Balagtasan in English?

[pinoypower]

I was an avid listener of Balagtasan when I was a young boy and it was here perhaps where I picked up my penchant for debates.
I searched Google for the English equivalent of Balagtasan and found none. It maybe because Balagtasan according to the texts is a curious traditional literary form in the Philippines common during the early 20th century.
No wonder I didn't find the English form but I chanced upon something closer. Those who studied English literature will probably agree that Christopher Marlowe's The Passionate Shepherd to His Love and Sir Walter Raleigh's The Nymph's Reply to the Shepherd resembles a Balagtasan if recited in that manner.
Because of this, an idea popped up in mind to try English Balagtasan here in English Coffee. It will not only brush up our debating skills but our poetic talents as well.
So guys, what do you think? Anyone interested on this novel idea? If so what topics to do you suggest?:superhappy:

[patis]

There's also Crisotan, named after a poet from Bacolor, Pampanga. It's similar to Balagtasan, except that it's in Kapampangan.

[racz_jay25]

I wasn't good in Balagtasan but I'll try..

[ctivnan]

Brilliant idea once again! :superhappy:
This may be challenging, but it sure is worth it! I can also try!
I remember that I met some teachers from Bulacan and they have a group where they do Balagtasan... I was really at awe at how they deliver in Filipino... it seems more like music to my ears than a recital of poetry or a debate. :DANCER:
We'll wait for a topic from you, Pinoypower! :Cat Smiley 6111:

[veron]

am also eagerly awaiting for your topic Pinoy...:happy0045: Indeed this is something new and i would like to give it a try....

[pinoypower]

Thanks for the interest veron, ctivnan, racz_jay25, patis and q_sharon.

In accordance with the original concept of 'Balagtasan' we will deal with 'domestic' topics at the beginning and move towards other topics such us politics, love, etc. later.

For the first topic I'll choose an issue that's close to my heart and mind.

Is it right for the husband to hand over his paycheck to the wife?

Please don't get mad at me wives but I think it should not be the case. I found that Americans, Arabs, Europeans and most Asians don't do and it seems that it's only in the Philippines where the wives confiscate their husband's salary.

Now, get ready to vent your anger on me wives but only in poetry. I hope after this poetical debate we can still be friends.:KISS:

As for the other topics, Coffeers, please post any topic that you want to resolve in advance so that the pros and cons can prepare their arguments.

Being the thread starter, I am now declaring this 'Balagtasan' open and I am giving the wives the first option to present their arguments. :yey:

[ctivnan]

hear I not of young wives
"confiscating" their husband's salary
nowadays, time has changed
the wives work while the husbands stay home
the wives work while the husbands work
the wives share... not "confiscate"
hmmm... do I hear some husbands "confiscating"
yes, confiscating their wives salary?

:yey: :yey: :yey:

(This topic is so interesting! ^^,)

[pinoypower]

Where art thou, pillars of the homes?
The lights have turned to brooms.
Ready to sweep us aside,
With anger they can't hide.:lol:

[gAn]

Never had to confiscate from my hubby
He gives me his paycheck wholeheartedly
Remember years ago
When we both said "I do"
He handed me the aras
Now, I get his pay en masse!

:thatsit:



(ooops! I just realized...ago & do are not rhymes! forgive me)

[pinoypower]

Willingly or grudngingly
The wives get the paycheck regularly.
The husbands left without a choice
Or he'll be met with raised voice.:rythm:

[q_sharon]

So much of that noise,
You are however left with a choice.:smitten:
Give your salary grudgingly,
Your wife would still support willingly.
Aren't you happy, pinoypower?
Ceding your pay is delegation, however?:happy0141:
You don't have to use much time thinking,
how to spend that sweat of your brow,
Your loving wife is there beside you, helping :holler:
you bit by bit, ever and now.

