The Tatsulok song was originally written by Rom Dongeto in 1989,

during the time where the Philippines is currently experiencing so-called “total
war policy”, and was performed by his band called Buklod, a band that make
songs about politics and environment, in 1991. This song refers to a man that
is experiencing a never ending war. In the song, it was stated that the colors
red and yellow are not supposed to be enemies. The red color refers to the New
People’s Army or NPA while the yellow color refers to the Philippine government
that is led by former President Cory Aquino as yellow is the color she was
known for. This song became popular when Bamboo included it in their album
that was released in 2007.
The way that this song was written is symbolic. The terms included were
just colors and triangle shape. Ofcourse, the message behind it must not be
taken literally. Those terms were just stated to give the message that the
author wanted the listeners to understand. Also, it somehow show a Marxism
strategy as it mainly discuss inequalities between different social classes. It is
stated that those in the bottom place has been always oppressed by those in
much higher class.
The genre of this song is folk rock. From the word itself, folk rock genre
means a music derived from a folk music but is somehow incorporates a rock
music beat that is stronger with the use of electrical instruments such as
electric guitar. This can be seen clearly in the official music video of the song in
Bamboo’s version. The electric instruments can be literally seen in the
background, playing its stronger beat of a rock music. Furthermore, folk rock
music originally arose in countries of Canada, United States, and United
Kingdom in the mid-1960s.
The elements of music can also be seen in this song clearly. Its melody
were really remembered by the listeners and even now, they hummed it in their
heads as they really feel the message of this song. Its rhythm is also iconic as
the stronger beat were played in its chorus, which makes the song strong in
the right placement. The pitch is also just right, not too high and not too low,
which makes it easier for the listeners to relate to. On the other hand, its
repetition is very appropriate as it was placed in the part where the main point
of the song is sung, the part which states that while there is a triangle and the
poor people are at the bottom, the war will never end.
The contextual influences of the song Tatsulok are the happenings in the
Philippines in the time when it was written. Its contents were mainly focused
on the war that is happening between the government and NPA, and also the
war between social classes. These things were the inspiration of the author in
writing this song. The author seemed wanted to turn the triangle around to get
the equal treatment they deserve.
 Overall, the song Tatsulok is quite impressive and it shows the reason
why it became popular. Aside from its wonderful genre, the elements were also
used accordingly. Furthermore, the message behind its symbolical lyrics
somehow served as the eye opener of the listeners for them to be able to turn
the triangle around and also see how the society works in real life, which is the
oppression of those who are in higher social class. It also shows the cruelty of
the actual world that we are living in. Tatsulok really express the feeling of
those in poor state.