Elaine Duran-Pengson: Beginnings And Blessings
Singer Elaine Duran-Pengson was just starting her career when she decided to get married. She had no regrets at all
Today’s generation of men and women focus on their careers, delaying plans of getting married and having kids. Singer Elaine Duran-Pengson was different. She was at the peak of her music career when she met her husband Richmond Pengson and got married. The couple are blessed with a son, George, 2.
In an exclusive interview with Modern Parenting, Elaine, 26, who won the third season of Tawag ng Tanghalan shared how meeting Richmond made her decide he was the right guy and a blessing on the way in 2025.
Opportunities after Tawag ng Tanghalan
Just like any winner of a grand contest, winning It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan six years ago has opened doors for Elaine Duran-Pengson. When she started, Elaine admitted she had her naive moments.
” Before entering Tawag ng Tanghalan, hindi ako yung person na nagdedecide nung professional fee ko. Hindi ako nababayaran, nahihiya ako habulin yung contract, kasi wala pa akong napatunayan, not until nanalo ko sa Tawag ng Tanghalan na fixed na yung professional fee and of course yung opportunities talaga mas madami, mas maraming nakakakilala,” she shared.
It was also through Tawag ng Tanghalan that she started getting connections to record songs from other people. In 2021, she got one of her biggest breaks – recording the song “Binibining Filipina,” the theme song for Binibining Pilipinas. The composer of the song Chochay Magno, who was also part of the Tawag ng Tanghalan called her up about performing the song.
“Sasabi niya [sa akin] na gusto mo ba ikaw yung mag-interpret nitong naiisip ko na [kanta for]Binibini. Kasi parang may mga parts kasi doon na hinalo niya yung dating theme song ng Binibini at meron din siyang talagang crineate,” Elaine explained.
Elaine had to ask the composer if she was the one she wanted to interpret the song that year. The composer said yes and she was able to record the music that year.
“Happy and excited ako kasi nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon kasi Binibining Pilipinas is a prestigious na contest. Yung iba [ng tao], na-excite sila for me kasi during the coronation narinig nila yung mismong interpretation ko sa ‘Binibini’.”
Reaching a new audience through TikTok
Like other artists, Elaine used the social media tools applicable to market herself. She started doing cover songs on YouTube and eventually transitioned to TikTok, where she amassed close to 500,000 followers. Elaine said TikTok has helped her in getting more audience.
“ Before po, nakakakuha lang ako ng future clients sa events. Now, meron na din mga brand deals. Kasi sa TikTok, madami din mga content creators na dati mga normal people. Pero pag magaling ka mag-advetise ng isang product, na-tatap sila. So for me, dual yung nangyari sa akin. Either singer ako or mga times na dahil mommy na rin ako, may mga brand na nagtatap na,” she shared.
TikTok, she added encompasses everything from doing vlogs and selling.
“Feel ko yung mga tao parang nagta-transition na sila sa TikTok kasi baka yung attention span kasi ng tao parang gusto nila swipe, swipe lang, ” she mused. “Hindi lang ako naka-focus talaga sa TikTok kasi pag may mga contents ako na parang naisip ko na okay meron siyang possibility na mag-viral din, nagko-cross-posting po ako sa iba’t ibang platform para naka-spread po siya.”
@elaineduranreal Dahil di tayo marunong sumayaw, kantahin nalang tong salamin, salamin #fyp #fypシ #fypシ #bini #biniph ♬ original sound – Elaine Duran
The singer meets the fan
Elaine was on a roll with her career when she met her husband, Richmond. She didn’t expect to meet someone early because she wanted to focus on her career. What made their meeting serendipitous was he was already a fan of hers before they met.
How did she know he was worth the attention?
“Siya (Richmond) po talaga yung person na napaka-persistent,” she gushed. “Nanliligaw siya pero hindi lang through words, talagang with actions talaga.”
Richmond, according to Elaine made the effort to get to know her. ” Ang isa sa mga tumatak sa akin is yung willing siyang magpakilala sa magulang ko in the height of pandemic. Sinabi ko lang naman sa kanya na kasi siyempre pag nanliligaw, siyempre kasabihin mo talaga yung mga non-negotiables mo or negotiables.”
To Elaine’s surprise, Richmond got tickets to fly and meet her parents in Agusan del Sur where they are based. “So doon po ako na napasabi na okay feeling ko worth it siyang kilalanin or maging partner in the future.“
Although meeting Richmond was a delight for Elaine, marriage, she admitted, was something they both talked about if they approached their 30s. She recalled a guesting on It’s Showtime when a fortune-teller told her what was in store for her.
“Naging guest po namin si Stargazer and then hinulaan niya kami isa-isa. Sinabibi niya yung two paths so I think yun yung sinasabi niya na baka magkakaroon ako ng family agad or mag-sesettle agad ako or ikakasal,” she said.
And before getting married, Richmond had already been supportive of her career. He was not just a fan. He would accompany her to her gigs and engagements, taking her home between his busy schedule.
Elaine on taking care of their son George
These days, Elaine and Richmond balance their respective careers and parenting their son George. George needs extra attention since he was diagnosed with autism. She is grateful that Richmond has been involved in attending to their son.
“Talagang hindi ko naranasan na matakot and all para sa future ng anak ko,” Elaine shared. “Kasi involved [siya] and sinu-support niya ako na the moment na sinabi ko na gusto kong ipa-diagnose si George talagang push [agad] siya.”
Richmond’s support she continued has made her parenting to George easy despite the extra attention they need to give him.
“Kung meron ka partner or husband na talagang tutok sayo sa welfare mo, hindi mo mararamdaman na mag-isa ka lang.”
She and Richmond make sure to communicate and be transparent with one another. She’s grateful that he listens and never invalidates the feelings she goes through.
“Kahit happy tayo at kaya naman natin, there are times na mapapagod din tayo, mag-worry sa future,” Elaine said. “Talagang iba ang magiging life ng isang parent na mayroong anak na may special needs. Kasi mas-doble ang patience, mas-doble ang pag-aalala, lalo na in the future. Pero in my case po, never ko siyang nakita na hindi ko kaya. Kasi andyan yung husband para samahan ako sa journey.”
Regarding parenting George, Elaine wants to raise him without scolding or screaming.
“Gusto kong i-implement sa family ko ngayon na whether magkamali yung anak ko is dapat parang i-explain ko sa kanya ng malumaanay kung bakit ko siya pinagalitan,” she admitted. “And kung kailangan kong mag-sorry, mag-sosorry ako.”
Future plans
The year 2024 has been a life of beginnings and blessings for Elaine. She joined Cornerstone Entertainment as one of its artists early this year. On top of being a Cornerstone artist, Elaine is overjoyed to announce she is expecting her second child.
Although she is still busy with singing engagements, Elaine’s health is a top priority because of the pregnancy.
“The next three months is parang nag-enjoy lang po talaga ako ng parang leisure lang or rest kasi siyempre pag napanganak ko na to next year [baby number two] is of course ano na no sleep [uli],” Elaine shared of the plans.
For now, Elaine and Richmond have their sight of traveling to the US before the baby’s arrival and career.
With a new blessing arriving in 2025, things are just starting for Elaine Duran-Pengson. With Richmond and George by her side, she ‘ll definitely have a lot to look forward to when they become a family of four.
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