Gloc 9 displays sensitivity in Sirena

Ace rapper Gloc 9 started in music as a big fan of his idol and good friend Francis Magalona. Gloc 9 was inevitably compared to the master rapper when he was still a fledgling recording artist. But he downplayed the issue in respect to his friend. Although they are both rappers, each has his own distinctive style and Francis M was a trailblazer and an icon in Pinoy rap.

Gloc 9 has come a long way since then. He has successfully moved away from the shadow of Francis M and rapped his way into the music industry with a string of hits like Upuan, Martilyo, Sumayaw Ka, Isang Araw and Bagsakan which he sang with Francis and Parokya ni Edgar. He has also bagged several awards in the Awit Awards, MYX Music Awards and Philippine Hip Hop Awards, among others.

Gloc 9 has recently released his new album MKNM: Mga Kwento ng Makata under Universal Records. The 15-track album contains the songs Hari ng Tondo, Kung Tama Siya, Balak in Syke, Apatnapungbara, Silup, Alalay ng Hari, Hindi Mo Nadinig, Sino, Salarin, Inday, Bakit Hindi, Malakas, Pison, Thankful and the title track Sirena.

In an interview, Gloc 9 related that he worked very hard for this album which took him six months to finish.

And he has struck it bigger this time because the album is now selling like the proverbial hotcakes in record stores. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry like Chito Miranda, Bamboo, Jay Durias, Billy Crawford, Maychelle Bay of Moonstar 88 and Ebe Dancel who worked with him in Sirena.

Like the title of the album, Gloc 9 is a gifted poet who weaves lyrical words and sprinkles melodies into them. Throughout the years, Gloc 9 has matured in his selection of songs which is apparent in his new album. What’s interesting about MKNM is that it speaks about various socially-relevant issues. It bravely takes a stand on discrimination and homosexuality. Gloc 9 displays sensitivity in Sirena making sure he does not offend gays. Sirena is a truthful, poetic, cutting-edge narrative of a gay man’s journey that is too familiar to many of us.

When I was asked to appear in the music video, I said yes. I appreciated how the words were carefully written. The chorus is very catchy, “Ako’y isang sirena. Kahit anong sabihin nila, ako ay ubod ng ganda. Ako’y isang sirena. Kahit anong gawin nila, bandera ko’y di tutumba.” The song is enjoying brisk airplay in radio stations these days. In jest, I told Gloc 9 that Sirena can become the anthem of many of us.

Other prominent gay personalities featured in the music video are Momoi Supe (professional interior designer), Tuxqs Rutaquio (stage director, actor and set designer), Carlo Vergara (creator of ZsaZsa Zaturnnah), Wanggo Gallaga (writer and HIV advocate), Ricky Francisco (independent conservator and curator) and the triumvirate of Danton Remoto, Bemz Benedito and Raymond Alikpala of Ladlad Partylist.

Sirena is a story that is real. Like the gay man in the video who unconditionally loves his father even if he beats him and tries to drown him in a drum of water because he is an embarrassment. Homosexual love is no less than any kind of human love. For many years, homosexual love has been trivialized and demonized by bigots and homophobes who imperiously dictated the gender of the human heart. And we beg to disagree. Homosexuals have the same heart that beats fast at the sight of a loved one. Homosexuality is not a dreaded infectious disease. And just like the other genders, homosexuals have the fundamental right to life and happiness.

MKNM is now available in music stores nationwide. Go get a copy and be happy and gay.

Iza busy as a bee

2012 is definitely a good year for Iza Calzado. She has all the reasons to celebrate. She is blessed with product endorsements, television and movie projects including her top-rating ABS-CBN drama series Kahit Puso’y Masugatan which also stars Gabby Concepcion, Jake Cuenca and Andi Eigenmann.

She won this year’s Cinemalaya’s Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress awards (under the Director’s Showcase category) together with Judy Ann Santos, Janice de Belen and Agot Isidro for their movie Mga Mumunting Lihim.

Iza is in a romantic relationship with Ben Wintle, a Filipino-British entrepreneur and sportsman. They met at a friend’s party and since then, they have been inseparable.

Ben found Iza interesting because they have a lot of things in common. They like to work out, travel and dine together. “If I could give her a really special gift, it would be more time, to get more sleep, to do all the exercises she wants to do,” Ben says.

Iza recently celebrated her birthday and instead of a party she chose to help the flood victims of habagat.    

Venus excited with Pridyider

Venus Raj is excited in her debut movie Pridyider. The movie is directed by Rico Maria Ilarde under Regal Films. It is the sequel to one of the scariest episodes of Shake, Rattle and Roll starring Janice de Belen which revolves around a mysterious refrigerator that preys on females.

After conquering the global beauty pageant, the Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up is now set to make her mark on the big screen. Venus is grateful to her director and co-stars who helped her handle her first major, major cinematic outing.

The movie also stars Janice, Andi Eigenmann, JM de Guzman, Baron Geisler, Ronnie Lazaro and Joel Torre.