The fusion of traditional and modern elements can reinvigorate a nation’s literature, as it allows for a dynamic exchange of ideas and styles
Love to rap and rhyme?
Willing to fuse the new with the old to develop a new literary/musical form?
If so, then this prize-packed competition is for you!
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has launched the Kanto Kultura: Baraptasan 2024, a national competition that crosses the traditional literary form ‘balagtasan’ with modern rap.
The balagtasan is a traditional Filipino literature form.
It is debate conducted in verse, and its creation is attributed to Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar (1788-1862).
Rap is a form of modern popular music created by African-American communities. It features rapid, rhythmic, and vocal delivery in street vernacular, performed with a backing beat or music.
‘Baraptasan’ is a mashup of the two forms, and integrating them successfully should prove to be an interesting challenge to the performers of today.
The competition sponsored by CCP is open to all Filipinos aged 18 and older. The languages that may be used are Filipino, Ilokano, Hiligaynon, or Cebuano.
Participants compete as a team of three, with two persons taking the opposite sides of the verbal joust (Unang at Ikalawang Magbabaraptas) and one acting as mediator (Lakandiwa if male, Lakambini if female).
Each group must submit a video of their verbal joust performance following the traditional balagtasan, debating on specified topics, and building their arguments using rap.
Topics for the competition include:
(1) Sa pagsusulong ng kaunlaran ng bansa, aling paraan ang dapat gamitin — makabago o makaluma?; [In promoting the development of the nation, which approach should be used – modern or traditional?]
(2) Nakakatulong ba ang social media sa pag-unlad ng kaisipan ng mamamayan — oo o hindi?; [Does social media help with the development of citizens’ thinking – yes or no?] and
(3) Kailangan bang mangibang-bayan upang higit na mapaunlad ang sarili? [Does one need to live abroad to further develop as an individual?]
Ten finalists will be selected to perform in the national competition set for April 6, 2024, in Manila, as a celebration of the centennial anniversary of the first balagtasan.
Each group will be judged based on their effectiveness in discussing the given topic (35 percent), their proficiency in rap and balagtasan (35 percent), and overall performance (30percent).
The first prize is P300,000, second prize P200,000 and third prize P100,000. The other finalists will receive P50,000 each.
The deadline for the video submissions is on October 31, 2023. Submit entries via https://forms.gle/fgxQx5j1nn7kiAS87. For inquiries, email content@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Check CCP’s social media accounts for more information.
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This baraptasan contest brings to mind the rap battles that are popular with Filipino youth nowadays. The activity features two or more performers freestyling at each other in rhythmic wordplay that incorporates insults and boasts.
The contest is to see which performer comes up with the better verses, often adlibbed in response to their opponent.
Battle rap has its roots in the U.S. hip-hop community of the 1980s. As the form developed, emphasis was placed on new stylings, charisma, and witty comebacks and punchlines.
Today’s most common battle rap format has two competitors or ‘emcees’ trading pre-written rhyming verses performed without a beat.
The impromptu aspect is present in the ‘rebuttal,’ where the emcee makes up short verses on the sport about their opponent, like their shirt or personality or other characteristic that they can ‘diss’ (disrespect).
Perhaps the most successful battle rap league nowadays is FlipTop, founded by Alaric Riam Yuson in 2010.
It is the first and largest professional rap battle conference in the country, and through its many events over the years has created and nurtured talents from all across the Philippines.
CCP’s baraptasan competition can encourage rap battle emcees to cross-over their performances into the balagtasan style, thus encouraging more appreciation for the traditional form.
I’ve watched balagtasan jousts online that incorporate a beat and rap stylings, freshening the form for a new audience.
Refreshing traditional styles of literature, as the baraptasan attempts to do, breathes new life into time-honored literary traditions, preventing them from becoming stagnant and fading into obscurity.
By blending old and new, we create a bridge that connects generations, making these traditions accessible and appealing to younger audiences who might otherwise overlook them.
Rap battles, for instance, offer a platform for individuals to engage in spirited discourse, mirroring the historical essence of balagtasan, where poets debate social and political issues.
This convergence serves as a reminder of the enduring relevance of traditional forms while showcasing the evolution of artistic expression.
The fusion of traditional and modern elements can reinvigorate a nation’s literature, as it allows for a dynamic exchange of ideas and styles.
This encourages creativity and innovation while preserving the essence of the culture and sparking a renewed interest in the rich resources of our cultural heritage.
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Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com
