Hingyap

by Joseph Pining, Kimberly Sajorda, Janus Naing, Natasha Arias, Jericho Alcantara, Christy Angeles, Ruel Sabalberino, Rhona Bagual, Madylyn Cadayong from Eastern Samar State University – Guiuan

When will they learn that at the end of broken stalks,
the seed keeps the truth of the trees?

When will they learn the truth within,
that trees will set us free?

Puklat, unveil your purpose.
Pagyakan, initiate visible action.
Panginano, respond to all dilemmas.

Because serial violence is required to tame our will to live.

Are you willing to compromise
the welfare of future generations
with this untold truth?

Think, Speak, React!

When will it be?

Translations

HINGYAP: wish
PUKLAT: open your eyes, wake up
PAGYAKAN: speak up
PANGINANO: examine, take part, get involved

(Thanks to Orlando Quesada, Community Outreach Officer, RE-Charge Pilipinas)

This poem sprouted in the Philippines. Highlighted lines are from “El secreto” by Ana Aupi in Guatemala.

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).