TIM eMagazine Volume 3 Issue 2 | Page 70

Arts and Culture Huseng Batute - Kung Bumigkas Word, the rap battles, and the modern Filipino love songs,” Lizaso added.  “Pagbabalik-Tanaw sa Unang Hari ng Balag- tasan,” done in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Bulacan, has two segments: (1) Forum where invited speakers would discuss the works of Batute and their relevance to the current period; and (2) Pagtatanghal where ten of Batute’s works would be performed. Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado is one of the speakers in the Forum.  The works of Batute to be performed con- sist of five poems including sections from the first-ever Balagtasan held at the Instituto de Mujeres in Tondo, Manila on April 6, 1924 and five songs which he provided lyrics to. The Philippine Opera Company (POC), rappers Beware and Negatibo, veteran actors John Arcilla, Ronnie Lazaro, Lou Veloso, ventriloquist Ony Carcamo, and traditional mambabalagtas from Bulacan are among the performers in the Pagtatanghal segment.  Multi-awarded writer and performance artist Vim Nadera and Louise O. Lopez are the hosts of the event. culturalcenter.gov.ph “The Center is honoring Jose Corazon de Jesus or Huseng Batute through this event because his works exemplify artistic excellence, cultural values, Filipino aesthetics and our national identity. These are embodied in our performance pledge to attain a humanistic global society,” said Arsenio J. Lizaso, president and board member of the CCP. 70