WHILE this part of the world quietly sleeps, 20-year-old Jennifer Ebdani makes herself a cup of coffee, picks up a pen and paper, and gathers thoughts to weave them into essays; which remind readers of Bob Ong’s or Bebang Siy’s humor. It is in these times, too, when she writes songs that hold the acerbic prose of a soul aching for societal change.
Jennifer, Jen or Pepang to her friends, is a senior BA Mass Communication student from the University of the Philippines-Cebu. A member of the cultural group Andres Sugbu, she is an aspiring singer-songwriter. In her sophomore years in high school, she explored songwriting to express thoughts she couldn't disclose even to her closest friends. Back then, she wrote about young love and her frustrations in life. In 2013, she shifted her focus to her dearest love: the Philippines.
Jennifer’s songs dwell on oppression, corruption and inequality—issues that have greatly affected the Filipino masses. She has no penchant for morbidity; she does this for she believes that people should recognize these stories.
“People should hear about these things—or keep hearing, until the message awakens them, moves them, and makes them act.” Rather than preaching, she perceives this as sharing her perspectives so people would reflect on themselves and their surroundings.
These days, Jennifer performs in different local music gatherings and events. When on stage, the shy, five-feet-tall lady morphs into a guitar-wielding Gabriela Silang that sings about the social injustices committed by those in power; her whisper-like voice turned into a tolling bell that spurs vigilance. In turn, the hushed crowd, is eager to catch every incisive word inked in the lyrics of her songs.
A song dubbed Panaghoy, is her ode to students who committed suicide allegedly due to pressures from the tuition and other fee increases their universities had implemented. Jennifer’s other notable works include songs about the plight of farmers and fisherfolks.
Writing and singing gives Jennifer a sense of purpose. But for her, honing this craft transcends “the self.”
“I don’t mind if people forget about me, as long as they’ll remember the songs I’ve written and sung.” Jennifer seems to have dismissed the glory attached to being one of the 60 campers in the Elements Music Camp 2014.
Instead, she highlights the messages her songs hold. More than oblivion, Jennifer is more afraid of the growing sense of apathy and aloofness that seems to have swallowed today’s generation.
While this part of the world is asleep, Jennifer, with her cup of coffee and dreams for a better Philippines, writes songs to remind everyone to care, speak out and act; critical songs from her timid heart. (Contributed by Joanah N. Gamboa)