Alalay ng Hari by Gloc-9

Gloc-9's latest album Mga Kuwento ng Makata is filled with social commentaries that will stir our consciousness.  The beginning of the album is a monologue with the title Balak ni Syke.  Here, Gloc-9 is deep in thought a fitting introduction to the next couple of songs.

Di mo kailangan mag Ingles para malaman nilang matalino ka
Di rin naman kailangan managalog para malaman nilang Pilipino ka
Pilipino ka, kalabaw ka hindi ka baka
Hindi ka mansanas kundi mangga
At wag mo nang asahan datnan ang panahong tatangos ang iyong ilong
Tsong hindi ka puti, kayumanggi ang kulay mo
Mahalaga kung ano ang kaya mong gawin...

The album's carrier single SIRENA, a song about gay people, has been topping the charts and has been given critical acclaim.  Prior to its release, Sirena was already making the news given its sensitive issue; however, I believe it was tastefully done and does not malign but instead acknowledge the plight of gay people.  

Last Friday, amid a the stressful work day, I decided to trip on his album and get a chance to listen to the rest of his tracks.  I particularly liked Silup and Inday which are vintage Gloc-9 but another song got my attention.  Alalay ng Hari is a tribute song to Gloc-9's mentor, The King of Rap, Francis Magalona.  

 Ako ay isang taga-hanga mo
Ako na magdadala ng mga hawak mo
Pupulutin ko lahat ng binitawan mo
Ako’y iyong alalay…

Gloc-9 did become the King's successor but it did not diminish the latter's respect and admiration to the late mentor.

Tandaan mo
Kahit ano
Man ang mangyari ay utang ko
Ang palakpakan at respesto nyo
Kapag hawak ang tumutunog na mikropono
Kableng nakapulupot
Sa kamay para di mahugot
Ay parang wallet sa snatcher, ako ang mandurukot
Mga linya kong sinulat
Ginamit ang panulat
Nagsimulang mag-ulat
Ang lahat ay nagulat
Sa kanya nanggagaling, mula sa itaas
Ngunit sayo pinaabot, ikaw ang nagbukas
Saakin ay nagturo, ipunin ang katas
At kung pano di matibo sa masukal na landas
Sa tuwing ika’y kausap, ako’y nahihiya
Parang nananaginip, ako’y tuwang-tuwa
Kaya sa gabi ako’y palaging nakatingala
Kasi pwede palang maging sigurado ang baka’
Sabay sa entablado
Ang lahat ay ganado
Ikaw rin ang nagpasakay sakin sa eroplano
Kahit sabihin ng iba na ako ay dehado
Pero dahil sayo ay matagal na kong panalo

No wonder Gloc-9 is blessed.  He is rooted and humble to a fault.  It also goes to show that the King has chosen wisely.  

Francis Magalona did not leave us.  He lives in the songs of Gloc-9 who has stepped up to continue The King's legacy.  

Gloc-9: Sirena and Other Stories

Gloc-9 aka Aristotle Pollisco in real life, have once again proven his story telling craftsmanship with his new album "Mga Kwento ng Makata" featuring the carrier single "Sirena".

Gloc-9's songs have always been of social relevance.  The poet that he is, he gets his inspiration from what he sees around him and translates them in a song.  Sirena is one such composition. The song talks about the life and struggles of the third sex in a society highly dictated on by convention.  They are laughed at, ridiculed, and sometimes abused by their parents.  

Upang matakpan ang mga pasa sa mukha/Na galing sa aking ama na tila di natutuwa/Kapag ako'y nasisilayan laging nalalatayan sa paglipag ng panahon ay do ko na namalayan... 

Let's face it,  much that the world has evolved in the last decade or so homosexuality is still frowned upon by many.  The Bible's Book of Genesis would always be quoted to prove that in the beginning God only created two:  Man and Woman.   But then, Matthew 7:1 also tells us, "Do not judge for you too will be judged."  

Colorful in his imagery and metaphors, Gloc-9's play of words never fails to stir emotive responses from his listeners.  At first I was stumped as to the title of the song.  Sirena or mermaid is half woman and half fish.  Siokoy or merman is half man and half fish.  So I guess anything in between would be SIOKE which also happens to be another word to describe a gay person.  But this is not the title of the song---SIRENA is.  And then it hit me...

Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid/Naglalakihang mga braso ang saki'y dumidikdik/Drum na may tubig/Ang sinisisid sa patagalan ng pag hinga sakin kay ay bibilib...

Such is the torture that these people get from their own parents.  Such a shame.  Such horror.  For someone supposed to be made in the likeness of God, to do such atrocities is unforgivable!  And then maybe, just maybe Gloc-9's words may well be true---

Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha/Dahil kung minsan mas lalake pa sa lalake ang bakla...