ICYMI: Janine Berdin fulfills dream with first solo concert, welcomes OPM icons onstage

OPM singer-songwriter Janine Berdin brought her personal journey to the stage as she held her first solo concert, “Concert ni Janine Berdin,” at the New Frontier Theater.

Produced by Go Live Asia, the show celebrated Janine’s growth as an artist, from her breakthrough on Tawag ng Tanghalan to her evolution into a singer-songwriter known for her emotionally charged songs and distinct musical style.

Janine opened the concert with “ANTOXIC,” “Miskom,” and “second child” before welcoming the audience and expressing her disbelief at finally having her own show.

“Maayong gabi! Ako si Janine Berdin and welcome to my first concert ever. I am so thankful that you are here. Thank you so much! Backstage na ako umiiyak. Tinatanong ko kung may manonood ba. Akala ko walang bibili ng ticket kaya iiyak na lang ako. Thank you bumili kayo ng ticket. Akala ko talaga walang manonood,” Janine said.

Overwhelmed by the audience’s support, Janine said the first few songs had already made the night one of the happiest moments of her life. “Thank you so much. You all look so good tonight. You are so cool. My friends are here and some of my families are here. Thank you for being here.”

The singer continued with performances of “SITWASYONSHIP,” “Uneasy,” “Pamamaalam,” and “HAYUP KA,” showcasing the songs that have helped shape her identity as an artist.

Aside from celebrating her journey and music, Janien also brought special OPM artists and icons that became a huge part of who she is as an artist.

Janine first performed with Adie with their hit song “Mahika.”  She then welcomed OPM icon Kitchie Nadal, with whom she performed “Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin.” 

She recalled telling Kitchie during their first meeting that she had once used an article featuring the singer as her phone wallpaper.

“Noong first time ko po mameet si Miss Kitchie, shinare ko sa kaniya na wallpaper ko yung article niya na sinabi niya na favorite niya raw ako at si Arthur Nery,” Janine said.

Another special moment came when Yeng Constantino joined Janine for “Cool Off.” Janine looked back on her early days as a contestant on Tawag ng Tanghalan at 16, and Yeng was among the hurados.

“There’s this OPM legend who always believed in me. Wild flex. Noong 16 ako, nasa Tawag ng Tanghalan ako and tinawag niya akong ‘Gem of OPM.’ She’s so generous and she always support aspiring OPM girls and musicians like me. Pa-cover cover lang ako dati sa internet tapos ngayon I get to ing with ehr today with you guys,” Janine said.

Yeng, on her end, expressed her continued admiration for Janine. “I admire you. I super admire you. You know that. Lagi (akong may) personal message sa Instagram because nakikita ko yung katapangan mo and how you execute lahat ng visions me and it’s amazing to see. Isa ako sa mga tagahanga mo Janine. I will always support you. I love you so much.”

The concert also paid tribute to some of the music that influenced Janine, with performances of “My Immortal” and “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo,” songs that made Janine who she is now.

Janine then shared how grateful she was for the opportunities she had received, including performing alongside artists she had previously watched only on television and YouTube.

She then surprised attendees as Jay Contreras of Kamikazee appeared onstage for “Narda,” a song Janine had performed during her Tawag ng Tanghalan days.

“It’s an amazing chance to share a stage with one of my super idols. I sang one of their songs during Tawag ng Tanghalan and now I want to celebrate that feeling by singing this song again,” Janine said.

Recalling how she used to watch Jay perform when she was younger, Janine expressed her disbelief at finally sharing the stage with one of her musical idols.

“It seems like yesterday I was just singing ‘Narda’ sa Tawag ng Tanghalan and now I’m here in my first solo concert ever. I wouldn’t be here without all of you, who have supported me. I am so grateful, for my family, my Buttercups. Thank you for being here and sinasakyan niyo lahat ng trip ko. Thank you for my best friends who are here,” Janine said.

She thanked those who continued to believe in her music, even when others questioned whether pursuing her own artistic direction was the right move.

She added, “They were the first ones who believed in me even though everyone said that it was a wrong move to believe in my music. Thank you for hearing me out and thank you for allowing me to achieve my dreams. Go Live Asia, thank you so much. You are the first ever to help me make this concert. Thank you for the coolest concert ever. It’s so cool. Thank you so much. I feel like Lady Gaga.”

“Thank you so much to my band, to my family. Thank you for being with me for 8 years. Ive been in the industry for 8 years, ABS-CBN, Tawag ng Tanghalan, thank you for making my dreams come true and for hearing me out. Thank you, Adie, JK, Jolianne  I’m here now and I hope you guys are proud.”

Janine made it clear that she sees her concert as just the beginning of more music and stories to share with her fans.

“We are just starting and there’s so many things I want tos ahre with you. I am so excited. I am Janine Berdin. We have so much more stories to share, more things to say about and even more to celebrate and will continue singing our stories. See you in the next chapter,” she said.

Janine closed the concert with “Friendship Over,” “What if I miss you for the rest of my life?” and “Ayos Lang.”