EDSA

 

EDSA also known as Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue is probably the busiest main road in the country, catering to thousands of people every day. Who is not familiar with the struggles motorists and commuters experience on that very road every single day? The time-consuming traffic that feels like it would never end, uncaring drivers who overtake everyone each chance they get, and the impatient drivers who are always full of rage. In his most recent release as a solo artist, Pablo related EDSA to the reality of life. As a brilliant lyricist, Pinuno perfectly related road situations to life experience, and promote positivity as a motorcycle rider himself.

According to an article published by the World Health Organization in December of 2023, there are approximately 1.19 million vehicle accident-related deaths. Among these deaths are those caused by impatient drivers who couldn't let others go before them, many are also caused by drunk drivers and those who are not paying attention on the road. These are the deaths that never should've happened. If only every driver behind the wheel were responsible, careful, and attentive, a lot of lives could've been saved. The saddest part is, that the majority of the lives lost were young people whose lives have not even started yet. In that respect, this is not simply about art, it is a necessity.

Heto na naman sa EDSA kahabaan

But I'm riding on, I keep riding hard

'Di pa rin nasanay 'tong aking kailaliman

But I'm riding on, I keep riding hard

Heto na naman sa EDSA kahabaan

But I'm riding on, I keep riding hard

Kita nang siksikan, ba't mo pa pinagpilitan?

But I'm riding on, I keep riding hard

In the literal sense, the song's chorus talks about the highway itself. Imagine being stuck for hours on a 23.8 km highway, depending on where you're supposed to go. The boredom, the irritation of sitting in a vehicle, unable to move freely. How frustrating is it, especially for those who go through it daily? Knowing Pablo, sog's part could also have a wordplay. Heto na naman sa EDSA kahabaan or heto na naman, said sa kahabaan considering how long EDSA is. You will truly feel exhausted and drained when you deal with heavy traffic.

Teka lang, ano na nga ba'ng petsa? (Hay)

Andito na naman kasi ako sa EDSA

Kumpleto lagi almusal ko dito sa umaga

Mainit na kape, kamote't paborito kong pacencia

Minsan talaga may kakaiba, aga pa merong movie

Madalas sa Ayala ang hiwaga o sa Guadalupe

Pipinahan ng bus, at ikaw naman you just move it (Busit)

Kung gusto mong mapayapang byahe sa EDSA, turn up the music (Turn up)

The lines: kumpleto lagi almusal ko dito sa umaga. Mainit na kape, kamote't paborito kong pacencia pertains to the hotheads, while kamote commonly refers to stupid people, and pacencia is a bread, which could also mean pasensya or patience. This line: pipinahan ng bus, ikaw naman you just move it refers to bus drivers who love to occupy every space on the road so they can be ahead of each other. This verse on the song promotes positivity on the road that will potentially save many lives.

Mata, mata, diretso lang sa kalsada

Sundot, sulyap sa billboard ni Ms. Ivana (Huli)

Iwas disgrasya, yari sa jowa (Yari)

'Hit idaan mo sa Ricoa, bugbog, talbog ano mang bola, ah, nah

Teka nga lang sandali't kailangan ko na ngang magmadali

Kapag gan'tong walang galawan kalikasan ayan nangangalabit (Ooh-ooh-ooh)

'Wag naman sana akong abutan, 'di kaya'y makawayan (Ayan na)

'Si hindi ko pa talaga bayad 'yung huli kong katangahan (Tanga, ha-ha)

In this part, Pablo reminds motorists to keep their eyes on the road. Driving a vehicle is already dangerous as it without us losing focus. Yes, there are moments when something would get our attention, but ultimately we must remain focused because it's not only our lives that we are responsible for when we're driving. Pablo also displayed his playful side by adding a bit of comedy to the song tackling one funny and sincere truth. When it's traffic, there's always the possibility of nature calling upon you. He even playfully relates the line 'wag naman sana along abutan, which is about bowel movements to the line: 'di kaya'y makawayan, which is about traffic enforces stopping you on the road for violations. Then he ended the part with the line: 'Si hindi ko pa talaga bayad 'yung huli kong katangahan, which is about the fine or ticket a driver gets for violating a traffic law.

Marami mang aberyang hadlang sa'yong daan

Patuloy lang ang andar sa'yong pupuntahan

Kahit pa minsan nama'y 'di mo na malaan

Kung ika'y nasaan, basta walang masagasaan

Kaya diretso lang, diretso lang palagi mong tatandaan

May nag-aabang sa'yo, 'di ba?

Sumpa mo pa lahat ng 'yong ginagawa

Walang iba kung 'di para sa kanila

Ah, 'wag na nating sabayan pa

Ang init ng ating panahon, huminahon (EDSA, sabay-sabay)

The bridge part directly talks about life itself by saying that no matter how many hurdles we encounter in life, we just keep going. Even when things seem so uncertain, as long as we're not hurting anyone, we just keep going. The same could be said about drivers on the road. No matter how traffic it is, they just keep driving until they reach their destination. They have families waiting for them, so they need to be safe all the time. People they promised to do everything for. Pablo encourages us to remain calm, especially when we're on the road. Anger is unnecessary and it will only put a lot of lives in danger. So keep calm and remain focused.