Tatsulok: A Critique on the Hierarchy of Social Struggles
deskvalor
Mar 26
4 min read
By: Eian Gabrielle S. Zingapan
Introduction
"Tatsulok" by Bamboo is a song that depicts the socio-political realities of the Philippines, focusing on the hierarchy of society. The title Tatsulok, which translates to triangle, acts as a metaphor for the existence of hierarchy and imbalance, where those people who are powerful and at the top, strike powerless people. The dynamic is evident in the broader examples of inequality and relevant to the Philippine context, where some policymakers often remain in power by being dominant and suppressing people (SunStar Cebu, 2024).
The longevity of the issues of poverty and conflict in the Philippines, Tatsulok calls for a change in this societal system. A sociological approach delves into the song's engagement with inequality and social justice in the Philippines, highlighting the necessity of immediate action to liberate those trapped at the lowest levels of the social hierarchy.
Body
Tatsulok illustrates a detailed explanation of a society where the powerful or entitled are dominant among those who are powerless. The song's refrain, "Hindi pula’t dilaw tunay na magkalaban," symbolizes that there are distractions coming from political factions between the rich and the poor, such as political dynasties where elite politicians hold positions that distract people from the broader issue of inequality. The song highlights that societal problems come from economic inequalities rather than political ones often highlighted in social media.
The metaphor of the triangle shows how people are being treated with inequality without giving them the proper resources. Only a small minority can afford or have the means and support. The lyrics suggest that those who have the power manipulate their environment to ensure that they continue being dominant among them, while the poor remain a victim of exploitation and marginalization (Domination (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy), 2018). An example of this is the issue of farmers who don’t have their own land because political elites or landowners resisted agrarian reform, leaving them in poverty and dependence.
The line "Habang may tatsulok, at sila ang nasa tuktok, hindi matatapos itong gulo" implies that as long as no one challenges those at the top, this social inequality will not change. The song depicts violence as a manifestation of oppression and invites listeners to reflect on how inequality and injustice are the sources of conflict, particularly in marginalized areas.
Critical Analysis
Through a sociological lens, Tatsulok serves as both a critique of systemic oppression and a call for action. The song is a reflection of how inequality sustains the people to be violent and rebellious. Class in the Philippines has roots from the colonial period, where Spanish and American later reinforced a hierarchy of tenants and landowners, establishing a harsh socio-economic divide. The legacy still persists until to this date, where elites hold significant power and wealth among the majority. Tatsulok captures this continuity from history and frames the problem of inequality as an embedded societal issue.
The song’s anecdote aligns with Gramscian concepts of hegemony. Hegemony, in Gramsci’s theory, states that being dominant does not only manipulate through force but through ideology, convincing the people that their suffering is inevitable or natural. An example of this is the widespread acceptance of accepting social inequality in the country, which is often continued through ideological control. Bamboo tests this notion, that people should question the government system and take initiatives against the main source of their oppression, those at the top of the triangle. As previously stated, songs like "Tatsulok" are important in molding consciousness in politics and unity among the marginalized.
Even so, Tatsulok powerfully critiques inequality and a call to action for social change, it stops short of offering solutions outside the symbolic switch of the triangle. The said issue could be seen as a limitation, as more detailed solutions for systemic and social change are not looked into. On the other hand, the song’s open-ended call for action allows for different interpretations, giving it a wide draw among different social movements and contexts. Tatsulok serves as an eye-opener and urgent call to action that urges the society to challenge the ingrained systems of oppression and take collective actions to demolish the societal hierarchy. By depicting the battle of the oppressed and representing the need for a change, the song inspires the society to rise against all odds.
Conclusion
Beyond simple criticism, Bamboo’s Tatsulok is an effective call to action that raises the basic principles of societal hierarchies and the rise of social inequalities in the Philippines (Dressler & Turner, 2008). The song effectively depicts how power controls those at the top and continues to be dominant among the majority that suffers under oppression by using the triangle as a metaphor. A strong pressing need of change in addition to calling attention to these injustices evokes in the song. The song remains a relevant and influential piece of protest art, reminding listeners that unity is important and collective action should be done for a more just and equitable society (Knoke, 2019). The relevance conveys to the ongoing need for collective resistance, as the conflict for equality, justice, and freedom continues across generations. The message urges Filipinos to fight for their rights and challenge the status quo, emphasizing that everyone deserves an equal opportunity.
Reference List
Domination (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2018, November 8).
i love this thought-provoking critique paper! galing labyu