Rising rapper Arkin “Barq” Magalona, son of the late “Master Rapper” Francis Magalona, could not hide his anger after learning that taxpayers’ money—including his own—was allegedly being funneled into anomalous flood-control projects.
In an interview with Ogie Diaz on his YouTube channel last Saturday, November 8, Arkin shared how frustrated he felt upon realizing how much of his hard-earned income from years in showbiz had gone to waste.
“Recently lang din ako nagpi-figure out ng mga taxes ko—kasi taxpayer ako. Matagal na akong taxpayer since bata pa lang, nagtatrabaho na ako sa showbiz,” he began.
He went on to say that the discovery left him boiling with anger.
“May accountant kami, kinausap ko. Nalaman ko kung magkano ‘yong binabayaran ko sa taxes, tapos lahat ng news na lumabas about the ‘ghost projects,’ syempre nakakakulo talaga ng dugo kapag nalaman mo, ‘yong binabayaran mong taxes, napupunta lang sa wala? Well, napupunta lang sa bulsa ng iba.”
When asked by Ogie if he could relate to the people taking to the streets to protest corruption, Arkin replied that he understood them completely. In fact, the situation has inspired him to consider writing politically charged songs — something that would echo his father’s legacy.
“Very possible. Kasi marami nang nagtatanong sa akin, ‘bakit hindi mo sundan ‘yong Papa mo na gumawa ka ng political songs?’ At that time, ang isinasagot ko, ‘hindi ko pa randam, e,’” he explained.
“Gusto ko manggaling talaga sa akin kapag ginawa ko. Hindi ‘yong parang pili na may ganito si Papa, kailangan ding gumawa ako ng ganoon. Hangga’t sa hindi ko maramdaman na gumawa ng ganoon na kanta, hindi ko talaga gagawin. Kasi hindi na galing sa akin, e…”
Now, however, Arkin admits that the anger he feels toward the system might finally give him the creative spark he needs.
“Nakakainis ‘yong ginagawa nila. So, in a way, nakaka-build ng fire sa akin na gumawa ng song,” he said.
Just last month, Arkin Magalona officially debuted under Sony Music Entertainment with his first single ‘Shake Dat Thang.’ But beyond the danceable beats, it seems the young artist is gearing up to follow in his father’s footsteps — using music not just to entertain, but also to awaken and inspire.
