Gloc-9’s b-side: just a regular family man

In his musical career, Aristotle Pollisco – more popularly known as Gloc-9 – has already produced seven albums in the last 17 years. The songs he writes talk about some of the dark issues of society, like politics and discrimination.

In fact, his latest album entitled “Liham at Lihim ni Gloc-9” put it a notch higher as his carrier single “Magda” tackled prostitution.
 
But despite his increasing popularity, Gloc-9 admitted in his interview with “Tonight With Arnold Clavio” that he continues to live the life of a simple family man.
 
Fathering twins
 
Gloc-9 has twins, a boy and a girl, who are now 9-year-olds. Like their father, both are also musically inclined. “Pareho silang mahilig sa music, nagugulat na lang ako,” he said.
 
As a father, Gloc-9 is strict but at the same time lenient. “Ang mga anak ko kapag may nagawang [mali], kailangan ma-memo-han,” he said. “Pero lately since malalaki na sila, kinakausap ko na lang,”
 
Since his daughter is now nearing adolescent age, Gloc-9 is readying himself for potential suitors. “Kaya nga po nage-exercise na ako para ‘pag dumating man ‘yung panahon na may manliligaw na sa anak ko, mag fe-flex lang ako [‘pag nandiyan ‘yung manliligaw].” he joked.
 
And even though at the surface, his newest song “Magda” is obviously not about his children, he did say that his inspiration for writing the song came from his being a father.

“Dahil ako ay isang ama ng isang batang babae,” he said, “kapag nakakakita ako ng isang ‘Magdalena’ napapaisip ako na alam kong itong babaeng ito ay may tatay at nanay. Iniisip ko lagi kung anong nangyari [at nagkaganoon sila].”
 
Going to the next level
 
Without a doubt, Gloc-9 has succeeded in his career as a rapper. It was in 2002 when he started receiving several recognitions from local award-giving bodies in the music industry.
 
But is he planning to take it to the next level by going international?
 
Gloc-9 said it’s not in his plans and it did not occur to him even when he was still starting in the industry.
 
“Lahat po ng ibinigay sa akin ngayon, sobra-sobra pa. Puwede na nga po akong tumigil ngayon eh, and I’d still be thankful and feel very blessed. Pero kung mangyayari po [na sumikat ako internationally], edi ayos, thank you,” he said.
 
A rapper through and through
 
Gloc-9 is one of the best rappers in the industry today. But what else does he do best? “Magaling ako manood ng TV, manood ng sine, at tumambay kasama ‘yung mga anak ko,” he said.

When he decided at a young age that he wanted to become a rapper, Gloc-9 focused his efforts on mastering his craft. “Noong ako’y nag-decide na maging isang rapper noong 12 years old ako, nagpakadalubhasa na talaga ako, wala na akong ibang [hilig gawin]”
 
He does not even want to become an actor, which is likely to happen to people in the industry he is in. In fact, he feels awkward about it. “Noong nag-guest ako sa isang sitcom, kitang-kita talaga na hindi ako kumportable kasi ‘yung ngiti ko, ngiting ngawit. Halata mong hindi artista, eh,” he shared.
 
When asked what song of his best describes him, he answered with a song he wrote in 2004—“Simpleng Tao,” which goes:

Kahit na wala akong pera
Kahit na butas aking bulsa
Kahit pa maong ko’y butas na
At kahit na marami dyang iba

Ganito man ako
Simpleng tao
Ang maipagyayabang ko lang sa ‘yo ay ang
Pag-ibig ko
 
“Nadamay lang po ako sa music genre na medyo malakas ang dating, pero sa totoo lang po simple lang talaga ako,” he said.— Isabelle Laureta/CM, GMA News