Filipino rap icon Gloc-9 stepped into the literary spotlight as he launched a new poetry collection and reintroduced himself to readers under his real name, Aristotle Pollisco.
Gloc-9 unveiled Makata Sa Pinas: Mga Tula ni Aristotle Pollisco on March 12 during the Philippine Book Festival at SM Megamall. The project brought together seven poetry chapbooks inspired by the themes and stories found throughout his 28-year body of work as one of the country’s most influential rapper-songwriters.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a chapbook is “a small book containing ballads, poems, tales, or tracts.”
Although he previously released the poetry book Akin Lang Naman in 2017 through ABS-CBN Publishing, this new collection presented a different approach to showcasing his poetry, with the concept being envisioned as a series of slimmer chapbooks instead of a single volume.
Working with the small press Everything’s Fine, Gloc-9 revisited the themes that repeatedly surfaced across his discography.
READ: Rapper Gloc-9 says ‘Sirena’ is a very personal song for his gay son
The first three chapbooks explore personal reflections. “Pagkatao” traces his development as a poet and looks back on his upbringing in Binangonan, Rizal, and the roots that helped shape the artist now known as Gloc-9. “Pangarap” gathers poems about his dreams of becoming a songwriter and rapper, recounting both the pursuit and realization of those aspirations. Meanwhile, “Pursigi” focuses on the perseverance and hard work required to achieve ambitions while remaining grounded in one’s values.
From these personal beginnings, the collection gradually widens its lens. “Pagibig” captures different dimensions of love – from familial bonds to romance, including relationships that ended in heartbreak. “Komunidad,” meanwhile, tells stories about the people who populate everyday neighborhoods, the familiar faces people encounter, and the lives quietly unfolding around them.
The final two chapbooks turn toward broader social reflections. “Lipunan” examines the kind of society people collectively build, shaped by both compassion and prejudice. “Bayan” presents narratives about the nation that are rarely explored in popular songwriting, offering perspectives rooted in the struggles of the majority.
Taken together, the seven chapbooks reflect Gloc-9’s nearly three decades of writing, highlighting the poetic foundation that has long been present in his music.
Long before this, Gloc-9 has built a reputation for addressing pressing societal issues through his songs. Among his best-known tracks are “Upuan (feat. Jeazell Grutas)”, “Sirena (feat. Ebe Dancel)”, “Walang Natira (feat. Sheng Belmonte)”, and “Magda (feat. Rico Blanco)”, among many others.
Copies of Makata Sa Pinas: Mga Tula ni Aristotle Pollisco are available for purchase at the Everything’s Fine booth (B6–B7) at Megatrade Hall in SM Megamall at the Philippine Book Festival from March 12 to 15.