“The audience can now choose what they want to listen to; they start trends and cause videos to go viral,” Yeng Constantino told reporters at a recent press con. “I’m very hands-on with all my social media accounts. I personally maintain my blog, as well as my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.”
The 25-year-old singer-songwriter recently set up a personal YouTube account where she and nonshow biz fiancé Yan Asuncion, upload homemade music videos.
“It’s our aim as a couple to do covers of worship songs and share them with the fans,” she said.
Being in social media, Yeng said, helps her understand her market a lot better.
“My Facebook page says that majority of my fans are between 12 and 27 years old. These are the people who identify with me, and I want to reach out to them.”
Yeng vowed to make sure that her songs will remain relatable to fans.
“Somehow people have this impression that getting married means getting old. I won’t change my sound just because I’m getting married,” she said. “I believe in sincerity. People like my music because it’s honest, and I don’t plan to take that away from my songs.”
Yeng and Yan got engaged after less than a year of being in a romantic relationship. “Being committed to someone you love is such a beautiful thing,” she said.
Music ambassador
Meanwhile, Yeng flew to Singapore last month to renew her contract as ambassador for the music school Academy of Rock (AOR), which now has two branches in Manila. She performed with select AOR students from the Philippines and Singapore in a mini-concert at the Music Museum.
“What’s good about the school is that the students, aside from studying music, are given an avenue to apply what they’ve learned,” Yeng said. “They get to visit different places, attend press cons—this gives them a glimpse of what the future will be, should they pursue a music career.”
AOR students Ruth Ann Lee, Nicki Lucido, Chloe Villaret, Carmela Gonzalez and Kelcey Palileo worked with Yeng on a compilation album, “The Next Step Vol. 2,” which features seven original compositions. The digital and CD sales will go directly to ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata Foundation.
“The lineup is very diverse. Some are into pop, rock, country, ballads,” said Yeng, who has expressed interest in mentoring aspiring musicians. “I have never had a formal teaching job, but I want to teach songwriting—the process, how it all comes together.”