Charles Justine

from People by PostNord 2_2021 English

Ulf Jakobsson

“The best version of myself”

“MY BROTHER, mother and I moved from the Philippines to Finland in 2018. When I got here, I didn’t go out much. I’m not particularly sociable. I’m not keen on crowds, so I often stayed at home in my room when I wasn’t working.

I’ve been inspired by music ever since I was a kid – but it was in my bedroom that I started to get serious about music. I needed to express my feelings, to find a channel for doing that, so I started creating beats and lyrics. It lifted me up me when I felt down. Now I can express emotions that I couldn’t before. My music and my job at the Vantaa warehouse has helped me become the person I am today: the best version of myself.

I’ve created everything in my music, from lyrics to mixing, in my bedroom, so you could say it’s a special place for me.

My artist name is Rudeus. I don’t want to label my music, but the best way to describe it is a mix of emo-rock and hip-hop. I hope my music will inspire others to pick themselves up if they’re feeling down; make them think that they can cope with anything, even if it's just one person. Even if I inspire just one person.”

CHARLES JUSTINE, WAREHOUSE WORKER, FINLAND

TOLD TO LINUS BRÄNNSTRÖM PHOTO: BENJAMIN SUOMELA

Closest colleagues: “There are many, but for example Jerremie Valdrez, Reynaldo Velez, Armando Basco, Elmar Maranan, Ivan Paguirigan, Elmeri Hakala and Pekka Hakala.”