# Yeng Constantino

Josephine "Yeng" Eusebio Constantino-Asuncion (born December 4, 1988) is a Filipino singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist. She is referred to as the Philippines Pop Rock Royalty and is regarded as one of the biggest hitmakers in Philippine music industry. In 2006, she won the title "Grand Star Dreamer" in the inaugural season of Pinoy Dream Academy, the Philippine edition of Endemol's reality TV show Star Academy.
Constantino is among the most critically acclaimed and best-selling Filipino artists of all time. Throughout her career, she was honored with around 70 accolades and recognitions including a FAMAS Award, 7 Awit Awards, 9 Myx Music Awards and 5 PMPC Star Awards for Music among many others. In 2020, Ikaw reached the 100 million mark on YouTube, becoming the second most viewed OPM music video by a female artist in the Philippines. In 2023, Constantino signed with Republic Records. The same year, she was named as the global ambassadress of Academy of Rock, the only music school in Singapore devoted to teaching rock and popular music.
Salamat, her debut album, was released in January 2007 under Star Records. It was a commercial success, being triple Platinum in the Philippines and produced five #1 hits and six top 10 hits, the most by any female artist. It peaked at number-one and spent nine months inside the Top 10 on the Odyssey album charts. The following year, her sophomore album Journey was released. It was certified Gold by PARI and peaked at number-eight on the Odyssey album charts and spent 3 months inside the Top 20. In the next five years, Constantino released the self-written album Lapit (2009) and Metamorphosis (2013) where the latter reached Gold status and produced the hit song "Chinito". In November 2014, All About Love was released. It peaked at No. 5 on Astrovisions Albums Chart and became the first-full Filipino album to be released on Spotify. It was certified Gold and produced the hit song "Ikaw". In 2018, she released her latest album Synesthesia.
CNN Philippines listed "Hawak Kamay" at number 12 in their list of the Best Filipino Love Songs of the last 25 years. As an occasional actress, Constantino has starred in a film Write About Love and took home the Best Supporting Actress Award in MMFF 2019, an affirmation of her acting prowess. As of May 2023, Constantino has more than 350 million career streams on Spotify, becoming one of the most streamed Filipino artists of all time.

## Personal life

Constantino is the youngest of five siblings in the Constantino family. She is a second cousin of television host and Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus second big placer Robi Domingo. Her family was raised as a born-again Christian.
By June 2013, Constantino began a relationship with Victor "Yan" Asuncion, a fellow musician and worship director at Victory Christian Fellowship. In March 2014, after nine months of dating, Constantino announced her engagement to Asuncion through an Instagram post. On February 14, 2015, the couple married at a resort in Tagaytay, Cavite. Since September 2015, both Constantino and Asuncion went on vegan diets.
In 2022, it was revealed that Constantino was romantically linked to Korean-born Filipino television personality Ryan Bang in 2010.

## Career
### 2006–07: Pinoy Dream Academy, career beginnings and Hawak Kamay

On August 27, 2006, Yeng Constantino auditioned for the inaugural season of the singing competition Pinoy Dream Academy. In December, Constantino won the competition after garnering 697,648 votes (37.32%), becoming the first "Grand Star Dreamer", followed by Jay-R Siaboc as the first runner-up.
After winning, Star Music launched Constantino's debut album entitled Salamat, containing 10 songs, seven of which were original compositions by Constantino. Her album reached Gold Record status two weeks after its release and then later went Platinum after a month, followed by a "3× Platinum Record" certification several months later.
After the success of her multi-platinum debut album, Star Music produced Constantino's second album. On February 28, 2008, her second album, Journey was launched. The carrier single is "Ikaw Lang Talaga". The album contains 12 tracks, some of which were written by Yeng herself. The album reached Gold status after several months.
Sometime in November 2008, Constantino became a member of the all-female group Y.R.S., a group composed of Constantino, Rachelle Ann Go and Sarah Geronimo that was a segment of ASAP '08 until its disbandment in March/April 2010 following Go's transfer to GMA Network.

