“Sorry po, wala akong balak na palitan ‘yung naunang genre.” 

This was the statement of 19-year-old musician John Red Santiago as he finally addressed the issues surrounding his controversial music genre, ERock, which he defines as Emotional Rock. He issued an apology to those he offended, especially after he claimed to popularize the genre. 

Last April, republicasia published an article profiling Santiago and his music. The feature story has gained numerous reactions online, mostly negative, particularly about how he defined his music, which he calls ERock. 

He made it clear that everything he said was just based on how he understood his music and the path he had taken. He reiterated that, at 19, he is still learning the ropes. 

“Sa mga tao po na na-offend or parang hindi matanggap ‘yung mga nasabi ko, pasensya na po dahil yun po yung sarili kong pagkakaintindi rin sa genre na tinatahak ko ngayon and I’m still learning po, patuloy pa rin ako nag-aaral sa ngayon,” he said in an exclusive interview with republicasia. 

Criticism

Music lovers were furious when Santiago declared that he was on a mission to spread ERock in the Philippines.

The young singer shared that after realizing the impact of his statements, he knew he had to apologize to artists who have long been in the industry that he might have overlooked. 

“Sa mga tao pong na offend and nagalit sa nasabi kong ako ang magpapasimula ng ERock dito sa Pilipinas, humihingi po ako ng tawad and hindi ko po sinasadyang masabi din ‘yun and alam ko po nung una’t-una meron po talagang nag pasimula,” he said. 

He clarified that, in contrast to what he had previously said, there are bands that have achieved success and that, in fact, they were his inspiration for joining the emo rock scene.

‘Yung mga iniidolo ko po sa Pilipinas which is Chicosci and Typecast isa rin p sila sa nag inspire sa’kin sa industry na ito,” he said. 

One Facebook user reminded Santiago that listeners of emo music had just grown through the years; that’s why the genre feels new to the young generation. 

Others said he should review his definition of the genre. 

According to musicindustryhowto.com, emo music is predominantly a blend of goth, grunge, and alternative rock sounds. The lyrics, however, are the focal point of the genre. The words are basically emotional, profoundly introspective, and often confessional. 

Santiago admitted that he was the one who coined the term ERock. 

“Actually po ako po yung nag-coin nung term na ‘ERock,” he said. 

Furthermore, ERock only happened because he wanted to encapsulate the songs carrying emo and rock sounds into one genre. 

“Ganito po kase ‘yung pinaka nangyari nun, pag once po kase na nag-se-search ako nang songs sa YouTube. Na-se-search ko ‘emo,’ hiwa-hiwalay. Then gusto ko siya ‘yung parang playlist, ‘yung isa lang buo, so I searched ‘emo rock songs’ then napansin ko na parang napakapopular nang ng name or word na ‘emo’ which is ki-nut [cut] ko siya, and “ERock” ‘yung kinalabasan niya,” he said. 

“Kine-claim ko lang po siya sa sarili ko and wala po akong tawagin or itawag siya sa ibang banda, like ERock sila? Hindi, emo din sila emo,” he clarified. 

“Emo is subgenre of rock which is term ko lang siya na E-Rock and wala akong balak palitan yung naunang genre,” he said. 

He also clarified that his song, Kalasag, contrary to the understanding of many, is not an ERock song. In fact, it offers a Japanese Rock or JapRock vibe. 

However, the song, composed by his manager, Ina Munoz, was used as the soundtrack for an international film set that competed in Dubai. Santiago said he was only asked to interpret the song, which needed to be released because his father had already produced it. 

Respect

The singer said that he respects people’s opinions and that he has no intention to diminish the contributions of local emo acts that came before him. 

“For me po opinion po nila yon and ni-re-respect ko po sila. Wala rin naman po akong balak tapakan yung mga nauna. And respeto ko na rin po yon sa mga nauna bilang, katulad po ng Typecast and Chicosci, respect ko na rin po sa kanila ‘yon,” he said. 

“Nirerespeto ko po yung gusto nilang sabihin and hindi po ako tumututol don. For me po release lang po ako ng song tuloy tuloy lang po ako sa music ko,” he added.