Spoken Word Sunday: They Say...

At the risk of losing fans of The Bathala Project, I'll opt for flexing some honest expression. Finally, after what seems like forever, an original spoken word piece of mine: They Say...



Like many Second-generation Filipino Americans, I was raised Catholic; and like many of my own generation, I would later become a skeptic...

Before you start debating and soap boxing your opinions, know this; I believe that there's no empirical proof that a god doesn't exist, however I also believe there's no empirical proof that a god does exist. This piece is about keeping an open mind, and to look past what you've been told to find what you find true to yourself. The word "Bathala" itself means the "supreme being", and was the name that the ancient Filipino people used for their god, before the Spanish came and replaced it with the word "Dios".

Stay up,

Cyph

Spoken Word Sunday: They Say...

Spoken Word Sunday: Abet Speaks

So... I know this isn't a "real" Spoken Word Sunday post, as it isn't an original piece of my own or even captured by my own camera. But, for my lack of activity, I pull other talent to the spot light. Abet isn't new to the Spoken Word Sunday series, so you know she's quality! Check out her latest piece, Superwoman & Vulnerabilities



Aside from the goodness above, she recently dropped a fresh original melody that's been stuck in my head for a minute... sorry if it gets stuck in your head too!



Stay up!

~cyph

Spoken Word Sunday: Abet Speaks

Spoken Word Sundays - Tommy G

The homie Tommy G came through one night to record some tracks.  Afterwards, Stimey, myself and Tommy cruised around Eagle Rock after having attended the ERU freestyle open mic, but still wanting to rhyme.  So, as Stimey pulled up to a 7-Eleven to pick up some drink, Tommy G kicked back and kicked off.



I've always been amazed by Tommy's freestyle, simply because he doesn't do the typical "rhyme-about-what's-in-front-of-me" spit, but rather he freestyles stories and uses alot of visual imagery in his rhymes, and all off the top.   But at the same time, he tells me that he's amazed by people that can rhyme about what they see in front of them because he's not as adept at that style.  Ah well, the grass is always greener... THIS WEEK, we're going to shift gears a bit and delve into some corporate identity concepts.  Yezzir.

Stay up,

~cyph

Spoken Word Sundays - Tommy G

Spoken Word Sundays: Abet

I met Abet during the MAFA (Midwest Association of Filipino Americans) 2009 conference earlier this year, backstage at the pre-show performance. I honestly thought that I would be the only spoken word performance of the night, but during sound check, I was crushed to hear this lovely young woman spit some poetry. Crushed, because she was nice with it, and it made me realize I can’t half ass my sh*t!

I had the opportunity to chop it up with her for a little bit, and she was gracious enough to bless me with a little sample of her Midwest-flavor. I’m more accustomed to hearing faster-paced, rapid-fire delivery styles from Los Angelino heads (‘cause you gotta fit that 3 minute limit!), so it was nice to hear some of that stretch-pull steez from the Chicago lady herself, Abet.



This week should be pretty dope; I'll be posting up some artwork (finally!) to share with you all, and revealing more projects on the way. Stay up!

~cyph

Spoken Word Sundays: Abet

Spoken Sundays (Tuesday): Act Nice

So, this week's Spoken Word Sunday has been finally posted... on a Tuesday. It took longer than expected to edit Sunday, and it took Sunday night into most of Monday to successfully upload, but here it is, my spoken word piece, Act Nice (Jade Fairytales).

Act Nice (Jade Fairytales) was a piece I wrote a long while ago, but never performed often at open mics because of how personal it was. At the time when I wrote this, I was going through some things, reflections and realizations, so I've always held this piece close to me. And though I no longer believe 100% of it anymore, I still hold much of it as my personal truth in my experience...

So ladies, it's no offense to you or your entire gender; I was just on something at the time...

The Bathala Project

I told ya it wasn't just about that fresh Baybayin steez...

Spoken Sundays (Tuesday): Act Nice