[Author’s Note]
Hello fellow Filipiniana fans,
In case you haven’t been online the past week, “nepo baby shaming” is so hot right now. Netizens are calling out the lavish lifestyles of family members of politicians or businessmen linked to alleged corruption.
The issue blew up after President Marcos Jr.’s directive to do a lifestyle check on all officials after revealing misappropriated funds supposedly for flood control projects.
With Indonesians currently protesting, angered by state violence, lawmakers’ wages, and soaring inflation, we might just be in the midst of a social movement of our own. I hope!
Given these times, I wanted to spotlight two songs that I think are more relevant than ever.
Halina!
-Roi
[🎶 Music] Gloc-9’s “Upuan” uses the seat of power as a metaphor for corruption and detachment
16 years after its release, “Upuan” is gaining popularity again. This time, because of netizens referencing it to speak up against alleged corruption in flood control projects.
As a huge Gloc-9 fan, I’m glad this song is being (re)discovered for its powerful lyrics. It uses the seat of power as a metaphor for corruption and detachment. Its creative use of literary devices perfectly captures the persisting class divide. In addition to the “upuan” metaphor, the apostrophe directly addresses the seat’s occupant. First person narration makes it more personal and relatable. Visual imagery illustrates stark differences. No wonder the late National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera also loved the song!
I’m also glad this song is being used in an emerging social movement. To paraphrase Cesar A. Cruz, art should disturb the comfortable. There are plenty of reasons to like “Upuan,” but in today’s context, it’s not hard to imagine it disturbing the comfortable.
Masses, mostly preoccupied with their normal day-to-day, are becoming more socially aware. They’re now calling out lavish lifestyles once seen as aspirational for what they are – gross displays of wealth. Nepo babies and families linked to alleged corruption, while still living in excess now think twice before flaunting their riches.
See our related posts on our socials (Instagram, TikTok).
[🎶 Music] “Tatsulok,” an anthem for protesting injustice in an unequal society
Before Bamboo popularized it in 2007, “Tatsulok” was first performed in 1991 by Buklod (Bukluran ng Musikero para sa Bayan), a folk-rock band composed of Noel Cabangon, Rene Boncocan, and Rom Dongeto.
It was composed in 1989 by Dongeto. Originally inspired by the storming of the Bastille, Dongeto wrote “Tatsulok” after attending the bicentennial celebration of the French revolution. The victory of the French masses inspired him to write what it would take for the Philippines to have an equal society.
A narrator explains to a young man that their current conflict is but a symptom of a larger problem – “habang may tatsulok at sila ang nasa tuktok / 'di matatapos itong gulo.” (As long as the rich stay at the top of the pyramid, this chaos will never end.)
“Hindi pula't dilaw, tunay na magkalaban,” (it’s not Red and Yellow who are at war) alludes to Cory Aquino’s “total-war policy” against the Communist Party of the Philippines-New Peoples Army or CPP-NPA. Now it’s interpreted to mean that the real war is not between political colors.
Nearly 4 decades since its composition and 18 years since Bamboo’s version rose to the charts, the song’s message still rings true to this day. After all, aren’t pyramids built to last?
See our related posts on our socials: Bamboo’s version (Instagram, TikTok), Buklod’s version (Instagram, TikTok).
Highlighted Community Interactions
Zelle (Jeazell Grutas), the iconic voice behind “Upuan” showing us love! Btw, we heard she’’ll be back in Manila soon. Looking forward to seeing her again on the local music scene!
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