Halo-Halo: A Poetic Mix of History, Culture, Identity, and Revolution

by Justine S. Ramos

In this small foreign body / under this heavy, twisted tongue / is the fighting spirit of / three golden stars and a sun / still gleaming with pride / even if / fifty stars and thirteen stripes try to strangle it.Justine S. Ramos’ Halo-Halo is a poetic Pilipino treat that exchanges the traditional components of a halo-halo—munggo beans, jackfruit, leche flan, and ube jam—for culture, history, identity, revelation, and revolution. Readers of all backgrounds will enjoy traveling with Ramos on the path toward cultural rediscovery and reconnection.Ramos had to adapt to immigrant life in the U.S. She struggled to hold on to her native tongue, juggle cultural identities, and be the fruit of her parents’ labor, in a land not made for her to thrive. She writes not only about her experiences with immigration but also about the gifts of humility, knowledge, and a passion for advocacy she found along the wayThrough Ramos’ fiery, whip-smart, slam-style poetry, this book is a fascinating portal into the Pilipinx identity and the collective experiences of immigrants and communities of color. Above all, Ramos insists that change, revolution, and growth are possible in unity.

Genres: Poetry, Aapi

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Paula Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and authentic. She is of the same publishing company that I also reviewed a few months ago. Same topics of Filipino (or Pilipinx as this author puts it most of the time) identity, belonging, and finding. The difference is that I feel that Ramos' poetry is more complex, well-thought-out and expertly crafted. It does say in the back that it is "slam-style" so maybe that is the difference. Her poetry can be performed out loud and read silently. Different experiences both effective. I am a big follower of Filipino creatives bc there is not as many out there. I'm glad I found this one. It is pretty hard to do that kinds of styles does she does, but she does it very well. I loved all the poems so far. I am on the last chapter. My favorite chapter has definitely been revolution and revelation. It is well with the times. Ramos has deep metaphors that string beautifully throughout the poem and echoes throughout the book. Would put this on a college syllabus!

[Alisha Sehgal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chillingly real accounts of being an immigrant and growing up in a foreign country. Ramos does an amazing job portraying what our society could do better alongside the narration of the struggles of an immigrant. Losing your native tongue, problematic history written by the victors, and inability to fit in are just a few of the struggles I related to within this book. Must read for all who wonder how our history shapes us despite its inaccuracies.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Filipino experience is rarely presented in media. I am so happy to read my experiences and my feelings of being a Filipino immigrant in the U.S be reflected in this collection. I have read many Filipino poets, but there is none like this collection. Many of the poets I have read are Fil-Ams but are NOT immigrants. Of course, that is an experience in itself, but there is always something different of having that immigrant experience. The author may have immigrated at such a young age, so to some it may not matter as much, but it does to me. I know she has not just witnessed or listened to the struggles of her parents. She experienced them herself. Ramos has lived experience and that is what makes her different. A lot of Fil-Am authors tend to just go on about not feeling "Filipino" enough and not being "American" enough which can get very repetitive and boring. Fil-Am authors also tend to talk about the same things in different ways BUT Ramos does NOT! She portrays the experience in different perspectives and hashes it out in so much complexity and detail. I encourage everyone to really sit down and let the words sink and the author's unique choices make you wonder.

For Instance, I wondered why the author directly translated Tagalog words side by side with a hyphen. This is different to me because other poets usually put a footnote at the bottom. I thought about this for a while, and I think I figured it out. (And if I am wrong Miss.Ramos please comment if you see this) Is the reason you put the translations side by side because you want to emulate the literal switching between languages that we immigrants often experiences? Is it because you are emphasizing the hyphen in your emphasis of hyphenated Americans? My mind was blown when I thought about this theory so I hope I am right! In my book club we talked about this as well. Poetry is great because everything is done with intention. I hope I am right!

[Kenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just received my copy from my local indie bookstore as the author highly recommended. It was in the AAPI section which was so amazing! I have rarely come across Philippine poets in actual displays. Once I started reading, like many people in the reviews, it was hard for me to stop going. As I turned the page I didn’t want the experience to end. (A little weird I know but my fellow bookworms would understand). Thank you Justine Ramos for writing such a complex collection of poetry that truly highlights the immigrant experience and showcases our history and IS UNAFRAID to criticize the systems we have in our culture that are toxic. I really enjoyed the advocacy component to her literature. It has taught me so much. It has even change my perspectives on things that I did not know much about. Mind you I’m a bit older and I grew up with very conservative values. It has taken years of growth and learning to extract these outdated thoughts. Halo-Halo ripped them out from the very root. I understand the struggles of all our fellow Black, brown and Indigenous brothers and sisters. I am currently reading it again just to relive this experience. I realize as I’m typing this that this sounds so dramatic but it’s true! I feel seen and heard which is not something that we Filipinos feel often in America. Moreover, her poetry is very complex and detailed. It is simple to hear but once you look at the inner mechanisms of the art form and literary devices you will be blown away. The author was kind enough to bold the first letters of acrostics and the golden shovels for people like me who are not familiar. But she is an English major and probably knows all these devices. Thank you thank you Miss. Justine Ramona for educating me and most of all touching my heart. I am no curious to investigate my own history and ancestry. I am blown away through and through

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through this book and I cannot put it down. Very reminiscent of Button Poetry authors. It is indeed intense, unapologetic, and fierce. However, it is not all critical. There are wonderful metaphors, themes, and similes about family and cultural identity. The Author's Note brought me to tears and the first poem has me bawling. But I also found myself wistfully smiling and the author's or speaker's finding of their identity and accepting who they are as Filipino-American. I do not even identify as Filipino, but I grew up in Filipino Town in Los Angeles, moved to Eagle Rock, and have a lot of Filipino friends. I understand most of the references but if need be I looked at the notes just in case. I also researched on my own if I found a topic to be intriguing. This is the kind of poetry that often doesn't need much explaining. But if you look at it longer and more carefully, you will find that Ramos' poetry is more complex than it seems. The enjambment, the assonance, consonance, the rhyme, the GOLDEN SHOVELS for crying out loud! My favorite poems so far are the July 4th poems and the Red White and Blue poems. Many themes of the American flag, Philippine flag, the sun, and the stars, and more. Lots of wonderful nature imagery in a way that I would've never imagined. I hope to read more from this author.

[James Yoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blown away by this poetry collection. Justine's mastery of language is incredible; she elicits powerful emotions with every word. So many stanzas roll perfectly off the tongue with such precise word choice that it feels like music.

Not a single poem in this collection seems out-of-place, and her portrayal of the Pilipinx-American experience is beautiful and heartbreaking. Many of the poems reminded me of my own connection to my culture and identity, especially in Parts 2 and 4.

Some of my favorite poems were "Nipis (Thin/Sensitive)", "Children of the Diaspora", "Love Languages", "Kain Na", and "Yellow". However, every single poem had its place within the collection, and all of the poems together paint such a nuanced picture of the Pilipinx experience. I'm so excited to see what Justine creates next!

[Kelly Coons · Rating 5 out of 5]

To that racist boy: You have no idea what good your cruelty has wrought.

To people who might be that racist boy: Instead of spewing dehumanizing hate, why don't you sit down, be quiet, and read a book like this one?

[Julian Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so thankful to have come across this collection! It is such a rare privilege to read work by an author with whom I can ethnically and culturally relate to -- imagine if I were white lol

I found the Culture and Identity sections to be the stronger half. I learned a great deal from the History and Revolution sections, but moreso from the notes than the poems themselves. Perhaps that is my own shortcoming for not knowing enough about Filipino history.

