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.

- Nathalie Tomaada

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.