Jim Pascual Agustin's Blog, page 13

An early review of How to make a Salagubang Helicopter

Philippines Graphic is due to release a review of my latest book. I won’t be able to get a print copy when the issue hits newstands on Monday.

Here’s a link to the preview.

Walang Matris ang mga Mambabatas

Walang Matris ang mga Mambabatas

1

wala silang gunita

ng balat na iniuunat

sa bawat udyok ng paglaki

ng lamang hinabi ng mga pintig,

lamang nanahanan

nang ilang buwan,

nagpupuyos na kumawala

upang salubungin ang daigdig,

nag-uumapaw sa pagtataka

gayong panig-panig

ang panganib

2

wala silang gunita

ng pangamba at tuwa

sa mga unang pakikipagbuno

sa hatak ng lupa

ng munting katawan

hanggang sa wakas

makatayo sa mabuway

na mga binti,

bumitiw sa gabay

at buong giting

na buhatin ang isang paa

samantalang naninimbang

ang kabila

upang subukan

ang unang hakbang,

manghang-mangha

3

wala silang gunita

ng pagpigil-hininga

samantalang nakatalungko,

halos di-tumitinag

sa pag-aabang

ng baha-bahagyang

paghimpil

ng tila babasagin

na mga pakpak

ng tutubi

4

bugtong:
walang matris
walang puso
walang utak
walang kaluluwa
panay bulsa at bunganga
sino sila?

[image error]Image by Garciabillyjoe – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61272452

matangmanok is 10 years today and my new paper child is almost out!

I was notified by WordPress that I’ve had this blog for 10 years. So it has been that long since I felt I needed to express my outrage at the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians. Then the blog evolved into something more personal, but never less political.

Today I’d like to share a link of the press release which appeared back in the Philippines for my first digital child that will soon be a paper child as well.

HERE’S THE LINK TO THE ARTICLE

A quiet launch for now: HOW TO MAKE A SALAGUBANG HELICOPTER on Kindle

My latest poetry book is quietly being released for now amid the mad rush of the season. I’ll share further news in a week or so. But for friends and followers, here’s the link:

When it’s impossible to contain joy

Check out @AMAZlNGNATURE’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/AMAZlNGNATURE/status/1061657525555097602?s=09

Night is not a cover: 9 farmers killed and burned in Sagay City, Negros Occidental

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9 Farmers massacred and burned in Negros Occidental, the Philippines

On Saturday night, nine farmers were killed, including two teenagers, in Negros Occidental in the Philippines, my country of birth. News that isn’t news. This massacre isn’t unique as so many previous killings had taken place under previous presidents. But none of those presidents were as blatant and brutal about wiping out groups of people as the current one, Rodrigo Duterte.

The war on the poor and defenseless continues.

MORE DISTURBING DETAILS on the National Federation of Sugar Workers Facebook page.

Sixfold Poetry Summer 2018 features my poems

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Sixfold has been a good source of encouragement for many years now. For a small fee you get to enter the competition – but better than that are the many comments that readers give each piece. I’ve come close to winning. Close is good enough as long as there are readers who appreciate my work. One day I’ll see if I can share some of those warm feedback.

For now, the Summer Poetry 2018 is HERE to read and download for free.

And I do hope this encourages you to welcome my forthcoming book.

New paper child on the way

I can’t reveal the exact date of birth yet, but a new paper child is on the way: HOW TO MAKE A SALAGUBANG HELICOPTER & other poems.

Please support this and my other paper children. Make a home for them in the places you treasure.

I’ll update this post or put up a new one when this paper child arrives. Thanks for being here.

 

DARK LENS

I have a small contribution to an important exhibition of images captured by brave photojournalists covering the bloody war against the poor perpetrated by the Duterte regime in the Philippines. DARK LENS is a painful record of a national tragedy. Please visit the site.

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Dictators always fall