These Filipinos blend arts and humor to react to recent Senate chaos

MANILA, Philippines – Senator Bato dela Rosa reappeared at the Senate after six months of hiding. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano replaced Senator Tito Sotto as Senate President. A shooting incident allegedly triggered by Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca ensued inside the Senate building.

Dela Rosa escaped from the Senate after the shooting chaos. Then Senator Pia Cayetano cried inside the Senate chambers. All of these chaotic events happened within just over a week.

While some Filipinos took to social media to join the conversation, some chose to use mix arts and humor to air their frustration.

Rhany Torres, a composer for 36 years, wrote his rock song “Wow, Tapang” in three days.

With lyrics like “we were under attack, sabi ng boss (the boss said)” — an allusion to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano’s infamous speech after the Senate shooting — Torres said his composition is meant to mirror Filipinos’ negative sentiments against the current political climate.

“Panahon na, sibakin! Panahon na, panagutin! Panahon na, idemanda. Hindi tugma ang kuwento sa kuwenta. Ihanda na ang mga bartolina (It’s time, oust them! It’s time, hold them accountable! It’s time, sue them. The narratives do not match their worth. Prepare their solitary confinement),” the song, which clocked a minute and 17 seconds, goes.

Torres has worked with several record labels like OctoArts and Alpha Records, and also served as an independent producer for labels like Viva Records, CBE Records Thailand, and even for the Jesuit Communications.

For “Wow, Tapang!” he initially produced a lighter and dance-y song, with a theme centered on corruption and traditional politicians. However, he realized amid the developments, a blues-rock in medium tempo would be the best fit to express his anger.

“The chorus is call and response, with people shouting their disgust on the issues. The lyrics address politicians’ false bravado — tapang-tapangan (false courage) on the surface pero (but) obvious ang ulterior motives,” Torres told Rappler. “[It’s] also a call for people to be vigilant…and again, speak up.”

For his samples, Torres said he usually hires singers, or sing the composition himself. However, due to urgency reasons, he decided to use artificial intelligence (AI) for this song.

Torres has always used his music as a form of activism. When then-president Rodrigo Duterte took his oath in 2016, he released “Dito Po Sa Amin” to condemn the Davao City killings linked to Duterte.

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“[Music] is an important vehicle to get messages across, especially for the youth where music is part of their everyday life. It’s more palatable because of the melody, groove, and predictable structure — the message comes across,” said Torres.

“I recall a photo of American musician-activist Woody Guthrie holding his acoustic guitar with ‘This machine kills fascists.’ written on it,” he added.

‘Kumusta ka, Pia?’

Senator Pia Cayetano went viral last week due to her meltdown inside the Senate. She cried, claiming that none of the minority senators had checked up on them after the shooting incident in the upper chamber on May 13.

Several senators debunked the claim by showing a screenshot of their group chat messages where minority senators expressed their concern to majority lawmakers. Senator Ping Lacson even posted on X to take a swipe at Pia.

“How on earth do you check up on people who are happily eating together, drinking coffee, and even going live on FB, just to accuse the minority bloc of supposedly knowing something about the gunshots at the Senate?” said Lacson.

Some social media users, meanwhile, responded to Cayetano’s meltdown through songs.

NJ Mijares posted a song, “Kumusta ka, Pia? (How are you, Pia?)” with lyrics like: “Kumusta kayo diyan? Sana ‘di kayo tinamaan ng bala ng kalaban. Ang buhay ‘nyo, kumusta naman? Kumusta kayo diyan?“

(How are you doing there? I hope you didn’t get hit by enemy fire. How about your life? How are you doing there?)

Mijares posted a disclaimer and also told Rappler that he wrote the lyrics himself, but used AI for the voice and arrangement.

Influencer Lovely Granada, meanwhile, used a satirical take on radio drama to narrate the story of the character “Yapi C.” The lead, according to Granada, was in pain after her office suffered an attack, yet no one checked up on them.

– Rappler.com