16 years later, Gloc-9’s Upuan hits hard again

Gloc-9 has mixed feelings about his 16-year-old socially charged song, Upuan, going viral amid public outrage over alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Released in 2009, the hip-hop track caused a stir then for lyrics questioning the lack of empathy and indifference of people in power toward the suffering of ordinary Filipinos.

“Di ko alam kung talagang maraming harang, o mataas lang ang bakod, o nagbubulag-bulagan lamang po kayo,” goes Gloc-9’s biting commentary in the song, which also features a very melodic and singable chorus performed by Jeazell Grutas: “Kayo po na nakaupo, subukan nyo namang tumayo, baka matanaw at baka matanaw ninyo ang tunay na kalagayan ko.”

Fast-forward to 2025: According to ABS-CBN News, the song has resurfaced on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook reels, soundtracking videos expressing frustration and disgust over alleged billions lost to flood control anomalies.

In a phone interview with The STAR, the rap icon shared his reaction to Upuan’s resurgence, while recalling how it came to be in the first place.

“I wrote the song in 2009 while I was studying Nursing. That was the time na nagdu-duty kami sa mga public hospitals. Very depressing yung situation ng public hospitals natin,” he began.

During his hospital rounds, he saw firsthand the struggles of patients who couldn’t afford treatment.

“Yung school na pinasukan ko, hindi kami na-a-accommodate sa mga private hospitals, always public hospitals. So in a way, it worked out because the experience was more immersive. There were many situations (we encountered) wherein sick people had no money.

“Meron akong na-witness na isang nanay, namatayan ng anak in front of her because she had no money and her child had tuberculosis. So it was very depressing kaya ko nasulat yung song,” he shared.

While that experience fueled Upuan, he believes the song’s meaning can resonate with anyone. For Gloc-9, it can apply to any citizen living under a government that doesn’t fully serve them.

And while he welcomed the development that it has found new life among younger audiences — “natutuwa ako na nare-reintroduce yung kanta sa mas batang listeners” — he also admitted that he found it bittersweet.

“Okay din na nagva-viral, at least, it has become relevant. Kahit hindi na ako but yung song na ginawa ko. Pero kung iisipin mo, parang malungkot din in a way na nagiging relevant siya because prevalent masyado yung mga hindi magandang nangyayari,” Gloc-9 reflected.

For him, Upuan is like a child he set free to soar only to return because nothing has changed.

The award-winning rapper has released his latest single BLGBGN, featuring Abaddon, continuing his series of monthly music drops this year. Released under Universal Records, the song encourages listeners to live life fully, acknowledging mistakes and challenges while still taking chances and pursuing their goals.

“Sabi nga ni Sir Kiko (the late Francis Magalona) dati, we write songs but after writing it, it has its own life already. So for me, I see my songs as my children. I made (these songs), I’ve let them go and when I hear them again, it’s like meeting your child whom you haven’t seen for a long time,” he said.

“But for this song Upuan, parang anak ko na pinalaya ko at hinayaan kong lumipad, but bumabalik sa akin ng malungkot kasi ganun pa rin ang situation.

“If you read the song’s lyrics, they’re very, very simple. Lahat makakaintindi — bata, matanda, kahit sino. It’s just sad na kailangan pa natin siya marinig ng paulit-ulit.

“Sometimes, during shows, I could really feel the request of the people to sing it…  kahit na minsan ‘pag kinanta ko yan, hinihintay ko nalang na sumabog ako sa stage… But mahal na mahal ko yung mga songs na ginawa ko. I’m happy whenever I hear them. In this case though, there’s a sad reason why I’m hearing it again,” he said.

Upuan was part of “Matrikula,” an album that music critics and fans have deemed as one of Gloc-9’s most important works. Interestingly, during its making, he was contemplating leaving the music scene behind.

“The record label told me at that time na hindi ka na bumebenta. So ako, being a provider, may mga anak ko, naisip ko, ano fallback ko? What else can I do? Sabi ko, mag-aral nalang ako and then I ended up studying Nursing. I fell in love with that course because of the connection you get to have with people.”

His hospital duty turned out to be a wellspring of inspiration for “Matrikula,” which spawned other socially conscious tracks like Bayad Ko, Balita, Papel, Pangarap, featuring collabs with Raimund Marasigan, Joey Ayala, Cookie Chua, among others.

Looking back, he said it might not have been his most commercially successful album, but he considers its impact priceless.

“Mas nakaka-relate lang yung nakakarinig, pwede kasing ganun. It may not be commercially successful but may na-meet ka na mga tao na parang yung impact nung songs sa album ay ganun nalang. I think that’s worth more than any commercial success or any award for the album.”

Meanwhile, if there’s any lesson from Upuan on how to write enduring songs, Gloc-9 believes it also comes down to intention.

“Kung meron man siguro din akong gift na nakuha, aside from rapping, it’s feeling for other people,” he said.

“My main intention for the song was… (to be) very truthful. ‘Di ko siya sinulat dahil po gusto kong mag-viral ito or para sumikat ako dito.

“I believe that if your intentions are right in doing anything, everything falls into place. I think it’s the sincerity of the song that’s speaking to the people.”