Tatsulok

"Tatsulok" (Filipino word literally translated to Triangle; paraphrased as Pyramid) is a Filipino

folk song originally composed by Rom Dongeto in 1989 and performed in 1991 by his trio folk-
rock band, called "Buklod", which includes Noel Cabangon and Rene Boncocan.[1] The song
explains to a young man that there's an ongoing war and that the war is just the effect of a
bigger problem. It tells the young man to take action and topple a pyramid upside-down to end a
never-ending war between the rich and the poor.

"Tatsulok"

Song

Language Filipino

English title "Pyramid (Paraphrased from 'Triangle')"

Composer(s) Rom Dongeto

Lyricist(s) Rom Dongeto

The song was popularized in 2007 by the band, Bamboo, when they released their third album
We Stand Alone Together with their version of Tatsulok along with it.[2] Since the release of
Bamboo's Tatsulok, the song has become the anthem of young Filipino activists.[3]

History
"Tatsulok" was originally sung in 1991 by a trio folk-rock band, Buklod, who writes and performs
songs about environment, politics, and human rights. The song was written in 1989 by Rom
Dongeto, during the so-called "Total War Policy" of Philippine Government, under the late
President Corazon Aquino with New People's Army (abbreviated as NPA), the armed wing of
revolutionary organization, Communist Party of the Philippines. [4] The NPA is referenced in the
song as the color "Red" (Filipino: "pula") due to association to Communism and the Philippine
Government is referenced as the color "Yellow" (Filipino: "dilaw"), being the color that Aquino is
known for.[5]

The song explains that the armed conflict between the NPA and the Philippine Government
under Aquino Administration is just the effect of a bigger problem. To fully understand, before
Aquino came into office, Philippines was on a fourteen year Martial Law under late President
Ferdinand Marcos. And NPA was one of the groups that helped toppled Marcos, vacating the
seat which Aquino later took when she was inaugurated on 5 February 1986.[6] So the war of
NPA with the previous Marcos administration of Philippine Government simply continued under
Aquino administration, thus the "never-ending war".[7]

Renewed popularity

In 2007, a now-defunct Filipino rock band, Bamboo released their third album, We Stand Alone
Together, with their version of "Tatsulok" as the carrier single. The song topped the Philippine
Music charts breathing new life to the song.[8]

In 2018, Buklod re-released the song on their new album which marked the band's three decades
since formation in 1987.[9]

In 2020, Filipino folk-pop band, Ben&Ben, performed a ballad rendition of the song on their BBTV
episode on 12 August 2020.[10]

See also

"Bella Ciao" - an Italian protest song popularized by Netflix' Money Heist

References

1. Alexander Martin Remollino. "Rom Dongeto and the Revival of a Protest Song" (https://www.bulatlat.c
om/news/7-6/7-6-song.htm) .
 2. Maresa G. Engo (12 June 2010). "Tatsulok" (https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/198659) .

3. Tina Arceo-Dumlao (8 September 2017). " 'Tatsulok' the song of protesting millennials" (https://enterta
inment.inquirer.net/241421/tatsulok-song-protesting-millennials) .

4. Union of Catholic Asian News. "Human Rights Meeting Provokes Criticism of 'Total War' Policy" (http
s://www.ucanews.com/story-archive/?post_name=/1990/05/18/human-rights-meeting-provokes-criti
cism-of-total-war-policy&post_id=30520) .

5. Mark MerueÑas. " 'Yellow-ribbon fever' for Cory spreads to the Web" (https://www.gmanetwork.com/n
ews/news/nation/168238/yellow-ribbon-fever-for-cory-spreads-to-the-web/story/) .

. Jose Maria Sison. "It was a convergence of various forces" (https://news.google.com/newspapers?ni

d=2479&dat=20060224&id=FFg1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jiUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1930,4044246) .

7. Asian Journal USA. "Max Soliven recalls Ninoy Aquino: Unbroken" (http://asianjournalusa.com/max-so
liven-recalls-ninoy-aquino-unbroken-p5828-87.htm) .

. The Philippine Star. "For Bamboo, Tomorrow Becomes Yesterday" (https://www.philstar.com/cebu-ent

ertainment/2008/12/21/425448/bamboo-tomorrow-becomes-yesterday) .

9. Tarra Quismundo. " 'Call of the times' Buklod reunites, releases new album" (https://news.abs-cbn.co
m/life/11/19/18/call-of-the-times-buklod-reunites-releases-new-album) .

10. "Ben&Ben sings rock version of 'Pagtingin,' plays 'Otso Otso,' 'Tatsulok' with a twist" (https://www.gma
network.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/751080/ben-amp-ben-sings-rock-version-of-pagting
in-plays-otso-otso-tatsulok-with-a-twist/story/) . GMA News Online. 12 August 2020. Retrieved
6 November 2020.

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