Antolohiya ng mga Radikal na Kuwentong Pambata: Panayam Kay Eugene Evasco

Ang tampok na manunulat ng blog para sa linggong ito ay walang iba kundi si G. Eugene Evasco, propesor at premyadong manunulat. 

Sinagot ni G. Evasco ang mga tanong ukol sa bago nilang antolohiya ni G. Segundo "Jun" Matias na may pamagat na Antolohiya ng mga Radikal na Kuwentong Pambata: Baklas, Piglas at Hulagpos (Lampara Books, 2018).

1. Ano ang nagbigay ng inspirasyon o motibo para sa antolohiya?

Nais naming makapag-ambag ng bago para sa panitikang pambata ng ating lipunan. Marami na tayong nalikhang mga alamat, retelling, at mga kontemporanyong kuwento na nagpapakita ng danas at suliranin ng mga bata. Ngunit napansin namin na may kulang pa. Kailangan ng tapang at kapangahasan sa pagsulat ng kuwento na tumatalakay sa mga sensitibong usapin at inilalahok ang bata sa pakikibaka tungo sa makatarungan, ligtas, at payapang lipunan. Ang antolohiya ay simula pa lamang ng aming proyekto na makapanghikayat sa mga manunulat para sa bata na ilahok ang mga usaping panlipunan sa kanilang mga sulatin.

Nagsimula ang ideya sa klase namin ni Jun Matias sa MA Malikhaing Pagsulat sa UP Diliman. Proyekto nila sa klase ang mag-edit at makalikha ng antolohiya. Sayang ang proyekto kung ito’y akademikong gawain lamang. Maraming magagandang kuwentong nailahok sa proyekto. Pinagyaman namin ito sa pamamagitan ng pambansang call for contribution. Nagulat kami sa dami ng nag-ambag ng mga maiikling katha. Kaya ang isang antolohiya ay pinagpasyahang maging tatlong bolyum. Natutuwa kami sa reception at sa tugon ng mga mambabasa sa mga aklat. Mabenta ito sa nakaraang Manila International Book Fair. Tingin namin, handa na ang lipunan sa mga pangahas at radikal na panitikang pambata.

 2. Bakit antolohiya ng maikling kuwento ang napiling anyo?

Ito ang napili namin dahil ito ang pinakaraniwang anyo ng panitikang pambata na kailangan ng push o hikayat na umunlad pa at umusbong ang potensiyal. Sa ibang anyo gaya ng tula, pinag-iisipan namin ito.

 

3. Bilang manunulat, ano-ano ang pagsubok ng kasalukuyang panahon?

Malaking pagsubok sa mga manunulat ang pagtugon sa mga pangangailangan ng panahon. Tapos na ang panahon na hindi nakikisangkot ang mga manunulat para sa bata sa mga suliranin at usaping panlipunan. Napupulaan ang panitikang pambata dahil tila ba wala itong pakialam, masyadong safe, “masyadong wholesome,” gaya ng sinasabi ng mga kritiko.

4. Mensahe para sa mga babasa at magbabasa ng Antolohiya

Ang proyektong ito ay unang hakbang pa lamang. Unang tangka ito sa makalipunang pagsulat para sa bata. Nawa’y makahanap ng inspirasyon ang maraming manunulat sa mga aklat na ito.

Mabibili ang antolohiya sa Precious Pages Bookstore na may mga sangay sa mga SM Malls sa Metro Manila at piling siyudad sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao.

Max Flew and Got a Review!

Thank you for the review, Dr. Eugene Evasco!

Translator of the Month: Eugene Evasco

Eugene Evasco, Palanca Hall of Famer and Salanga Prize Winner, is the translator of our new book, The Day Max Flew Away (Gagatiga and Tejido, Lampara Books, 2017). In this interview, he talks about his style and approach in translating stories in English text into Filipino. Read further on as he shares books that influenced him to write for children and his five dreams for the growth and development of Philippine Children's Literature. 

Book cover of The Day Max Flew Away

1. How do you approach translation work?

I have three approaches in translating literary texts for children. First and foremost, I must produce a text that will not sound like a translation. I have to make the translation of an English text “originally written” in Filipino. Secondly, though I have to respect the original intent of the author, I must assert my own voice and style in the translation. My style in translation is trying to write the text like my own work. Thirdly, and most importantly, after translating the text, I have to make sure that the product is child-friendly or readable.

