A rare breed of artist.
This Toronto-based Filipino spoken word poet, performer, speaker, host and educator is one whose formidable acclaim as a performance artist and writer is equaled by his commitment to his community, and his status as an enduring source of insight, energy and mentorship for young poets across North America. As a performer, Patrick has garnered praise and admiration for his ability to blend sharp social commentary with an exhaustless wit, charm and creative candour. This combination of talents has made him a national slam champion, as he was at the 2012 Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, and a performer of note on such platforms as CBC, TED Talk, NEXE and others. He is also the first ever recipient of the Spoken Word Poet of Honour award at YouthCanSlam–Canada’s national youth poetry festival, an award he won on the basis of his dual talents as a poet of remarkable ability and an educator of enduring devotion, passion and intelligence.
Art Education and Mentorship.
Off the stage, he is committed to his work in arts education/mentorship; involved in partnerships with a long list of institutions and organizations including jails, schools, health centres, libraries and more. He is also the director of BAM! Toronto Youth Poetry Slam and the facilitator of the Filipino Storytelling work shop series, “Poetry is Our Second Language”.
Change everything
you thought you knew
about poetry.
Redefining education by going back to its very roots, Patrick de Belen reminds the world that one personal, gut-wrenching, soul-feeding, well-written punchline could inspire others to excavate, think, speak and heal.
Spoken Word Education Services
Social Justice Advocacy – Mental Health – Arts Therapy – Leadership and Team Building – Public Speaking – Creative Writing – PDB has designed and facilitated innovative, spoken word based curricula for hundreds of schools, libraries, correctional facilities, mental health centers and youth spaces all across North America. Expect a combination of creative writing activities and performance games in this high-energy, interactive spoken word experience; usually ending in an intense open-mic/cypher/showcase. Patrick has mastered the simple art of stoking the fire. Watch as each poet’s story ignites on the page and spreads to the stage.
Projects
Some of the work I’m happy with
Projects
Some of the work I’m happy with
“Where Things Come From” for anti child labour campaign 2:00
152 million children continue to be exploited through child labour to provide the clothes we wear, the electronics we use and the food we eat.
Let’s call on the Government of Canada to develop a law requiring companies to address child labour in their supply chains.
