Ang The Batutues, at iba pa.

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BLOGGER DISCLAIMER and RATING (R-16): The videos you are about to see contains words that are not suitable for young audiences. Lewd or sexual utterances may be expected. Parental Guidance may be necessary. Or not. ^^
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Yesterday, I was surprised to learn that a group of artists, passionate at reviving the art of verbal jousting, commonly known in Filipino as Balagtasan, existed, and is great at it. This is my tribute to them, for showing me and reviving my passion to write and share my thoughts in Filipino. I might not be as good as them when I speak, but at least on paper, in my own words, I will be able to spark and idea, a creation, a life outside the box, and inside the hearts of many.


Ngayong gabing 'to, matutunghayan ninyo,
Dax Cutab, Siege Malvar at Gene Abrajano.

Walang masasabi ang sipag at tiyaga,
o galing at talino ng ibang grupo,
o litanya man ng kanilang artista,
sa diwa at puso, kanilang pambato,
sa laro ng angkin at mga salita.

The Batutes, matatawag sa kanila,
From 'da original king of Balagtasan,
Si Jose Corazon de Jesus a.k.a.
Huseng Batute, ang kapita-pitagan.

Mga batutero, bibigyan tayo
ng konting patikim. Pagpasyahan ninyo,
kung totoo lahat ng sinasabi ko.

Heto, pagmasdan n'yo ang isang video,
kung saan silang dalawa'y magtatalo.

Kung si John Lloyd Cruz ba, o si Papa Piolo?




According to their Facebook page, The Batutes is a "performance art group composed of GP Abrajano, Dako Cutab, and Siege Malvar. Having named themselves after the original king of Balagtasan, Jose Corazon de Jesus a.k.a. Huseng Batute, the trio aims to revitalize the Filipino verbal joust in metered rhyme by infusing their own brand of humor and poetics to the traditional structure of Balagtasan. They have performed in various venues all over the metropolis, and are now hard at work on their first collection of Balagtasan."

This is the rest of the video (again, I caution those who may be offended by lewd or sexual utterances, play at your own risk). :P



P.S. The verbal jousting at House of Runes was just done impromptu, and by special request, without audience, therefore this is not their A-game. It was just for fun, for our own pleasure. Hehehe

Art In Site Magazine Launch at Ayala Museum

On Saturday, January 17, Manila’s arts aficionados and patrons will be welcomed to a special reception at the Ayala Museum to announce the publication of the inaugural issue of Art in Site Magazine. The quarterly publication will be produced in Manila and distributed in the Philippines and the U.S. It is envisioned to be a leading resource for, by and about Filipino artists filled with insightful and engaging articles relating to the arts in all its forms to incite a renaissance of sorts—a rekindled interest in local art, artists, and a renewed sense of pride to be Filipino.



Art in Site Magazine is not just another arts magazine. Its history and unique vision are as remarkable as the people behind its creation. Patricia Laurel, editor of the magazine has the qualifications and pedigree: great-grand niece of national hero Jose Rizal; educated in Germany and the United States; writing credentials with European Stars and Stripes and Associated Press in the United States. Under Laurel’s leadership, Art in Site Magazine was conceived under the banner of a Cooperative for Artists in the Philippines and the U.S. as a way to connect a growing international community of artists of Filipino descent.



In every issue of Art in Site Magazine, a special article will be devoted to an update on the Cooperative’s ultimate goal — the establishment of the Manila Center for the Arts. The Center will be a physical structure that can be the hub for artistic development, exhibition and study; a nurturing home for Filipino artists, arts educators, and students to convene. Patterned after the highly successful San Francisco Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, the plans include a Center School for young artists, state-of-the-art performance and exhibition spaces for small audiences, the provision of legal and practical services for the artistic community, and advocacy programs to increase government and private support of the arts in all of its forms.









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