Reina L.

Cresino Bs-Biology 3

July 12, 2018

Video analysis of Tatsulok

This song is originally written by Rom Dongeto which is a group member of local folk rock which
is the ‘buklod’ during 1980’s which is popularized by Bamboo, formerly of Rivermaya a well-known local
rock band here in Philippines. So speaking of 1980’s during this year many events were happened in the
Philippines first of that is the assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr., EDSA Revolution But before that
happened during late 1970’s Martial law was happened that leads to that event during 1980’s.

So back in the song, this song is written after Rom Dongeto attended French revolution in France,
He wrote it with a thoughts in mind “What it will take to change Philippine society, so that the majority at
the base of the pyramid will prosper, not just the few at the apex” so this song is more likely about the social
status of the Philippines. So in the Music video that is been shown, it is really eye catching the man in white
there which represents as ‘totoy’, as what I’ve observed the word ‘totoy’ is commonly used in Philippines
to called a male person. This totoy in this song is in white shirt and white pants which for me means an
ordinary person that is belong to society relating into the lyrics of the song which is “Totoy makinig ka,
wag kang magpa-gabi baka mapagkamalan ka't humandusay dyan sa tabi’’ this symbolizes that ordinary or
not ordinary person should listen carefully to the grievances of the people around them because on that time
It was height of Aquino government enforcement of its counter insurgency policy, which the state forces
also taking lives of common folk. Also in the video which the band of the bamboo first is on the top of the
building which for me represents the top of the apex of the pyramid and later on it became in the side of the
building it is like they are on the side of the pyramid which is in slanting part that they stepped in. and also
in video we can the transition of color from black and white to blue to yellow-orange for those color
represents the color of the elites that been ruling or influential in the field of politics and economy that is
been on the top of the apex. However, the song doesn’t point fingers at any one person. Instead, it points at
the people who are holding all the power, and are ultimately refusing to distribute it to the powerless, being
content to just hold on to it for their own selfish desires. The song wants to illicit anger and revulsion,
hoping to incite a revolution, and it’s one of those songs that truly show the plight of the poor.

For me the end of it all, the song doesn’t attempt to take sides; in fact, it encourages you to do the
opposite, instead of bothering with distinctions in allegiances, get to the root of the problem the numerous
power hungry individuals trying to seize and stay in power, no matter what. The song invokes in us anger,
seeing as how the wealthy are the only ones capable of “affording” justice, while the rest of the country is
abused by the rich and powerful.