Music is one of the most powerful outlets we can use to convey a significant message

about the realities of life. Gloc 9 was undeniably one of the most talented rappers and
songwriters that was able to use music in the most eye-opening way. His lyrical ability coupled
with his talent in capturing catching beats was very evident in all of his music.

Indeed, he is a diamond that graced the Filipino music industry. Most of his songs give
light to the stories of people on the fringes of society; from Magdalena, Sirena, Sampaguita, to
Upuan which I am going to tackle in this essay.

Upuan was sang by Gloc 9 featuring Jaezel Grutas. The music video of the song shows
a dim empty room with a chair in the middle. Jaezel Grutas opened the song with the first verse
that says:

Kayo po na naka upo

Subukan nyo namang tumayo

At baka matanaw at baka matanaw na nyo

Ang tunay na kalagayan ko

Throughout the song, the chair was often mentioned as a metaphor for the seat that the
president of the Philippines sat on inside the Malacanang Palace. Gloc 9 reinforces this idea
with the lyrics after the first verse.

Tao po nandyan po ba kayo sa loob ng

Malaking bahay at malawak na bakuran

Mataas na pader pinapaligiran

His line emphasizes the masses of the Philippines seeking attention from the
government inside the palace. He also highlights the distinction between the quality of the
masses and the people inside the Malacanang palace throughout his lines. Other than this, he
also emphasizes the neglect the masses are experiencing from their leaders. He is telling the
reality of how the government treated the masses once they’ve secured their place inside the
palace.

Sabi pa nila ay dito mo rin matatagpuan

 Ang tao na nagmamay-ari ng isang upuan

Na pag may pagkakatao'y pinag-aagawan

Kaya naman hindi niya pinakakawalan

We can see in the present how the lyric in Upuan remains relevant. It’s almost as if
nothing has changed since then. For instance, the election is almost on its corner and we can
see thousands of candidates spending thousands and millions of money for their campaign to
earn the votes of the masses. We saw their posters in every corner of the streets, hear their
voices on the tv, promising things most of us are eager to hear. However, there were some of
the candidates we see campaigning now when people are in most need of help? And what will
happen once they win?

The lyrics in the Upuan says the answer to this question; it’s more likely that they will
spend most of their time inside the palace while serving their own selfish interest. As a result,
corruption, political dynasty, and poverty continue to prosper because of the greediness of the
leaders. Most of them became blinded by the wealth earned from the pockets of the masses
right before their eyes that they forgot their promises. Or maybe their promises are just words
and nothing else. After all, one of the only ways to succeed in the Philippines is to be a
politician.

Of course, I am not generalizing the politicians in the Philippines. There are still some of
them who do their job. However, these good politicians are overshadowed by the number of
graft and corrupt minds politics has produced. The Philippines has 34 out of 100 points in the
record of the 2020 Corruption Perception Index of anti-corruption watchdog Transparency
International. This means the country is “mostly stagnant” in responding to corruption (Lalu,
2021). As a result, approximately 23.7 percent of Filipinos which translates to 26.14 Filipinos are
suffering from poverty as of 2021 (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2021). At the end of the day, it
is always the people who are suffering from the consequences of the greedy actions of the
leaders.

In conclusion, highlighted the sad reality of the poor governance in the Philippines and
the continuous suffering of the masses under the greedy leaders who put their interests first
before their duty. This song is an open letter dedicated to the corrupt leaders in the Philippine
government. This empathizes on the last part of the song which says:

Wag kang masyadong halata

 Bato-bato sa langit

Ang matamaa'y wag magalit

O bato-bato bato sa langit

Ang matamaan ay

Wag masyadong halata

With its powerful and eye-opening lyrics and catching melody, this song became a
classic OPM soundtrack that remains relevant in our society. It is undeniable how Gloc-9’s
talent in his craft completely translates in this song.
REFERENCES:
Lalu, G. P. (2021, January 29). PH drops to 115th place in global index on corruption

perception. INQUIRER.Net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1389549/ph-drops-to-115th-

place-in-global-index-on-corruption-perception

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2021). Proportion of Poor Filipinos Registered at 23.7 Percent in

the First Semester of 2021 | Philippine Statistics Authority. Psa.Gov.Ph.

https://psa.gov.ph/content/proportion-poor-filipinos-registered-237-percent-first-

semester-2021

Gloc-9 - Upuan Lyrics | AZLyrics.com. (n.d.). Azlyrics.

https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/gloc9/upuan.html