### 2009–12: Lapit and Yeng Versions Live

Lapit, her third studio album, was released digitally via Star Records' official website on October 9, 2009, then later released in physical format in music stores in the Philippines; a week later, the album was pulled due to some technical errors in the album tracklisting and was re-released before its grand album launch on November 1, 2009. Lapit went on to receive Platinum status.
In March 2010, Constantino began her first regular television hosting stint as co-host of Music Uplate Live, a late-night musical variety show, along with Tutti Caringal, Gee Canlas, and Martin Concio. The show aired on ABS-CBN until September 2011.
On October 5, 2011, Star Records released her first live album, entitled Yeng Versions Live, on which she sings 80's and 90's OPM hits. It was commercially successful and achieved Platinum status shortly after its release.

### 2013: Transformation and Metamorphosis

She released her fourth studio album entitled Metamorphosis on January 28, 2013. Its first single, "B.A.B.A.Y", was released to radio stations on January 9. The music video for the second single, "Chinito", premiered on May 24 on Myx Channel. It features Filipino actor Enchong Dee as Constantino's love interest. The third single, "Sandata", was released on July 3, 2013.
In November 2013, Yeng released her international single "Better Than Yesterday," a pop song featuring prominent drums and rap courtesy of Singaporean rapper, actor and radio personality Sheikh Haikel. The track was produced and written by Shorya Sharma.
Her next album Metamorphosis reached gold in December 2014.

### 2014–15: All About Love and The Voice Kids

She released her fifth album, All About Love, which was her attempt to tackle new genres beyond her pop-rock image. It was released on iTunes on October 30, 2014, and on CD on November 27, 2014. The music video for the first single, "Ikaw" (which also served as a prenuptial with her then-fiancé Yan Asuncion), premiered on August 30 on Myx Channel. On December 13, 2015, the album was awarded with Gold and Platinum awards on ASAP for reaching 15,000 sold copies.
In May 2015, Constantino announced that she would co-host the second season of The Voice Kids, alongside Luis Manzano and her cousin Robi Domingo, replacing Alex Gonzaga. The season aired on ABS-CBN from June 6 to August 30, 2015.

### 2016: Tenth year celebrations

In 2016, Constantino was announced to be one of the mentors of the reality show We Love OPM: The Celebrity Sing-Offs, which ran from May 14 – July 17, 2016. Her team is named Oh My Girls, which was composed of Ylona Garcia, Krissha Viaje and Alexa Ilacad. Oh My Girls placed second overall throughout the entire show's run.
In May 2015, Constantino announced plans to release a musical in 2016 that would feature her discography from the past years to celebrate her tenth year in the music industry. It was titled Ako Si Josephine.
Later in 2016, Constantino joined the judging panel of ABS-CBN's reality singing competition show Pinoy Boyband Superstar, along with Vice Ganda, Aga Muhlach and Sandara Park.

### 2016–20; 2023: DIVAS

On April 27, 2016, Constantino was announced to be part of the DIVAS Live in Manila concert, along with Kyla, KZ Tandingan and Angeline Quinto (Rachelle Ann Go was originally going to also be part of the concert lineup, but had to withdraw due to international commitments). The concert was held on November 11, 2016,
On December 15, 2018, Constantino, Tandingan, Quinto and Kyla teamed up again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum for another concert, this time with Boyz II Men, titled Boyz II Men with DIVAS.
From July-August 2023, Kyla, Yeng and KZ, toured in the United States and Canada following the Cornerstone All Star Concert for another tour, titled Vocal Champs, with Jason Dy as their special guest for the tour.

### 2018: Synesthesia

In 2018, Constantino released her sixth studio album titled Synesthesia. The album spawned four singles "Pinipigil" and the hit single "Ako Muna" the song is a pop ballad and an emotional and self-empowering anthem. Constantino performed the song live on Wish 107.5 bus and it earned 7.2 million views on YouTube and she also performed the song in It's Showtime, the song became a radio hit in the Philippines and peaked at number six on the Myx Daily Top Ten music videos chart, and number ten on the MOR Pinoy Biga10 radio chart, the song also played in the radio in the United Kingdom with six spin and in the Sweden, the music video of "Ako Muna" was released in March 2018 on YouTube the music video was directed by Miguel Alomajan, it earned 9.8 million views on YouTube. Two more singles on the album released:"Tahimik" and "Dasal."

