7. Angela Mae Pamaos
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?:Â Most of the time, I write about social issues: political, women, mental health, minority, and life.
What inspires or informs your writing?:Â Movies. Books. My personal encounter to life in a daily basis or “danas” is number one. True stories of course from the people who suffered from oppression (different kinds of it).
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?: At least, to spark something. To discuss the things we need. And, pag-isipin ‘yong audience. Papiliin din sila. For me, you cannot do things for them to see what’s wrong, hindi mo pwedeng i-impose iyon eh, but you let them realized it, to also questioned things. And to move. Poetry, paper first then stage then out of the stage.
6. Henri Igna
Twitter & Instagram: @henriigna
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?:Â I like describing my writing (and even my writing process) as intuitive, thus most of what I write about are things that are very personal to me like my struggles with love, being a member of the LGBTQ+ community, etc.
What inspires or informs your writing?: I mostly get my inspiration from things I see on the road while commuting. With the worsening traffic situation in Metro Manila, you’re bound to form insights on your way home. But whenever I write about things I do not have first-hand experience of, I make it a point to read and research. Having a voice in this platform requires a level of responsibility in how you express your truth.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?:Â At first it was mostly selfish. I wanted to share. I wanted to express how I feel without being judged. I want to feel that my voice matters. Stepping on to the stage less and less, now I want others to feel the same way I did. I want people to find their voice and realize that their stories are important no matter what they have to say (of course, with a certain level of responsibility).
5. Kat Roxas
Twitter: @katatonictonic Instagram: @kattcchan
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?:Â I’d always thought my writing is very personal since I usually write about the things I value, my experiences and beliefs —Â be it in love, society, and even mental illness. These are the thoughts I wouldn’t have the courage to say in any other way. I always thought my writing was separate from the girl I project out into the world, but at the same time it’s the most raw and unfiltered version of who I am.
What inspires or informs your writing?:Â Consume art to make art. I get inspiration from movies, books, even snippets of music videos. I think art awakens a new part of me that just begs to be let out into the world. I also write from my anger with what’s happening to us as a country, and to the world as a society.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?:Â To make a connection. I want for someone to hear me and find comfort in a shared experience, to know that they’re not alone in whatever struggle or sadness they go through.
4. Abby Orbeta
Twitter: @abby_orbeta and Instagram: @orbitz_a
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?: Most of my pieces come from personal experiences so there really isn’t one theme that I write most about. I write to be able to process things I do not understand or would like to get to know more. I like telling stories and I wanted to be a stand up comic so my writing style is mostly narrative with a bit of humor injected in them.
What inspires or informs your writing?:Â I feel like my writing inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere but my writing is heavily inspired by real-life experiences, personal or otherwise.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?:Â To be honest, when I first started performing spoken word I just needed a platform to share my work, as a form of cleansing. I realized along the way that spoken word, those that I have consumed and created, has helped me through so many difficult moments in my life. I keep creating and performing as a way to pay it forward and hopefully be able to help others with my words as well.
