Apo on the Wall
This poem is set in this period of Philippine History, which was marked by rampant corruption, suppression of the press, and the murder of dissidents.
What is Martial Law?
After seeing the destruction of this typhoon, Merlie Aluanan wrote this poem in memory of those who perished.
What is Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)?
Danton Remoto put himself in the shoes of this Jesuit priest who witnessed the death of his beloved student, Jose Rizal.
Who is Fr. Federico Faura?
She authored Earnest Wish in support of the frontliners fighting against CoVID-19 during the pandemic.
In the poem, the little boy's father hangs a picture of this particular President, whom he calls Apo.
Who is Ferdinand Marcos?
The Haiyan Dead look for these three things that the sea had already swallowed.
What is a song, a poem, and a prayer?
As Padre Faura witnessed Jose Rizal die on 30 December, according to this poem, he was standing on the rooftop of this building, along the street that now bears Padre Faura's name.
What is the Manila Observatory?
In the second stanza of this poem, the narrator will "___ to the sound of breeze, to the rustling of leaves, to the chirping of the birds, to the buzzing of the bees, and to the flapping of a butterfly's wings".
"The photo of Apo on the wall was already looking at me around, his eyes following me like he was that scary ___ in the hallway, saying 'I know what you are doing.'"
Who is Jesus?
What is sleeping?
Padre Faura sees this character as "a blur, between the soldiers with their Mausers raised".
Who is Jose Rizal?
What is free verse?
The little boy's father hangs a picture of Apo to look over his shoulder to make sure he's this.
What is snappy?
The Haiyan Dead are looking for these, which once moved to the dance, and to play to the rhythms of love.
What are their bodies?
Rizal visits Padre Faura in the Observatory, wanting to ask about this place instead of "the stars that do not collide in the sky".
What is Purgatory?
According to the third stanza of this poem, the narrator will do all of these four things again and again.
What are tending the garden, rearranging the stones in a pile, weeding the grass in the field, and harvesting the fruits in season?