[pinoypower]

What a lonely battle I am fighting
Against a funny thing.:emoticon-6:
Husbands are looked up as providers
And they must also be good fathers.
To do that jobs are not enough
Cause life is always tough.
Business is a natural recourse
But that I can't without financial resource.
This perhaps explains
Of other countries gains.
Where husbands are free to invest
Their money where it is best.:emoticon-5:

[pinoypower]

Indeed I am alone
Against ctivnan, gAn and q_sharon.
Respected ladies of English Coffee
Let me pose these questions to thee.
Tell me my dear gAn
Is handing paycheck truly Canadian.:listening:
Have you asked Mr. Park and Mr. Lee
If they hand over their salary
Tell me lady from Seoul
Please be true to your soul.:whip:
Lastly to the young and beautiful bride
Whose love for her husband she cannot hide
Without any threat
Of being thrown outside the mosquito net.
Ask him honestly
If he prefer to give his earnings willingly.:happy0088:

[gAn]

Handing paycheck to the woman
may not be truly Canadian.
Some spouses say "my pay is mine"
but the bills they have to assign.
"You pay the gas, the food, the utility.
I pay the phone, the rent, the cable TV."

Handing paycheck to me by my mate
is more of a Filipino trait.
He's been doing it willingly
with a big smiley!:)

[racz_jay25]

Here I am coming
Even I don't have darling
The time I'll marry
I won't ask for my husband's salary
The reason why I'm working today
Is to have my own money
not just for myself but for my future family
But if my hubby gives it willingly
Who am I to say "no way"?

[pinoypower]

I am true to my soul to correct you,
Lady Q is not in Seoul but in Jeon Ju.
Wives here work and earn money,
plus keep the pay of their honey.
I bet you won't believe, but that's true,
for Mr. Park and Mr. Lee as they willingly, too,
share one account with their wives,
so, transparent, so wise. :DANCER:

Bet you have to expect a lashing from gAn:D
asking her if it is truly Canadian;
and the pretty young bride that is ctivnan,
to fight tooth and nail with her, put up a better plan. :D

:yey: :coffeedrink: :yey:

Ouch! it's a double blow for me,
Because of Mr. Park and Mr. Lee.
And I misplaced Lady Q
In Seoul instead of Jeun Ju.
At least I'm right with Canadians
And maybe so with the Indians.

To fight tooth and nail I shall not
To the lady I respect a lot
The only reason for this argument
Is for society's betterment
Isn't it wonderful
If like kings men shall rule
With women as queens in their sides.:groove:

If husbands hold the purse strings
They'll give wives all that prosperity brings.:approve:

[gAn]

Excellent points, Lady Q!
I certainly agree with you!

Many more Coffeers I wish
to join this Balagtasan in English.

:bravo: :bravo: :bravo:

[neyx]

Fantastic idea! :D Ooooh this is it! Something to make my head go round :D

[gAn]

Fantastic idea! :D Ooooh this is it! Something to make my head go round :D
Welcome, neyx! Balagtasan you must try
Pinoypower needs an ally
But if with us you agree
Then on our side you'll be.
It won't make your head go round
We'll "beat this man...to the ground."

:flex: :victory: :flex:

[pinoypower]

Welcome, neyx! Balagtasan you must try
Pinoypower needs an ally
But if with us you agree
Then on our side you'll be.
It won't make your head go round
We'll "beat this man...to the ground."

:flex: :victory: :flex:

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:hihihi::hihihi::hihihi::h ihihi::hihihi::hihihi::hihihi::hihihi::hihihi:

Even if I am under siege
This fight I will never renege
I fear not of this lady called neyx
For her I got a bagful of tricks
To my friends q_ sharon and gan
We've only just begun
You ain't see nothing yet
Better quit before it's late.:music-smiley-7524:

:wave:

[patis]

What is this cacophony?
Husbands handing paychecks to wives,
Right here in my twenty-first century?
Who runs what and who pays who,
Who's employed by whom,
and who owns who?
Is this what it's all about?

