The judges in the 2024 BaRaptasan have spoken.
At the filled-to-the-rafters Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium in Luneta last Saturday, April 6, the audience to the Grand Finals of BaRaptasan—a hybrid between traditional Balagtasan, a poetic joust inspired by Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas and modern rap—was frantic about the influence of Western rap in each of the ten finalists and the announcement of winners.
The Bagong Koronadal Advocates (City of Koronadal) of Cotabato City took home the Grand Plum of P300,000.00 cash prize and other perks.
Ang mga Supling ni Angela of Tabaco City, Albay bagged the Second Prize of P200,000.00 cash prize and other freebies.
The Harayasista Group of Labo, Camarines Norte and DMD of Makati City tied for the Third Prize with P100.000.00 each cash prize.
Bagong Koronadal Advocates consists of working students and full-time storytellers Angel Faith Leal, Jhon Van Lapu, and Philip Jay Leaño make up the group.
Aside from being familiar with verbal joust competitions, the members share the same love for theater. “Pare-pareho naming mahal ang entablado (We all love the stage),” declared the group.
The group wanted to bring the city of Koronadal wherever they go, especially for BaRaptasan. To sincerely support the group, Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena even went to the extent of awarding them the Gawad Parangal ng Sining of Koronadal City.
Ang mga Supling ni Angela of Tabaco City, Albay paid homage to the first Filipina poet Angela Manalang Gloria and one of Tabaco City’s proud daughters.
The group was able to present Tabaco City with a bang on the national stage. The group is composed of Kirschen Xyvrl Balajadia, Carlo Campit and Franco Balingbing.
The proud children of Tabaco believe that their hometown has a tight-knit creative community, something that Filipino people should know. “Kasi ‘pag sinabing Albay, ang unang naiisip ay (Because if Albay is mentioned, what comes to mind is) Legazpi City. Pero meron ding (But there is also) Tabaco City. Gusto naming ipakilala sa national stage na nandito kami (We want to introduce to the national stage that we are here),” said the group.
Meanwhile, DMD of Makati City consisted of rappers John Dave Rosimo, Marielle Lou Bernardo and Reynaldo Bernardo. Their group name stood for their initials.
Before BaRaptasan, the three had been joining rap competitions. Couple Bernardo and Bernardo are members of Champion Paikot, a group of rappers, but would sometimes join contests as a duo. Rosimo has also been competing in rap contests.
Last but not the least, Harayasista Group of Labo, Camarines Norte might have performers Louie L. Francia, John Earnest M. Evidor, and Amynel L. Garino but it also has Angel Yasis as its coach. Hailing from Camarines Norte, Yasis looked for performers to create his own group after assisting another competitor.
Meanwhile, Evidor became interested in BaRaptasan because it engages his two passions– music and poetry.
“Nagkaro’n po ako ng interes dahil pinagsama ‘yong rap at Balagtas. Ang ganda (My interest was stirred because rap and Balagtas were combined!)” he exclaimed.
Photo courtesy: Cultural Center of the Philippines
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