Rapping the Gift

CEBU, Philippines - Like thieves in the night, they come with no warning. And yes, they pretty much look like ones—but that’s where they’ll prove you wrong.

Amid the busy morning streets of the metropolis, several groups of carolers literally hop aboard public utility jeepneys to spread what they want to be considered as good cheers. They come in different forms: some come in pairs, others in 3-4 heads; some are little kids, mostly are in their teens, and others are astonishingly in their adult years. They are street rappers. They have been there for quite some time, but this time, they are not singing love songs.

The very first thing they tell the passengers when they get in a PUJ is that they are not mobs, and the very first question that pops in your head is, “Oh really?” Judging from their appearance – grubby shirts and frayed shorts matched with soiled slippers – one could not be blamed for considering the idea that they have come for bad intentions. As if reading the minds of the passengers, this unlikely group of singers would continue with their opening spiel. They’d go on claiming that they are just there to entertain and maybe receive some Christmas gifts (monetarily, that is). Unlike others, they say, they would rather show what they got and exert effort on something than ruthlessly rob. And what they got is rather amusing and interesting.

Starting with a-one-a-two-a-three-let’s-go and using their skills as human beat box, the group then gets on with their special carol. While some can’t help but stomp their feet to the beat or move their head to the rhythm, others would arch their brow at the rap song that not only speaks of Christmas, but of those singing it as well. With rhyme and rhythm, the Christmas rappers would rap about the excitement of the season and how a people like them would want to be remembered in this time of the year. While you try to hold on to the bag on your lap, you can’t help but immerse in this thought-provoking lyrical rapture. As you try to avoid looking at their direction, you unwittingly realize that these guys are not just caroling—they are trying to make a statement. Tao po, tao po, kami namamasko, the song’s chorus would say. The line would sound less like “knock, knock, here’s a carol for you,” but more like “we are also human beings, trying to spread the holiday cheer.” The song is actually exuding bigotry, how society labels them based on their looks. Each verse longs for understanding; each line begs for empathy. But do they really deserve it?

There are several speculations about what these groups really are. Some like to believe that they are indeed just trying to entertain. But others think they are gangs fronting as innocents, after all, it seems to be so easy for them to project dominance because they are a group of men—unarmed perhaps, but might likewise be very capable of hurting. They could be carolers by day and robbers by night. In my attempt to know just a little bit more about them, I tried to start a little conversation with one of the rappers. I asked the question that has been bugging me: where on earth did they get the song. Without looking at me, he said that they composed it, and it was easy to make because it was what they felt. They are aware that they look threatening, but they are sincere when they say that they aren’t there to steal.

Backed with nothing but their bold characters and their up-beat message, the Christmas rappers will continue to grace rush hour and leave mind-boggling questions to the public, at least until the season closes. They could be very intimidating, but they could be so much more than that. They could be a message of understanding, but they could also be a very subtle form of theft. Either way, you just have to give them the benefit of the doubt. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about? Understanding and not prejudging people who end their lines with break it down…