I Am From

A gentle return to writing and an invitation to stay in community during this season of big changes in my life.

A poem inspired by Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon. Read the original poem here.

I Am From (Puluyan’s Version)

By Paul Jochico

I am from sponge,

from Palmolive and Bounty.

Brown, glowing, komerebi.

I am from the acacia tree,

a sturdy dwelling place.

I am from kamayan and caretaking,

from Raniel and Jochico.

I am from the kapwa and the tsismis.

From be the best and you’re lucky you look mestizo.

I’m from the cross and the crocodile’s belly.

I’m from the homeland of the Lenape and the Butuanon,

kare-kare, paella.

From the dance between life and death.

The over giving with silent burdens whispered in my grandmother’s garden,

planted with a seed of regeneration.

I thought long and hard about what to write about for my return to this platform, and then this poem flowed out of me with surprising ease.

There are a lot of updates to share on my end, but as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month comes to a close, I wanted to share this poem with you all and remind you all that the Kapwa Konversations is back for a third season.

Here is the link to the latest episode with Mich Bengzon on the topic of culturally-specific therapy.

I’ll be back soon to share more updates, but until next time, be well and ingat (take care)!