[ctivnan]

Wait a minute,
You truly ain't seen nothin' yet! :rofl1:
As spoken (posted) by Q and Gan,
who have struck good chords against the man from Bahrain.

Hear ye,
My reply to this cacophony.
My husband, a Brazillian, sees differently.
In his almond eyes, a team we are,
So we share.
I pay these, he pays those;
We help when one is unable,
And for a return not available,
We use no cable! :ouch: (:sign_lol:)

Culture may play a part,
But bottomline, it's how you play your part. :BIGGRIN:

[gAn]

ctivnan:

Wait a minute,
You truly ain't seen nothin' yet! :rofl1:
As spoken (posted) by Q and Gan,
who have struck good chords against the man from Bahrain.

Hear ye,
My reply to this cacophony.
My husband, a Brazillian, sees differently.
In his almond eyes, a team we are,
So we share.
I pay these, he pays those;
We help when one is unable,
And for a return not available,
We use no cable! :ouch: (:sign_lol:)

Culture may play a part,
But bottomline, it's how you play your part. :BIGGRIN:





Thanks for your post, ctivnan! :approve:
Your issues well-taken by gAn.

I'm still wondering...
What the other Coffeers are thinking. :confused: :type:

[patis]

For the love of God and all that's holy,
Please stop this sexist folly.
Wives, males, females, husbands,
Who cares? Just economize,
according to skill, and not to sex.
On that all of us must realize.


edit: jesus, that's bad rhyming.sorry

[q_sharon]

Ok then, patis. I have deleted my posts to this thread.

[sheri jhuanna]

Wow, that was great:wowie:
if not amazing. .
with all your words
in my mind a -swimming
wish I could be
the next one to volley
my thoughts, my words,
my views, my story



:type::happy0141:

[neyx]

For the love of God and all that's holy,
Please stop this sexist folly.
Wives, males, females, husbands,
Who cares? Just economize,
according to skill, and not to sex.
On that all of us must realize.


edit: jesus, that's bad rhyming.sorry

With this all surely will agree
What Patis had made us see
This battle of to whom we give should end
What matters is the love in hand
The respect to whom who provides for the family
Is not whether who gives or receives the money daily
But to those who cares and loves unconditionally

After all as a whole we are family

:)

[pinoypower]

For the love of God and all that's holy,
Please stop this sexist folly.
Wives, males, females, husbands,
Who cares? Just economize,
according to skill, and not to sex.
On that all of us must realize.


edit: jesus, that's bad rhyming.sorry

Isn't it sort of blasphemy
To drag God's name in this "cacophony".
To Monsieur Sous du Poisson
Who's truly a man of reason
The most discordant words
Cuts like the sharpest swords
And if spoken to a friend
Truly it can offend.:emoticon-5:

[gAn]

Isn't it sort of blasphemy
To drag God's name in this "cacophony".
To Monsieur Sous du Poisson
Who's truly a man of reason
The most discordant words
Cuts like the sharpest swords
And if spoken to a friend
Truly it can offend.:emoticon-5:
:gud:

[pinoypower]

Wow, that was great:wowie:
if not amazing. .
with all your words
in my mind a -swimming
wish I could be
the next one to volley
my thoughts, my words,
my views, my story



:type::happy0141:

Express your thoughts, your words freely
That's the beauty of democracy.
Even if words have no meaning or rhyme
Never ever think it's a crime
As long as you and me are happy
Who cares if it's cacophony.:happy0045:

[pinoypower]

With this all surely will agree
What Patis had made us see
This battle of to whom we give should end
What matters is the love in hand
The respect to whom who provides for the family
Is not whether who gives or receives the money daily
But to those who cares and loves unconditionally

After all as a whole we are family

:)

My dear neyx I beg to disagree
To what patis made us to see
There might be no beauty
In what I said in poetry
Some words might not make sense
But Balagtasan's true essence
Is to state your case freely
Even if it sounds funny.:happy0069: