Filipino musician and actor juan karlos is back with a new track, Limang Taon, an ode to loving
oneself after being hurt by romantic love. The song is out now on all music streaming platforms,
with a live performance video available on all streaming platforms as well.
Limang Taon carries the mark of a juan karlos song, with an alternative rock sound that
complements juan karlos’ emotive vocal performance. Written and composed by the artist
himself, Limang Taon is produced by Xergio Ramos, who also played guitars for the track.
Completing the band for the track are Ira Cruz on guitars, Karel Honasan on bass, Victor Guison
on drums, and Nikko Rivera on keyboard.
Building Self-Love After Heartbreak
juan karlos cemented his place as a hitmaker in the local music industry with the lovesick
Buwan and the heartbroken ERE, and Limang Taon builds on that progression, with juan karlos
showing a new side to himself—one of self-love, following a long-term relationship that has
burned out. As an artist who grew up in the spotlight, juan karlos has always been open about
his life, including his romantic connections and opinions, but Limang Taon may be his most
personal and painful song yet. After all, it acknowledges the end of his relationship, but beyond
the anger of ERE, Limang Taon sees juan karlos trying to move forward.
“Limang taon ay natapon sa isang gabi,” juan karlos begins the song, admitting his denial and
hurt at the relationship’s end. However, the song progresses with him refusing to succumb to his
pain. “Araw araw ikaw na lang lagi, ngunit ako naman muna,” he sings as his resolve
strengthens, and the song transitions from regret into self-acceptance.
But loving oneself is a slippery slope that takes a lot of work, and juan karlos captures this in his
lyrics. “Naglalakad ng mag-isang walang ka-akbay, akala ko ikaw na nga ang siyang pang-
habangbuhay,” he sings of his pain in one verse, a pleasant surprise in English, “but now I have
to think about me,” he continues in the next. He acknowledges the waste of his years on a love
that ultimately didn’t work out, but he recognizes that there is always another kind of love he can
give.
“Mamahalin ko naman ang lalaki na aking nakikita sa salamin,” juan karlos ends the song, and
it’s a refreshing take to hear from such a popular artist. After all, the industry is ripe with songs
about love and heartache, but rarely do we hear male artists singing about learning to be alone
and loving themselves.
Performing Limang Taon
Under the direction of Jaime Cabalum and associate director Camille Lipnica, Limang Taon’s
live performance video takes a simple yet powerful approach to translating the song visually.
The video uses a single, continuous shot execution, with juan karlos performing for the camera
against the backdrop of a burning house.
juan karlos proves his acting mettle and strong stage presence in the video, as his face
contours to deliver the track’s painful emotions. The camera zooms out by the song’s chorus,
revealing the band behind juan karlos, all of them oblivious to their blazing background. The fire
seemingly grows in proportion with juan karlos’ resolve to love himself—the flames grow higher
and higher as the band performs a half-minute instrumental interlude, with juan karlos putting
his jazz influences to good use with his vocal runs and ad libs. His emotions escalate as the
song ends, with juan karlos letting out a cathartic exhale after his last line, as if he’s truly letting
go of the pain as he puts himself first.
Listen to Limang Taon, out now on all music streaming platforms:
Watch the Limang Taon Live Performance Video:
Comments