Gloc-9 mirrors the hearts of Pinoys

MANILA, Philippines - Rap icon Gloc-9’s Ang Kuwento ng Makata concert held last Oct. 17 at the Music Museum proved to be two solid hours of incredible musical journey towards the deepest core of every Filipino’s soul.

Considered to be the country’s foremost rapper and a superb storyteller, Gloc-9 bared his heart and soul with each song, ensuring that the various Filipino stories are fully understood and felt by the audience.

Gloc-9, throughout the concert, made his personal stories soar with both his sincerity and intensity.

Earlier in the concert, Gloc-9 shared that sadness is his biggest inspiration. This is true with his Upuan, an apparent criticism of greedy people in power.

Gloc-9 shared their family’s struggles when his father worked as an OFW abroad. He tearfully recounted, “Yung bunso namin, pagka-uwi ng tatay ko, tinanong siya kung siya yung tatay niya.”

Gloc-9 admitted that now that he is a father to twins Shaun and Sean, he could fully understand the sacrifices his father made many years ago just to provide for the family.

He then performed his hit Walang Natira, his OFW song, and his collaboration with Rico Blanco — Magda, a song about a young lady trapped into the flesh trade for survival. Rochelle Pangilinan performed a sexy, intense dance number for the explosive number.

He then segued to Hari Ng Tondo, which he performed with Jonalyn Viray. He considered the song special because it won numerous awards.

Special guest Chito Miranda and Gloc-9 brought the house down with their back-to-back performances of Lando and Bagsakan, an original collaboration of Chito, Gloc-9 and the late Francis Magalona.

There were also light moments during the concert like the performances of Simpleng Tao and Sumayaw Ka, which became Gloc-9’s opportunity to mingle with his fans in the audience area.

One of Gloc-9’s biggest hits Sirena was performed with the song’s original singer Ebe Dancel. The said song was covered many times by numerous OPM icons, but the song soared with Gloc-9 and Ebe.

Gloc-9 also dedicated numerous segments to his idol Francis M, who Gloc-9 describes as a very generous guy.

He performed Alalay ng Hari, a song referring to him as the alalay while his hari is Francis M. He performed the song with Migz Haleco.

Gloc-9 also performed his heartwarming cover of When I See You Again.

Even if he could close his show with one of his many hits, Gloc-9, opted for a tribute, performing his idol Francis M’s Kaleidoscope World. The song is a fitting way to close the show.

As the lights dimmed, one really couldn’t help but feel exposed to the harsh realities of life and to the indefatigable hope of Filipinos — that’s the Gloc-9 effect.

You can still catch Gloc-9’s Ang Kwento Ng Makata tomorrow, Oct. 24 and on Oct. 31 at the Music Museum. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum at 721-0635.