From ‘Suklay Diva’ to Gen Z icon

Vocal powerhouse Katrina Velarde gears up for ‘ZCon’ concert

Katrina Velarde’s journey to becoming a beloved Filipino singer is nothing short of remarkable. It all started with a viral video – the now-iconic “Suklay Diva” moment where a young Katrina belted out a Beyonce song using a comb as a microphone.

Fast forward to today, Katrina is a powerhouse vocalist and a certified Gen Z favorite. She’s gearing up for a major concert, ZCon, happening on April 13 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.

In an interview with Manila Standard Entertainment, Katrina vibrated with infectious energy as she talked about the upcoming show.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had a concert, and my body is literally craving it,” she confessed. “This time around, I’m taking a very hands-on approach, but thankfully, I have my incredible team by my side.”

With a wide smile breaking across her face, Katrina elaborated on the driving force behind ZCon.

“It’s not just about the music, it’s about the entire creative experience,” she explained.  “Especially in today’s fast-paced industry, staying on top of trends is crucial. This concert is a chance for me to reconnect with my existing audience, and also to reach out to new listeners and remind them – Katrina Velarde is back.”

A touch of gratitude softened her voice as she added, “It’s also my way of expressing my deepest appreciation to my fans for their unwavering support throughout my career.”

The solo concert will see Katrina doing onstage collaboration with talented artists like ASAP Champions JM Yosures, Reiven Umali, Khimo Gumatay, and Sam Mangubat.

While her core fanbase may be Gen Z, Katrina emphasizes that ZCon is for everyone.

“I want people to connect with music from the ‘90s and 2000s. We’re putting a fresh spin on it,” she emphasized. “I’m so eager to bring this concert to life. Coming out of the pandemic, we all craved more entertainment. It made me realize that even during those tough times, people still wanted to see us perform. Now that we’re back on stage, I couldn’t be happier.”

Katrina is heavily involved, working with her own team, including musical director Teddy Katigbak, who has created unique arrangements for her covers and social media content.

“Our collaboration ensures a concert experience tailored for my fans, both old and new,” she said.

Tickets for ZCon concert are now available for purchase through Ticket World at www.premiere.ticketworld.com.ph — Nickie Wang