3. Jihad Mambuay
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?: Most of the time, I write based on personal experiences. It helps me process my own thoughts and eventually put things into perspective. Spoken word has helped me realize that sometimes, it is easier to share parts of ourselves kapag binihisan sila at ipinakilala bilang mga karakter. In a way, each performance is a step towards introducing yourself to others.
What inspires or informs your writing?: I have always believed that what makes our work unique is the perspective we take. Which is why I take heavy inspiration from things happening to me, around me.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?: To share stories. Stories shape us as people. It can spark wonder and inspire action. It can help you understand where other people are coming from.
I’d also like to believe that what we do helps nurture a community of listeners. During these times when it’s so easy to focus on ourselves, it’s also important that we know when to step back from the mic and just listen to what others have to say.
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2. Alfonso Manalastas
Twitter: @not_alfonso
*How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?: Honestly, I find it a bit hard to describe one’s own writing. My body of work is made up largely of socio-politically charged pieces as opposed to the thematic “love poetry” stereotype that people tend to pigeonhole spoken word artists in.
But I’ve never believed in their distinctions to begin with, especially because I see love as a radical reaction to the things we are predisposed to feel nothing but hatred for. But if I were to categorize my writing, not that categorization is the point, I’d say my work usually revolves around sociopolitical concerns like rape culture, mental health, ecology, and whatnot.
What inspires or informs your writing?: I think like most people, I use artistic production as a reactionary tool. This is because I realized in retrospect, I tend to gravitate towards the themes that I feel most strongly about. Take, for example, one of my pieces called “Boys will be Boys” is a persona poem written from the perspective of the male oppressor. What ultimately prompted the narrative was a certain rape incident in Standford where a student-athlete named Brock Turner raped and abandoned an unconscious woman behind a dumpster.
The aftermath of the incident resulted in a plethora of news headlines spewing from all corners that essentially blamed the victim for getting too drunk or for having been dressed a certain way. I was furious about the whole thing and saw spoken word as an outlet to exhaust my personal grievances on the matter.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?: I don’t think there is any particular end-goal for me in relation to this art form — other than for it to continue to flourish. I think, as with most art forms, the goal is simply to constantly create and to render a better, stronger body of work that hopefully strikes a balance between resonating with as many people as possible, while at the same time, sustaining the artistic standards I have set upon myself without compromise.
1. Serge Gabriel
Twitter: @sergiewonder Instagram: @sergiegabriel
How would you describe your writing or what do you write most about?: Light and cheery, most of the time. Love, Pokemon, my interests, etc. The heavier ones are usually about issues (historical revisionism, bullying) I feel strongly about.
What inspires or informs your writing?: Strong feelings towards people, things, issues, etc. Sometimes, I just want to write.
What do you hope to achieve through this art form?: To have more people just enjoy writing.
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*Disclaimer: These answers have been edited or shortened for the sake of brevity
