'Dear Janet Napoles': A protest song in the digital age

The sweet vocals and pleasant melody might make “Dear Janet Napoles” sound like a love song. But make no mistake, the lyrics are scathing.

"Best friends ata kayo ni Hudas. Ka high-five mo pa si Satanas. Bakit mo winawaldas ang galing sa aking bulsa?" sings Xiao Santiago, who like many outraged Filipinos took to the internet to express disgust over news of a multi-billion peso pork barrel scam.

While angry reactions ranged from 140-character posts on Twitter to lengthy open letters, Santiago composed a song especially for Janet Lim-Napoles, the businesswoman who allegedly masterminded the scam.

"Dear Ms. Janet Napoles, I am Xiao Santiago and I am a tax payer. Sana ma-LSS ka. :-)" was the young musician's introduction to her video, which she posted on YouTube on August 19.



As of Sunday, the video has over 6,000 views, with over 100 likes and one dislike—probably from Napoles, as netizens joked in the comments section.

"Lahat ng empleyado, nagbabayad ng tax. Automatic ang kaltas. Ang buwis na yan sana ay pang 'Vicky Belo' mo, o di kaya pambili ng gatas. Hirap ka na bang kumayod? Manhid sa sermon ng boss? Subsob sa dami ng trabaho? Tapos kaw pa 'tong maluho?" goes the song, which Santiago dedicates to the working middle class.

Santiago told GMA News Online that her songs are usually about her life experiences. "I try to write songs wherein people can relate," says Santiago, whose recent single "Sana" is about being left behind.

"I guess the Filipino people can relate to that song, too, because we chose and believed several leaders but they eventually failed us," says Santiago, who says she "has been battered by ITRs and strangled to death by taxes for the past five years as a teacher and business owner."

Santiago wrote "Dear Janet Napoles" on August 19, to keep herself from getting anxious during the floods from the southwest monsoon.

"Nerbiyos ang inabot ko dahil sa baha at kalagayan ng mga tao sa paligid ko. Samantalang ang iba naman masarap ang buhay. Kung sino pa ang kayod kalabaw, sila pa ang nasasalanta at nahihirapan," Santiago posted on Facebook.

"The stolen pork barrel could have been a disaster relief operation for everyone. Bakit niyo kami tinitipid? Ngayon, kailangan na namin yang kinuha niyo. Please explain," she said, posting a link to her song.

"Oh anong nangyari Ms. Janet Napoles? Nasan na mga papeles? Ang dami pang sinabi, kala mo di mahuhuli. Penge naman ng isang kotse," goes the chorus.

The Department of Justice has released a list of some 30 vehicles that might be used by Napoles and her brother, now fugitives after having been ordered arrested in connection with the alleged illegal detention of Benhur Luy, the whistleblower in the pork barrel scam.

Santiago's lyrics also contain a reference to Napoles' daughter Jeane, who landed in the spotlight for her lavish lifestyle.

"I love you baby girl, here is Justin Bieber. Naka-kickback ako sa isang lider! Shhhh!" Santiago sings, referring to Jeane Napoles' photo ops with the teen sensation.

Santiago shared that she ran out of ideas for the title, and ended up choosing "Dear Janet Napoles," which was "not too abrasive."

Santiago added that she was careful about writing the lyrics, because she didn't want it to be too brash. According to her, "nobody wants to listen to someone who's always cussing."

"I just want our kababayans to value the power of music and how it can ignite change among us," said Santiago, who plans to bring her guitar when she joins the anti-pork barrel march on August 26.

Santiago said she wants a new breed of fearless songwriters to emerge.

"I just want to bring back the awesome songwriting that we had from the 70's wherein it's all about change. It's fearless, straight to the point and most of all creative. Song lyrics should move you and put you into a deeper level of understanding while Music is the special agent that pierces into the hearts of many." — BM, GMA News