Lyripedia

"Esem" is a mid-1990s hit from Filipino rock group Yano, which is included on their eponymous album. The song is a reference to SM City North Edsa, the very first super mall established by SM Prime Holdings, in Quezon City, Philippines. This mall is one of the favorite tambayan (hangout) of some University of the Philippines students, which members of Yano (Dong Abay and Eric Gancio) belong. In this song, they recount their experiences while loitering inside the mall without any money to buy things except for transportation fare and two cigarettes. It shows the true iskolar ng bayan (scholars of the nation), who strive hard to study with their little allowances. Esem Patingin-tingin, di naman makabili Patingin-tingin, di makapanood ng sine Walang ibang pera, kundi pamasahe Nakayanan ko lang, pambili ng dalawang yosi Pamoy-amoy, di naman makakain Busog na sa tubig Gutom nailipas din Patuloy ang laboy Walang iisipin Kailangang magsaya, kailangang magpahangin Nakakainip ang gan...