Gloc-9: Famous? Who, me?

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

Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid

Naglalakihang mga braso, saki’y dumidikdik

Drum na may tubig ang sinisisid

Sa patagalan ng paghinga, sa’kin kayo ay bibilib— from Sirena

Aside from Lando, Sirena was the song that catapulted Gloc-9 (real name: Aristotle Pollisco) to stardom. Most everybody knows the lyrics by heart, so it’s certain that the audience will sing along when Gloc-9 performs those songs (among his other hits in the repertoire) during his first concert series on four Saturdays of October (10, 17, 24 and 31), 8 p.m. at the Music Museum, titled Gloc-9 Live! Ang Kwento ng Makata. Guests include Aiza Seguerra, Jennylyn Mercado, Marc Abaya, Kylie Padilla, Chito Miranda (of Parokya Ni Edgar), Jonalyn Viray, Janno Gibbs, Ebe Dancel, Rico Blanco, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Yeng Constantino, Jolina Magdangal, KZ Tandingan, Julie Anne San Jose, Migz Haleco, Maya, Rochelle Pangilinan, Reese and Bamboo. (Ticket prices: P2,750; P1,870; and P880; call TicketWorld at 891-9999).

“Almost 80 percent of the repertoire is made up of my songs,” stressed Gloc-9. The rest will be taken care of by his special guests.”

What song comes closest to describing your life?

‘I get my material mostly from everyday life, lalo na ng mga masa. Naranasan ko rin ang nararanasan nila.’

“I treat my songs the way I treat my children. Whatever is the latest, ‘yun ang bunso ko at doon ako medyo mas malapit. But I would consider Sirena and Lando as memorable because those were the songs na nakatulong sa akin ng malaki.”

Based on Sirena, it’s easy to conclude that you are not homophobic.

“Sirena was inspired by our gay neighbor in Binangonan, Rizal, where I grew up. When I looked at his make-up, his loud outfit and his body language, what I saw was a person who was working very hard for his loved ones. He was working at a beauty parlor near our house. ‘Yan ang natatandaan ko sa kanya. Kaya naisulat ko noon na minsan mas lalaki pa sa tunay na lalaki ang isang bakla.”

Where is he now?
 “That was a long time ago. I was a kid then. Actually, I didn’t get to talk to him. I was helping tend my mother’s sari-sari store and I would see him passing by our house every morning on his way to work and at night when he came home from work. I don’t know where he is now. I don’t think he even knows that he was the one who inspired that song.”

How did you get Gloc-9 as your professional name?

“That was when I was starting in 1996. My friend who was a rapper told me that I needed a rap name if I wanted to be a rapper. Ang mga sikat noon sina Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre at iba pa. Violent ang mga songs noon so kelangan medyo violent din ang dating ng pangalan mo. ‘Yung glock ay isang klase ng pistol. It sounded good. I dropped the ‘k’ and put in ‘9.’ The name stuck. My early songs were medyo violent ng konti pero nag-change na through the years.”

When did you realize that you are famous?

“Uhm, to be honest, hindi ko nilalagay sa isang konteksto na sikat ang kinalalagyan ko ngayon. I am just thankful for the kindness and the support that I am getting from the public. I don’t have the guts to claim that I am famous. Ang masasabi ko lang, ako’y pinagpala.”

Do you remember the first song that you wrote or sang?

“I wouldn’t call the first thing that I wrote a song; it was more like a poem. I was 12 when I tried writing lyrics. When I was in grade school, I was in-charge of writing Filipino lyrics for popular English songs at that time. If there were jingles to be written, about anti-drug use or whatever, ako ang in-charge d’un. At an early age, I felt na may regalo ako sa pagsusulat.”

Speaking of drugs, there’s a perception that some artists are users. Have you ever used, or just tried, drugs?

“My mother was super-strict. My siblings and I were strictly disciplined. Ako lang po yata ang rap artist na walang butas ng hikaw sa tenga at walang tattoo. Kanya-kanyang lifestyle ‘yan. I was never used to another kind of lifestyle. I am a very, very rare drinker. I drink only when very necessary at kung hindi maiiwasan, kung life-or-death situation na. And I don’t smoke.”

Were you named after Aristotle the philosopher?

“No. My mother named me after Aristotle Onassis.”

How was your childhood like?

“I am the second among four children. My father is an OFW in Saudi. My mother was the one who raised us. At an early age, I saw how hard it was to bring up four children. My mother did that very well. Siya ang nagpalaki sa amin. Now that I have a family of my own, I really appreciate my mother all the more. Na-realized ko kung gaano kalaki ng sakripisyo at hirap na ginawa nila sa pagpapalaki nila sa amin. That’s why I always mention in interviews how forever thankful I am to them. I also use my life experience as material for my songs.”

How many children do you have?

“I have two, twins sila, turning 11 in November.” (His wife, Thea Gomez, used to work at the creative department of GMA. She now helps Gloc-9 who belongs to Perry Lansigan’s Stable of Talents.)

Only two?

 “Yeah. Mahal po ang tuition fee.”

Are you bringing up your twins the way you were brought up?

“I’ve learned from my parents but I have my own diskarte. My twins are a boy and a girl, so magka-ibang diskarte ang pagpapalaki sa kanila. They are both musically-inclined.”

You said in an interview that you used to write songs while tending your mother’s store?

“That’s right. That store helped my mother sustain us. Taong-tindahan ako kadalasan. My mother got our daily expenses from proceeds from that store kapag hindi pa dumarating ang remittance from my father. I watched life go by from that little store. That’s how I got the idea for Sirena and many of my songs.”

Is the store still there?

“No. It was demolished. My brother had a house built on the space.”

How has your writing style changed?

“It continues to change as I mature. Nag-iiba habang tumatanda ako.”

Your songs are so masa, that’s why the public can easily identify with your songs.

“It’s because I know kung ano ang pinagdadaanan ng mga kababayan natin, especially the masses. Naranasan ko ang nararanasan nila.”

How do you handle success?

“Uhm, I just try to be thankful. As much as possible, when I meet somebody who, for example, gustong makipag-selfie sa akin, sige lang nang sige. Ganyan lang.”

Have you written what may be considered the song of your life?

“Not yet. I like to believe that I am not yet finished with this journey. Kapag alam ko na malapit na, that’s when I will write the song of my life.”

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