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Abra

Josh Mercado

After 13 years, Abra’s popular socio-political hip-hop track “Ilusyon,” released in 2013, has made a comeback online, prompting netizens to reflect on how the country’s past issues with corruption, flooding, and unfulfilled promises remain relevant today. Following the song&#x27;s recent virality, online discussions about it have heated up on Reddit and Facebook, with some even commenting on the official music video on YouTube.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787009567378image0 (1).jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Screenshots: YouTube/AbraOfficial </div>“Ilusyon” was officially released on June 1, 2013, and later featured on Abra&#x27;s self-titled debut studio album, which was released in March 2014.In the song, the Pinoy rapper slammed elected officials for breaking their promises while in office. He also asked about the country&#x27;s issues with corruption, flooding, traffic, and poverty.He began the rap song with lyrics: “Nasaan na ba ang pagbabago? San? Wala pa rin pala. Kaming mga bulag sa katotohanan, ngayon nakakakita na. Kayo na nga &#x27;tong pumapapel, pati ba naman ngayon? Nakikipag-plastikan na. Bahala na kayo sa buhay n’yo. Basta huwag niyo &#x27;kong gagawing tanga.”Discussing the extravagant lifestyles of elected leaders, he continued, “Ilang dekada na ba? Nakapagtataka na. Wala pa ring pagbabago nang pagkatagal na. Imbis na mataranta, aba, nagbabalak pa. Pagtakpan ang matagal nang halatang-halata. Palakihan ng lote, paramihan ng kotse. Para &#x27;di mangamote, bayanihan nang konti. Matapobre, talagang plastikan ang forte. Natutulog sa pansitan na sandigan ng korte.”Asking for solutions, he added, “At sa Pilipinas, ang mga elektibo nagpapakabibo at hindi epektibo. Puro salita, pero ni wala man lang pruweba. Magpapakapropeta para walang protesta. Sa nakaraang problema, ano ba ang solusyon? Kung ang lahat ng nakikita ko&#x27;y isang ilusyon?”<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1787009580556image1 (1).jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Screenshots: YouTube/AbraOfficial </div>He went on with the lyrics, which netizens find relevant today: “Kapag umulan, huwag susubukang bumiyahe. Madalas ang pagbaha, may lumulutang na tae. Sandamukal na problema, pupuhunan daw sabi. Tutulungan, tutulugan, tututukan kunyari. Ngayon, sabihin n’yo kung nasaan diyan ang pagbabago. Baka nakasalamin ako, pagkataas ng grado. Kasalukuyang problema, ano ang solusyon? Kung ang lahat ng nakikita ko&#x27;y isang Ilusyon?”Emphasizing the issues of unemployment and education, the rapper added, “‘Di kayo makapagbigay ng mga trabaho. Kaya &#x27;di dapat kinailangan na mangako. Saan na&#x27;ng pagbabago? Taray naman. Imbis na magbagong-buhay, bagong bahay na lang. Habang maraming nagugutom at walang matirhan. At abot-kaya na gamot, wala man lang mabilhan.”<div>“Edukasyon sa lahat, &#x27;di magawang pagbigyan. Kayo ang boses ng taong &#x27;di n’yo kayang pakinggan. Magandang kinabukasan, na-orasan ko &#x27;yon. ‘Di ba, dapat ngayon ang kinabukasan noon? Kinabukasan na problema, ano ang solusyon? Kung ang lahat ng nakikita ko&#x27;y isang ilusyon?”</div>The “Ilusyon” hitmaker ended the song by saying, “Huwag n’yo &#x27;kong gagawing tanga.” Meanwhile, the music video has now reached 11 million views.

After 13 years, Abra’s popular socio-political hip-hop track “Ilusyon,” released in 2013, has made a comeback online, prompting netizens to reflect on how the country’s past issues with corruption, flooding, and unfulfilled promises remain relevant today.

After 13 years, Abra’s popular socio-political hip-hop track “Ilusyon,” released in 2013, has made a comeback online, prompting netizens to reflect on how the country’s past issues with corruption, flooding, and unfulfilled promises remain relevant today.

Abra’s 2013 hit song ‘Ilusyon’ about corrupt officials, floods resurface online

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Abra’s 2013 hit song ‘Ilusyon’ about corrupt officials, floods resurface online

Josh Mercado

Published August 18, 2026 11:59 AM PHT

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