My only hesitation for not giving it 5 stars is that I did not find the poems themselves to be as masterfully crafted as some other poems I've read this year. That being said, I loved Tumaba Ka and Children of the Dispora, and poems like Kain Na broke my heart with its incisive truth and relatability. Brings me back to the day I stopped bringing rice and longanisa into school for lunch :(

Lastly, I will never forget the opening poem of the Culture section:

Irony
There is no greater irony than a culture
who Glorifies, Obsesses, and Desires
the very features of their colonizers

[Pamela Usai · Rating 5 out of 5]

CW/TW: micro-aggressions, racism, mentions of gun violence, death, war, assault.

I have never read a collection of poetry that has spoken to me as much as Halo-Halo. Even the feminist and anti-racist collections cannot come close to Justine Ramos' captivating work of capturing the cultural, historical and social struggle of being a Filipino in a foreign (white) land. As a biracial woman, my 'white' side has often tussled with my 'non-white' one, and every micro-aggression mentioned within Ramos' poetry heartbreakingly hit close to home. Highly recommended.

[Alexandro Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been following this poet for a while now, and have been waiting eagerly for her new book to be published! Finally it’s here, and it doesn’t disappoint! Halo-Halo captures and celebrates the essence of Pilipino culture, history, and identity through the medium of poetry. The combination of the cultural and historical content utilized and the author’s poetic style really makes this book stand out as one of the best poetry literature to date. A must have for poetry fanatics and/or those interested in Pilipino/Pilipino-American discourse!

[Michaela Stith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would buy this just for the cover, but got hooked at “You wield the power to author your story, to write unwritten histories.” The passion is real, the poems are heart wrenching, and the words are powerful.

[Nathalie Santos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justine Ramos’s words in Halo Halo: A Poetic Mix of History, Culture, Identity, Revelation, and Revolution are like solace in placing your identity when the centre cannot seem to hold in America. This collection of empowering, heartbreaking, and too-close-to-home poems moves in gentle shifts to examine race, oppression, freedom, joy, and love as a Filipinx-American.

The poems Glutathione, Tumaba Ka (You Got Fat), Pilipinos to an American, and Pilipinx-American stay with me because they all deliver brutally straightforward truths.

Glutathione
“So, you drench yourself in a sea of glutathione,
dip your elbows in white-out,
scrub the melanin off your skin,
ball your fists to form white knuckles,
hold your breath to turn pale,
until you’ve
muted the brave faces of your ancestors
with the fear of glowing like the sun and
being as rich as the Earth.”

Reading this poem evoked the reminder of how skin colour and colourism actually keeps us small, even if so much importance is placed upon it growing up as an Asian-American woman.

Tumaba Ka (You Got Fat)
“Titas trace their famished fingers on the backs of our thighs,
counting cellulite like tally marks,
each faint line a point that goes towards this game of
fatphobia,
whoever wins
gets skinny,
gets suitors,
gets compliments,
gets married”

Similarly, this poem opened memories of family members reminding us of our worth in the world through our desirability, over and over and without relent.

The following two poems struck me hard as I use the term “Pilipinx” and the gulf I’ve encountered between me and Filipinos who don’t regard me as Filipino enough to have a say:

Pilipinos to an American
“That is not how you act Pilipino.

I should know, I am the motherland.
Stop using Pilipinx. We don’t see gender.
Do not butt into our politics, you do not get to talk
while you’re tucked away in air-conditioned rooms and
newly paved roads.

You’re so whitewashed.
Baybayin characters may glimmer on your skin under the rays of the Philippine sun,
Your voice may sound like the crash of waves hitting Palawan sands
Your heart may be shaped like a Manila Mango but
we are not alike.

You do not know struggle,
You cannot know grief
You do not know me.”

Pilipinx-American
“Pilipinx-American is an oxymoron.
Two contradictions forced together like
opposite ends of a magnet.
It seems as though I cannot carry one
without letting go of the other––
I wonder how I could possibly hold
two cultures that seem to repel
I need one to thrive,
I need the other to survive.”

