Manila’s traffic is so bad Coldplay wrote a song about it

CNN —

Manila’s notorious traffic became a major theme of Coldplay’s visit to the Philippines, with frontman Chris Martin penning a song about the “insane” jams, and the country’s leader coming under fire for taking a chopper to one of the band’s two concerts near the capital.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife and their entourage arrived at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, north of Manila, by helicopter on Friday, according to photos shared on social media.

Online critics questioned why Marcos was spending public funds to attend a concert and criticized his lack of action in fixing mass transport.

Urban mobility has long been an issue for the millions of Filipinos who face the daily reality of sitting for hours in traffic, especially in the capital, where private cars, jeepneys, taxis, buses and tricycles compete for road space, while the metro system remains underdeveloped.

On the other end of the spectrum, it is not uncommon for politicians and business executives – or their family members – to take private choppers or small aircraft to get around.

Following a barrage of online criticism, Marcos’ security commander defended his mode of transport, citing “unforeseen traffic complications” that posed security risks to the president, according to a statement on Saturday.

Even Coldplay singer Chris Martin remarked on Manila’s congestion problem, thanking concertgoers for “coming through the traffic.”

“We’ve seen some traffic, but I think you have the number one in the world” he said, while Marcos was seated in the crowd, according to videos circulated on TikTok and X.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos at Coldplay's concert at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan,