Want to be a ‘baeyani’? Battle rap tells us how

The AlDub phenomenon catapulted Kapuso star Alden Richards to the status of "Pambansang Bae." He's the total package: a good-looking, kind-hearted and multitalented young man who'd be the perfect boyfriend your parents will love.

Enter "Heneral Luna," the independent film that, thanks to word of mouth, has gone on to become the country's highest grossing historical film and a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Filipinos are now looking forward to the next installment, this time centering on Heneral Gregorio "Goyong" del Pilar, played by Paulo Avelino.

Just like Alden, Paulo has all the qualities of a bae—and creative and quick-witted fans have even claimed the award-winning actor as their “Pambansang Baeyani.”

But you don't have to have Alden or Paulo’s dimples to become a modern-day hero, the pambansang baeyani our nation needs. Battle rap, or FlipTop, has a few ideas.

From Alden to Allen

Battle rap, a type of rapping popularized in the country by the FlipTop Battle League, has already spawned cultural heroes. One of them is University of the Philippines graduate Allen Jordan.

Known in the local battle rap scene as BLKD (read as "Balakid"), Jordan was one of the performers of Talastagisan, a "modern Balagtasan" organized by UP's Sentro ng Wikang Filipino last August.

BLKD (left) and KJah perform at Talastagisan. Photo: Surian ng Wikang Filipino

BLKD, who recently launched his 9-track album Gatilyo, jousted with emcees and cultural workers KJah, Ericson Acosta, and DJ Supreme Fist. The theme was “Wikang Filipino: Danas at Paglikha sa Diwa ng Bansa.”

The emcee from Naic, Cavite is known for his hard-hitting, insightful, and patriotic lines. In his battle with Shernan at the Isabuhay 2015 tournament, one of the bars BLKD said was, “Ang rap parang pelikula…anuman ang lamanin ang dapat bida yung galing. Dapat 'yung husay ng sining at meaning ang ating tanghalin.”

In an interview with GMA News Online, he recounted the rise of battle rap in the country.

“Naging popular ang battle rap sa bansa nitong nakaraang limang taon dahil sa pag-usbong at pagkalat ng FlipTop. Ngunit hanggang ngayon, ang appreciation rito ng nakararami ay bunga lang ng entertainment value at katatawanang dala ng asaran,” he said.

Because of its format and the topics it regularly tackles, BLKD believes that battle rap is a potent tool to encourage young people, girls and boys alike, to participate in the formation of our national identity—and recognize that language is essential in the protection and promotion of this national identity.

“Nabibilang na ang mga freshie ngayon sa tinatawag na ‘FlipTop generation’ o mga kabataang kinalakhan na ang pamamayagpag ng FlipTop sa Internet,” he said.

As of date, FlipTop Battle League's official Facebook page and Youtube account have almost 1.5 million likes each. This multitude of supporters can be tapped to encourage awareness on socio-political issues, BLKD said.

UP Repertory’s Gio Potes (in white) exchanges "gunfire" with a UP student during a battle at Talastastigan. Photo: Surian ng Wikang Filipino

“Mahalaga ang pagpapatampok ng battle rap sa mga lugar at plataporma ng matalinong pagsusuri at talakayan. Nagkakaroon kami ng pagkakataong maipakita at maiparanas sa mga tao ang husay at lalim ng sining nito. Ang battle rap ay nagsasanib ng tula, musika, at pagtatanghal. Sumikat man ito dahil sa katuwaan nitong gawi, napakalayo at napakalalim pa ng kaya nitong abutin,” he said.

Fliptop, AlDub and "Heneral Luna" also teach us is that a pretty face won’t cure the ills of our society—and that sometimes, heroes lose battles.

Though BLKD lost Isabuhay 2015, he left a strong message to the crowd. “Ako...ako'y kumontra-agos sa panahon ng simpleng jokes. Pumaslang ng kamangmangan ang malaripleng quotes,” he said. To the judges, he said, “Anumang taas ng ilipad walang saysay ang abilidad kung walang kredibilidad. Kaya kung mga hurado ngayon may talino't dignidad alam niyo na dapat ang inyong responsibilidad.”

Baeyani’s language

While AlDub episodes remind us about traditional Filipino values and the things that we should fight for, a scene in "Heneral Luna" leaves us with the retort, “Iingles-inglesin mo ako sa bayan ko?!”

Acosta, who penned the book "Mula Tarima Hanggang at Iba Pang mga Tula at Awit" published by UP Press early this year, stresses that we have to fight for our country’s languages—all of them.

“Gamit ang wika, at sa pagpapaunlad nito, matining na maihahayag ng mamamayan ang tunay nilang danas, hanggang mabuklod sila sa iisang suri, tanaw at pasyang danasin ang hamon ng pagbabalikwas,” Acosta said.

Poet Ericson Acosta at the launch of his book "Mula Tarima Hanggang at Iba Pang mga Tula at Awit." Photo: Mark Angeles

Multitudes support AlDub, "Heneral Luna", and even FlipTop tournaments because these phenomena showcase the humor, customs, and aspirations of the Filipino people in languages that they understand.

AlDub warriors for a cause

AlDub fans are already on the path to become pambansang baeyanis. The AlDub Nation held a brainstorming session, spearheaded by Dino Manrique, last October 17. Their initial plan was to organize a book drive for Lumad children. Support swelled and they are planning to conduct an art workshop therapy with the kids on the second week of November. They are planning to post a call for donations in the form of art materials and books for kids.

Also, last Saturday, Lola Nidora announced that there will be an AlDub grand fans day on October 24 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. Proceeds from ticket sales will be used to build AlDub libraries around the country. — BM, GMA News