SIRENA by Gloc 9 broke the stereotypical song lyrics for the LGBTQIA+ community since most songs that are produced by Filipino singers are based on the negative narratives of the community.
Sirena broke the stigma and presented the community in a different light, painting the members of the LGBTQIA+ community to be courageous in choosing to be themselves. It became an anthem for the community as they felt that they were seen, and heard; that they were given a voice by someone who was seen to be a legend in the field of songwriting.
Some people in the gay community have shared their sentiments regarding the song, and like most of those who heard the song when it was just released, they believe that it was a mockery to the community.
Miss A (an alias), a 21-year-old part of the gay community mentioned that: “For some reason, homophobes found a way to misinterpret Gloc-9’s message and used it as a way to witch hunt closeted gay people. It was the “Ay, barbie!” of its time, and was used to discipline a young boy who displays the slightest hint of femininity.”
From a different perspective, Aviel John Perez, a college student from Pampanga, mentions that from the first time he heard the song by Gloc-9, he immediately felt validated. He was part of a family who were cis-genders, as to why it was hard for him to express his self-identity. Especially when he experienced being ridiculed because of the way he acted and the things he wanted to do as a child.
“Hearing the song by Gloc 9, made me feel like I am not alone. A lot of LGBTQIA+ members have been through the same situation I was experiencing before. Isa sa mga linya nga ng kanta na “magaling sa chinese garter at piko”, literal na ganito ako before.” He also says that despite being mocked by the people around him, he just let things be since he knew that he couldn’t change who he was.
This is the kind of effect Sirena by Gloc 9 had on its LGBTQIA+ community listeners, they felt represented and validated. Most especially when Gloc-9 shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News that he wrote the song with fear of how people may see his intentions—like mentioned, mockery—but he said that it was a gift for his gay child. It was a way of conveying his love for his child, even if his son had not yet found the courage to let him know.
With this in mind, the song’s intention and motivation became clear. The gay community says so themselves, a member of the community who requested to remain anonymous said that “[…] the song screams freedom of expression. Like how the lyrics express, “Ako’y isang sirena, kahit anong gawin nila ako ay ubod ng ganda,” which expresses that the comments of others, even the ones you love, wouldn’t change a thing about you.”
Miss A agrees with this sentiment by saying: “The song, despite people’s interpretation of it, conveys an empowering message regarding the complex notions of homosexuality and masculinity. It has both become a gay anthem and a love letter addressed to the LGBTQIA+ community, as it challenges the traditional concept of masculinity and paints gay people in a respectful light, something that gay-themed songs failed to emulate during their time.”
More than the validation of the gay community’s existence, there is also a representation that is provided for the community. Aviel said that the song made him feel represented, “I feel like the song is telling my story. Kahit na dumaan ako sa questioning phase na hindi ko madefine ano ba talaga ang gender ko, sino ba ako, bakit ganito naattract ako sa isang lalaki. It made me feel like I can be me, regardless of what other people might say.”
Aviel continues that being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community is beyond difficult in the Philippines—considering that it’s a major catholic country—because the members are tolerated into society but are not entirely accepted. He continues that even inside your home, where you expect people who will accept you first, you get the most mockery.
“Kaya ang magiging sandigan mo talaga ay sarili mo, na you have to be strong and fight for yourself. You have to prove to the world and to yourself na you are deserving sa mga bagay na nakukuha ng mga cis genders, katulad ng genuine love.”
The song Sirena by Gloc-9 might have different interpretations from those who have heard it. Like what Miss A said: “[…] the song’s effects on people were either two things: (1) the feeling of empowerment; and (2) the feeling of mockery.” Nevertheless, it was a song that shaped an entire generation of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially the gay members.
The song gave them a representation like no other, it was an anthem that gave them a voice that will be and should be respected by the generations to come. So here are some lyrics from the song that distinctly show how fearless the LGBTQIA+ community is:
“Ako’y isang sirena, kahit anong gawin nila, bandera ko’y ‘di tutumba.”
“’Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha dahil kung minsan, mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla.”
