“SIRENA,” a blockbuster song released by famed Filipino rapper Gloc-9 in 2012 that shattered the Internet, might have served a purpose other than spotlighting the predicament of the LGBTQIA+ community in our country.
The song’s message connected with the community in a variety of ways, as it was sung at numerous LGBT events, Pride celebrations, and even in the highly anticipated finale episode of “Drag Race Philippines” Season 1.
Gloc-9 shared the story behind the song when he and Gary Valenciano met with ABS-CBN to collaborate for the rapper’s anniversary hit, “Walang Pumapalakpak.”
“Yung song na yan, nung ire-release namin ‘yan, takot na takot ako. Takot na takot dahil ayaw kong maka-insulto ng tao. Alam ko kasi nung sinulat ko ‘yan, hindi ko tsinelas o sapatos ang suot-suot ko. Ako’y nagsuot ng ibang sapatos o tsinelas,” said Gloc-9.
“Kaya ako natatakot kasi ayaw kong may naisulat ako dun na baka ‘eh sira ulo pala ito hindi naman ‘to ganyan.”
For the first time since releasing the song, the Filipino rapper claimed that “Sirena” was not just designed to raise awareness but also as a gift for his LGBT kid.
“My son is gay. Nung 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,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN.
“Hindi naman ako ma-showbiz and I think 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.”
“Minsan inisip 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,” the rapper added.
The song was released in 2012, when his son was just eight years old. More than a decade later, Daniel came out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“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.”
“Yun na ‘yung regalo,” the rapper said.
The OPM icon said the song not only influenced the LGBT community but also the parents of children who were members of the community by bringing them to realizations.
“Minsan nag-guest ako sa isang show sa ABS, isang bouncer, ‘idol, salamat ha.’ Sabi ko, ‘bakit?’ ‘Kasi yung anak ko sirena rin eh, nung narinig ko ‘yung kanta mo, naliwanagan ako.”
Thanks to his story, Gloc-9 helped redefine a song that had been used to humiliate the kids of the LGBTQIA+ community, demonstrating that it was the polar opposite for a father who sincerely supported his child.
