HAVE you ever experienced spoken word poetry before? Prepare for goose bumps because the passion and eloquence you’ll hear coming out of the mouth of this incredibly talented group will invigorate and inspire you.
Meet the Pseudonyms who are composed of talented members namely Jubilee Cañete, Kevin Viray, Jahleel Quimod, Junel Garsuta, John Lorenzo Arriola, Carlo Bernales, Giovanni Pelobillo, Earl Ryahn Ang, Frank Llyod Dela Cruz, RaeJayson Penaranda, Paul Christian Eyaz, Rolan Abadian, Yedda Prudente, John Marco Pitlo and Earl Olga Vera Abellar.
Since I am a great fan of kick-ass live poetry, I bet you are enthusiastically interested to know that we do have spoken word artists in Davao who definitely scratch the notion that poetry is dead and boring.
Celebdom: Why did you name the group Pseudonyms?
Pseudonyms: It means alias, and aliases give us the opportunity to become who we wanted to be. We can share our own story or become the storyteller of people who cannot tell their own.
Celebdom: Who are the founding heads of the group? When did this group started?
Pseudonyms: There is only one founding head. She is Galilea Ann Pagobo. We officially launched The Pseudonyms-Davao’s Spoken Word Artists Society last June 19, 2016.
Celebdom: What inspired the group to be founded?
Pseudonyms: We didn’t really expect that we will make things seriously. It just started when Galilea organized an Alumni Homecoming for USEPian writers. She wanted it to be unique, so he organized a spoken word event. Ironically, alumni from different schools participated during the event. Davaoeños embraced it and eventually requested for more. The people who joined the first ever spoken word event at Java Jive decided to be in a group or society instead. It was indeed an unexpected journey.
Celebdom: Is this school-based or community–based?
Pseudonyms: We are alumni of different schools. Most of us are from USep-Main Campus. Others are from UM, UIC, Ateneo de Davao University. But most of us are slaves of the corporate world, BPO industry and some are public school teachers.
Celebdom: Are all your members literary composers/writers or are there some that are performers only?
Pseudonyms: All of us write our own pieces and we perform what we write.
Celebdom: Who are your inspirations?
Pseudonyms: We love Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye, Filipino spoken word artists like Juan Miguel Severo of Words Anonymous and Mark Goshn of Ampalaya Monologues.
Celebdom: What is the group’s memorable experience?
Pseudonyms: We had so many. But we would choose the event when we did a front-act with Juan Miguel Severo because we believed that that was really the breakthrough of the group. A lot of Davaoeños have already noticed us and are following our activities through our FB page. The first event we had was Piliin Mo Ang Pagibig, Spoken Word Event Bago Mag-Eleksyon then we had Healing Starts Now and Bigwasan ng mga Salita at Java Jive. Then we got invited to Lanang Business Park Young Davao Writers’ Event Liturgy. We were also invited to FDCP Cinematheque Davao event, WMYCA Events and SM Supermalls Events.
Celebdom: What is the group’s challenging experience?
Pseudonyms: When every time someone from the group leaves. As we grow older, our priority changes, so we understand if some would lose time for the group.
Celebdom: How can other aspirants join the Pseudonyms?
Pseudonyms: We organize auditions. We post ads in our FB page, The Pseudonyms Davao.
Celebdom: What differentiates your group from other existing groups?
Pseudonyms: We are not defined as an exclusive group. We welcome everyone who shares the same passion with us. We wanted to take poetry to the masses.
The Pseudonyms Davao brings you a first anniversary show at the WAV Entertainment Central on June 24. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are sold for P150 each. For ticket reservations and inquiries, you may call or text 09274186753 and 09224392168.
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