2. What has been the biggest challenge for you as a translator of children’s books?

One of the biggest challenges is translators of children’s books in the Philippines are marginalized. Some are not acknowledged properly in the book production. They are not even considered as co-creators of the book. Another is the language problem. Translation is supposed to be a process to make the text accessible to Filipino readers. But in my experience, there are cases that some readers, young and old, are struggling to understand the Filipino language.

Title page, where Eugene Evasco is appropriated as translator

3. Among your published works, what book is the most meaningful and why?

Pintong Maraming Silid (The Door with Many Rooms) is a personal favorite. It is beautifully illustrated by Leo Kempis Ang. It is our ode to books and our testimony to the power of reading.

4. Five books that influenced you to write for children.

Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White- I personally asked my publisher, Segundo Matias, Jr. of Lampara to buy the foreign rights and publish my Filipino translation. This book taught me how to write in a lyrical way, using concrete images. Rene Villanueva’s Ang Unang Baboy sa Langit and Nemo, Ang Batang Papel. The Philippine Folklore series of Damiana Eugenio
is a gold mine of stories. I adore Mayroon Akong Alagang Puno by Carla Pacis.

5. Five big dreams for Philippine Children’s Literature.

-More handsomely-produced children’s books using high quality paper and binding, outstanding design, and thorough editing. We need to package our products properly.

-We need more radical, unconventional, and brave texts for children.

-Philippine children’s books should be visible in the world market. We need agents to sell our book in the international community. We never ran out of talent. We must invest in marketing our books.

-A book museum and research center focusing on Philippine children’s books.

-Establishment of a Children’s Laureate or the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature in our country.

Eugene Evasco is a panelist in the 2nd Philippine Children's Book Summit on July 22, 2017.

 

Because Love Can Save the World

The dedication was included pre-Wonder Woman viewing. Kudos to Eugene Evasco for the Filipino translation!

The 4th Annual Story Writing Workshop of Lampara Books

Aside from the book launching and book buying events I had last MIBF (Manila International Book Fair), I also facilitated a story writing workshop sponsored by my publisher, Lampara Books.

Lampara has been conducting the workshop since 2011. This is 4th writing workshop for its patrons and avid readers. I have been participating as its facilitator for three straight years now. In my first year, I only had a 40 minute talk on writing stories for kids. In the second year, I was given an hour and a half to do a mini-workshop. This year, I had two hours of input session and a workshop. As always, it was a pleasure to meet new friends, young and old.


I was even interviewed by young writers from Palanan Elementary School. Dave and Camille are six graders who attended the workshop. They are campus journalists for the school paper.

Joining me in the workshop as facilitator was Eugene Evasco, Palanca Hall of Fame Awardee.

I opened the workshop with a brief introduction on the trends and themes prevalent in Philippine Children's Literature today; the National Children's Book Awards; why the NCBA should be taken seriously; the first Kids' Choice Award; and implications of all these to writers of children's stories. To immerse the participants in children's books, I had them read it. They reviewed the books following the 10 Values of Children's Literature by Ruth Clarkson. There was sharing of output in small group and big group discussions.

When Eugene Evasco came up the stage, he provided an array of different exercises for writing stories. Many of his exercises were pre-writing activities; language techniques; strategies for character and plot development.

It was an enriching afternoon! We had eighty participants and they filled the room with their interest and enthusiasm. Here's hoping we would have more writers to write for children.

Reader Feedback on My Daddy! My One and Only!

When I was in Bali last week for the IASL Conference, I got this feedback from a parent who has copies of my books, A Tale of Two Dreams and My Daddy! My One and Only! 

The Daddy one especially really moved my daughter and me. It supports what values I am trying to raise my daughter with, and for her-wow she was able to make real connections and see value in her daddy that she hadn't seen before!

And then the senti factor got me :-) It is beautiful. Thanks!

 I will be at the Manila International Book Fair on September 14, 2013 to sign copies of my books. I suppose the illustrators will be present too! The book signing will start at 1PM in the Lampara - Precious Pages booth. At 3PM, I move to the conference room at SMX to join Eugene Evasco and Heidi Eusebio Abad,two wonderful writers of children's stories, in a panel on writing stories for children.

