Artemio John Tecson makes debut solo concert on Feb 2

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Through the years: Humming Celine Dion as a kid, singing with a boy band, and carving his place in the music scene as a pop, R&B singer. Photo by RJ Ensalada

Through the years: Humming Celine Dion as a kid, singing with a boy band, and carving his place in the music scene as a pop, R&B singer. Photo by RJ Ensalada

By Cristina DC Pastor

“Every concert is nerve-racking,” declared Artemio John Tecson, who is coming up fast in the music scene.

The 25-year-old rising star who admires Stevie Wonder will be holding his first solo concert, “With Love, Temi,” on February 2 at DHaven in Woodside, Queens. Although he has performed at prestige venues, such as Carnegie Hall and Atlantic City, and opened for heavy hitters like Sarah Geronimo and Martin Nievera, Temi is still overcome with some form of stage fright and a little bit of restlessness common among limelight legends like Adele and Lady Gaga. He begins to relax when he sees his audience connecting with his music and singing along.

Temi’s talent began to emerge when he was 1 year old, according to his mother Miles Dela Cruz.

“At the age of 1, he had signs of being a performer. He used to stand on top of a table or couch dancing and singing,” she said.

A little over-the-top, said Temi laughing, but his own memory as a budding musician is maybe 5 years old, humming “My Heart Will Go On” from the movie “Titanic.”

“That’s the earliest I can remember, humming Celine Dion,” he said when interviewed by The FilAm.

The youngest of five boys, Temi’s interest in music was nurtured by his family. At age 8, he joined the St. Andrew’s School Children’s Choir where he debuted as a “formal singer” until he had gathered enough confidence to sing solo at school affairs, weddings, and parties. He competed in contests, notably placing second in the ABS-CBN Duet Bulilit contest.

Visiting Rome with mom, Miles Dela Cruz. ‘She’s done so much for our family.’

Visiting Rome with mom, Miles Dela Cruz. ‘She’s done so much for our family.’

A choir director known for spotting raw talent invited him to join a boy band he was forming. Temi joined XY Kidz with three other boys and were billed Asia’s Youngest Boy Band. They did mall tours of SM and Robinson’s wearing Garfield clothing, and making some pocket money.

He took voice lessons with Ryan Cayabyab and ABS-CBN’s Talent Center taking him under their wings. After about three years, he got noticed for his voice — as well as his boy-next-door looks. He was cast in TV and print commercials and appeared in “Maala-ala Mo Kaya” drama anthology series.

Temi stopped singing when he came to the U.S. in 2010. He was focused on getting his life started in a new country. That did not stop him from watching area concerts like those by Ed Sheeran and PJ Morton of Maroon 5, and meeting local talents. He continued to be a fan of OPM’s Christian Bautista, Eric Santos, and Gary Valenciano. Gary’s “How Did You Know?” was a favorite in high school.
One day, he was invited to perform at the OPM Icons Live concert with Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, and Nonoy Zuniga. Since then, producers have cast him in concert after concert – Wency Cornejo, Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Jenn Cuneta, and performed at The Outstanding Filipinos in America at Carnegie Hall for two consecutive years. It is now Temi’s turn to hold his own.

“I’m very excited,” he said.

The concert on February 2 is a fundraiser for his upcoming trip to Hollywood in July where he is scheduled to compete at WCOPA — or the World Championships of Performing Arts.

He remembered watching Jed Madela on TV as he competed at WCOPA in 2005 and marveled at how he swept six gold medals in six musical categories.

“I watched Jed become world champion. That’s how I knew about WCOPA,” he said.

Temi works as a supervisor for receptionists for a media advertising investment company. Singing will always play a huge part as he transforms into the consummate artist he aspires to be.

“Since I was a kid, I wanted to sing,” he said. “I’ve seen people performing on stage. I told myself I wanted to be like them because they make people happy. I wanted people listening to my songs and feeling connected with my music.”

© The FilAm 2019



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