This work is truly an important read if you are interested not only in decolonialization, but want to hear a clear, unapologetic, and powerful voice tell stories that tell our collective one as Filipino-Americans and Canadians.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading some Fil-Am poetry, it was natural for me to take on this book of poetry with a very critical and biased lens. (I've come over disappointing Filipino poetry books in the past) However, I was sorely mistaken and humbled. Ramos' experience as an immigrant, Pilipinx, and Pilipinx-American was moving. She takes raw and authentic experiences of immigration that can be laid over many BIPOC experiences across the world. I found myself laughing, in tears, in awe and inspired to learn more about Filipino history. She takes on the complexities of advocacy movements and it is very apparent that her poetry was influenced by the Black Lives Matter movements and Stop Asian Hate movements throughout 2020-2021. I was impressed by the golden shovels, acrostics, and so much more. She has a good mix of long, thorough slam-like poetry and short sweet poems. I've learned to appreciate both. I looked more into the author online and found a wonderful list of podcasts, video performances, and even found her commencement poem and speech. This book is underrated and the author definitely should get more media attention as compared to other young poets (ahem Gorman). This book is a Powerful Poetic Punch!

[JADE · Rating 5 out of 5]

“They say I inherited my mother’s eyes and my father’s smile, but I like to say I inherited their hearts. Their loud, electrifying hearts
and unstoppable source beating from my chest,
zapping my brain every time tears fell, arguments broke, or will-powered evaporated
to remind me of their vision my vision, to stand taller and higher than before.”

If I could rate this book 10 magical stars I would! 💫 I admit, as a Filipino-American I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t know enough about my roots until Justine’s poetry book opened my mind. I love how she talks about Philippine’s History in Part 1 and who really discovered the Philippines. (Definitely wasn’t Ferdinand Magellan. Mmm hmmm.) It’s horrible how we are lied to about the real truth of what really went down in History books.

The entire book was beautifully written and some of the passages brought tears to my eyes. I felt the pain in her words. Bittersweet. My favorites were all of Pt. 1, 3 and 4. Such a mesmerizing read. Thanks Justine for pouring your heart into paper and sharing it with the world. Highly recommend!

[Meilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even express how much I loved reading this book. Here are my experiences growing up as a Pilipino with immigrant parents in a white society and the confusion of why my comfort food, longanisa and rice, were ridiculed by my classmates in beautifully written prose.

It was a joy to read because my experiences were shared and validated. It was a sad read because I felt the hurt of navigating my identity as a five-year-old. It was an angry read to see how our identities are radicalized with challenges to both Pinoy and American standards. But it is also a joy to read because here are my emotions, culture, history, and thoughts being represented and shared.

Amazing read that I'm grateful will impact other readers who wish to understand the Philippines and the complexity of Pilipinx identity.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written from the perspective of a first generation immigrant who arrives in the USA as a child. She has experiences in the Philippines at a much younger age, but has resistance to assimilation into the main culture, which feels very unnatural to her. She feels connected to other minority communities such as Black Americans, Indigenous First Nations people, etc, and acknowledges how the United States was built upon the exploitation of people of color. Many of the poems were political, but the ones I enjoyed the most were about Filipino culture and growing up in the Philippines. As someone born in the United States, I did not have the same experiences, and it was refreshing to see through the eyes of someone who grew up both in the Philippines and in the USA. I also like that some of the poetry was inspired from significant quotes.

[Brooke Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love poetry books that center around culture! The hardships like struggling with identity and holding on to cultural heritage is so powerful.

This book is a perfect balance of poetry that keeps the reader’s mind grounded in reality, mixed with beautiful language and references to Philippine culture. I also love how the poet used different poetic structures throughout the book. It gives it variety.

A lot of the longer poems like “You Got Fat” and “The Audacity Award Goes To: Men” were my absolute favorites! They just flowed so well and contained such moving messages or themes! I am still very much blown away by “The Audacity Award Goes To: Men”—Wow!

