Ben&Ben and SB19‘s song “Kapangyarihan” resonated with attendees at nationwide protests in the Philippines on September 21, 2025, including the “Baha sa Luneta” (Flood in Luneta) in Rizal Park and the ‘Trillion Peso March” at the EDSA People Power Monument.
These rallies, which coincided with the 53rd anniversary of Martial Law, were organized in response to corruption in flood control projects that have shaken the nation and its people and are currently under congressional investigation.
The song “Kapangyarihan,” which translates to “power,” was released as a digital single in 2021 by Ben&Ben as part of their second studio album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno. The folk-rock and hip-hop track calls for accountability and criticizes the misuse of power and the spread of lies. The song was written in response to the December 2020 Tarlac shooting, when former police officer Jonel Nuezca fatally shot two of his neighbors.
Ahead of the rallies, SB19 members Josh and Pablo shared a video of themselves singing a snippet of the track, with the caption, “Ninanakawan niyo kami tapos gusto magpigil at maging mabait pa rin? (You robbed us, and now you still want to hold back and act nice?)”
Meanwhile, Ben&Ben performed the track live at the ‘Trillion Peso March.’ Before performing, they expressed their commitment to holding those in power accountable, stating, “Ang kapangyarihan ay nasa kabataan! Sabay-sabay nating sabihing, ‘Nagsisilbi ka dapat!’ (The power is in the youth! Let us all say in unison, ‘You should be serving!’)”
They also wrote in their post of the full performance: “Hindi na tayo papayag na walang pananagot na magaganap sa mga kurakot na pulitiko. Para sa Pilipinas at sa kinabukasan, magmatyag at tumindig tayong lahat. (We will no longer allow corrupt politicians to go unpunished. For the Philippines and our future, let us all stay vigilant and stand up.)”
Other artists expressed solidarity despite not being able to attend the rallies. KATSEYE‘s Sophia Laforteza shared in an Instagram story that her heart is with her fellow Filipinos, who all deserve “a future built on truth, integrity, and hope.”
BINI, on the other hand, shared a joint statement on X, with individual members posting on their own accounts as well. G22 also joined in with their statement, highlighting that the current generation will not remain silent in the face of injustice. KAIA also referenced their own track, “TANGA,” in a post captioned, “Hindi na magbubulag-bulagan, Hindi na magpapaka-tanga. (No more turning a blind eye, no more playing foolish.)”
Adding to the wave of support on the same day, Maki, the final performer at Day 2 of the San Miguel Oktoberfest at Okada, Manila, used his platform to show solidarity: “Bago ako maging singer, Pilipino muna ako. Itigil natin ang korapsyon! Dapat may managot. Dapat may makulong. (Before I became a singer, I am a Filipino first and foremost. Let’s put an end to corruption! There must be accountability. People must be jailed.)”
Listen to “Kapangyarihan” by Ben&Ben and SB19 below: