SARDAM: Mga Berso De Peligro ni R.B. ABIVA, MA-MP, D.Litt. (Hon. Causa)
FROM THE TRANSLATOR I have been an ardent fan of Rene Boy Abiva’s poetry since my first encounter with his work on the Human Rights Online Philippines website in 2018. By chance I read his poem “Nutri-Asia” about the striking workers of the major food manufacturer published on the website June of that year. Right there and then, I knew that Rene is a special poet whose creative writing prowess stands out for its clarity, intensity, and strong political convictions. My admiration for him grew every time I read his succeeding poems on the website. Later in November, I finally met him during the awards night of Human Rights Online Philippines’ 8th annual HR Pinduteros Choice for the contributors of the most popular materials uploaded or published on its site. Over dinner with a few rounds of beer at the rooftop of Prime Hotel, we got acquainted and I bought a copy of his book “ Tuligsa at iba pang mga tula” (Pantas Publishing, 2018). Later in the evening, when it was my turn