I hope to see you there!

Illustrator of the Month: Yasmin Doctor

2011 Alcala Prize winner, Yasmin Doctor, graciously agreed to my request for interview. Her clean and colorful illustrations rendered Rizaldy, the 2011 Salanga Prize winning story of Eugene Evasco, a relevant read. Last I heard, Lg & M is serious at publishing the story book in time for December 2011. It would be the final month of the sesquicentennial celebration of Rizal's birth year.

Ms. Doctor's interview below is an interesting tale of a botanist enthusiast turned illsutrator. She reveals her creative process with Rizaldy as well.

Why do you draw?

No matter what I do I always end up drawing or painting. I’ve always wanted to be a botanist, I’m a frustrated forager; still, I end up drawing. It’s funny to be honest, yet it amazes me most of the time that I have this potential to make something using lines and shapes.

When did you discover that you have a talent for illustrating?

It was in college. I’m no fine arts grad, so I didn’t really know where to start back then. It was through my 4th sister who introduced me to Ang-INK (Illustrador ng Kabataan). She showed me the site and asked me whether I’d like to join. I thought, “Why not? Mukhang exciting, miske wala akong masyadong alam sa illustration!” (It looks exciting though I know nothing about illustrating for children.)

Describe your creative process

Several character studies. The faces of Mona, John Paul, and Rizaldy were based from the faces of Mona Lisa, The Pope John Paul, and Rizal (respectively). (I) Devoted a Sunday for research and had an intense walk-a-thon from Quiapo – Binondo – Fort Santiago – Luneta – Lawton and back to Quaipo. Was just walking, looking around for ideas that could help me in making the entry.

What are your dream projects?

To have many art-related projects (hehe). Siguro for now, to have an art project that can fulfill that botanist / forager fantasy of mine.

What are your favorite works by another illustrator?

Marami(Plenty). Cat Painter by Mark Salvatus, yung Naku, Nakuu, Nakuuu by Serj Bumatay, Sarimanok vs. Ibong adarna by Jess Abrera, and any book illustrated by Jiri Trnka.

Illustrador Idols?

My idol list gets longer and longer as I grow older, but first on the list is my dad. In general, I like being with productive people. Good vibes!

Author of the Month: Eugene Evasco Part 2

Bago pa humaba ang pasasalamat na ito, nais kong ibahagi ang pagkakasulat ng kuwentong "Rizaldy." Hinamon ako noon ng mga kasamang guro na sumulat ng kuwentong naiiba sa hulma ng Kanluran. Tunay, unibersal naman ang pagkabata. Lahat ng lipunan ay may kinikilalang yugto ng pagkabata, ngunit magkakaiba ang kultura't tradisyon upang kilalanin, ipagdiwang, at pausbungin ito. Ang hamon nila: Bakit hindi ako sumulat ng kuwento kaugnay sa pagmamahal sa bansa at pagpapahalaga sa pagka-Pilipino?

Produkto rin ang kuwentong Rizaldy ng halos isanlibong aklat pambata na nabasa ko noong taong 2010 upang muli’t muling makilala ang anyo ng kuwento para sa picture book. Proyekto ko ang pagbabasang ito pagkaraang mapanood ng "Julie & Julia" na may 500 recipe na kailangang matupad sa isang taon sa maliit niyang apartment. Buhat sa paglangoy sa karagatan ng mga aklat, naisip ko, paano maiiba ang isang kuwento na may tatak-Filipino?

Paano ako makatutulong upang maiipakilala ang isang bayani? Halimbawa ay ang kaso ng aking pamangkin. Sa mura niyang gulang, kaybilis niyang makilala ang mga mascot at logo ng fastfood. Mula sa malayo, alam na niyang tukuyin ang pulang higanteng bubuyog, ang tila-masayahing payasong naka-dilaw at pula, at ang batang babaeng naka-pigtail ang pulang buhok. Kung lilikha ako ng eksperimento sa mga bata, at ipapakita’t ipapakilala ang mga larawan ng mascot, bayani ng bansa, at mga popular na tauhan sa panitikan, hindi na ako magugulantang sa magiging resulta.


Ito ang agenda ko sa pagsulat noon pa man—ang ipakilala ang mga bayani ng epiko, mito, alamat, at ngayon: ang pambansang bayani ng bansa.

