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Autotelic bats for more sensitivity on mental health with new song

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Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News

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C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div><div style="padding-top:8px"><div style="color:#3897f0;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:550;line-height:18px"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQFZMGBTDz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div></div><div style="padding:12.5% 0"> </div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;margin-bottom:14px;align-items:center"><div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"> </div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"><div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"> </div><div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"> </div></div></div><div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"> </div><div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"> </div></div><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQFZMGBTDz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Autotelic (@autotelicmusic)</a></div></div></blockquote><script async="" src="http://www.instagram.com/embed.js" type="text/javascript"></script><p>MANILA -- Indie pop rock band Autotelic has created a new, haunting song about the need for a more sensitive approach to the burning issue of mental health. </p><p>Entitled “Kwentuhan,” the song is now gaining traction on social media platforms with more than 50,000 views on YouTube. </p><p>A far departure from the electronic pop sound the band has been know for (“Laro”, “Ikaw” and Takipsilim”), “Kwentuhan” was inspired by real-life events in 2018 and is an ode to a departed friend, according to composer Josh Villena, founding member of Autotelic. </p><p>The lyrics, also created by Villena, delivers a punch in the current discussion on the proper way to deal with people with mental health conditions, like sustaining personal connections with them. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztAnx0Mk-CQ?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>The song’s lyrics particularly zero in on how people mask their inner turmoil to their loved ones: </p><p>“Mga tumatakbo sa isip mo<br/>Ba&#x27;t hindi ko nakita sa mga mata<br/>Ayaw pahiwatig na nasasaktan ka na pala<br/>Hindi naman nagkukulang suyuin ka<br/>Sabi mo pa &#x27;Ayos lang ako, wala namang problema&#x27;<br/>Paulit-ulit kinukulit<br/>Ayaw sagutin ang tawag<br/>Magkwentuhan nang saglit<br/>Marami namang ibang paraan”</p><p>“Kwentuhan” coincidentally also echoes the stand of the mental health advocacy group, Anxiety and Depression Support Philippines (ADSP), that took a stand on the controversial poster of an upcoming local movie &quot;Tililing&quot; about mental illness.</p><p>“Ika nga nila, maraming mukha ang problema,” the group stated on its Facebook account Monday. “At gusto naming ipakita rin ang ibang mukha -- merong mukhang masaya, highly functional, productive pero sa loob-loob, may kadiliman.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/09/21/mental-health-support-group-releases-own-version-of-viral-tililing-poster">READ: Mental health support group releases own version of viral &#x27;Tililing&#x27; poster</a></li></ul><p>While he has no judgment on the filmmakers involved in the issue , Villena nonetheless stressed the importance of sensitivity in addressing mental health. </p><p>“There are people who create awareness about it pero kailangan lang maging sensitive tayo. There are other good ways to deal with it, like reaching out personally. Kung talagang genuine ka about the issue, you don’t have to bring it out on social media. Do it your own personal way and reach out to the people involved,” he said.</p><p>Villena also recalled the time Autotelic pitched “Kwentuhan” to MCA Music late last year. “We let them assess it, habang nagmi-meeting, nag-iyakan sila perhaps because the song was timely and resonant to them.” </p><p>Doubly significant was the fact that Autotelic recorded the song the day after Slapshock lead vocalist Jamir Garcia passed on. </p><p>Villena is also overwhelmed at how long time fans have emotionally connected to the song. </p><p>“Nagulat sila in a good way dahil they did not expect something raw and straight to the point will come from us,” he said, citing the progression of Autotelic in its eight years run. “Hindi namin intensyon na magbago ng sound, we only widened it. Sinabayan lang namin ang flow in unleashing the other potentials of our band. We believe din in the process of transformation.”’</p><p>Even Villena’s father, veteran musician Mel Villena, was surprised at “Kwentuhan.” Said the younger Villena, “Naramdaman daw niya na mas edgy ang kanta, may galit at may tampo!” </p><p>Through its lyrics, Autotelic hopes their song will also ease mental health issues with the basic lesson of people talking and listening: </p><p>“Kaibigan<br/>Baka pwede ka munang makakwentuhan<br/>Nakikiramay<br/>Ang paborito mong serbesa<br/>At nangangalawang kong gitara<br/>Ano&#x27;ng balita?<br/>Mukhang may &#x27;di nakatulog kagabi<br/>Mga mensaheng nais mong iparating<br/>Inipon sa bote<br/>Mga dasal, saklolo&#x27;t paumanhin<br/>Sa iyong pag-alis<br/>Isalarawan ang iyong mundo<br/>Anong natatanaw<br/>Mga tumatakbo sa isip mo<br/>Paulit-ulit<br/>Sa mga payong ayaw mo nang madinig<br/>Pasensiya na&#x27;t lagi kitang kinukulit<br/>At sa aking pagmumukha na sawang-sawa ka nang makita<br/>&#x27;Wag kang magalit <br/>Hindi naman kita pipigilan<br/>Gawin mo ang lahat ng gusto mong gawin<br/>Kwentuhan tayo hanggang sa muli.”</p><div><strong>Related video:</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9U0VWyb5XjU?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

<p>Indie pop rock band Autotelic has created a new, haunting song about the need for a more sensitive approach to the burning issue of mental health. </p>

Indie pop rock band Autotelic has created a new, haunting song about the need for a more sensitive approach to the burning issue of mental health.

Autotelic bats for more sensitivity on mental health with new song

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Autotelic bats for more sensitivity on mental health with new song

Mario Dumaual,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 10, 2021 12:50 PM PHT

|

Updated February 10, 2021 02:54 PM PHT

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Autotelic

mental health

Kwentuhan Muna

OPM

Josh Villena

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