Paper Soul at Sinukwan Fest: Kapampangan Spoken Word Collective to highlight Amanung Sisuan on Anniv Show

San Fernando, Pampanga- Highlighting the group’s fifth year as a performing arts collective, Paper Soul will be having its anniversary show on December 8, 2022, Thursday, in co-celebration and partnership with the 25th Sinukwan Festival. 

No venue has been announced yet, but the show will be staged in San Fernando, Pampanga for free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Two years since having to perform face to face with the audience, the Kapampangan spoken word poetry and music group paved through the pandemic with online performances, gigs, and workshops.

“We are thrilled and excited as the Sinukwan Festival will bring our anniversary show to life,” shared Paper Soul founder Francis Palo. 

“It’s our comeback show, after postponing our anniversary celebration in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic. We are very excited to finally be able to share our talent and stories face to face, and at the same time provide a safe space through poetry and music,” Palo added. 

The group prepared an array of new and original spoken word poems and performances representing various characters and points of life we’ve all come to experience set in the middle of the night, each tailored in one storyline and themed “Karulugan,” a Kapampangan word that pertains to a certain point or place in one’s life where we felt the most potent emotions or circumstances often influencing us to a big decision in life.

The show is set to showcase various Kapampangan Spoken Word Poetry that narrates or represents moments or places in one’s life that are considered “Karulugan.”

“Everyone experienced “karulugan” in their life, there’s a tipping point, be it a place, time, or experience that our emotions and mindset are at their strongest and made impacts on our decisions, that’s what we want to unravel to the audience through Kapampangan and of course spoken word poetry,” shared Ge Baladhay, Paper Soul resident artist.. 

Artists expected to perform are resident Kapampangan poets: Ge Baladhay, Lindsay Abogado, Joshua Isais, Raemie Tulabut, Arlin Salonga, Jesus Ofalsa, Miguel Manzano, and Yian Gabriel, alongside musicians Healy After Dark and Luis Gomez “LUMI” featuring Marienel. Joining the group are special guest spoken word artists- Maimai Cantillano and Leandro Reyes of Collaboratory.PH, poeta laureado Frank Guinto and Sergio Calayag, along with Alvin “Bertung Isponga” Ignacio, and local musicians whose music will be tailored with the poetry performances.

Sinukwan Festival is an annual and weeklong festival that aims to promote the Kapampangan culture and spirit. Named after the mythical Kapampangan deity, Aring Sinukwan, the festival has been known for its various activities and competitions, including colorful street dancing, highlighting and empowering Kapampangan skills, tradition, and legacy. 

Paper Soul holds spoken word poetry and musical shows throughout Pampanga and Tarlac. The group organizes and provides workshops in spoken word writing, poetry performance, songwriting, and the like.

For inquiries regarding the show, message Paper Soul through papersoulph@gmail.com or via the group’s Facebook page. 

For additional questions about the Sinukwan Festival, contact Sinukwan Secretariat (045) 407-2348 / 0935-899-6811, or email flki_spm@yahoo.com, or visit JSL Building 3rd Floor, Consunji Street, Sto. Rosario, CSFP.