Founded by Mau Abella, the group chose the name because according to TJ Pamintuan, the guy who coined the term, they feel like its writing poetry on air using fire.
The art of poi-dancing was practiced by the natives of New Zealand and used to be not a dance but a weapon of war.
Today, it is both an art and a fabulous way to shed the extra pounds.
But learning it is not that easy. Bumps, bruises, and burnt hair will be part of the ensemble.
However, beginners use the "zips" so that they could get the hang of it before really using the fire poi.
Mau said his "obsession" with poi started in 2002 at a Boracay trip when he saw a group from Manila's Planetzips do it by the beach.
"I was awed by what they were doing so I approached them and asked if they could teach me," Mau said.
After learning the basics in Boracay, Mau tried to learn complicated tricks by himself.
"My wife Leah was laughing at me 'coz I was using these old socks with tennis balls as we did not have zips or practice poi in Davao yet," he said.
"Ang hirap din kasi walang nagtuturo sa iyo and I have to play the videos downloaded from the internet in slow motion para lang makuha ko," Mau said.
It took Mau about four to five months to master the tricks before he started doing it with the real thing -- fire poi.
"There's nothing like it, really using fire na. It makes all the bumps and bruises worthwhile," Mau said.
After mastering the tricks he saw on the net, Mau also tried manufacturing the zips locally as those that come from Manila are too expensive.
"When my wife saw the zips, di na siya tumatawa 'coz now its pretty and looked nice unlike when I used the socks," Mau said.
Mau and wife Leah were soon joined by friend Carol Smith, a Filipina-British beauty and the trio started to paint the town red and poi-danced every chance they got.
Fourth member TJ saw them poi-dancing at Matina Town Square and decided to try it himself figuring it was just like the "rave" thing he does with glowsticks.
Soon they were joined by fifth member, Anthony Chuang, who also brought along his young son to learn.
Mau said Leah and the rest of the group had an easier time learning the tricks with him teaching.
"It's really different when somebody's showing you how," Mau said.
The group, another first in Mindanao, has performed in beach shows with one having Rachel Lobangco as guest October last year.
Floetry aims to spread the love for poi dancing in Mindanao. Fact is they have been requested by the Holiday Gym and Spa in both Davao and Cebu to hold lessons for clients.
Poi dancing, according to them, is a really fun way to exercise, stay healthy with lots of "cool" points included in the package.
