Snaps for slams: Spoken word poetry

According to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, spoken word poetry is thoroughly defined as “…poetry that is written on a page but performed for an audience. Because it is performed, this poetry tends to demonstrate a heavy use of rhythm, improvisation, free association, rhymes, rich poetic phrases, word play, and slang. It is more aggressive and ‘in your face’ than more traditional forms of poetry.”

With the advent of technology, more and more traditions such as these have seen resistance to fully bloom and grow due to the widespread availability of its alternatives. For example, the vinyl record, although amassing a steady rising number of cult followers in today’s youth, is not able to fully break into the mainstream due to the presence of what some might deem as more convenient means to listen to music.

Such is the dilemma that spoken word faces in this current generation: will it break free from its underground connotations and finally burst again into the forefront of the art scene or will it remain hidden in the back alleys and hidden coffee shops for the pleasure of a select few?

These spaces

Two writers of The LaSallian found themselves falling in line outside Sev’s Café along with many others, despite it being a weeknight. Walk-in patrons eagerly awaited on the side as the long line of those with reserved tickets slowly filled the cramped venue. The cafe was turned into a mini-theater, with the tables gone and rows of chairs and couches facing the small stage illuminated by a spotlight. An art exhibit of various artists was in a room adjacent to the main room, entertaining the audience while they waited for the show to begin. A sharing of “hugot lines” and stories in exchange for a drink broke the ice and started the night of feels and poetry.

With performers ranging from those in their teens to those in their 30s, each piece was different from the next: from love and loss, to women empowerment, to justifying the traffic in EDSA. It didn’t matter whether they were old-timers confidently and effortlessly taking the stage, or first-timers bravely conquering the anxieties of stage fright—they all had their own story to share, and that night they were surrounded by people who wanted to listen. Three sets of performers later, it was the audience’s turn to come up on stage and perform their own piece. The event seemed a lot like friends in their usual hangout, catching up with one another and telling each other about memories and experiences.

Speak! Philippines

After everyone performed, the writers got the chance to interview two of the performers, Slac Cayamanda and Abby Orbeta, members of White Wall Poetry and Words Anonymous, respectively. Both organizations are part of a much larger umbrella group called Speak! Philippines, a non-profit community that was founded with the goal of making spoken word events and slams more accessible to all those who share an interest towards live poetry.

Before settling with its current name, Speak! Philippines operated as Team Sev’s, taking its name from the place wherein its founders, Slac Cayamanda, Michelle Manese, Angel Cruz, Niña Tarol, and Paul Casita, would usually hold their rendezvous. “We [originally] formed it because we wanted to go to an Australian poetry slam festival. We tried to audition there,” Slac said.

In 2013 the group’s founders decided to drop its name in favor of its current one. Eventually they also dropped Speak! Philippines as a group name, ultimately using it to refer to the community in general. As of the time of writing, Speak! Philippines holds various spoken word groups under its wing such as the Marikina-based Polaris, Pinwheel Poetry, Kanto, and The Paperback Project, to name a few, with other groups outside of Manila starting to gain steam as well.

“Still a baby”

Although what we know of the medium today dates back to the 1980s in the US, spoken word is just beginning to take flight in the Philippines. “The thing is, if it’s going to be molded the right way, then there is a future for it… It could actually be recognized as a true art form here, because right now it’s still a hobby,” Slac explained.

Abby also had high hopes for the medium, telling us that her experiences and observations showed her how it’s quickly growing from a hidden treasure into something that can finally be shared by all.

The youth is definitely taking notice of the beauty of spoken word as it gradually enters the school setting. Slac revealed that some high schools are now offering spoken word as an elective to its students. A friend of theirs and a fellow poet, who used to teach, included spoken word in her lessons to get her students to do public speaking. High school students are putting up poetry slam teams and are holding poetry slam events in their own schools. According to Abby, a group of highschoolers even decided to forego their prom to attend an open mic night, with one of them delivering a piece that made an impression on Abby.

The duo is definitely excited about this since a lot of the interest in spoken word seems to come from adults. “In the US or other countries, the kids are doing it. Here, it’s the adults,” Slac explained. As spoken word slowly becomes a trend among high school and college students, they hope that it’s one that will outlast the tests of time. “I’m happy that there are some kids that are into it. That for me is a sign of a very bright future,” Abby said.

Spoken word, according to Abby, is for anyone who wants to try. “Hindi lang siya yung for a select few. Kasi yun nga, everybody has a story to tell, and for me spoken word is storytelling,” Abby explained. Many tend to shy away from poetry in general, with its
deep verses and technicalities, but spoken word might just be able to change their minds. It is not barred by any obstacles bearing racial and social divides, among others. Rather, it is free, both on a literal and a figurative level, ready to be resorted to upon the arrival of a poetic eureka.