“Juan-of-a-kind: Music and brotherhood”
Despite the first, although well-intended, criticism they received because of how uncool and ‘corny’ the band name sounded, the five of them pushed through what they believed could touch the hearts of any ordinary Pinoy
From being the capital of the short-lived First Philippine Republic to becoming a breeding ground for ordinary Juans to resonate the same pride and inspiration through music centuries after, Malolos, Bulacan, is home to many great firsts that painted our country’s history.
Like missing puzzle pieces, five childhood friends from the province of Malolos found each other and formed a brotherhood now known for the hugot and relatable songs among the younger generation today ---- The Juans.
Thanks to divine intervention, quite literally, their love of God and knack for music got all five members into one church and worship team. For the Juans, composed of childhood friends Carl Guevarra, Japs Mendoza, RJ Cruz, Chael Adriano and Joshua Coronel, it was natural that they were brought together.
Japs, the vocalist and guitarist, recalled his memorable first impressions of his friends. “When I first met Carl, he was performing in our church. I first thought, ‘Someday, he will be my bandmate.’ And then after seven or eight years, it came true.” It was destiny, he said, that they all felt an invisible tug which eventually had them gravitating toward each other.
“When I first performed with them at church, Japs was so kind to me that he even gave me a guitar,” sub-vocalist and bassist Chael shared.
Truly Juans
For anyone who wants to make a name for themselves, creating a genuine identity is important. And for The Juans, being able to redefine the name, which is sometimes given a negative connotation (“Juan Tamad,” for example), is the group’s main intention. “We wanted to change that image and the goal of the group really is one day, when you say
Juan, you would be proud to associate yourself with it. Like proud ako na sabihin na ako si Juan (I’m proud to be called a Juan),” frontman and songwriter Carl Guevarra shared.
Despite the first, although well-intended, criticism they received because of how uncool and “corny” the band name sounded, the five of them pushed through what they believed could touch the hearts of any ordinary Pinoy. “Eventually when it becomes successful, then we’re adding honor to that name,” he added. “I hope that we get to a point that when we say
Juan, everyone would be able to associate themselves with it.”
True enough, these not-so-ordinary probinsyanos are making waves with their hit and “morbidly painful” songs like “Hindi Tayo Pwede” and “Hatid,” among a few others, which resonate among even those who have not gone through the experience. Of course, all are courtesy of the five-member band who are all skilled in songwriting and composition.
“About 80 percent of the songs that we sing are written by us. Generally speaking, yes, we write our songs. We try to produce our own songs as well. We’re pretty much hands-on with everything that goes on with the band ---- not just in our songs, but in everything. We try to really manage the content that we put out, whatever kind of content that may be,” Carl shared.
The Juans are not trying to sound “different” or “super one-of-a-kind;” they just make music that is genuine and honest.
However spot-on they are in making everyone go through nonexistent, unrequited love and break-ups, every song has a unique writing process. Some of them are collaborations of one member with another, others dependent on the mood and materials given.
One of their most interesting processes would have to be envisioning the music video first before the song. Surprisingly, that was how they did their very first single, “Atin Ang Mundo.”
Carl shares that the band’s simple goal is to produce and write music that reflects who they are, yet can hopefully resonate and connect with the hearts of the masses. “We really want to write songs that will speak to the hearts of the generation ---- meaning, relatable songs; songs that will connect to people.”
Rise as Juan
This is why, in such a timely situation where Filipinos all over the world need strength and inspiration to rise above adversities, The Juans uplifts with its latest single “Manalangin.” Despite having their schedules canceled and most of their livelihood gone in a snap, they thought of providing strength, hope and prayer to help their fellow Filipinos.
“Manalangin” encourages people to pray in the midst of the pandemic. The song emphasizes how praying strengthens faith and hope, and that the next thing people should know is, “Lilipas din,
matatapos din ang dilim (This, too, shall pass, this darkness with end).”
“After (releasing ‘Manalangin’), we made the effort to really encourage the nation, the younger generation, by writing inspirational songs. So, I think, af ter that, we were able to release seven to eight songs that are truly inspirational. Hopefully, when things go back to normal, hu-hugot na kami ulit (we will do more of the emotional songs). But, for now, we’re prioritizing the need of the people, that is our agenda,” Carl said.
Like everyone else, The Juans spent quarantine utilizing their resources inside their homes to create a steady stream of content, seeing this as a level playing field for artists like them. Each of them learned how to produce, write, shoot and enhance their overall creative sides to pass time and boredom.
“We’re going to be a house of new content, fresh content. Hopefully, every week, we get to put out new songs, covers ---- just steadily producing content while on lockdown,” Carl shared.
He added, “We may have lost people who watched us on live shows, but there are millions of people out there that are just waiting on social media for our music.”
In fact, The Juans is actually brewing a new, possibly more painful song than their last few ---- a single in the month of July with a special collaboration with another (surprise!) artist. “So, if you were hurt by ‘Hindi Tayo Pwede,’ this new song is going to be 10 times more painful.”
At present, Malolos is still a place full of many great firsts, not just in history but also in music. It is the home that built a brotherhood of love and talent for music whose meaningful name pays tribute to Filipino identity.