In 2002, guitarist Eric Joseph Long resigned and was then replaced by guitarist Bradley Walther. Following the release of their Koolarrow Records debut called Smash The Octopus and their first American tour, drummer Ramon Vicente Banda also resigned from Flattbush. Ramon Vicente Banda was replaced by drummer Joe Luevano, then the band embarked on another United States tour.
Pigs
Flattbush Lyrics
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Gamit pandigma sumpa sa bayan!!!
Nabangkarote nasa dambuhalang hayop...
Pinagpipigapiga ang mamamayan...
Pamahalaan hawak ng dahuyan...
Ninanaknak na lipunan!!!
Education!
Work and land!
Freedom - hindi inbeysion!!!
Kagamitan ng sundalong Pinoy o Pinay
Mula pa sa U.S ito - totoo!!!
Helikapter, bomba, at iba pa...baril at bala
Sinasanay ng kano ang mga militar na Pinoy o Pinay
Kung papaano pumatay at pahirapan ang aping mamamayan!!!
Pigs on our shores
Train to kill!
What a curse!!!
Sa tugon ng tutang pamahalaan...
Ano, ano ang ating tugon?
Imulat ang mamamayan sa tunay na kalagayan!
Peoples war! people's war!
Support the people's war!!!
U.S Aid tulong nga ba?
Gamit pandigma sumpa sa bayan!!!
Support the people's war!
Not pigs war!!!
The song PIGS by Flattbush is a political commentary that reflects on the state of affairs of the Philippines government, its military, and the role of the United States in the country's problems. The opening lines of the song question whether the aid provided by the U.S. is actual help or a curse on the country. It goes on to assert that rather than providing aid, U.S. military aid is being used to suppress and oppress the people of the Philippines. The song paints a picture of a government that has failed its people and only serves as a pawn for foreign interests.
The lyrics also highlight the corrupt state of society in the Philippines, where the rich become richer while the poor suffer. The song accuses the government of being under the control of foreign powers and callous towards its citizens. The song uses vivid imagery comparing the government to an animal, "Ninanaknak na Lipunan," feeding off the citizens, "Pinagpipigapiga ang mamamayan." The song calls on the people to rise up against this oppressive government and take up arms in the people's war against the tyrants.
Overall, the song PIGS is a political commentary on the corrupt state of affairs in the Philippines. It calls for the people to take action and participate in the people's war against oppression and foreign interference, as seen in the support of the U.S. government and military aid.
Line by Line Meaning
U.S Aid tulong nga ba?
Is U.S aid really help? Questioning the intention of U.S aid
Gamit pandigma sumpa sa bayan!!!
Using military aid to curse the country. Highlighting the destructive nature of U.S aid
Nabangkarote nasa dambuhalang hayop...
Bankrupted and trapped like a giant animal (referring to the country's financial instability)
Pinagpipigapiga ang mamamayan...
The people are being oppressed and exploited by those in power
Pamahalaan hawak ng dahuyan...
The government is controlled by the elite
Ninanaknak na lipunan!!!
Society is decaying and deteriorating
Food!
Basic sustenance
Education!
Knowledge to empower the people
Work and land!
Access to livelihoods and resources
Freedom - hindi inbeysion!!!
Freedom without oppression (referring to the Philippines' history of colonialism and imperialism)
Kagamitan ng sundalong Pinoy o Pinay
Equipment for Filipino soldiers
Mula pa sa U.S ito - totoo!!!
This equipment is from the U.S
Helikapter, bomba, at iba pa...baril at bala
Helicopters, bombs, and more... guns and bullets (referring to the military aid provided by the U.S)
Sinasanay ng kano ang mga militar na Pinoy o Pinay
The Americans are training Filipino soldiers
Kung papaano pumatay at pahirapan ang aping mamamayan!!!
How to kill and torture the oppressed citizens (critiquing the unethical training provided by the U.S)
Pigs on our shores
Metaphorically referring to U.S military aggression and domination
Train to kill!
The military aid being provided by the U.S is aimed at training soldiers to kill
What a curse!!!
This is a terrible curse on our nation
Sa tugon ng tutang pamahalaan...
In response to the subservient government's actions
Ano, ano ang ating tugon?
What is our response?
Imulat ang mamamayan sa tunay na kalagayan!
Awaken the citizens to the true situation
Peoples war! people's war!
Advocating for a people's war against oppressive forces
Support the people's war!!!
Encouraging support for a revolution against oppressive forces
Not pigs war!!!
Rejecting U.S military aggression and instead advocating for a people's war against oppression
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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