Filipino poet Jim Pascual Agustin shortlisted in Sol Plaatje European Poetry Awards

MANILA, Philippines – A Filipino-South African poet has been included in the shortlist for the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Awards in South Africa. 

Jim Pascual Agustin, who is based in South Africa, has been included in the list in the awards for the second time for his work “Baleka, What do You Know of Tenders and Thieves? Or Cockroaches for that Matter?” The competition is headed by Jacana Media, which has been supported by the European Union. The poems from the 2014 awards can be read here. 

The awarding and launch of an anthology of the best entries is scheduled for October 17 along with the annual Poetry Africa celebration in Durban.

Last year, Agustin won for the third prize for his poem called “Illegal, Undocumented” which focuses on the topic of illegal mining and other migrant issues.

Agustin’s works in the Philippines have been published under the University of Santo Tomas Publishing House. His latest poetry collection A Thousand Eyes was released in July this year, while his Filipino short story collection Sanga sa Basang Lupa is scheduled to be out soon. – Rappler.com