Citation :

Vincent Manalo Pobre, 2025. "Di Lang Ikaw: A Discourse Analysis" ESP-International Journal of English Literature and Linguistics Research (ESP- IJELLR)  Volume 3, Issue 1: 7-9.

Abstract :

This paper presents a discourse analysis of the Filipino ballad "Di Lang Ikaw" by Julie Iris Valles Fernandez, known by her stage name Juris, a celebrated Filipino singer-songwriter. Written by Juris and arranged by Aiza Seguerra, the song explores themes of love, heartbreak, emotional distance, and mutual suffering. Through an in-depth discourse analysis approach, concentrating on the interpretation of language use within the song, the study identifies key linguistic features including rhetorical questioning, metaphor, repetition, and tone, which together convey the emotional complexity of a relationship in decline. The phrase "Di lang ikaw" ("It's not just you") serves as both a refrain and a central discourse marker, reflecting shared emotional turmoil and a plea for understanding. The analysis reveals how the song avoids assigning blame, instead highlighting empathy, emotional honesty, and mutual accountability. Moreover, the song challenges traditional gender norms by presenting a female narrator initiating the separation, reflecting a shift toward emotional agency and self-awareness in Filipino cultural narratives. Positioned within the context of Filipino values that emphasize relational harmony and emotional depth, "Di Lang Ikaw" offers both personal resonance and broader cultural insight into evolving perceptions of love and selfhood.

References :

[1] Boomplay. Di Lang Ikaw lyrics. Retrieved from https://www.boomplay.com/lyrics/6300358

[2] Juris. (2009). Di lang ikaw [Song]. Star Records.

[3] LyricsTranslate. Di Lang Ikaw (It’s not just you) – English translation. Retrieved from https://lyricstranslate.com/en/di-lang-ikaw-its-not-just-you.html-0

[4] PEP.ph. (2009, December 12). Juris composes two songs for her self-titled album. Retrieved from https://www.pep.ph/news/local/5692/juris-composes-two-songs-for-her-self-titled-album

Keywords :

Di Lang Ikaw, Discourse Analysis, Emotional Distance, Filipino Ballad, Heartbreak, Juris, Love, Metaphor, Mutual Suffering, Repetition, Rhetorical Questioning, Traditional Gender Norms, Tone.