Judging from the names attached to it alone—Ben&Ben, Zild, and Juan Karlos—“Lunod” already looks like a musical feat. But according to the artists, the process for the track and its visuals was a big deal in itself.
“Na-push kami sa limits (We were pushed to the limits),” says Ben&Ben lead vocalist Paolo Benjamin during a virtual press con, as he talked about filming “Lunod’s” visuals.
Released today, Nov. 26, “Lunod’s” music video is the brainchild of filmmaker Jerrold Tarog, who the nine-member band previously worked with on the “Goyo” soundtrack’s “Susi” MV. They dropped him a line on Messenger, and the result was this: darkly lit, moody scenes filmed underground in San Juan’s El Deposito water reservoir, a national heritage site that was the location of the Battle of San Juan del Monte in 1896.
The fact seemed fitting, when “Lunod’s” lyrics sang about inner battles and mental health. The artists had their fair share of physical challenges filming the visuals, too, something that they say had pushed them outside of their comfort zones.
In several shots, members of Ben&Ben, along with collaborators Zild and Juan Karlos, are submerged in water with flowers in their eyes—which they all did by themselves.
“Nakalunok ako ng tubig, pero worth it naman,” Zild laughs after recalling the moment.
(I accidentally swallowed water, but it was worth it.)
“Hindi mo alam kung kailan ’yung exact time na bubuhos ’yung tubig. Para siyang E.K. (Enchanted Kingdom), hindi mo alam kung kailan mahuhulog ’yung rollercoaster,” adds drummer Jam Villanueva.
(We didn’t know when the water would fall on us. It was just like [a ride in] Enchanted Kingdom—you wouldn’t know when the roller coaster would drop.)
Aside from their larger-than-life experience filming the MV, the track’s creation was already an epic tale to begin with. For Zild, the creative process felt like an eye-opening moment, after seeing other people make their magic.
“Kung ano ’yung nakikita n’yo sa live performance, ganon sila lahat sa studio,” Zild says. “Ang saya, parang ‘Avengers.’ Biglang iba-iba ’yung character ng mga tao doon.”
(They act similarly, whether it’s in the studio or in live performances. It was fun, just like “Avengers.” Suddenly, there were all sorts of characters in the room.)
Well, you can see the end product for yourself. Watch the “Lunod” MV below.
Read more:
Ben&Ben’s ‘Pebble House’ tackles stronger themes, from power to identity
In ‘Huminga,’ Zild conjures a dreamer in a world of loss
I may have shed some tears for SB19 and Ben&Ben’s ‘Mapa’
Photo from Sony Music