### 2023: New Record Label

In 2023, Constantino was named as the global ambassadress of Academy of Rock, a musical school in Singapore devoted to teaching rock and popular music.
In the same year, Constantino left Star Music and Star Magic after signing with Republic Records Philippines.

## Artistry
### Influences

Her early influences include Canadian superstars Alanis Morissette and Avril Lavigne; country music singers LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood; pop punk/rock bands the Ataris, Blink 182, Sum 41, The Starting Line, Coheed and Cambria, Yellowcard and Sandwich; and Filipina rock singers Acel Bisa, Kitchie Nadal and Barbie Almalbis.
In November 2014, she admitted on her website that she was a fan of contemporary stars Demi Lovato, Taylor Swift, Hayley Williams and Avril Lavigne.
In 2018, Constantino started her own YouTube vlog, she often shows her admiration to Mariah Carey.

## Filmography
### Television/Digital

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2005–2006 | SMS: Sunday Mall Show | Herself/Guest | IBC 13 |
| 2006 | Pinoy Dream Academy | Contestant | ABS-CBN |
| 2006–present | ASAP | Performer / Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Your Song: "Pangarap Lang" | Singer / Cameo | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Your Song: "Cool Off" | Singer / Cameo | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Your Song: "If We Fall In Love" | Singer / Cameo | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Your Song: "Salamat" | Singer / Cameo | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Myx Music Awards 2007 | Host | Studio 23 |
| 2008 | Pinoy Dream Academy: Season 2 – Special Primer | Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2010–2011 | Music Uplate Live | Host | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Aquino & Abunda Tonight | Herself | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | The Voice Kids (season 2) | Co-host | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | We Love OPM | Mentor of Oh My Girls | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Pinoy Boyband Superstar | Judge | ABS-CBN |
| 2016–present | It's Showtime | Judge in Tawag ng Tanghalan | ABS-CBN |
| 2021 | Saying Goodbye | Herself | iQiyi |

### Film

* 2012: Kimmy Dora & The Temple of Kiyeme (cameo)
* 2013: Shift (Estela)
* 2018: The Eternity Between Seconds (Sam)
* 2019: Write About Love (Joyce)
* 2020: You Animal (Voice Actress)

