March 21 is World Poetry Day, and what better way to celebrate than by exploring our country’s own rich poetry scene?
With so many languages and dialects to utilize when describing our rich history and experiences, the Philippines has a lot to offer to the poetry world. Here are 5 poets and 5 poem collections/works to discover on World Poetry Day.
Dovegelion by Jose Garcia Villa
A National Artist for Literature in the Philippines, Jose Garcia Villa was a poetry giant both in the Philippines and in America. Dubbed the “Pope of Greenwich Village”, Villa wrote amongst other literary giants including W.H. Auden, Tennessee Williams, and Gore Vidal.
Dovegelion contains rare and never before published works by Jose Garcia Villa. The title coming from his pen name “Dovegelion” for dove, eagle, and lion. Jose Garcia Villa was definitely a prolific poet, leaving behind numerous works and never shying away from playing with the structure and content of his poems.
Ophelia Dimalanta
Author of collections Flowing On, Love Woman, and Lady Polyester: Poems Past and Present, Ophelia Dimalanta uses sensual stanzas to express her stories and observations. Dimalanta embraces eroticism, saying that it “can be applied if it is functional; if it is important to what you are writing about.”
We Belong by Cookie Hiponia Everman
A contemporary take on a novel-in-verse, We Belong is Cookie Hiponia Everman’s ambitious debut that intertwines a Filipina immigrant story with the mythology of our country.
There isn’t much that Stella and Luna know about their mama, Elsie, other than she immigrated from the Philippines when she was young. As Elsie prepares her kids for bed, they ask her for a story. Elsie gifts them with two—one about her own childhood as a resolute middle child adjusting to the life of immigration, and that of Mayari, the legendary daughter of a god.
Benilda Santos
A recipient of 3 Carlos Palanca Awards for Literature in poetry (for both English and Filipino works), Benilda Santos has proved herself as a poetic power.
Santos’ Kuwadro Numero Uno: Mga Tula was the winner of the National Book Award. Her other poetry collections include Pali-palitong Posporo and Alipato: Mga Bago at Piling Tula.
Santos is also known for her poem Medusa, which is her own rendition of a Greek myth from the point of view of a female monster.
HAI[NA]KU and Other Poems by AA Patawaran
A mix of poems about the big and little things in life. This collection provides humorous and witty takes on love and loss, independence, introspection, and the people/things that walk in and out of your life.
Merlie Alunan
Fluent in languages other than English and Tagalog, Merlie Alunan’s works are sometimes conceived and drafted in Cebuano or Waray before taking their final form in English.
Merlie Alunan’s work includes both poetry and non-poetry collections: Pagdakop sa Bulalakaw ng Uban Pang Mga Balak, Sa Atong Dila: Introduction to Visayan Literature, and Tinalunay: Hinugpong mga Panurat.
To inspire other non-Tagalog writers of the country, Merlie Alunan has organized and facilitated numerous writing workshops in the hopes to get more Waray poems released in the mainstream poetry scene.
In Case You Come Back: Poems, Confessions, Apologies, and Promises by Marla Miniano and Reese Lansangan
Musician Reese Lansangan collaborates with writer Marla Miniano to create a poetry collection chronicling the fascinating intricacies and rituals that make-up everyday life.
From adventures to marshmallows and paper cuts to pixie dust, no rock is left unturned, and no topic is brushed past in this all-encapsulating poetry collection.
Edith Tiempo
Edith Tiempo displays masterful power over language as she vividly describes scenes and events while still scattering various symbols across her stanzas. Another recipient of the National Artist Award for Literature, Edith Tiempo may best be known for her poem The Return. It is a chilling poem about a case of dark nostalgia that comes upon an old man as he tries to relive his youth.
The Last Time I’ll Write About You by Dawn Lanuza
Veteran Filipino YA and romance author Dawn Lanuza makes her debut into poetry with The Last Time I’ll Write About You.
Dawn Lanuza explores any and all things love, the perfect poetry collection for anyone coming from the month of love with any lingering feelings (whether they be good or bad).
Barbara Jane Reyes
With work like Letters to A Young Brown Girl and Diwata, Barbara Jane Reyes is a poetic powerhouse to watch out for.
In Letters to A Young Brown Girl, Reyes expresses all the complicated emotions that come from growing up not only as a young girl, but as a young brown girl. Reyes calls out all the hurts brought upon young brown girls’ fragile and precarious sense of self as they grow-up. Candid and raw, Reyes’ voice is that of an empowered woman standing up for herself, and an encouraging light leading the way for the young brown girls following after her.
In Diwata, Reyes brings to light, not monsters or paranormal beings, but the real-life horrors within our Filipino history and culture. Reyes puts a spotlight on the mistreatment of Filipinas through the years and the overbearing control that was forced upon both their bodies and minds.
And that’s 10 poetry collections/works and poets for you to check out to celebrate World Poetry Day.
Roses are red
Violets are blue
We love poetry,
and you should too!
Don’t be afraid to dip your pen into the poetry scene and even write a few stanzas yourself if you feel so inclined.
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