Not even the challenges of a new normal setup could serve as hindrance to maximizing the chemistry between young singers Janine Teñoso and Arthur Nery. The proof came in the form of a digital single smash collaboration and a palpable romantic tension that thrilled fans and showbiz scribes.
During the virtual press conference to promote the song “Pelikula,” seasoned journalists Aster Amoyo and Jun Nardo sounded like they would stop at nothing to get the real score straight from them, as if they’re solving some puzzle from a Dan Brown novel.
That reflected the legitimacy of this love team from Viva Records which released their first duet song last July. Just after two months, "Pelikula" achieved nearly four million Spotify streams and fast-counting. You may bet it will hit past four million by the time this column piece comes out.
“Pelikula” has that classic, feel-good, serenading touch that puts you in a sort of romance trance. In its 3:24 run, you’d feel like the world is just a place to fall in love with, far from the current scenario wherein a virus variant is making basic existence extra challenging for everyone, in love or jaded. It is billed as only the first team-up song of Janine and Arthur. They wrote it together.
The track was produced by Civ Fontanilla, arranged by Janno Queyquep, and mixed-mastered by Joel Mendoza. Joel is a longtime friend and he engineered my band Syato’s debut album 16 years ago. I could imagine his face lighting up upon hearing this song, believing it’s going to be a hit putting into consideration the voices behind it and the way songs are sung for today’s generation.
Soft-spoken Arthur certainly knows how to address the trappings of recording success and being a public figure where your personal life may end up as the main subject of an interview. He said, “We’re focusing on the music kaya hindi namin naiisip kung ano ang nangyayari outside sa music zone.”
He had more than enough superlatives to say about Janine. “She excels sa lahat ng stages ng songwriting.”
Janine, whose 2018 cover version of Itchyworms’“Di Na Muli,” had already amassed 60 million Spotify streams, chose a couple of words that she felt Arthur made her feel right after they met.
“He’s encouraging and he inspires me,” she said, referring to their working relationship as music collaborators, and, well, “as a friend.”
Arthur’s fame is described as “a slow build explosion” that began with his album “Letters Never Sent” and hit single “Higa.” He has become a leading Filipino male singer of Lo-Fi styled R&B.
Executives of Viva Records encouraged this creative partnership in their belief that “Janine and Arthur work extremely well together and there’s magic when they’re together.”
Janine said she sent chord progressions to Arthur who then worked on the lyrics. It was a team effort to deliver the finishing touches. This tandem is bound to make more hits.
