Enjoying Wonderful World: Warner Music Philippines release debut album of ZENDEE titled “I BELIEVE”

Warner Music Philippines proudly releases the debut album of ZENDEE titled “I BELIEVE.” I attended the launching of Zendee's CD album with the media held at Chef & Brewer Cafe and Restaurant, Ortigas Center last April 30, 2013.

Zendee Rose Japitana Tenerefe, became known as “Random Girl,” “Mystery Karaoke Girl,” “Viral Diva,” and “Supermarket Superstar,” was captured on videowhen she was practicing session in SM Megamall, singing Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You” by a passerby (Yuan Juan or youngjay0918), who happened to be a video blogger. The video, posted on July 28 on YouTube with the title “Random Girl,” quickly went viral, garnering over 2 million hits, 14,063 likes and more than 5,000 comments.

Beforehand, Zendee got her first big break when she was brought to Manila to participate in the ABS-CBN talent show X-Factor Philippines, which began on June 23, 2012. Unfortunately, she did not make it past boot camp tryouts; her friend, KZ Tandingan, went on to win. The intrepid Zendee elected to stay in Manila to try out for other singing competitions, including Pinoy Dream Academy Season 3 and Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4, both by ABS-CBN. Again, she didn’t make the final cut.

This astounding video brought her to the attention of Warner Music Philippines, which offered her a recording contract on their 1st visit to their makeshift home in the Fire Station. Zendee also caught the interest of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where she was regarded as “the next big thing.” The Ellen camp contacted her in August, and together with Warner Music, flew her to Los Angeles for taping.

Her debut on the international stage, a performance of “And I Am Telling You” on Ellen, aired on Oct. 26, 2012. During the show, DeGeneres gave Zendee an iPad 3 made to look like a miniature portable videoke machine, “filled with all the songs” that the singer loved.

Currently recording with Warner Music Philippines, Zendee keeps herself busy with frequent guestings on Party Pilipinas, Manny Many Prizes, to name a few. She will perform as the special guest artist of Jason Mraz on his concert on May 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Her album ‘I believe’ is out now and is available at major record bars and on iTunes.

The nine-track album features six original compositions and three cover songs. The complete titles, composers, theme and concept of the songs are as follows:

“ Runaway ” is an upbeat, getting over / moving on love song with a current/new sound written by US-based songwriters and world-class composers Andrew Fromm, Matt Bronleewe, Jordan Pruitt, & Tyler Hayes.

“ The Ones You Love ” - a love song about heartache and “ Completely ” - a ‘couples song’ were both written by Diane Eve Warren. Dianne is a US-based songwriter highly regarded worldwide as a hit maker with hundreds of hit songs under her belt.

“ I Believe ” - an inspirational love song with only the piano and vocals and “ If You Want ” - the only love song in the album that has only a ukulele and vocals as accompaniment. This was written by Lamberto Reyes Jr. who also composed songs for other Warner Music artists.

“ Go The Distance ” is an inspirational song which best exemplifies the journey of Zendee and at the same time showcasing her vocal prowess. Written by Alan Menken, David Joel Zippel.

“ Hallelujah ” written by Leonard Cohen, is an ‘arena’ inspired sound which focus on Zendee’s vocal prowess.

“ Love Takes Time ” written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies is Zendee's version of this classic hit.

“ Runaway ” (acoustic) is a stripped-down version of ‘ Runaway. ’

The artistic and production team of Zendee – “I Believe” is composed of Flerry de Leon (Executive Producer), Neil Gregorio (Album Producer; A&R Direction), Dante Tanedo (Chief Recording Engineer), Dan Tanedo, Angee Rozul, & Efren San Pedro (Additional Recording), Dante Tanedo (Song Mixing @ Bellhaus Entertainment Studio); Neil Gregorio (Song Sequence and Mastering), Arnie Mendaros, Moy Ortiz & Neil Gregorio (Vocal Supervision), Niccolo Cosme (Photography), and Ira Cosme (Cover Layout).

A mall tour, special TV guest appearances and radio interviews will also be conducted to prmote the album. Zendee will perform as the special guest artist of Jason Mraz on his concert on May 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.