The Poetics of Masculinity: Gender, Vulnerability, and Cultural Identity in Philippine Popular Music

Abstract ―​

This paper investigates the negotiation of masculinity in the music of Hev Abi, currently the most-streamed local artist on Spotify Philippines in 2024, whose single Babaero was ranked the platform’s Top Song in the country. Focusing on his top ten most-streamed tracks—including Babaero, Walang Alam, Alam Mo Ba Girl, Makasarili Malambing, and WELCOME2DTQ—the study examines how Hev Abi balances lyrical and sonic markers of “angas” (street toughness and bravado) with gestures of intimacy, tenderness, and vulnerability. Through textual and musical analysis, framed by theories of hegemonic masculinity (Connell), hybrid masculinities (Bridges & Pascoe), and Asian soft masculinity (Jung), the paper argues that Hev Abi performs a hybrid masculinity that integrates vulnerability without undermining street credibility. His simultaneous embodiment of toughness and softness reflects broader shifts in Philippine hip-hop, where cultural scripts of masculinity are being redefined in ways that resonate with mainstream audiences. This case study contributes to Gender and Development discourse by demonstrating how popular music can both reproduce and expand gendered possibilities for male identity in the contemporary Philippine context.