Working professionally with a special someone has its advantages and challenges.
Just ask singers Lara Maigue and Gian Magdangal.
Their romance blossomed during the pandemic, and since then, they have worked closely together as songwriters and performers.
In fact, Lara and Gian will stage a concert titled The Greatest Duets: Special Screening on August 30, 2024, at Cinema 11, Cineplex 18, Araneta City, Cubao, Quezon City.
Why inside a cinema? The couple will be performing songs from movie musicals such as Moulin Rouge and Les Misérables, as well as popular soundtrack tunes from films like Dirty Dancing and Despicable Me.
Joining Lara and Gian for the evening is another celebrity couple: Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez and renowned singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid.
View this post on Instagram
lara, gian strive for WORK-LOVE BALANCE
Lara recalls the events that brought her and Gian together.
"We only got together because we were paired for a duet by Mr. C [Ryan Cayabyab] one time, during the pandemic — dun kami nagkakilala," Lara tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an interview at FIVE Private Dining in Greenhills, San Juan.
Their relationship remained strictly professional until, as Lara puts it, "along the way, we just fell in love."
As for the advantages of working, and in their case singing and performing, with someone dear to your heart, Lara says, "It's just easier to understand each other. Kahit tinginan lang kami. Parang ang daling makatrabaho nung taong kilalang kilala mo na.
"There's just like a deeper understanding of each other. That's why I think, and I hope, it shows when we perform together."
Another advantage of working on a project together is that it allows them to spend more time with each other.
This is especially important given the time-consuming nature of showbiz, where long hours are the norm and personal time with loved ones can be limited.
Lara also jokingly adds: "The most romantic thing is to earn together."
lara, gian analyze pros/cons of working with a loved one
Gian agrees with Lara, noting that being familiar with each other’s traits helps them professionally.
"Yung mga gusto ko, tsaka yung mga gusto niya, alam ko na ahead of time," says Gian, who aside from doing theater also acts on television.
"Pros, we really learn from each other. Meron kang kabatuhan, na parang minsan kasi kung yung act mo mag-isa ka lang, ipi-figure mo lahat, tatanong mo sa iba or maghahanap ka ng mentor depende sa bawat project. Pero ito, may constant na teammate ka, e," explains Gian.
But what about the downsides?
"Pag nag-away kami," laughs Lara, who is the daughter of composer and arranger Rayben Maigue and soprano Nanette Moscardon.
"Hindi siya pleasant, of course. But what's nice about it is when we sing together, dun na kami nagkakabati.
"Kasi music has this language that makes it all better. And, for me, I think that's like, that's the beauty of it.
"Ang hirap kasi pag magkaaway kayo and kakanta kayo together — ang hirap-hirap nun."
It can also take a bit of time for Lara and Gian to get used to when singing a duet with a different partner on stage.
"Parang nasanay kami being together in a duet," says Lara.
Gian, meanwhile, interjects with a positive perspective: "Pros din yun. Siya lang yung kakanta, hindi kaagad ako. Ako yung production assistant niya — win-win."