Born in Manila, the Philippines, Jim moved to Cape Town, South Africa in 1994. His first book of poetry, Beneath an Angry Star (Anvil Publishing, Manila 1992) was followed by Salimbayan (co-authored with poet friends Argee Guevarra and Neal Imperial, Publikasyong Sipat, Manila 1994). After many years of silence, two books of poetry were published by the University of Santo Tomas in Manila in 2011: Baha-bahagdang Karupukan (poetry in Filipino; shortlisted for the National Book Award) and Alien to Any Skin. Two more books from the same publisher were released in 2013: Kalmot ng Pusa sa Tagiliran and Sound Before Water. A Thousand Eyes, was released in 2015 and his first short story collection, Sanga sa Basang Lupa, in 2016. WINGS OF SMOKE (The Onslaught Press, UK) came out in 2017. His latest books are HOW TO MAKE A SALAGUBANG HELICOPTER & OTHER POEMS and CROCODILES IN BELFAST & OTHER POEMS (San Anselmo Publications), available on Kindle and print editions.