## Awards and recognitions

2007
* Compilation Awardee ("Nagmamahal Kapamilya Album"): 3rd ASAP Platinum Circle Awards
* Female Awardee ("Salamat"): 3rd ASAP Platinum Circle Awards
* Best New Artist: 2007 Aliw Awards
* Favorite New Artist: 1st OPM Songhits 2007 Awards
* Top 40 Brand Award: 1st OPM Songhits 2007 Awards
* Best Theme Song (Kasal Kasali Kasalo's "Hawak Kamay"): 55th FAMAS Awards 2007
* Breakthrough Artist: 1st OPM Songhits Awards 2007
* Hitmaker Of The Year: Yeng Constantino (7 hit songs for the year 2007): 1st Megamixx Radio Music Awards (Guam)
* Most Popular Song by a Duo ("If we fall in love" with RJ Jimenez): 2nd IFM Pinoy Music Awards
2008
* Pop Music Video ("Himig ng Pag-Ibig"): ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice Awards 2008
* Awit Awards 2008: "People's Choice Favorite Song of the Year" – "Salamat"
* Awit Awards 2008: "People's Choice FAvorite Music Video" – "Time-In"
2009
* Philippine Digital Music Awards 2009: "Best Female Artist"
* 1st Waki OPM Awards 2009 – "Album of the Year"
* Star Magic 3rd Annual Ball 2009 – "Most Fashion Forward"
* ASAP 24K Gold Award – "Journey" Album
2010
* Tambayan 101.9 OPM Awards 2010: "Female Artist of the Year"
* Awit Awards 2010: "Texters' Choice Song of the Year" – "Lapit"
* PMPC Star Awards for Music 2010: "Album of the Year" – "Lapit"
2011
* MYX Music Awards 2011: "Favorite Music Video" – "Jeepney Love Story"
* MYX Music Awards 2011: "Favorite Song" – "Jeepney Love Story"
* MYX Music Awards 2011: "Favorite Female Artist"
* MYX Music Awards 2011: "Favorite Collaboration" – "Kung Wala Na Nga – 6cyclemind Feat. Kean Cipriano & Yeng Constantino"
* MYX Music Awards 2011: "Favorite Myx Celebrity VJ"
* ASAP 24K Gold Award – "Yeng Versions Live"
2012
* MYX Music Awards 2012: "Favorite Female Artist"
* PMPC Star Awards for Music 2012: "Female Rock Artist of the Year"
2013
* Named as Academy of Rock's Ambassadress
* Rock School London: Honorary Licentiate Diploma
* MYX Music Awards 2013: "Favorite Female Artist"
* PMPC Star Awards for Music 2013: "Rock Album of the Year" – "Metamorphosis"
* PMPC Star Awards for Music 2013: "Music Video of the Year" – "Chinito"
2014
* Star Cinema Online Awards 2014 "Favorite Star Cinema Movie Themesong: Chinito"
* Internet Gateway's Most Downloaded Artist for 2013
* Internet Gateway's Most Downloaded Song 2013: Chinito
* MYX Music Awards 2014: "Favorite Female Artist"
* MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2014: "Song of the Year: Chinito"
2015
* Alta Media Icon Awards 2015 – Best Music Video: Ikaw – Yeng Constantino
* 28th Awit Awards 2015 – Song of the Year: Ikaw – Yeng Constantino/Star Music
* 2015 PMPC Star Awards for Music – Song of the Year: Ikaw – Yeng Constantino/Star Music
* Digital Push Awards 2015 – Push Tweet Favorite Music Artist
* Digital Push Awards 2015 – Push Gram Most Loved Music Artist
* Digital Push Awards 2015 – Push Play Best Music Artist
2016
* Anak TV Awards 2016 – Female Makabata Star
* Wish 107.5 Music Awards 2016 Best WISHclusive Performance by a Female Artist “Ikaw” – Yeng Constantino
* Push Awards 2016 Digital Media Pushlike Female Celebrity
* Push Awards 2016 Digital Media Pushtweet Music Artist
* Push Awards 2016 Digital Media Pushplay Female Celebrity
* Push Awards 2016 Digital Media Push Elite
* MYX Music Awards 2016: Favorite Mellow Video – Dance Without the Music – Yeng Constantino
2017
* 7th EdukCircle Awards – Female Music Artist of the Year
* Golden Laurel LPU Batangas Media Awards – Best Female Singer
2018
* Paragala: The Central Luzon Media Awards 2018 – Best Female Recording Artist
* Bulacan State University Batarisang Awards – Batarisang Pangmusika
* Metro Society – Most Influential People on Social Media
* 3rd Wish 107.5 Music Awards- Wishclusive Elite Circle Bronze Awardee
* 3rd GIC Innovative Award for Television – Most Innovative TV Singer
2021
* PMPC: 12th Star Awards for music — Rock Artist of the Year
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Results |
| 2007 | ASAP '07 24K Awards | Female Artist Awardee | — | Won |
| 2007 | ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice Awards | Pop Movie Theme Song | "Hawak Kamay"(Kasal Kasali Kasalo) | Won |
| 2007 | ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice Awards | Pop Music Video | "Time In" | Won |
| 2007 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Female Recording/Concert Artist | — | Won |
| 2007 | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Best New Female Singer | — | Won |
| 2007 | 2nd IFM Pinoy Music Awards | Extremely Requested Videoke Song | "Hawak Kamay" | Won |
| 2007 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Theme Song | "Hawak Kamay"(Kasal Kasali Kasalo) | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Album of the Year | Salamat | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Selling Album | Salamat | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Inspirational/Religious Recording | "Salamat" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year (People's Choice Award) | "Salamat" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year (People's Choice Award) | "Time In" | Won |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Song of the Year | "Salamat" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Christmas Recording | "Ikaw at Ako" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best Christmas Recording | "Pasko sa Pinas" | Nominated |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Music Video of the Year | "Time In" | Nominated |