Over a decade after its release, Pinoy rapper Gloc-9 reflected on the impact and personal significance of his 2012 hit song “Sirena.”
In an interview with ABS-CBN, Gloc-9 opened up about the unexpected success of the song, revealing that he initially felt fear about the public’s reaction to its message.
“‘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,” the rapper shared.
His fear was rooted in the concern that the song might be misinterpreted.
“Kaya ako natatakot kasi ayaw kong may naisulat ako ‘dun na baka ‘eh sira ulo pala ito hindi naman ‘to ganyan’.”
However, the response after the song’s release was overwhelmingly positive, receiving feedback from various people, including a group of production professionals who visited his home for an interview.
“Pinapanood namin sa kanila, eto na ‘yung music video baka gusto niyong mapanood’. And then ‘yung isa talaga humahagulgol at the end of the song. She said, ‘Nararamdaman ko ‘yan kasi ‘yan ang buhay ng best friend ko. Maraming salamat’,” Gloc-9 recounted.
He said that even fathers of gay children reached out to him to express their gratitude, recalling an unforgettable encounter with a bouncer who thanked him.
“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’,” Gloc-9 recalled his conversation with the father.
The song would hold a deeper meaning in the rap idol’s life.
“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 revealed.
The rapper expressed his pride in his son as he looks forward to how his future will unfold.
“Hindi naman ako ma-showbiz and I think para sabihin ko ito now, ako ay proud na proud sa anak [ko]. Ako ay excited sa kung ano man ang kaya niyang ma-achieve sa buhay niya,” Gloc-9 said.
Reflecting further on how the song turned out, he mused, “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.”
It was also revealed in the report that Gloc-9’s son came out a few years ago.
He went on to express his fatherly love for his children and his willingness to do everything for them, saying, “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.”
Over a decade later, Gloc-9 realized that what he wrote 12 years ago was a gift, not just for himself, but most importantly, for Daniel.
“‘Yun na ‘yung regalo,” the artist told ABS-CBN.
