

“I composed all the songs in the album and Kuya Raims put the melody. He never edited what I did but just gave tips on how to sing more from the heart,” Yeng enthuses.

Aside from working with Raimund for the first time, the first Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Grand Star Dreamer shares some other firsts in her life.

The first song I sang — Those Barbra Streisand and Dionne Warwick songs my Papa always asked me to sing when I was young but I fell for alternative and started singing a lot of songs. One of them is Torete by Moonstar 88.

First artist I admired — Sharon Cuneta. My brother used to listen to her songs and I appreciated her style. Until now tuwang-tuwa ako ’pag nakikita ko si Sharon. Then it’s Alanis Morissette who influenced me a lot.

First record I bought — It was Alanis Morissette then Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood.

First song I wrote — I wrote my first song when I was nine years old. It’s a love song because I had a crush when I was in Grade 3 and I wanted to tell my father that I already know what love is at that time.

First concert I watched —The Sugarfree concert at the Music Museum after Pinoy Dream Academy.

First thing I did for my family after winning PDA — I gave all my winnings to Papa and Mama because I cannot express my happiness that time and I’m so thankful that they are always there to support me no matter what. ’Di ako makukumpleto kung wala sila.

First thing that inspired me to write songs — The instrumental albums that my Papa listened to when I was young. Nagtataka ’ko bakit puro tugtog lang ng piano o saxophone so I thought of putting words to them…kung ano-ano lang maisip ko since then I got interested on writing songs na and playing guitars. I often went to our neighbor who taught me how to strum. Little Drummer Boy una kong natutunan and I was really surprised when in high school, Papa bought me a guitar. Naiyak ako nun kasi kahit wala kaming pera noon Papa supported what I like and until now he’s there for me.