Parents and Children Can Relate to Back Home by The Juans
Pinoy group The Juans are known for their hugot songs but their song “Back Home” hits close because it talks about the relationship between parents and their children.
If you listened to songs by the group The Juans, chances are you will categorize their music to the following topics: love, friendship, taking a stand against bashers, and breakups. Prior to the release of their latest songs “Flying Kites” and “Different Time,” they released a song families can relate to with regard to the relationship between parents and their kids – “Back Home”.
The Story of Back Home
For “Back Home,” the boys – Carl, RJ, Japs, and Chael got a chance to share stories of their lives when they were starting their music careers. But it was not only the boys who shared – they got some of their Juanistas to give more context to the song, especially those whose family members may have passed on or left them.
Jam Rey lost both of her parents to different illnesses. She wished she could have taken care of them more when they were alive. When she heard “Back Home,” she said she could relate.
“Yung line na I wish you said goodbye, parehas pwede i-apply para sa mama at papa ko kasi hindi nga kami nakapagpaalam sa isa’t isa,” Jam shared.
“Dinidedicate ko yung song na ‘Back Home’ sa mama ko kasi kami yung hindi pinaka close. Para sa akin, gusto kong sabihin kay Papa, sorry kasi pagkatapos mong mawala, naging pasaway ako kay mama. Pero papa sana maging proud ka pa rin sa akin. Para naman kay mama, alam ko na ang dami kong ginawa na mali na ayaw na ayaw mo. Nagsisisi ako dun sa mga kasalanan ko. And sorry, kasi hindi kita naalagaan.”
@thejuans_band If only we could turn back time and hear their goodbyes 🥺 #TheJuansBackHome #TheJuans ♬ original sound – TheJuans_BAND
A daughter’s heartbreak
(trigger warning: suicide)
Jhunbeth San Jose narrated how her relationship with her dad became complicated when he left her mom and their family abroad. She later found out that he had another family. She was seven when she found out about it.
“Growing up, iniisip ko na hindi pala ako kamahal-mahal yung sarili ko ngang tatay nasaktan ako, iniwan ako. [Yung] sarili kong tatay, brineak yung heart ko. What more yung ibang tao pa?” she said in between tears.
“Kaya napunta din ako sa phase na naging suicidal ako,” she added, mentioning that her dad would make his presence felt every now and then. It was a cycle she said that took a toll on her.
When she listened to the song, she could not help but cry.
“Napa-feel sa akin nung kanta na kahit sa huling pagkakataon makita ko yung papa ko at matanong ko kung bakit? Anong reason? Siguro, if makuha ko na yung sagot, I can be fully healed.”
@thejuans_band When your father is your first heartbreak 💔 Trigger warning: suicide #TheJuans #TheJuansBackHome #Heartbreak #testimony ♬ original sound – TheJuans_BAND
A daughter’s wish to see her mom again
Vernalie Competente recalled her mom’s battle with stage three ovarian cancer. It was at the height of the pandemic and they only found out about it when they were able to go to the hospital.
At one point, her mom asked why it was happening to her. Vernalie said she could not answer her mom then. She was already struggling but refused to show her weakness to her mom.
“Umiiyak lang ako sa CR kapag naliligo ako para hindi niya maramdaman na nanghihina din ako kasi yes, nag-hope ako na gumaling siya. Pero nung nalaman ko na stage three, parang gumuho din ang mundo ko actually,” she said.
After the death of her mom, Vernalie prayed and just wished to see her mom even in her dreams. God eventually answered her prayer, sharing that she saw her mom’s smile. When she woke up, she cried and later picked herself up.
When she heard the song, she said she could relate to it. “Masaya ako na may ganitong kanta na nabuo yung the Juans kasi meron ako mapapakinggan tuwing maalala ko siya.”
@thejuans_band That one person na gusto mong makita ulit kahit sa panaginip na lang 🥺 #TheJuansBackHome #TheJuans #family ♬ original sound – TheJuans_BAND
No family relationship is perfect
The song may be painful but it just shows how music can be powerful in expressing and healing. Grieving and hurting are part of the process in order to slowly move on from one’s painful moment in life. The Juans’ song is just one of many songs out there that show relationships of families – a relationship that is never perfect but will make the child strong.
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