“Hear Me Out”

Spoken Word Poetry

“We cannot always build the future for the youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” Guided with these words from Pres. Franklin Roosevelt, it is also the longtime advocacy of STI College Munoz EDSA to empower the Filipino Youth. One way of doing so is for giving them an avenue to speak their hearts out.

Spoken-word poetry is a marvelous art of performing and storytelling. Since poems should not just be left alone on paper, it should be spoken as well. There are a lot of fascinating and timely poetry topics with the underlying “hugot” in our lives and, as part of the celebration for International Poetry Day, STI College Munoz-EDSA held an Online Spoken Word Poetry Contest via Zoom last March 26, 2021. Hosted by renowned “hugotera” and “hugotero” of the campus, Ms. Leah Jimeno and Mr. John Eric Macaraig – both Academic Coaches of the school – led the event with their entertaining and powerful energy.

This event gave way for our students to express their different emotions and became an outlet for their aspirations. Words might be simple but can surely touch your heart. This was evident as Jethro Hermano, participant from Colegio De Sta. Ana De Victorias, Negros Occidental, the Champion of the Spoken Word Poetry, when he delivered his heartfelt poem entitled “Depresyon.” Jethro focused on people who were having a hard time dealing with depression. He began his poem with these strong words: “’Kay aliwalas ng mundo, ‘kay liwanag ng kapaligiran nito, pero mas pinili mo sa isang silid na kwadrado walang ilaw na nakasindi.” He was describing people who choose to be alone and wonder about their problems and how they can skip them instead of facing them, stating: “Kung sa tingin mo hindi kana makakaahon mula sa pagkalunod sa karagatan ng problema.” He went on to recite: “Lumapit ka sa kaniya (God) humingi ka ng gabay, patnubay at lakas ng loob.” In using these words, he conveyed a clear message, that no matter how big our problems are, God will be there to help, Jethro closed his spoken-word poem on this note.

The program continued with “Tagu-Taguan, Nasaan Si Kabataan”, as Rhen Dale Lopez, from NVSU Bayombong, 1st Placer, delivered an inspiring and remarkable spoken word poem that resonated with all of the students and teachers who are currently tackling the challenge of remote learning. “Kung saan ang mga Guro at bata ay kapwa nagdurusa sa bagong system,” he said. He added, “Sabay sabay parin tayo magbibilang ng mga bitwin sa langit na ating hinahangad.” As Rhen ended his spoken word poem, he seemed to do so with the determination that no matter how dark the world is, there will always be light at the end.

These were just two inspiring poets that touched the hearts of the listeners and adjudicators. With their poetry, they proved that no matter how sad, lonely, and problematic life in this world can be today, we should not lose hope. There will always be a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel and God will be right there waiting to help us.

Aside from STI Munoz’s very own Princess Camille Teodoro (SHS – Tourism Operations) and Leslyn Udtuhan (BSIT), the event was joined by 14 contestants from the different parts of the country . From the heart of Metro Manila, we had contestants from Quezon City, Malabon, Valenzuela, Caloocan,and Mandaluyong, as well as from our neighboring provinces, contestants from Cavite, Batangas, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva Ecija and participants as far as Negros Occidental, Leyte, and Puerto Princesa, Palawan graced the event. Hundreds of spoken-word fanatics also attended the online event.

STI College Munoz EDSA in its mission in providing quality education will also continue to provide character-building activities that will empower the Filipino youth. For a list of scheduled events, please Like and Follow our FB page (https://www.facebook.com/munoz.sti.edu) for future announcements.

Contributor: Hermel Suico, SHS – STEM
Editors: Lyzane Vilbar & Princess Velasquez