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You may have heard about Spoken Word poetry before, maybe you’ve even been to a Poetry Slam. But for the uninitiated, starting with some definitions will help in understanding and appreciating this growing art form. 

Spoken Word Poetry has been around for millennia. The advent of language, which conservative estimates put at about 60,000 years ago, made it natural for oral tradition to become man’s primary means of self-expression and cultural preservation long before the printing press came into existence in 1455.

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Poetry, like music, is meant to be heard. Performance poetry, which is one facet of Spoken Word, is explicitly created to be read aloud and not meant to be written down. It is important though to note that there is a significant overlap between the two genres. Many spoken word artists are also well-known published poets. 

Spoken Word in the U.S. had its roots in blues, spirituals, jazz, and the Beat Generation, as well as the civil rights movement. It continued to grow with the advent of rap and hip hop until it entered wider American culture in the 1980s when Spoken Word competitions, known as Poetry Slams, began. Although some sticklers would differ, Slam Poetry is essentially Spoken Word Poetry, in the context of a competition. 

Leandro Reyes (a.k.a The Basyang Kid), the grandson of Severino “Lola Basyang” Reyes, is the leading proponent of Spoken Word Poetry in the Philippines. He stresses the importance of understanding the difference between spoken word poetry and dramatic monologues, to avoid confusion and be able to build solid fundamentals for the developing form. 

Some of the programs Reyes has started to foster growth include the long-running Third Thursdays (Globe Tower, BGC), Praktis Lang (Alt Space Studio, QC), and the ongoing nationwide Bungad Tour together with performance poet Mai Cantillano. 

His collaboration with Likhaan Creative Writing Foundation for the upcoming Likhaan Poetry Slam on Oct. 24  featuring Birmingham Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi, is something he and Rhona Lopa-Macasaet of Likhaan, are very excited about. 

Gardosi, who is part Filipino, will be performing, running workshops, and learning more about the local poetry community in the Philippines. She will also work with the LGBTQ+ organization Babaylanes to research the queer heritage of the country. 

Reyes and the Likhaan members are looking forward to having the Poet Laureate, Multiple Slam Champion, and honorary Doctor of Letters from the Newman University in Birmingham, not only perform on Oct. 24 but also give a short talk during the competition. 

Gardosi was also an invaluable resource for designing the guidelines for the Slam. Leandro stressed the value of being able to consult with her and poets of her caliber and experience, to really be able to build a solid foundation for Spoken Word in the Philippines. Aside from their work on the Poetry Slam, Gardosi and Reyes will also be partnering to further develop poetry in the Philippines, and provide access to more competitions and workshops abroad and hopefully collaborations on actual Spoken Word projects. 

The Likhaan Creative Writing Foundation, which is co-producing the Slam with Leandro, is perhaps best known for hosting Wordello, an evening of poetry readings and competitions (Spoken Word included) that raises funds for scholarships and teacher training. Wordello began in 2018 and happens every two years. Likhaan will be working with Leandro to run a Spoken Word workshop in 2025.

A post shared by Leandro Reyes | Spoken word poetry (@lrbasyang)

The upcoming Likhaan Poetry Slam will be showcasing 15 talented spoken word artists who will compete across three rounds to claim the championship title. With Leandro Reyes at the helm, Likhaan believes the slam is in capable hands, setting a high standard for what is intended to be the first of a recurring competition. 

The judging panel, featuring Reyes, Maimai Cantillano, and Alfonso Manalastas, ensures that both the quality of performance and poetic content are held to the highest standards.

As mentioned, the involvement of Birmingham Poet Laureate Jasmine Gardosi, adds an international perspective, further elevating the event. Additionally, Linya Linya‘s continued support of the spoken word community has been instrumental in fostering the growth of the art form. 

This pilot competition aims to establish a solid foundation for future slamssuerte gaming, offering a platform for poets to share their voices and energize the local cultural scene.

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