Cassini’s Descent: “What is Grief if not Noise?”

Cassini’s Descent: 

“What is Grief if not Noise?”

Tongco, Janelle Jane P.

            A writer from a small city surprised the public with his creative works and pieces of astounding literature that gained global acknowledgment from an international internet literary journal of Singapore.

            The writer that achieved this milestone is Alfonso Manalastas, a native from Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. He is a published op-ed contributing creative non-fiction writer, an advertising copywriter, a touring spoken word artist and, a poet.

           This 28-year old artist joyously announced that one of his poems was published on volume 19 of the Quarterly Literary Review Singapore that was released on the 2nd of April. 

            His poem Cassini’s Descent evokes one’s deepest emotions creatively. From the onset of words that are thought-provoking to the way, he constructs each of his poems that always has his heart. This poem envisions and places the topic of NASA’s Cassini spacecraft that ended its exploration journey. 

            

            Cassini was a mission that was launched on October 15, 1997. With its mission to enter Saturn’s orbit on June 30, 2004, carrying European Huygens probe. After its 4-year mission came, this was twice extended. And in April 2017, Cassini was to impart on a course which was called the Grand Finale, where the final phase of this mission brought observations unparalleled of the planet and showing its rings in a view closer than ever.

            It may be viewed as a poem that only talks about Cassini’s last mission but it can also have interpretations that will leave one staggering. From one’s death, searching for a purpose, isolation, endless loop of political deficit, and anarchy. These are just some perusals of this literary piece. Truly, this is a work that imbues analysis.

            With Manalastas’ opinion “because art functions to humanize facts.” His various works often stem from themes such as gender and equality, misogyny, authoritarianism, historical revisionism notable socio-political issues, personal development, and the arts. This 28-year old artist received countless praises for his work and various university summons to perform and engage with the students. He is a poet not afraid to voice his opinion. 

            He accepted an invitation to perform for TEDxUniversityOfSanCarlos in Cebu in the year 2017, and TEDxRoxasSt in Davao in 2018. His works have appeared on various platforms such as Rappler, Scout, and Philippine Daily Inquirer gaining recognition from the local community. Six of his poems as well are included in the latest edition of Likhaan: The Journal of Contemporary Philippine literature under the UP Press, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal in Hongkong, and Cordite Poetry Review in Australia.

            Why should this literary piece have the potential in becoming world literature? Because his works scrutinize numerous and diverse social constructs that elicit thoughts from the public. Placing a spotlight on issues that are usually swept under the rug. His works and themes create metaphors that come from this outburst of emotion, that is so immense but he can tame it and place it into this medium which is literature.

      View the article here: http://www.qlrs.com/poem.asp?id=1556

To read more of his works and to know more about him follow him on all his social media handles.

Twitter: @not_alfonso 

Instagram: @not_alfonso

Image Sources:

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/cassini/mission/grand-finale/overview/