MANILA, Philippines – A number of Filipino musicians expressed solidarity with the anti-corruption protests on Sunday, September 21, using their respective platforms to amplify calls for accountability and good governance from public servants.
Some musicians joined the rallies — the “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon Laban sa Korapsyon” at Luneta Park and “Trillion Peso March” at EDSA — while others spoke up online. The rallies were held on the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr., father and namesake of the current president.
Ben&Ben
Ben&Ben performed “Kapangyarihan,” their song collaboration with SB19, in front of the crowd at the “Trillion Peso March” on Sunday, September 21.
The song — often used as background music for online protests posts — turned into a protest anthem as its message became more symbolic when it was performed live at the rally.
After the rally, the band left a message on their Facebook page: “Hindi na tayo papayag na walang pananagot na magaganap sa mga kurakot na pulitiko. Para sa Pilipinas at sa kinabukasan, magmatyag at tumindig tayong lahat.”
(We will no longer allow corrupt politicians to be unpunished. For the Philippines and our future, stay vigilant and take a stand.)
Morobeats
Members of indie hip-hop label Morobeats, meanwhile, took the stage at the Luneta Park rally to perform their hit song, “Anak ka ng Pu!”
The song’s lyrics bear a blunt message directed towards thieves in power: “‘Yung sa amin, galing sa hirap. ‘Yung sa ’yo, galing sa mahihirap (What we have comes from hard work. Yours comes from the poor).”
Lola Amour, kiyo, Illest Morena
Before performing at the San Miguel Oktoberfest, members of Lola Amour headed to the Luneta Park for the morning rally.
“’Wag matakot (Don’t be afraid),” they wrote.
Known for his hit songs “Ikaw Lang” and “Eba,” kiyo also attended the “Baha sa Luneta” protest. He wrote in all caps: “PILIPINO GISING! AYOKO NA MAGING ALIPIN! (Filipinos, wake up! I no longer want to be a servant!)”
Singer and rapper Illest Morena also posted an Instagram video of herself during the EDSA rally as she chanted, “Ikulong na ‘yan, mga kurakot (Jail those thieves)!”
All three music acts, OPM band Lola Amour and solo artists kiyo and Illest Morena, were all spotted with a One Piece flag during the rallies.
This black flag with a skull on it is the Straw Hat Pirates’ flag from the anime. Within the context of One Piece, it symbolizes the fight for freedom and the challenge against oppression.
This isn’t the first time this flag has appeared in a protest, as Indonesian and Nepali protesters waved the same flag during the rallies in their respective countries.
Alisson Shore, Denise Julia
R&B singers Alisson Shore and Denise Julia took to the streets to join the rallies.
Alisson Shore attended the Luneta Park rally, wearing a face cover while holding a placard that reads, “We will make you pay!!!”
Denise Julia joined the EDSA Shrine rally. She compiled the footage she took at the protest, saying, “Hindi ito panahon ng pananahimik, at lalong hindi panahon ng pagsasawalang-bahala (This is not a time to stay quiet, and most especially, it is not a time of indifference.)”
Apart from her onsite presence, she also penned a strongly worded message on X, calling out her fellow artists in the entertainment industry who were choosing to stay silent on social issues.
“To my friends and peers in the entertainment industry who choose to stay quiet, sit in your comfortable homes, and look away while the masses are fighting, shame on you,” she wrote.
kung hindi ka pa rin galit ngayon, bakit?
kung wala pa ring puwang sa puso mo para makibaka at manindigan laban sa mga tiwaling namumuno at patuloy na nakikinabang sa dugo at pawis ng mamamayan, bakit?to my friends and peers in the entertainment industry who choose to stay…
— denise julia ♡ (@denisejvlia) September 21, 2025
She addressed the current situation in the country, specifically the billions of pesos being pocketed by public servants, and commented on the overused concept of “Filipino resiliency,” saying it “is not something to romanticize when it comes at the cost of being oppressed by our own government.”
Adie, Arthur Nery, Cean Jr., Zeke Abella
Joining fellow protesters calling for change were singers Adie, Arthur Nery, Cean Jr., and Zeke Abella, who were spotted at Luneta Park.
P-pop groups highlight ‘P’ in genre’s name
P-pop kings SB19 expressed their solidarity with Filipinos by sharing a short clip of them singing their collaboration song with Ben&Ben, “Kapangyarihan.”
Ang tao, ang bayan, ang tunay na kapangyarihan. pic.twitter.com/f6NzdeJfXV
— SB19 Official (@SB19Official) September 20, 2025
Prior to the group’s post, members Josh Cullen and PABLO shared a video of themselves singing an angrier version of the song.
While some viewers questioned their use of foul language, Josh defended it, asking the commenters to take a look at the current situation in the country.
