BPO worker turns years of personal reflection into self-published poetry book

MANILA, Philippines — For many aspiring writers, publishing a book is a dream that remains tucked away in notebooks, unfinished manuscripts, and quiet moments of self-doubt. For Javier Arpista, however, it was a promise he refused to leave unfulfilled.

This year, that promise becomes reality with the release of his self-published poetry collection titled “Love and All the Things in Between.” 

Arpista works in Learning and Development within the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry, yet beyond the corporate world, he has long nurtured a passion for writing.

“Writing is not just an escape for me. It is a survival scheme to hack how the world goes,” Arpista said. 

His debut book's publication came after experiencing what he described as a stagnant phase in his professional life. The aspiring author made a conscious decision to approach 2026 differently by revisiting years of journals, drafts, and unfinished manuscripts.

By choosing to act, Arpista came with the bold decision to publish the anthology that features 350 poems selected from an original manuscript of 454 pieces. The collection captures a wide spectrum of emotions and experiences, from romantic longing and heartbreak to self-discovery, resilience and personal growth.

The budding poet invites readers into a world where vulnerability becomes strength and reflection becomes transformation.

As a bisexual man, he acknowledges that his identity has naturally influenced his writing. However, his goal has never been to create work limited by labels. Instead, he seeks to uncover universal experiences that resonate across backgrounds, identities, and cultures.

“At the core, we are all souls finding love,” he said.

While the book embraces LGBTQIA+ perspectives and experiences, its themes remain universally relatable, encouraging readers to see their own stories reflected in its verses.

In publishing his very first book, Arpista revealed that he had moments of uncertainty and self-doubt. He eventually overcame these and decided to focus on his mission.

The self-published author picks one work as a favorite. “What’s Worse” is a poem that he describes as an "emotional anchor" throughout the development of his first book.

Now that he has successfully published his own work, Arpista offers an advice to those who are still doubting themselves.

“Fear is just a gravity designed to keep you at a certain standpoint. Allow yourself to outstretch and occupy the immeasurable space your mind has already created for you,” he said. 

With the publication of “Love and All the Things in Between,” Arpista joins a growing generation of independent authors who are redefining what it means to share stories with the world. 

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