What are the guidelines of balagtasan?

Answer 1

Balagtasan is a traditional Filipino form of poetic debate that follows specific guidelines. Participants, typically two poets, engage in a verbal contest, presenting their arguments in verse while adhering to a specific meter and rhyme scheme. The debate often revolves around a pre-determined topic, and poets must be both creative and persuasive, using wit and eloquence. Judges or the audience determine the winner based on the strength of arguments, delivery, and overall impact of the performance.