Photo from PABLO's IG

BUTATA

Did I say Pablo writes the cleanest, most elegant diss tracks? I did, didn't I? Well, I will say it again. Pablo writes the cleanest, most elegant diss tracks. If you're a person with low IQ, it would probably be almost impossible for you to quickly pick up if he's dissing you. His speaking voice is so soft and sweet, especially if he has his CEO hat on, and his singing voice is so versatile that even if you're a hater on social media, it would be hard for you not to enjoy his music. You will find yourself bouncing your head and enjoying his beats without realizing that he's been roasting you the entire time.

Butata is a song inspired by basketball, Pablo's favorite sport. Ironically, this particular sport is commonly used as a metaphor for life. Terms such as the ball is circle refers to consistency of change in our lives. We will never always be sad or down, and just like a ball, when you hit the ground, expect that you will eventually be catapulted upwards. Considering his wisdom and deep understanding of the world, it is not surprising that he managed to write a song that is not just inspirational, but also as witty as this one.

It's the Finals, ilang segundo na lang ang natitira

At lamang kami, mga idol

Hawak nila ang bola, I know

Pero hindi nila alam lahat ng aking pinaplano

But don't mistake this for being simply an inspirational song. The first verse talks about the setting being the Finals, which we all know is the most important and brutal part of any game or competition. This is the point where everything is critical and making a mistake is no longer an option. He then proceeded to say that there's only a few seconds left and they have the upper hand. The final line on the first verse refers to the fact that even when bad people around you do their best to keep their eye on you, as long as you keep your composure and remained focused on what's important, they will never win. It may seem like they have the ball, but you have the control.

Dito na crumossover

Biglang pinasa do'n sa three pointer sa may corner

Nagmala-MJ na pumeke, dila, it's over

Nag-buzzer beater, quick release sabay sigaw agad, "Wala, butata"

(Yeah, haha, yah, butata)

 In the pre-chorus, Pablo portrayed someone trying to make the winning or tying score before the game ends. Just like in life, it's either you will do whatever it takes, even at the last minute to try to win or succeed, or it's the people around us who would do everything they can, even devalue themselves if they have to, just to bring us down. Following the first verse, it could be more about the latter. Pablo may be referring to his haters who were thinking that by attacking him in social media, they were actually winning against him. What they don't know is that, he's been winning all this time. Though, upon reviewing the chorus, Pablo might actually mean the former, and here's why.

Boy, 'yun ang inakala mo

Hakeem, Sakuragi'ng mala-Gori 'to (Woo)

Matuto kang rumespeto

Nang 'di ko na isalpak sa pagmumukha mo (Butata)

Ah, 私は スタ player reppin' Etivac, Imus, Pag-asa

Uno, dos, sa tres, walang mintis, mapapa-sheesh

Got that ice in my blood vessel, 'di mo mababasa like woah

He started with the line Boy, 'yon ang inakala mo, which might mean the one people are doubting was him. He used Hakeem, a well-known basketball hall of famer, Sakuragi, the legendary anime character, and Gori who is also known as Akagi, the great leader of Shohuku High's basketball team. These three were known for their unique abilities that helped their teams win and cemented their legacies. This speaks to Pablo's confidence and self-assurance. A'tin knows him as an introvert off the stage but a monster performer on stage. 

He used to dislike it when people praise him, but now? It's the change we've all been waiting for. He can now openly praise himself even if it's just through jokes. He then proceeded to tell whoever's listening to learn how to respect. He also used a Japanese phrase Watashi wa suta, which translates to I'm star followed by player reppin' Etivac, Imus, Pag-asa, his hometown.

Tanghaling tapat laging nagbibilad

Kita na 'yung sando kahit pa hubad

'Lang kapaguran kahit pa na babad

'Ge, magmala-fiend, wasak kaagad, kasi ako ala-God

'La na 'tong atrasan, deliks dikit lang ang laban

At kung usapang sabayan, lalamon ka pang bigasan

Sa dami ko nang naiwan, 'la nang dapat patunayan

'Yun nga lang nagkainitan ta's biglang nag-flop kalaban

(Charging number fourteen)

Verse two is obviously a nod to the Filipino basketball players who play in the street, mostly because that's the one place they can play. Many of them don't have the opportunity to rent closed courts or be a part of a varsity team. They are the ones who would play for anything, even an ice water and play like their lives depend on it. The next line says 'Ge, magmala-fiend, wasak kaagad, kasi ako ala-God. The term magmala-fiend translates to acting like a fiend—someone wicked or cruel, someone evil. The line 'ge, magmala-fiend translates to acting like a fiend, which could refer to his haters acting on social media like they are someone of importance. The phrase wasak agad translate to being destroyed immediately or easily, which could be about how easy it is to destroy his haters. He simply just have to ignore them and make them feel irrelevant.

The phrase kasi ako ala-God translates to being God-like, and it also sounds like alagad or follower. He then proceeded to state that he is in a delicate situation and that there is no turning back. Pablo also hinted that when it comes to a fight/competition, his detractors still have a lot to learn before they can match him. The line sa dami ko nang naiwan, 'la nang dapat patunayan is a statement. From the day his group debuted, Pablo has proven his greatness and has left many, especially those who belittled him from the beginning, frustrated, shocked, dumbfounded, and utterly disappointed about themselves because they are still the same as they have always been—losers.

 He then ended the verse saying 'yon nga lang nagkainitan ta's biglang nag-flop kalaban. He could be pertaining to how unsuccessful his haters are because if they are successful, they wouldn't have the time to hate him. The final line says charging number fourteen, with charging as an offensive foul in basketball. It is a charging when an offensive player made a significant contact with a defensive player on an established position. This line sounds like describing how he offended his haters.

Malas pa, na-turnover

Biglang tinawag ako ni coach, do'n sa may corner ('No bang ginagawa mo?)

Chill lang, gar, it's not over (Chill)

Nag-buzzer beater mabilis na sumabay, sigaw madla, "Butata"

(Haha, oh, butata, butata)

This pre-chorus refers to hitting a roadblock. It could be that he made a mistake that gave his detractors a leverage. Even in such situation, his mind is to remain calm and level-headed. He also used the line nag-buzzer beater mabilis na sumabay, sigaw madla, "Butata!", which can be an indication that just when his detractors thought they got him, he proved them wrong. Pablo is a man with utter focus and determination. He is not that easy to break, and he knows what he wants and how to get it. Everything he experience in life is a valuable lesson he stores in his vault of wisdom and uses when the time is right. He is like the ultimate strategist that knows how to play his cards and move ten steps ahead.

If you're a hater who has a small brain, you would probably miss the underlying message of the song about his haters not winning against him. They will keep trying until their blood turns green, but they will never win. It is a reality they have to face. He already made a name for himself and even when he finally decides to step out of the limelight, he'll always be Pablo, the CEO of 1z Entertainment, the songwriter and composer of many of iconic songs that will live for generations, and he will be remembered by many, while his haters will remain as faceless nobodies who can barely make ends meet.