anai, when. anai, wait.

by Brenn Acebias, Claire Fati Roset, Allison Sia, Carmeline Dado, Leann Abrenica, Mercy French Guimbaolibot, Christian Anthony A. Cabides, Xian Hendrick A. Verco, Mark C. Manadong, Reneth Rose D. Quiminales from the Immaculate Conception School of Guiuan

1

anai, when the coconuts fall into the water, where will the currents carry them
anai, aadi na an silot nga tikang ha baybay
waray pahuway naghihingyap nga makamayda
Kinabubuwasan nga maupay.

2

anai, when the land is submerged, where will we migrate to
Human-induced factors increases rate of climate crisis so
if we never reduce our carbon footprint NOW
then what place will we leave for the youth?
Oh, surely a place-not-called-home, Guiuan.
anai, when is too late.

TRANSLATION OF PART 1:

anai, sandali, andito ang isang buko mula sa dalampasigan
walang pahinga at patuloy na nangangarap ng kinabukasang matiwasay

(Translated by Orlando Quesada, Community Outreach Officer, RE-Charge Pilipinas)

anai, wait, here is a coconut from the sea,
newly arrived, without rest, ceaselessly hoping for better tomorrows.

(Translated by Padmapani L. Perez)

This poem sprouted in the Philippines. Highlighted lines are from “anai, when” by Craig Santos Perez in Guam.

On Nov. 7, 2022, high school students, teachers, and local leaders gathered on the invitation of the local government of Guiuan, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project Philippines (Climate Reality Philippines), and Agam Agenda, for a knowledge exchange session entitled Rig-on: Klima Eskwela. The Klima Eskwela, or Climate School, was a day of learning on climate science, adaptation, governance, and local perspectives through art. Under a tent beside the sea, the high school students worked in groups  to write poem sprouts for When Is Now and Climate Reality Philippines’ Poets for Climate project.

The photographs accompanying this poem (unless stated otherwise) were taken by local women leaders during a photovoice workshop held by ICSC’s Climate Governance Team in 2020, as part of the Women and Earth Initative (WORTH) of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW).