The Filipino queer anthem is a father’s letter of love
“Ako’y isang sirena. Kahit anong gawin nila, bandera ko’y ‘di tutumba.”
Gloc-9’s “Sirena” has been an anthem for the Filipino queer community for years and it was given new life when Precious Paula Nicole and Marina Summers lip-synced to it on the final episode of “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1.
Many wonder about Gloc-9’s inspirations for the song and he has finally revealed that it’s also a gift for his queer kid.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN published on Feb. 26, Gloc-9 talked about the making of the song. “Nu’ng sinulat ko ‘yun, hindi niya pa sinasabi sa amin. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa anak ko na, kung gaano ko siya kamahal.”
“Alam ko kasi nu’ng sinulat ko ‘yan, hindi ko tsinelas o sapatos ang suot-suot ko. Ako’y nagsuot ng ibang sapatos o tsinelas”
He shared that he was scared to release the song because at the time, Daniel Pollisco, one of his twins, had yet to tell him about their SOGIE.
“Takot na takot [ako] dahil ayaw kong makainsulto ng tao,” said Gloc-9. “Ayaw kong may naisulat ako dun na baka ‘eh sira ulo pala ito hindi naman ‘to ganyan.’” He was very conscious about writing from a perspective that wasn’t his. “Alam ko kasi nu’ng sinulat ko ‘yan, hindi ko tsinelas o sapatos ang suot-suot ko. Ako’y nagsuot ng ibang sapatos o tsinelas.”
Fans may be wondering why the rapper chose to reveal this now, more than a decade after it debuted. In an interview with Toni Gonzaga in January, he also talked about how he found inspiration from his then-neighbor.
“Si Bridgette ay bakla. Naka-mini skirt, naka-high heels kahit puro bato-bato ‘yung daan sa amin. Lagi siyang kinakantsawan,” he said. “Papasok ‘yun sa parlor, hanggang aabutin ‘yun ng ala una. Kasi siya lang ang nagsusustento sa buong pamilya niya.”
“Ako’y proud na may anak ako na tulad ni Daniel. Mahal na mahal ko ang mga anak ko at gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila”
In that same interview, he shared a memory that left an impact on him, saying how he was once approached by a bouncer who told him, “Thank you kasi ’yung anak ko sirena eh. Naintindihan ko na [siya] dahil sa kanta mo.”
Perhaps the reason behind Gloc-9’s latest revelation is as simple as him and his kid reaching a place where he can now proudly speak about it in public. “Hindi naman ako ma-showbiz and I think [sic] para sabihin ko ito now, ako ay proud na proud sa anak. Ako ay excited sa kung ano man ang kaya niyang ma-achieve sa buhay niya,” he says.
“Minsan iniisip ko how life gives you hints of magic here and there. Nung natapos ko ‘yung ‘Sirena’ hindi ko naman alam. And I don’t mind. Anak ko ‘yun,” Gloc-9 reflects. “Ako’y proud na may anak ako na tulad ni Daniel. Mahal na mahal ko ang mga anak ko at gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila.”
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