Aletheia Publishing, through the City Government of Iligan, is proud to announce the official debut of the book Pagbuswak, a collection of queer poetry in Binisaya written by award-winning and Iligan-based author Lourd Greggory Crisol.
The book will be launched this Pride Month on June 24, at the Iligan City Public Library in a landmark celebration that promises to be both inspiring and unforgettable. The launch will be accompanied by a spectacular drag show featuring local divas Majestique, Miss Jorja, and Prima Bella, marking what is believed to be the first-ever event of its kind to be held in Iligan City, and possibly in all of Mindanao. This historic occasion brings together literature, creativity, and LGBTQIA+ pride in a vibrant celebration of visibility, self-expression, and community.
Pagbuswak captures the smells, sounds, sights, and emotions of Iligan, celebrating its food, environment, and festivities, while offering an intimate glimpse into kabayotan life in the city.
The first-place winner of the inaugural Kinaiya Kolektib ng mga LGBTQIA na Manunulat Poetry Writing Contest and an associate professor of Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Crisol employs the metaphor of a flower (pagbuswak, meaning “to open up”) to explore the unfolding of a bayot’s life: its heartaches, longings, despair, and triumphs. The book cover features a striking anthurium, a flower associated with both femininity and sensuality. Its elongated spadix subtly evokes a phallic form, reflecting the poet’s exploration of gender fluidity, desire, and queer identity. This layered symbolism mirrors the delicate balance of vulnerability and strength in Crisol’s poems, drawing readers into a space of introspection and empathy.
Published by Aletheia, an independent press committed to amplifying regional voices and underrepresented perspectives, Pagbuswak celebrates the richness of queer experience and poetic expression in Binisaya. The book is now available in Shopee. You may purchase it here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
%20(1).jpeg)
Dr. Lourd Greggory D. Crisol is an Associate Professor at MSU–IIT and a faculty of the English Department. His works have appeared in Bisaya Magazine, Libulan Vol. 2, Kinaiya: Antolohiya ng mga Makabagong Tinig mula sa LGBTQIA++, Takos Anthology of Gendered Literary Genres, as well as the literary magazines Beyond the Binary and Bangsamoro Literary Review. He was a fellow of the IYAS La Salle National Writers’ Workshop and the Amelia Lapena Bonifacio Writers’ Workshop. He won first prize at the 1st Kinaiya: Kolektib ng mga LGBTQIA+ na Manunulat Poetry Contest, and third prize at the Gawad Takos.