“Sirena” is the first single from Gloc-9‘s new album MKNM: Mga Kwento Ng Makata, his first album under Universal Records.

Most OPM songs that positively tackle homosexuality have been written from a third person’s perspective, an observer’s point of view, like the 2010 song “Ituloy Mo Lang” by Siakol. Gloc-9′s “Sirena” is a song about a gay man recounting his experiences growing up. “I think this is the first time that a song about a gay man is presented in a first person’s point of view,” the rapper explains. In the mainstream music scene, he just may be right.

The lyrics detail the unnamed gay man’s childhood. He admits to showing signs of being gay since he was a kid. He played games traditionally associated with girls (i.e. Chinese garter and piko), used bubblegum to make his lips red, etc. The hook, sung by Ebe Dancel, uses the oft-portrayed image of a child being repeatedly submerged by his father in a of container drum full of water just because the kid is gay.

Gloc-9′s last verse reveals that our character has become the responsible caretaker of his cancer-stricken father. His dad ended up apologizing to him, “Anak, patawad sana sa lahat ng aking nagawa. Di sinusukat ang tapang at ang bigote sa mukha dahil kung minsan mas lalaki pa sa lalaki ang bakla.”

My first few gut reactions are a couple of questions. Would the father have eventually accepted his son’s gender regardless of whether his son is taking care of him or not? Does a gay man have to prove himself first before being accepted by those close to him?

“Sa patagalan ng paghinga sakin kayo ay bibilib,” the hook proclaims. Indeed, the gay man in the song has incredible patience to endure the abuse and mockery even from his father. I do appreciate and respect how Gloc-9, a heterosexual man, chose to portray the story of a gay man. I’m sure other gay men feel the same. Thank you, Mr. Aristotle Pollisco.

J. Pacena directed the music video for “Sirena.” He also directed Gloc-9′s past videos like “Upuan,” “Elmer,” and “Walang Natira.” And shoutout to my Twitter friend Noel Escondo who is also the assistant director of the “Sirena” MV.

TV personality/host Boy Abunda appears in the clip, along with other LGBT personalities Momoi Supe (professional interior designer), Tuxqs Rutaquito (stage director/actor/set designer), Carlo Vergara (Zsazsa Zaturnnah creator), Wanggo Gallaga (writer and HIV advocate), Ricky Francisco (independent conservator and curator), and Ladlad Partylist’s Danton Remoto, Bemz Benedito and Raymond Alikpala.

You can buy and download “Sirena” here.

You can also buy the full album via iTunes or via MyMusicStore.