Rap icon Gloc-9, whose real name is Aristotle Pollisco, will launch seven poetry chapbooks titled Makata Sa Pinas at the Philippine Book Festival on March 12, 2026. The event marks a reexamination of his discography through poetry, in collaboration with Everything’s Fine press. The chapbooks explore personal, storytelling, and political themes from his 28-year career.
Aristotle Pollisco, better known as Gloc-9, is set to reintroduce himself as a poet at the Philippine Book Festival in SM Megamall. On March 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., he will launch seven slim poetry chapbooks under the omnibus title Makata Sa Pinas, a hashtag he has used for the past decade. This project differs from his 2017 poetry book Akin Lang Naman, published by ABS-CBN Publishing, by focusing on shorter volumes that delve into recurring themes from his music.
Developed in collaboration with the small press Everything’s Fine, the chapbooks stem from a reexamination of Gloc-9’s discography over 28 years. The first three address personal growth: Pagkatao traces his roots in Binangonan, Rizal, and development as a rapper; Pangarap covers his dreams of songwriting and rapping, their achievement, and reassessment; Pursigi discusses hard work, persistence, goal clarity, and holding onto values.
Shifting to storytelling, Pagibig explores love in familial, romantic, and painful forms, while Komunidad depicts neighborhood lives, from familiar to overlooked people. The final two take a political turn: Lipunan reflects on society built by collective choices, including hate and compassion; Bayan narrates the nation’s stories from the struggling majority’s perspective against the wealthy few.
The launch will occur at Megatrade Hall on the 5th level of SM Megamall, with free admission. Pre-orders are available via a provided link. This collection captures Pollisco’s legacy as the nation’s poet and hints at his ongoing contributions.
