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UI student will travel to Seattle for the ACUI Regional Slam Poetry Competition
The quiet, simple style of Carla Alo-Cabalquinto’s poetry was a wild contrast to the unruly screams of her sorority sisters when she was announced the winner of the Fourth Annual University of Idaho Poetry Slam Contest on Sunday night.
As a result of her victory, Alo-Cabalquinto will be traveling to the Association of College Unions International Regional Slam Poetry Competition in Seattle on Feb. 22.
If Alo-Cabalquinto wins in Seattle, she will have the opportunity to compete internationally.
“I am really happy, overwhelmed and excited,” Alo-Cabalquinto said. “I just wanted my poems to be heard because they’re from the heart. I just don’t want poetry to die, so I did it.”
Alo-Cabalquinto, a communications student with a minor in religion studies, has set long term goals to continue writing English poetry.
She grew up speaking the native Filipino language, Visayan.
“I’ve been writing poetry since second grade because English is my second language and I wanted to play with words,” Alo-Cabalquinto said. “It ended up being poetry that came out.”
Contestants at the event on Sunday evening were each required to bring two completely original, one to three minute poems.
They were not allowed to use any costumes, props or musical accompaniment.
The event was judged by Josh Dean, Mandolyn Duclos, Jonathan Gaffney, Steve Janowiak and one randomly selected audience member.
The first performer, referred to simply as “Plaedo,” presented “A Moment of Silence,” an abstract commentary about the need to meditate on the contradictions of society.
Alo-Cabalquinto followed Plaedo with her piece “Nobody.”
Her ironic poem tells the story of her date with the perfect, respectful gentleman, who goes by the name of “Nobody.”
“She had her own unique idea of how to perform hers that really showed through. She had the kind of material that we were looking for,” Gaffney said.
Alo-Cabalquinto was followed by English student Conor Keating, with his piece “Hope After College.”
Next was Tiffany “Toast” Bidlake with a somewhat gritty look at romanticized college life called “Ce n’est pas une histoire d’amour.”
The round was finished out by the light humor of Sean R. Williams with “This is a poem.”
“I’m really excited my (Kappa Alapha Theta) sorority sisters came and saw me perform,” Alo-Cabalquinto said. “I like this because instead of people getting drunk, they can be here doing something productive and educating their minds.”
With the conclusion of the first round, the scores were totaled and the top three contenders performed a second piece to clench their scores.
The round pitted Alo-Cabalquinto and Williams against Plaedo, who’s fast, high-energy poem won him the round.
Once the scores for entire competition were calculated, Alo-Cabalquinto’s confident lead in the first round carried her to an overall victory.
“In my book the two big things are originality and style,” Duclos said. “She had both of those going for her.”
Alo-Cabalquinto hopes to someday publish a book of her best poetry, and has already produced over 100 pages.
“It’s a struggle to get the book out because I’m always adding more,” said Alo-Cabalquinto. “I’m waiting until it feels complete.”
Alo-Cabalquinto also attributes her poetic abilities to her devout Christian faith.
“Whatever God makes around me, I get inspired by,” Alo-Cabalquinto said. “I wouldn’t be creative if it wasn’t for him.”
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