There is vibrant poetry among the kids in the urban-poor areas—and that will be in full display in this show.

A cast of more than 40, mostly urban-poor kids, invites you to witness “BAKATA: Battle of the Street Poets”, on May 8, 9 and 10 at the TIU Theatre, Amorsolo Street corner De la Rosa Street, Mile Long Compound, Makati City, at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free.

This theater performance is based on the avante-garde collaborative process developed by performance artists, theater practitioners, rap music artists led by Pio Valbuena, and thespians as young as 7.

This social-commentary piece is a result of a four-month long theatre exercise, utilizing developmental community theatre practices inspired by World Alternative Theatre formats like the Boalian Methodology, developed by Brazil’s great Community Theater practitioner, Augusto Boal; The Theater of the Oppressed, Performance Art developed by the Asia meets Aisa performance art community, Cipher, Spoken Word, Stanislavsky and Philippine Hip Hop.

This exciting and cutting-edge performance format is directed by performance artist and theater practitioner Angelo Aurelio, collaborating with young and talented rap artists Pio Balbuena, Jim Poblete and Talentadong Pinoy winner Batang Maligaya.

This production is a community social awareness Art Project produced by Japanese filmmaker Toshiro Uriu and supported by the Creative Image Foundation and the TIU Theater for the development of young Filipino artists and the community. This is an open house performance. Everyone is welcome to watch the show.