The Polyglot is delighted to publish Candice Joy Oliva’s debut chapbook, ISARO, weaving Bicolano, Tagalog, and English.

“The poems in Candice Joy Oliva’s ISARO weave a delicate path through rupture, reconciliation, loss, awakening, and affirmation of change and growth.

Candice Joy’s reflective and rhythmic poetry carries a tone of fragile honesty. Like her memories of quietly and peacefully stringing flower garlands with her grandmother, Candice Joy strings together the memories, scents, sights, desires, and ambiguities of her life as she grapples with having to leave home and heritage, as she contends with restrictive traditions, and as she also appreciates the fullness of having multiple cultures.

Candice Joy deftly uses three languages throughout this chapbook: Bicolano, Tagalog, and English. The nuances in each language enrich the imagery and meaning in the collection, while also providing gaps that beckon readers to the new and unknown. This chapbook definitely contributes to capturing a myriad of human stories that helps prevent a single hegemonic narrative.”

— Mila Bongco-Philipzig

Candice Joy Oliva (she/they/siya) is an immigrant settler from Bicol, Philippines to amiskwacîwâskahikan on Treaty 6. Their poetry explores the bridges and distances of heritage languages in connecting to our roots while, at the same time, finding kapwa all around. Siya hopes to continue reimagining joyful spaces to energize a practice of poetry and community care into alignment. She also fulfills this dream through community work, gardening, and long walks with loved ones. IG: @candicejoyoliva.