“Minsan lang kami magsalita. Pigil pa nga (We rarely speak up. We even have to hold back)…. Don’t mock people who actually care about what’s happening in our country,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, fellow member Stell Ajero posted on X, saying that while he couldn’t be at the rally, everyone on the ground had his full support.
MAG INGAT PO ANG LAHAT NGAYONG ARAW. WALA MAN AKO NGAYON SA PROTESTA, NASAINYO ANG AKING BUONG SUPORTA! 🇵🇭#BahaSaLuneta
— Stell Ajero (@stellajero_) September 21, 2025
Eight-member girl group BINI also joined the call against corruption, posting on their official account: “Sabay-sabay tayong babangon. Sama-sama tayong lalaban sa corruption (Together we rise. Together we will fight corruption).”
P-pop boy group BGYO did the same, writing, “Mahal naming Pilipinas, nakikiisa kami sa laban (Our beloved Philippines, we stand with you in the fight).”
Five-member boy group VXON also joined the list of P-pop groups expressing support for the rights of Filipinos and the call to end corruption.
On their official account, the group posted a striking line from their song “SSP (Saksak sa Puso)”: “Saksak sa puso, tulo ang dugo, isa kang ahas na walang kasing sama (Stabbed in the heart, blood dripping, you’re the most evil snake).”
The official Facebook page of AJAA posted a statement calling on public servants to heed the calls of the people. The rising group said that they stand for integrity, truth, and meaningful change.
AJAA member JC Dacillo chimed in further, opening up on his family’s story on his official X account to the highlight struggles they faced in contrast to the lavish lifestyles the rich get to enjoy.
hindi ako tatahimik! nakakapagod na mag angat ng gamit kapag binabaha! tapos sila imagine nag mamall nabili ng bag! kabolangan eh no?!
yung mama ko, kung sino sinong kuko hinahawakan para lang mapaaral kame! tas sila nanakawin lang pera ng bayan, nakakatulog pa sa malaking kama! https://t.co/L4MPDtgZDd
— AJAA JC? (@jcdacillo______) September 21, 2025
“’Yung mama ko, kung sino-sinong kuko hinahawakan para lang mapaaral [kami] ta’s sila nanakawin lang pera ng bayan, nakakatulog pa sa malaking kama!“
(My mother worked on the fingernails of countless strangers just to send us to school, while others were stealing the nation’s money and sleeping in big comfortable beds!)
More P-pop groups like G22, KAIA, and WRIVE also took part in echoing their support for the protests through their social media platforms.
Through their official post, three-member girl group G22 empowered women to speak up: “Ekis sa bukabolaryo ang ‘babae ka lang.’ ‘Pagkat walang kasarian ang pagiging matapang (Just a woman is not in any vocabulary. Because bravery has no gender).”
Girl group, KAIA said in a statement, “The game is over, now we’ll take over.”
Meanwhile, Star Magic boy group WRIVE took a different approach to join the anti-corruption movement. They posted a video about them encouraging voting literacy, with the caption: “Sana po ay matuto tayo sa aral ng kasaysayan (Hopefully, we learn from the lessons of history).”
HEY JUNE!, Over October, Tothapi, Cup of Joe
OPM bands like HEY JUNE!, Over October, Tothapi, and Cup of Joe also voiced their support for the people’s fight against corruption.
“NGAYON ANG LAHAT DI NA MALABO!!! Gising na ang Pilipinas (Now, everything is no longer hazy! The Philippines is awake)!” HEY JUNE! said on their official X account:
The band then posted a compilation of the “Shet, nasaan aking salapi?” (Shit, where’s my money?) placards that were spotted at the rally. The slogan alludes to the opening lines of their hit song, “LASIK.”
Bassist Coey Ballesteros personally attended the rally and later wrote a message on her Instagram account: “Maraming salamat sa mga tumindig kahit saan man kayo, importante ang boses natin, sana makarating sa mga tenga at puso nila. Mga kapwa kabataan, baguhin natin ang kwento ng kinabukasan natin.”
(Thank you so much to everyone who stood up wherever you are, our voices are important, and hopefully they reach their ears and hearts. My fellow youth, let’s change the story of our future.)
“Ikot” hitmakers Over October, meanwhile, marked the occasion by reflecting on the cries of the people during the dictatorship. The band also reiterated their call for a transparent and accountable government.
“We echo the cries for a clean and transparent government and join the call to hold corrupt government officials and their cohorts accountable,” the five-piece band said.
Bicol-based pop band Tothapi released a statement condemning corruption and affirming their solidarity with the masses. “Yes, we make music. But our voice is also our protest, our hope, our promise,” the band said.
Although far from Luneta and EDSA, Cup of Joe still delivered their message against corruption during their performance in Iligan City. The band even joked about the “Multo” (ghost) referencing the ghost flood control projects that sparked outrage among Filipinos. – Alessandria Corral/Rappler.com
Alessandria Corral is a Rappler volunteer and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication student at the University of the Philippines Diliman.
