#ArtPH - BARAPTASAN 2024: BRINGING DIFFERENT VOICES IN ONE STAGE
Poetry and verbal jousting are so much more to a mambabalagtas than just a means of conveying intricate feelings and tales. Balagtasan, a type of traditional verbal jousting, originated as a kind of entertainment during the dark days of American colonialism, but it later evolved into a forum for discussing sociopolitical issues that plagued modern society.
Through anecdotes, poetry, and witty repartee, the mambabalagtas would argue the advantages and disadvantages of local issues. On April 6, 1924, when it initially occurred, Balagtasan gained popularity.
People from the town would congregate at the plaza to hear mambalalagtas argue their positions on various social concerns. Although it appeared to be a vocal demonstration of one's fluency in the Filipino language, it turned out to be an effective means of educating the public and starting meaningful discussions on social problems.
However, as new entertainment venues have emerged throughout time, verbal sparring has decreased in frequency. In light of this, the Cultural Center of the Philippines launches a new initiative to preserve verbal jousting, or balagtasan, in the minds of Filipinos, particularly the younger generations.
To commemorate the centennial of Balagtasan, CCP, through its Kanto Kultura program, presents BaRaptasan, a Balagtasan competition with a twist. The competition gives Balagtasan a contemporary feel with the incorporation of rap. With topics discussing the clash between modernity and tradition, the CCP’s Kanto Kultura BaRaptasan Grand Finals is open to the public. Ten finalists will battle it out in the finale, slated on April 6, 2 PM, at the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium.
The group finalists are: Ang Mga Supling ni Angela, Bagong Koronadal Advocates (City of Koronadal), Barapbida Normalista, DMD, El Setecientos, Harayasista Group, Lakbay Iral, Rapper sa Pinas, Tanglaw, and Waraptasan.
 |
| ANG MGA SUPLING NI ANGELA OF TABACO CITY, ALBAY |
Paying homage to the first Filipina poet Angela Manalang Gloria, and one of Tabaco City’s proud daughters, Ang Mga Supling ni Angela hopes to present Tabaco City with a bang on the national stage. The group is composed of Kirschen Xyvrl Balajadia, Carlo Campit, and Franco Balingbing.
The proud children of Tabaco believe that their hometown has a tight-knit creative community, something that Filipino people should know. “Kasi ‘pag sinabing Albay, ang unang naiisip ay Legazpi City. Pero meron ding Tabaco City. Gusto naming ipakilala sa national stage na nandito kami,” said the group.
 |
| BAGONG KORONADAL ADVOCATES (CITY OF KORONADAL) OF SOUTH COTABATO |
Working students and full-time storytellers Angel Faith Leal, Jhon Van Lapu, and Philip Jay Leaño make up the Bagong Koronadal Advocates group. Aside from being familiar with verbal joust competitions, the members share the same love for theater. “Pare-pareho naming mahal ang entablado,” declared the group.
The group wants to bring the city of Koronadal wherever they go, especially for BaRaptasan. To sincerely support the group, Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena even went to the extent of awarding them the Gawad Parangal ng Sining of Koronadal City.
 |
| BARAPBIDA NORMALISTA OF TACLOBAN, LEYTE |
Members Ray Padiwan, Wally Concepcion, and Dave Padel are third-year students taking up Education (majoring in Filipino) at Leyte Normal University. Handpicked by their professor for the competition, the three want to reintroduce their university as an avenue for creatives, not just academics.
“May kakayahan ang mga taga-Leyte Normal University na ipamalas ang kanilang galing sa mga ganitong malikhaing paligsahan,” said Barapbida Normalista.
 |
| DMD OF MAKATI CITY |
The fourth group, DMD, consists of rappers John Dave P. Rosimo, Marielle Lou C. Bernardo, and Reynaldo S. Bernardo from Makati City. Their group name stood for their initials.
Before BaRaptasan, the three had been joining rap competitions. Couple Bernardo and Bernardo are members of Champion Paikot, a group of rappers, but would sometimes join contests as a duo. Rosimo has also been competing in rap contests.
 |
| EL SETECIENTOS OF SANTA ROSA, LAGUNA |
El Setecientos, a group from Santa Rosa, Laguna, is composed of Simon, Mhagz, and Arkyak. Besides continuously honing their craft as seasoned rappers, they now want to present their craft to the national stage. Always eager to experience something new, El Setecientos of Laguna signed up for BaRaptasan to contribute to the artistic landscape of the Philippines.
 |
| HARAYASISTA GROUP OF LABO, CAMARINES NORTE |
The Harayasista Group may have performers Louie L. Francia, John Earnest M. Evidor, and Amynel L. Garino, but it also has Angel Yasis as its coach. Hailing from Camarines Norte, Yasis looked for performers to create his own group after assisting another competitor.
Meanwhile, Evidor became interested in BaRaptasan because it engages his two passions – music and poetry. “Nagkaro’n po ako ng interes dahil pinagsama ‘yong rap at Balagtas. Ang ganda!” he exclaimed.
Their group name, Harayasista, came from the Filipino word haraya, which translates to wandering mind. Yasis inserted his surname “Asis” and added the syllable “ta” for “tao” or people.
 |
| LAKBAY IRAL OF DASMARIÑAS CITY, CAVITE |
Lakbay Iral members Aaron Vincent G. Jimenez, Louie Ross P. Reyes, and Gabriel Angelo Pedrosa formed the group because of the BaRaptasan competition. True to its translation, Lakbay Iral aims to live life by creating and immersing in the arts.
Shortly after realizing their passion for sharing arts and crafts, the three members found themselves in a non-government organization, strengthening their bond as artists. Its members participate in open mic competitions despite their busy schedules as students.
 |
| RAPPER SA PINAS OF BOCAUE, BULACAN |
Ernesto Canoy Jr., Oliver Monidero, and Fernando Melencio Jr. met through a Facebook group for rappers. Melencio reached out to the other two and quickly became friends. Eventually, they formed Rapper sa Pinas and applied for the competition. They want to bring to the competition the natural nature of their performance, emphasizing their message and working hard to make sure it will be heard.
 |
| TAGAPAGTAGUYOD NG LITERATURA AT WIKA (TANGLAW) OF ILOCOS SUR |
The Tagapagtaguyod ng Literatura at Wika or TANGLAW is actually an organization from the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, under the Secondary Education Program. Edlyn Baniqued, Deprisse Guco, and Schulamight Manzano chose to honor their school as they represented their institution on the BaRaptasan stage. They are all third-year Filipino Majors who were invited by their professor to join this competition.
 |
| WARAPTASAN OF TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE |
Waraptasan is a wordplay spun by its members to show that they are from Tacloban City. With Waray as their language, members Ma. Regina Babon, James Leala, and Kenneth Cinco believe that “when doing art, you have to bring your own identity.” And that is exactly what they plan to do in BaRaptasan.
Despite coming from different parts of the Philippines and different backgrounds, all 10 finalists share the same passion for storytelling, rap, poetry, and theater. All of them anchor on their passions, hoping they will emerge victorious and be named the first Hari ng BaRaptasan.
Comments
Post a Comment