JUAN’s take on his struggles, City of Calamba and the growing scene, and perspective in “Nakiki-uso”
By: Jayb Jayb
Tags: Philippines, Music, Hip Hop, Interview, Artist

Self Drive & Struggles

Besides himself and acceptance of the audiences, one of the present struggles that he is experiencing is “Balancing his Time”.

“Yung kung paano ko babalansihin yung mga ginagawa ko. Kasi nagluluto ako, kasi dito sa Pinas kailangan may pera at extra din ako e. Nagluluto ako, para may extra ako para may pang-galaw, pamasahe, pambili ng kailangan, at para papunta din sa mga gigs kung saan ako magpe-perform or susuporta sa tropa. Pati may responsibility rin ako at gastos ko dapat yun. So ayun kailangan kong balansehin yung mga hustle ko.”

That’s another thing that some might not be seeing from emerging and starting artists. Some artists have the privilege of having or owning things to enhance their craft, even well-housed and well-fed; and some need to hustle first to pay/sustain their priorities before getting back to pursuing their craft. The topic of struggle leads us to many points like, Not everyone will listen, watch, accept you or what you are doing. You can’t please them all.

Calamba Scene

I think Calamba Scene has been there for a long time now. When talking about music, there are already alt-pop, punk rock, acoustic, rave, and hip-hop; there are scenes also from photography, film making, visual graphic artists, painting, writing, to spoken practices.

JUAN and I agreed on the opinion that this time, maybe, large number of audiences are now looking for more localized experiences happening on their backyards, bar spots, and repurposed venues like garages and resorts.

This is another reason why he wrote his song entitled “SOYA”, produced by Danj Beats, which tells the story of some memorable experiences and spots to the youth of Calamba, specifically those who are living around Bayan to Halang. Also, the music video highlights some of the spots you can visit if you are around the city.

Perspective on “Nakiki-uso”

The topic came up while we are laughing on some experiences we had on gigs and gatherings that we have been organizing in the past,

“Aminado din naman akong bago lang ako dito sa larangan ‘to… pero nakakagulat kasi yung mga sumusuporta at nakaka-appreciate, hindi lang sa rap scene, e mga mas bata pa. Yung tipong mga 8, 10 years old. Sila kumbaga yung nagta-try intindihin kung ano ba yung ginagawa at sinasabi natin. Wag nila dapat kasing isipin na nakiki-uso lang yung mga yun e. Kumbaga, di naman pangit pakinggan yung salitang “nakikiuso”…kasi kung di ka kasi makikiuso, walang mag-eemerge na bago… kumbaga walang magdadala sa next generation..”

And JUAN was right. At times you will constantly hear the Filipino shaming phrases “Nakiki-uso lang yan!” “Nagaya lang sila kasi ayun ang uso!” from other Filipinos, most especially when you are being an enthusiast of a practice/get-ups/movement/culture that was different from what is highly celebrated by the mass at a particular time.

Maybe it might be pre-rooted in Native Filipino cultures during colonial times who are against adopting the practices, dress, fashion, music, etc. of Castillian/Spaniards or American. And we all know what tradition and culture fear, the fear of dying/forgotten.

Well, we can’t dig deeper for now. Back to the main point, as JUAN said: