Article: Young Filipinos rap Christ's passion during Holy Week.(IN THE BEGINNING)

KALOOKAN CITY, PHILIPPINES * Ralphton Papa, 22, and his friends bob their heads rhythmically in hip-hop fashion as they do a rap practice session on Christ's passion.

"Tutug ... sssss ... tutug ... sssss," they rap together.

During practice, two young women take turns singing the chorus while others do beat boxing, a form of vocal percussion. The rap then shifts from rhythm and blues to a more rapid-fire style.

The youngsters, members of a rap group, were practicing their own version of pasyon (Filipino for "passion"), a narrative poem about Christ's suffering. Traditionally, Catholic neighbors take turns chanting pasyon, which includes reciting ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!