“Isinasagawa namin y’ung pag-awit para ang aming mga nararamdaman ay maisagaw sa gobyerno. Y’ung mga hinaing ng mga manggagawa, y’ung mga aping tao ay mapakinggan sa pamamagitan ng aming pagkanta sa mga lansangan,” We sing so that our sentiments would be amplified to reach the government; so that the grievances of workers and other downtrodden people, could be heard through our performances in the streets) Joeben Ogalina said.
One member of the group, Ronalyn Sarmiento, narrated that she joined KOTSE simply to share her talent. However, as she got more involved in the group, she learned her responsibility, as a worker and as a citizen, to move and create change. “Dito nalaman ko yung bulok na sistema na lipunan, nalaman ko rin na maraming taong pinagsasamantalahan. Kaya doon sa mga sakit na nakikita namin, doon ko kinukuha y’ung inspirasyon sa pagkanta namin” (Here I learned about the rotten social system, and I learned that many people are exploited. From the social ills I see around me, I derive inspiration for our performances), Sarmiento shares
KOTSE: arousing fellow workers
Being a member of the group is a good thing. Besides sharing their talent to others and learning about the responsibilities and their rights as workers, they are able to help in awakening other workers and providing them with a venue for voicing out their concerns in a song that thousands of people could hear.
Richard Lucenio shared how great it is to be a member of the group. He was able to use his talent for a good reason, and spend his time wisely by participating in the group’s activities. “Maganda ang pagsali sa grupong ito, hindi lang nakakatulong sa sarili kung hindi pati sa mga mamamayan na makapagmulat pa dahil sa gobyerno nga natin talagang ang sistema ng gobyerno ay hindi para sa mga mamamayang naghihirap kung hindi para sa mga naghaharing iilan” (Being part of this group is a good thing. It is helpful not only to myself but to others, as it helps in showing that our government serves not the poor people but only the ruling few.) (Bulatlat.com)
