Janine Teñoso’s Apat Na Buwan captures the heart of a 23-year-old, turning raw emotions and life’s big moments into soulful, relatable songs that linger with every listen.
Janine Teñoso’s latest EP, Apat Na Buwan, reflects personal growth, vulnerability, and raw emotion, capturing the essence of precious moments in her life.
On September 6, 2024, Janine Teñoso launched her EP, Apat Na Buwan, at the Viva Cafe, bringing together fans and music lovers. OPM artists Nameless Kidz, Earl Agustin, and Keanna Mag pumped up the audience for the opening acts.
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Janine Teñoso sings of a temporary love with “Apat Na Buwan”
“Apat Na Buwan” is a beautiful track about the painful reality of holding on to a love that’s slipping away. The song captures the misery of one-sided devotion, where one person remains emotionally invested while the other drifts apart. Janine narrates the slow unraveling of a four-month romance, a love that once provided comfort but has now turned cold and distant.
Particularly, it’s a bittersweet contrast of sound and emotion. Despite its seemingly cheerful tune, the lyrics cut deep, exploring themes of unreciprocated feelings, secrecy, and the struggle of letting go.
The lines ‘bakit mo pa ako inangkin kung iibigin lang nang patago’ evoke the frustration of being loved in the shadows. While ‘ako’y nasa ‘ting umpisa’ painfully highlights how the songstress is stuck in the beginning, unable to move forward while her partner has moved on.
Janine‘s delivery is soft yet powerful, bringing out the sorrow and longing embedded in the song’s message. Specifically, “Apat Na Buwan” portrays the heartache of fighting for a love that’s slowly fading, making it an emotionally charged track that resonates deeply with anyone who’s clung to a love that’s no longer mutual.
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Janine shares that the new EP is inspired by her real-life experiences
When asked about the story behind the creation of her new EP, Apat Na Buwan, Janine Teñoso revealed that her songwriting process begins with journaling. Drawing inspiration from her journal allows her songs to be authentic and grounded in truth. Janine transforms her diary into music in the EP, candidly sharing aspects of her journey through love, uncertainty, childhood, and self-discovery.
Notably, her song “23” is a heartfelt ode to the raw, conflicting feelings that come with growing up and facing the daunting uncertainties of adulthood. The song’s lyrics are simple, but they capture a deeply relatable struggle: navigating the distance from loved ones, grappling with identity, and the exhaustion of trying to live up to expectations.
Janine’s reflection on leaving home at twenty-three is bittersweet, especially as she longs for the innocence of her youth. Lines like ‘I’m scared to grow up, hoping I’ll own up to what I thought I’m supposed to be’ carry a vulnerability, demonstrating how anxiety, doubt, and despair accompany self-discovery. The rawness of her honesty, along with a sense of tired resignation in ‘I’m only twenty-three,’ gives the song its emotional weight.
And, for someone who is the same age as Janine, the song felt like a page from our own diaries. It eventually became a personal tune, deeply resonating with anyone feeling lost in their twenties. Overall, “23” is a cathartic look at early adulthood—messy, unsure, and yet beautifully real.
Additionally, the new EP includes “Palihim.” The track brilliantly captures the internal struggle between following one’s heart and keeping love hidden. Through tender yet sensitive lyrics, Janine conveys overwhelming sentiments of admiration and infatuation, as evident in lines like ‘Nahuhumaling sa’yo,’ which encapsulates the singer’s deep interest in someone who has unknowingly captured her heart.
The song’s emotional crux is the repeating issue of whether to ‘sundin ang damdamin o palihim kang ibigin‘ (follow the heart or love in secret), which emphasizes the tug-of-war between revealing and guarding one’s affections. It’s a relatable depiction of how love can be both exciting and nerve-racking, especially when the person is unsure how to proceed.
Meanwhile, Janine Teñoso‘s new EP, Apat Na Buwan, also includes her groovy track “Hulaan” and the cult-favorite “Sandig.”
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You can listen to Janine Teñoso’s Apat Na Buwan EP on all digital streaming platforms now.
Photos: Charie Navarro
