It was by chance that I found Vim Nadera's and Paul Val Peña's Katoto site, which contains a collection of Vim's poetries and Paul's music written many years ago while they were at UST.

I was grinning as I listened to Sitsiritsit (to the tune, of course, of Sitsiritsit). After some time, reality set in and I realized that the words, although written many years ago, still holds true today. In fact, the lyrics read like it was only written yesterday because the same conditions they were in then (when they wrote the poem) are the same conditions we are in now (while reading the lyrics).

SITSIRITSIT, ALIBANGBANG

Sitsiritsit, Alibangbang,
Salaginto, Salagubang:
Ang babaeng nasa Cubao
Wala pang mens kung ibugaw.

Santo Niñong aming patron
Meron akong isusumbong.
Bunso ko pong sampung taon
Ay sa solvent nalululong.

Mama, mamang may M-16
Puede po bang inyong dakpin
Ang salarin po sa amin
Mukha ninyo ang salamin?

Ale, aleng nagtutulak,
Hihintayin mo bang uwak
Ay pumuting parang tawas?
Wala po ba kayong anak?

What has changed really? Virtually nothing.  Filipinos, regardless of age, are prostituted by circumstances. Rugby/solvent in plastic are still in for streetchildren who wanted to curb their hunger for food and attention. The difference between uniformed men and criminals is almost indecipherable. In shanties and mansions, teenagers while away their time sniffing shabu.

Where to, Juan?

Listen to the contents of Vim and Paul's Katoto music here.  The lyrics to their Bahay Katutubo (to the tune of Bahay Kubo) is piercing, funny and true.