Cornelio, Ray Justin B.

IV- 7 BMAE Master Works in World Literature

The Song:

Among all the entries in ABS-CBN’s Himig Handog 2017, “Titibo-tibo” rose to the top
and bagged 1st place for being the song entry granting its songwriter Libertine Amistoso and singer
Moira Dela Torre a spot in today’s music industry. The song has been an earworm to this
generation’s forerunners and has been sang from the slums and hall of condominiums. The song
was written in a free-verse structure and is accompanied by ukulele with a jazzy vibe.

The song seems to expound the Gender spectrum theory the same as with how does the
song “Sirena” by Ebe Dancel explains the fluidity of gender and how does the LGBTQ break
normative standard and gender roles. In contrary to the idea presented by the 2 songs, Gender
Binarism ( wala po akong maisip na OPM na will make the thesis statement true hahahaha) was
tackled by the song produced and sang by Lady Gaga. Though these songs come from different
cultures and origin they still do tackle the contemptuous question; Is Gender fluid or binary?

Let us analyze first the lyrics of the song and how does it mirrors gender fluidity taking the
lyrics as an empirical example.

Elementary pa lang, napapansin na nila

Mga gawi kong parang hindi pambabae eh kasi
Imbes na chinese garter, laruan ko ay teks at jolens
Tapos ka-jamming ko lagi noon
Mga sigang lalaki sa amin
The introductory verse starts by reiterating past
accounts of the persona’s childhood. It shows that
she was exposed to masculine figures and activities;
which are all society-dictated stigmas. Thus fortifying
the idea that sexuality is influenced by society and
peers. (Nurture vs Nature Dilemma).
Who dictated these anyway? #SOCIETYSUCKS

Nung ako'y mag high school ay
Napabarkada sa mga bi-curious na babae na
Ang hanap din ay babae
Sa halip na makeup kit, bitbit ko ay gitara
Not only gender roles and activities are the things dictated by
the socio-normative standards, the way that people dress
seems to follow the norms too. Whether be it a heterosexual
or those who are part of the LGBTQ community, all of them
seems to submit to these stereotypical descriptions.

Tapos pormahan ko lagi ay long sleeves na Sadly ,this is how the society stereotypes such genders
T-shirt at faded na lonta and how they are viewed in the society in terms of their
appearance and roles.
 The first two verses show how the society stereotypes gender and its role and how does society
play a huge role in developing one’s identity and how his orientation builds up. Titibo-tibo is a good song
to start with if you want to build stereotypical orientation among your students. Just kidding!

Pero noong nakilala kita
Nagbagong bigla ang aking timpla
Natuto ako na magparebond at
Mag-ahit ng kilay at least once a month
Hindi ko alam kung anong meron ka na
Sa akin ay nagpalambot nang bigla
Sinong mag-aakalang lalake pala
Ang bibihag sa tulad kong tigreng gala
This part of the song shows how gender could develop and
transform throughout one’s life. Though the song reminded
stereotypical like how it always has been, it clearly shows the
gist of how Gender Spectrum works. May it be for Love, Lust,
Biological need or may it be intrinsic or an extrinsic
motivation, gender fluidity could happen once an individual
has decided to do so.

[Chorus]
Kahit ako'y titibo-tibo
Puso ko ay titibok-tibok pa rin sa'yo
Isang halik mo lamang, at ako ay tinatablan
At ang aking pagkababae ay nabubuhayan
Na para bang bulaklak na namumukadkad
Dahil alaga mo sa dilig at katamtamang
Sikat ng araw-araw mong pag-ibig
Sa 'king buhay nagpapasarap