2016 NCBD Author Interview: Genaro Gojo Cruz (1 of 2)

Genaro Gojo Cruz among his treasures! Books! Books! Books!

Genaro Gojo Cruz bagged the 2016 Salanga Prize with his story, Makinang, Makinang. In this interview, Mr. Gojo Cruz shares with us his thoughts on winning the 2016 Salanga and clues us in on the winning story.

1. Hindi ka baguhan sa mga patimpalak sa pagsusulat ng kwentong pambata. Ano ang kahulugan ng pagkakapanalo mo ng Salanga Prize ngayong taon?

Kinompleto ng Salanga Writers Prize ang aking pagiging manunulat para sa mga bata. Kasi sa tingin ko, ito na ang pinakamahalagang parangal para sa mga manunulat ng panitikan para sa mga bata sa Pilipinas. Binigyan ako ng parangal na ito upang magpatuloy sa pagsusulat ng panitikan para sa mga batang Pilipino. At sa bawat kuwentong tinatangka kong isulat sa isang bakanteng screen, lagi't lagi akong isang baguhang manunulat.

2. Maari mo bang ibigay ang buod ng Makinang, Makinang?

Tungkol ito sa isang makinang panahi na may mayamang kasaysayang pinagdaanan. Sa pagsisikap ng ina at ng kaniyang tatlong anak na babae na pag-aaralan ang pananahi ng mga damit, hindi nila namamalayang naliligtas pala sila sa panganib ng ikalawang digmaang pandaigdig. Ang totoo, ito naman talaga ang layunin ng ama ng tahanan na siyang bumili ng makina. Ang kuwentong ito ang nakarating sa batang si Ino na kinuwentuhan ng kaniyang ina tungkol sa makina.

One of the many illustrated story books by Genaro Gojo Cruz

English Translation:

1. What is the relevance of winning the 2016 Salanga Prize to you since you have won in prestigious writing awards in the past?

Winning the Salanga Prize completes my role and identity as a children's story writer. The Salanga Prize is a relevant award as it inspires writers like myself to continue creating stories for children. However, every time I face a computer's blank screen, I feel I am a newbie writer in the industry.

2. Can you give us a synopsis of Makinang, Makinang?

Makinang, Makinang is a story about a sewing machine used by a mother and her daughters during World War II. By sewing, they were saved from the conflicts and the horrors of war. This had been their father's aim since he bought the sewing machine for the family. Ino, a young boy, listened to his mother tell this story of the sewing machine and how it saved the family through a very terrible time in Philippine history.

Genaro Gojo Cruz will be awarded the 2016 Salanga Prize on July 19, 2016, during the National Chidlren's Book Day at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.