In partial fulfillment

Of the course requirement in

21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World

October 2019
 A Filipino spoken word artist, Juan Miguel Severro performs his striking

narrative poem entitled “Ang Huling Tula na Isusulat Ko Para Sa’yo” at Sev’s Café for

Write Out Loud: Poetry and Open Mic Night. His video was uploaded in social media

platforms in 2015 which was later applauded by the netizens due to its empathetic

emotions that makes the audience relate to his heartbreaking experience specially the

millennials.

From the very first stanza of the poem, the speaker expresses strong emotion,

great pain was already so evident. From the very first verse, you already know that

you’d be in for a heart-breaking ride. How the poet’s feelings were so bottled up,he

really needed to vent it out before it ruins his insides. He wasn’t sure how long it would

take and he doesn’t care either. All he needs is to finally spill his guts out to his “ex

girlfriend.”On the next stanza he reiterates the intensity of his need to finally say the

words he’s about to. He called her cheesy names in the beginning “Mahal,Sinta

Irog,Pangga,Babe,B.B.Q.,Bae,Beb, Asawa ko,Mine,Kulit” but he ended calling her

insulting words such as “Kupal,Hayop,P*ta,P*tang Ina Ka.”

He relived the moments of how they first met and how the other recognized his

existence. He reminisced way back to when he professed his feelings “Sa kung

paanong niyakap mo ako nung sabihin ko sa’yong mahal kita;” and she replied

“Mahalaga ka.”

In the line “Magsisimula ako sa umpisa. Sa kung paanong nginitian mo ko at tinanong

kung saan ako nakatira.” This reflected the joy of the speaker as he uttered good words

that alluded to his past which was later replaced by sadness,anger and resentment at

the revealing of his grief. There is a transition of his way the poem was made. From
good events to painful experiences. As I read the poem, I felt morestrongly about what

he wanted to convey. The sheer weight of what he’s saying brings me to seriousness.

The line “Ayoko ng maging mahalaga. Ang gusto ko ay mahalin. Ang kailangan ko ay

mahalin.” I realized that what matters most is love not being important to someone

because it is one sided. Love is accepting the sweetness and bitterness of life as you

love someone. The more astonishing line was the line “

If I were to compare Juan Miguel Severro to something, he would be a "BOMBA". Bomb

because he noticed his anxiety and wanted to explode at any time. And he succeeded

because he brought the long-hidden weight of emotion to his heart. All in all, the content

of the poem is so beautiful that it really brings you to your attention. His manner of

dedication is in keeping with the emotion he exudes or shows that further reinforces

what he wants to convey.