BLOG #1: Arts in the Contemporary Philippine Society
"Ayaw" is a song written and performed by Syd Hartha that addresses apparent issues of sexual assault, harassment, rape, and victim blaming. The song is accompanied by a music video that shows Syd with a group of men. It is saturated with symbolism and depicts the central themes by means of the lyrics and choreography.
The song narrates a woman's experience of harassment that proceeds the seemingly diaphanous word "ayaw." And even with the many no's and disinterest, it will always be the woman's fault because of the many notions embedded into society, namely that a woman wanted it because of how they acted or moved, or they were simply just being "pabebe;" hence, the lyric "Ako pa rin ba ang puno't dulo nito?". This is not merely a narration but is very much a universal reality to all women everywhere, especially in the Philippines.
Aside from the lyrics, another form of art that depicts many women's struggles in contemporary Philippine society is seen in the symbolism throughout the music video. At the very beginning of the music video, it is seen that Syd wears a veil and filipiniana, which was removed from her; this represents purity and innocence stolen from many Filipino women. In another scene, Syd is in front of a plastic covering her abusers. This may signify the lingering trauma that comes with abuse; even when it's over, it seems to be following, trying to reach you. And even at the end, where Syd and the other men return to the same position in the first scene, it shows that abuse does not end, but it is a cycle that happens over and over to many women.
This song and its music video will disturb. It will scream and speak its message because that is what art is. Filipinos have and will always use art to unsettle because beyond the many definitions of art, I believe that art speaks to and speaks for the people who cant be heard.
When words cannot be heard, art, in any form, will speak louder.
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