#lunod

Ben&Ben, a nine-piece collective folk-pop band, collaborated with artists Zild Benitez and Juan Karlos Labajo to create a beautiful masterpiece called Lunod which translates to “Drowned". Released in November 2021, Lunod is part of the album Pebble House Vol. 1: Kwaderno, the second studio album of Ben&Ben under Sony Music Philippines. From the rich vocals to the rhythmic beat of the instruments used, listening to Lunod is an experience I would not mind repeating throughout the day.

However, more than just a song with a great melody, Lunod gives light to mental health as it calls for sensitivity and empathy towards those experiencing a sense of drowning. The song serves as a call-out to those who regard mental health issues as light or nothing at all.

Lunod conveys the struggles individuals face as they fight against their inner demons; others take part in a tiring battle alone because the people around them do not try to understand them. The lyrics of Lunod perfectly express how others wind up invalidating the feelings, thoughts, and experiences of people struggling with their mental health.

“Arte lang ‘yan.” “Bahala ka na.” “Mababaw lang ‘yan.”

These sentences from the lyrics, by context, would mean “It’s all in your head”, “Whatever, deal with it”, and “That’s just shallow” respectively. This song shows how lightly other people view mental health concerns, not giving them the serious attention it needs to have.

With the pandemic still rampant, many individuals struggle with their mental health. Others are drowning in a vast ocean of apprehension from losing a loved one, experiencing financial difficulties to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Lunod speaks to those experiencing an insufferable sense of drowning from all the worries and thoughts that weigh them down.

“Ooh, sisisirin hanggang makarating ka Sa ginhawang itinadhana”

Besides giving awareness and spotlighting mental health, the song provides a form of comfort and strength to those battling against the tides of their thoughts and situations. The lyrics above translate to “Swim until you reach destined comfort”.