UST Publishing House author and surgeon Alyza Taguilaso launched her debut poetry collection, “Juggernaut,” at the Greyhound Cafe in Eastwood Mall on May 21.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, Taguilaso said the collection’s title represented her feelings of grief after her grandmother died of cancer when she was in college.
“There was so much emotion. I didn’t know where to put it. It felt like a juggernaut that was actually eating me,” Taguilaso said.
Divided into 17 parts, the collection is a compilation of poems she had written since she was in high school.
“I really didn’t have a project in mind, but I had a distinct voice with the pieces, and somehow those things worked with each other,” she said.
According to Taguilaso, her favorite poems are the first and last pieces that appear in the collection, “Swerte” and “The Story of Love.”
As a poetry collection written by a general surgeon based in Metro Manila, “Swerte” reflects Taguilaso’s frustration with the disregard for healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, “The Story of Love” illustrates the poet’s family history during a time when she was younger and more idealistic.
First published by the UST Publishing House in 2024, the poetry book also tackled national concerns such as the pandemic, in addition to her personal and professional ills.
The book launch was hosted by Roy Cagalingan, former president of the Thomasian Writers Guild.
“Juggernaut” is available at the onsite and online stores of the UST Publishing House.
