E IS FOR EPAL

PAOLO MANALO

“Epal,” is Filipino slang for an annoying or attention seeking person, which is the theme of this interval collection of poems in English, Tagalog, and Taglish on realities overheard or overenunciated. From the author of the prizewinning poetry collection “Jolography.”

“Doing what he does best and what only he can, the poet throws creative chaos in the air, as always, and waves it like he just doesn’t care. He then catches the mayhem with sharp wit and jagged words, blindfolded, and sprinkles the slivers of beauty on paper.

Jolographer than ever, Manalo’s latest literary toknenengs are just as good I almost feel honored that he’s also known as the poemer Bob Ong. GIF smiley.”      

– BOB ONG

VELOCIRUPTURE

MICHAEL BALILI

In this debut poetry chapbook  from Michael Balili scenes, landscapes, and contrived interventions are illuminated by a flash of lightning. Velocirupture: the velocity of rupture, an urgency; the rupture of velocity, a delay. Surely the everyday asks to be interrupted?

“Velocirupture’s startling juxtapositions and figurations of free-range absurdity and tenderness mark Michael Balili as a troubadour of our troubled times.”

– Caroline Hau