I can tell how personal this book is to the author but it’s also informational in the right ways as well! Just a wonderful read!

[E. Ozie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I love the cover! From a couple of poems, I could tell I was in for a "poetic mix". I really do think Justine's book has the "nostalgic happiness" mixed with different ingredients that show the flavourful moments and not-so-great moments of living in the U.S. as a Pilipinx-American. I share the same feelings and thoughts living as Nigerian-American where I am still learning more about my identity every day. I love that she takes it back to history which may seem boring but Justine's colorful language and vivid imagery help paint a picture that makes me wonder what I will find if I take a trip down memory lane that spans past my memory.

[cae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully composed, highly political, indignant, and unsubtle — “Halo-Halo” explores colonization, revolution, and how cultural identity sits within it all. “Halo-Halo” and “Kamay” are standouts in this collection!

Growing up Pilipinx-Puerto Rican-American, I found kinship and comfort in the way Justine Ramos artistically described yearning for distant homelands, and how the Stars and Stripes never felt quite right.

I would have preferred if the formatting did not spell out the literary devices (bolding the acrostics, for example), which would allow the reader to sit with the text more, rather than have all of its tricks pointed out.

[ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poems and experiences that made me feel seen as a Filipino-American. I already found myself crying in the brief introduction and the tears continued as I read through the book and found so many familiar experiences being echoed back to me.

Ramos' writing provoked a lot of self-reflection on my childhood and family experiences. I think her voice is incredibly needed by me and other Filipino-Americans rediscovering and reclaiming their identity after a lifetime of our culture and feelings being stifled and rebuked.

[JOANNA POBLETE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful and poignant, Ramos’ poetic style is profound creative reading for both those well-versed in Pilipinx experiences and those desirous of learning more about these complex histories of colonization, struggle, resistance, and perseverance. Ramos also writes open, honestly, and scathingly of contemporary politics ranging from the rule of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and President Donald Trump to police brutality, patriarchy/misogyny, and the hypocrisy of American ideals.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally read poetry, but I was still drawn to Halo-Halo for its poignant themes of identity and my interest to learn more about Philippine culture. I’m not of Philippine descent, but I, alongside many from the general immigrant and diaspora communities, can understand the joys and struggles explored in the poems. The author’s words gripped my heart and now I have a better understanding and appreciation for halo halo.

[Aparna Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this emerging AAPI poet

A powerful poetry collection that grapples with identity, family, and the immigrant experience. Ramos's poetry is full of rhythm and rich in imagery. Her "Ferdinand Magellan" poem was especially haunting, as it harks to a familiar immigrant experience: finding your home written as an afterthought in a history book.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a work of art. Through her slam-style poetry, Ramos gives insight into the experiences and psyche of the Filipinx diaspora. At times, her words feel like lament. Other times, like revolutionary anthems. I don’t know that I’ve ever read a book that has made me feel seen the way these poems have. This book was like a healing balm to my soul.

[Rachel Mumaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, powerful, and honest in a way only poetry can be. Ramos's debut work flows easily from one poem to the next, reflecting on her lived experience as a Pilipino-American in a way that helps the reader get a glimpse into Philippine history and the realities for many Pilipino-Americans today.

[A.E. Hearn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramos does a beautiful job of telling a story about discovering one's identity in a way that creates characters we want to sympathize with. Halo-Halo shines light upon the immigrant story and what it means to truly find yourself in this world.

[Jennifer Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw and emotional. More hostility than I feel personally but, we have different experiences of the same experiences. A lot [f the poems hit close to home despite the different backgrounds. I've come to accept and love being "halo-halo."

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a first generation child of Filipino immigrants, I thoroughly enjoyed this collection. My experiences were reflected in these poems. Well done, Justine Ramos!

[circexin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. i’m proud to be filipino