Project VOICE Live in Manila: Thank You for Stopping By, Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye

“Manila, you’re rowdy. I dig it.”

These were some of the first few words that came out of renowned spoken word poet Sarah Kay last Sunday, March 1, 2015, when she and fellow spoken word poet (and partner-in-crime) Phil Kaye performed their poetry live in the Philippines for the first time ever.

Known to be as “champions of vulnerability, cheerleaders for the unexpected and ruthless flashlights for all your heart’s nooks and crannies,” Sarah and Phil are co-directors of Project VOICE, an organization that aims to promote, empower and improve literacy. They have visited hundreds of schools in over 15 countries and offer not only live performances but also student and professional development workshops on how spoken word poetry can be used as means to entertain, educate and inspire communities.

The audience was excited, bursting with energy and…early?! Contrary to the usual Filipino tradition, most people were already in line an hour or two before the show started. Some arrived in iAcademy, Makati as early as 4:00 PM to make sure that they get good seats once the gates open at 8! The energy definitely did not die down as people filed into the auditorium. There were even avid fans who prepared signs and such for the duo!

 

(Photo by Franz Pantaleon)

 

Then, Sarah and Phil came onstage. And the crowd just went wild.

Sarah was a dynamite, her voice clear and cool and fun and entertaining all at the same time, her wit a refreshing contrast to the powerful emotions her poetry brings out of people. She performed Montauk, a poem about beauty in all forms and shapes, and B, also known as If I Had A Daughter (although she claims she did not give that piece this title). She also performed The Paradox, a poem from her book No Matter the Wreckage, which speaks about the irony of life. Tears were inevitably shed when she performed Private Parts, a bittersweet and nostalgic poem about first love. More emotions poured out in forms of oh’s and aww’s when she performed A Love Letter from the Toothbrush to the Bicycle Tire, a piece on how much love is willing to sacrifice and give despite the odds.

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Sarah Kay (Photo by Franz Pantaleon)

 

On the other hand, Phil, armed with his great hair and that million-watt smile, performed Surplus and Funerals are Like Birthday Parties, poetry about life, death and history woven into stories about his family. Most notable was his performance of his poem Beginning, Middle & End. A poem about the cycle and circle of life told in bits and pieces, this particular piece showcased his presence onstage and his superb skill in storytelling. His performance of Repetition, one of his most popular pieces, was also excellent, reminding everyone why his work has garnered over three million views online.

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Phil Kaye (Photo by Franz Pantaleon)

 

Their second show held in Ateneo’s Lee Irwin Theater was also a resounding success. Jam-packed and sold out, this show offered a slightly different set of poetry to Project VOICE’s largest audience ever. During this show, Sarah also performed The Ghost Ship, The Type and Pause, while Phil also performed Teeth and Numbers Man.

The highlight of both shows, though, was the pieces Sarah and Phil performed together. They had everyone at the edge of their seats the moment they opened their mouths and defined spoken word poetry in poem form. Everyone laughed and cried and felt like hugging their best friends when they performed An Origin Story. Everybody definitely felt nostalgic, somber yet hopeful as the duo performed When Love Arrives, their last piece for both nights.

Although most of the people who attended the event were familiar with their work, seeing them live was an entirely different thing. Powerful and cathartic, it was like experiencing the joy, the pain and the beauty of spoken word poetry. On those two nights, words definitely moved mountains.

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Merchandise was also sold during the shows: No Matter the Wreckage by Sarah Kay and A Light Bulb Symphony by Phil Kaye, P1000; Project VOICE limited edition hand-painted shirts, P2000 (Photos by Franz Pantaleon)

 

Project VOICE Live in Manila was made possible through the efforts of Words Anonymous, a team of passionate and talented Filipino performance poets who perform spoken word poetry themselves. Catch their performances in various bars and cafes around the metro. Check their schedule here.

 

Article by Madeline Castillo