By Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Manila Times
It takes one to know one — and to mentor one. This is the eager conviction of Filipina singer-songwriter genius and Pop Rock Royalty Yeng Constantino as she takes on a brand-new role for the award-winning Singapore-based music school Academy of Rock (AOR).
As global ambassador of the Singaporean music school, which is franchised in several countries across Asia, Yeng Constantino looks forward to mentoring student-artists here and abroad.
As global ambassador of the Singaporean music school, which is franchised in several countries across Asia, Yeng Constantino looks forward to mentoring student-artists here and abroad.
In 2013, the brand opened its doors in the Philippines when Yeng was named national ambassador. Now, 10 years to the day, she has agreed to represent AOR in a broader capacity as global ambassador, which she announced will include mentoring student-artists whenever she can.
"Am I a patient person?" the multi-platinum recording artist wondered at loud when The Manila Times Entertainment asked her if she has this essential quality of teachers. "Malalaman po natin," she joked gamely.
More seriously, the voice behind the now classic OPM hit "Hawak Kamay," humbly says she believes she will do well in mentoring young musicians because she is familiar, first of all, with an artist's temperament.
"I think mas magkakaintindihan po kami kasi sabi nga nila ang artists may mga crazy sides yan. And sometimes the crazier the ideas [among artists], may mas magandang kinakalabasan," Yeng explained.
Moreover, she believes her experience as a young girl who only dreamed of becoming a singer-songwriter will be her greatest tool in becoming an effective mentor.
"Nanggaling din po kasi ako dyan kung nasaan sila ngayon," she said, adding that the time for her to give back and make others' dreams come true is now.
Yeng's sincerity in everything she said was proven by AOR's Singaporean founder Priscila Teo, who was in Manila for the signing of the global ambassadorship contract.
"The reason why I chose Yeng to be our ambassadress years ago was because of her authentic and genuine artistry, as well as her exceptional attitude that serves as a wonderful role model for our students," she said.
