‘MACHO RAP’ CAPTURES FILIPINOS’ LOVE FOR SARSA
OPM rap icon Gloc-9 owes much of his success to fasttalking and truth-speaking.
He demonstrated both convincingly when he dropped at the close of 2020 the music video for “Macho Rap,” Mang Tomas All-Around Sarsa’s first-ever jingle. He packed each beat with thoughts and words, and described a conventional truth among Filipinos: that the dining experience is elevated when you lather your food with Mang Tomas, our national sarsa.
The play on a happy, arguably comic element of Pinoy identity already makes for a feel-good song; but the bouncy, upbeat arrangement lends it even more positive energy. Add the antics of father-andson tandem Benjie and Andre Paras, who gamely lip-sync, dance and act lyrics out comically, and you have in front of you a homerun of a jingle.
It is a well-timed offering from Mang Tomas, too. It helps listeners take their mind off the gloom of 2020 and look forward with hope to 2021. Listen to “Macho Rap” on digital platforms like Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and YouTube Music to experience the boost yourself.
“Parang nasa ulap ang feeling ko kapag Mang Tomas ang nasa ulam ko,” Gloc-9, in barong Tagalog and salakot, says in the opening. He then enumerates the many familiar chows we find more exciting with a generous amount of Mang Tomas poured onto them – including plain rice!
Lirah, Gloc-9’s own protégé and regular collaborator, belts out a local truism in the chorus: Nothing beats Mang Tomas. Afterward, actress Kat Galang appears before a buffet of fried and roasted goods, a scene that makes us absolutely envious. She then goes on to lip-sync Gloc-9’s verse with Benjie and Andre.
If you think you can outdo them, you can prove it two ways. One, join Mang Tomas and NutriAsia’s #MachoRapChallenge on Tiktok. Post your attempt and join a challenge that has already breached 1.7 million views. Two, upload your cover of “Macho Rap” on Facebook or YouTube with hashtag #MangTomasPinakaMachoRap. The deadline is Jan. 31. Find out if you won a meet-and-greet with Gloc-9 on Feb. 15. Follow Mang Tomas on Facebook and Instagram for more details.
Kat and the Paras duo had no problems taking on the challenge perhaps because they agreed to every word of the jingle.
“In the Paras household, we love how Mang Tomas instantly makes any ulam something special… Mang Tomas makes every ulam a macho ganado feast,” Benjie said. Kat added: “Mang Tomas has been my favorite sauce in meals since I was a kid so collaborating with this brand is such a blessing.”
Plus, they enjoyed a free sampling of food during taping. As Benjie noted, “[W]e really got to taste for ourselves what makes Mang Tomas an allaround sarsa. Nagustuhan ko yung chicken, si Andre naman yung liempo. Kahit even before kapag nagshoshoot kami dati for Mang Tomas.”
Kat admitted: “I could never say no to the free lumpiang shanghai and Mang Tomas combo that was on set! This is definitely one of the best prods I’ve ever worked with!”
From beginning to end, the music video made us nod in awe, cheer and agreement. We most agree with these words: “Pag may Mang Tomas talo-talo na ‘to!”