THE JUANS is one of the most productive pop rock bands in this season of the pandemic.
They’re based in Malolos, Bulacan, with Carl Guevarra as vocalist and keyboardist, Japs Mendoza as lead guitarist, Chael Adriano as bassist, RJ Cruz as acoustic guitarist and Joshua Coronel as drummer. Josh is the only one married and has a daughter.
They’ve been with Viva since 2015 which released their self-titled first extended play album. In 2017, they released another EP, “Umaga”, which spawned the hit “Hindi Tayo Pwede” that became the title song of a movie.
Their songs have since been used in various films like “100 Tula Para Kay Stella”, “Sid & Aya”, “Squad Goals”, “The Day After Valentine”.
Their hits include “Hatid”, “Itutulog na Lang”, their cover of Rivermaya’s “Balisong”, and “Pangalawang Bitaw”.
How did they start?
“We’re church kids and we play in our church as part of its music team,” says Carl. “We became friends first before we became work mates and we all wanna do music together so that’s how we started.”
They have now released a new single, “Dulo”, which is actually a fresh new start for them in venturing into new musical and creative horizons.
Carl says: “We'd like to start the campaign for our new album with a song called ‘Dulo,’ because we believe that we must first give up what's not for us, so that we can receive the love that we deserve.
"Sa bawat relasyon, kadalasan sabay kayong pumapasok, pero kadalasan din, may nauuna sa dulo. After this, we will be releasing a couple more singles then our full album, which is something people should look forward to.
"If they knew us because of our hugot songs, then they need to brace themselves because the hugot just got deeper. There will be songs about love, hope and inspiration, and it will be filled with so much color.”
He adds that “Dulo” can refer to what we’re all going through right now.
“A lot of us are asking, ‘Hanggang saan ba ang DULO nitong paghihirap natin? Kailan matatapos itong pandemya na'to?’
"This song also tells people that they have a choice. Susuko ba tayo or lalaban pa? We hope the song will help people deal with their losses, and look forward to better things, better days ahead.”
They’re all involved in creating “Dulo”. “We are very OC (obsessive compulsive) kids and we want to be involved every step of the way,” adds Carl.
“We produced it and I myself directed the music video. Thanks to Viva for giving us total freedom to do it.
"We want to be a symbol to other kids to go on fulfilling their dreams kahit may pandemic. Kami, nandito kami sa Bulacan but we continue to try achieving our dreams.
"Gawa lang kami ng gawa ng kanta. In our FB page, you’d see we have daily posts.
"We have built our own studio here and we dream of the day when we can help other talents in the provinces to start their own careers and achieve their own dreams.”
What is the quality of their band mates that they appreciate the most?
CARL: “RJ is very hardworking. Japs is very artistic at hindi maramot i-share ang talent niya. Chael is very helpful even in organizing my life. Josh, I appreciate his acts of service kasi hatid-sundo niya kami.”
RJ: “Carl is very caring as a friend. Japs is very artistic and generous. Chael is very organized kasi makalat ako. Josh is very loving.”
JAPS: “Carl has good leadership and vision for the band. RJ is the most hardworking. Josh is very humble and brother sa’ming lahat. Chael, I appreciate for his companionship.
CHAEL - “Si Josh, madaling hingan ng tulong, Si RJ hardworking talaga. Si Carl has good leadership and firm in his decisions. Japs is very generous magturo.”
JOSH - “ Si RJ, bata pa but very inspiring sa sipag niya. I like Carl for his good leadership. Japs for his creativity that he shares with us. Chael for being very jolly.”
All of them look good so some of them have gone into acting individually. “I have appeared in a teleserye,” says Carl. “Sinabi naman sa’min ni Boss Vic del Rosario na huwag mai-insecure kung may mga mag-aartista sa inyo.”
