In the Philippine music landscape, particularly in hip-hop and rap, Gloc-9, born Aristotle Pollisco, remains one of the most respected voices of his generation. Known for chart-topping tracks like “Upuan,” “Sirena,” and “Walang Natira,” his music confronts socio-political realities through sharp, poetic lyricism. His narratives are grounded, unflinching, and deeply human, allowing them to resonate across age groups.

At the recent World Book Day celebration hosted by SM Book Nook on April 23, 2026, at SM North EDSA in Quezon City, he was among the invited authors and storytellers, joining Eugene Evasco and Miguel Cabel Moreno. Together, they shared their stories, personal journeys, and love for reading with a young audience eager to listen and learn. It was in this setting that Manila Bulletin Lifestyle sat down with the award-winning rapper. In the conversation, Gloc-9 revealed that the depth and emotional weight of his songwriting are rooted in a lifelong relationship with reading, shaped further by lived experience.

The “Simpleng Tao” artist looked back on his earliest encounters with books, recalling a simple yet formative ritual at home. As a child, he would read aloud while his mother did the laundry nearby, turning an ordinary chore into a quiet learning moment that would stay with him for life.

“I was a slow reader when I was a kid,” he said in Tagalog. “So when my mom found me slow, she would lightly hit me. That’s how I learned how to read. I feel like I am still a slow reader, but that’s the core memory that helped me learn the value of reading.”

Growing up in Binangonan, Rizal, he admitted that access to reading materials was limited. Books were not always within reach, and opportunities to explore literature were few. This reality has made him more appreciative of the resources available to young people today. For him, initiatives such as SM Book Nook, public reading spaces, and celebrations like World Book Day play a crucial role in nurturing curiosity and building a culture of reading among the youth. SM Book Nook serves as a public library within select SM Supermalls, where reading materials are available for free. It is designed as an inviting space where shoppers and visitors can pause, sit, and read. Book exchange programs and donations are also encouraged, allowing the collection to grow through community participation.

“Kids nowadays are exposed to digital materials, but it’s still good to have physical, printed copies of what you’re reading,” Gloc-9 said. “Programs like this, putting up more public libraries, reintroduce the wonders of reading physical copies of materials to the younger audience.”

This enduring fascination with books, along with his passion for storytelling, continues to push Gloc-9 to expand his creative horizons. Beyond music, he has ventured into literature, releasing a seven-part poetry chapbook series titled “Makata Sa Pinas: Mga Tula ni Aristotle Pollisco.” Much like his songs, the collection confronts pressing social issues, this time through a more intimate and reflective lens shaped by his experiences as an artist and as an individual navigating everyday life.

In exploring this new dimension of his poetic voice, Gloc-9 has come to value even more the connection between reading and lived experience. For him, writing, whether in the form of lyrics or poetry, must be anchored in truth and authenticity.

“You wouldn’t be able to write these materials without experiences,” he said. “I believe a bad person would have a difficult time writing about good deeds, and vice versa. All my experiences from childhood to adulthood have helped me a lot in writing.”

When asked what advice he would give to young people hoping to follow in his footsteps, the rapper offered a message that goes beyond music and speaks to purpose and perseverance.

“Regardless of what you want to do, find your passion in life as early as possible. Once you find it, take care of it. Nourish it, fight for it, until you reach your goal,” the rapper concluded.