When ABS-CBN News sat down with Gloc-9 and Gary Valenciano for the collaboration on the rapper’s anniversary track entitled "Walang Pumapalakpak," we asked Gloc-9 for his reaction on this unprecedented success of "Sirena."

“'Yung song na 'yan, nung ire-release namin 'yan, takot na takot ako. Takot na takot dahil ayaw kong maka-insulto ng tao. Alam ko kasi nung sinulat ko 'yan, hindi ko tsinelas o sapatos ang suot-suot ko. Ako’y nagsuot ng ibang sapatos o tsinelas," Gloc-9 said. 

“Kaya ako natatakot kasi ayaw kong may naisulat ako dun na baka ‘eh sira ulo pala ito hindi naman 'to ganyan.’” 

But right after the song was released, immediately Gloc-9 received feedback from people, randomly. 

“Nung minsan, I think days after namin ma-release 'yung music video may isang grupo ng production people na nagpunta sa bahay to interview me about the song. And then pinapanood namin sa kanila, eto na 'yung music video baka gusto niyong mapanood. And then 'yung isa talaga humahagulgol at the end of the song. And then she said, "Nararamdaman ko 'yan kasi 'yan ang buhay ng best friend ko. Maraming salamat.’”

He even received comments from fathers of gay children. 

“Minsan nag-guest ako sa isang show sa ABS, isang bouncer, ‘idol, salamat ha.' Sabi ko, ‘bakit?’ 'Kasi yung anak ko sirena rin eh, nung narinig ko 'yung kanta mo, naliwanagan ako.'”

While his song resonated to a lot of people, he didn’t realize that it would have a deeper significance to his life. 

“My son is gay. Nung sinulat ko 'yun, hindi niya pa sinasabi sa amin. Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sasabihin sa anak ko na, kung gaano ko siya kamahal,” he said. 

“Hindi naman ako ma-showbiz and I think para sabihin ko ito now, ako ay proud na proud sa anak. Ako ay excited sa kung ano man ang kaya niyang ma-achieve sa buhay niya.” 

“Minsan iniisip ko how life gives you hints of magic here and there. Nung natapos ko 'yung ‘Sirena’ hindi ko naman alam. And I don't mind. Anak ko 'yun.”

His son came out just a few years back and he couldn’t contain his happiness and how proud he is of his son. 

“Ako’y proud na may anak ako na tulad ni Daniel. Mahal na mahal ko ang mga anak ko at gagawin ko ang lahat para sa kanila,” he said.

And after more than a decade, he realized that what he wrote 12 years ago, was a gift not just for himself, but most importantly, to his son. 

“'Yun na 'yung regalo.”

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