Likas na sa mga Pilipino ang maglaan ng tatak at kuwento sa pangalan. Tulad ko, ipinangalan sa chess grandmaster na si Eugene Torre. Ilang kakilala kong bata noon, may pangalang John Paul sa pagbisita ng Santo Papa sa bansa noong 1981. Ang mga kaibigan kong guro’t anak ng manunulat ay may malilikhaing pangalan: Haraya, Mithi, Patnubay, Tala, Alon, Laya, Tagumpay, Daniw, Daan, Sanyata, Sining. Ang mga pinsan ko'y nagkaroon ng kakaibang pangalan dahil sa pagsasama ng pangalan ng kanyang magulang.

Ngunit ang pinakainspirasyon sa kuwento ay ang aking kaklase sa kolehiyo na may pangalang Rizaldy. Kakaibang pangalan. Binusisi namin namin ang kasaysayan nito at napag-alamang ipinanganak siya sa Dec. 30, Rizal Day. Sa aking pananaliksik, nalaman kong marami pa siyang kapangala: isang artista (Jose Rizaldy Zshornack), basketball player, manunulat, guro, at ayoko sa sanang banggitin ang kontrobersiyal na gobernador sa Maguindanao. Isang search sa facebook: maraming lilitaw na Rizaldy, mga Pilipinong ikinabit ang pangalan kay Jose Rizal, ang dahilan kung bakit tayo magkakasama ngayong umaga.

Sa pagtatapos, mag-iiwan sana ng isang hamon. Tulad ni Rizaldy, nawa'y ikarangal natin hindi lamang ang pangalan na ibinigay sa atin ng ating mga magulang o ang pangalan na nais nating ipamana sa magiging anak. Higit pa rito, sana'y ikarangal natin ang pagkabayani ni Rizal, ang giting ng ating mga ninuno, ang identidad ng ating bansa, at ang ating lahi bilang Pilipino.

Maraming salamat at maligayang araw ng mga aklat pambata!

Author of the Month: Eugene Evasco Part 1

Eugene Evasco shares with us his "acceptance" speech for the Salanga Prize awarded to him last 19 July 2010 at the UST Museum during the 28th National Children's Book Day. Written in Filipino, Mr. Evasco emphasizes his motives and agenda in writing for children. This is his second Salanga Prize having won in 1998 for his story, Federico, a story about a boy with Down Syndrome.

Magandang umaga at pagbati sa ating lahat—sa mga ilustrador, tagapaglimbag, kapwa manunulat, guro, tagapagsalaysay.

Lubos akong nagagalak sa pagdiriwang at sa pagkilalang ito sa larangan ng aklat pambata. Nakagagalak dahil karangalan ang makatanggap ng premyo mula sa mga tunay na tagapagtaguyod ng panitikang pambata. Pagkaraan ng 14 na taon, muli na naman akong naparangalan ng Salanga Writer's Prize. Medyo matagal-tagal na paghihintay, pero isang kaiga-igayang paghihintay.

Kung totoong tao si Federico, ang karakter na may Down’s Syndrome sa kauna-unahan kong aklat, siya'y isa nang clerk sa post office, naghahardin, nagpipinta, volunteer sa pangangalaga ng ligaw na pusa't aso, at nagagalak sa pag-aaral ng internet. Sa palagay ko, magiging kaibigan niya si Rizaldy, isang batang nais kilalanin ang katukayong bayani at ang diwa ng pagkabansa.

Ngayong umaga, nais kong pasalamatan ang PBBY, na unang kumilala sa aking panulat. Ang pagkilala na nagsimula pa noong 1996 ang nagsilbing hudyat, pahiwatig, at motibasyon sa kung ano ang aking magiging karera pagkatapos ng kolehiyo. Ngayo'y nagtuturo na ako ng pagsusulat, nakapaglathala na ng mga aklat, kolektor at mag-aaral ng mga aklat pambata sa Pilipinas at ng daigdig.

Maraming salamat sa pagtukoy ng landas na aking tatahakin.

Nais ko ring pasalamatan ang mga tagapaglathala ng mga aklat pambata na bumubuhay sa mga tekstong aagapay sa pag-unlad ng kabataan. Ang pagdami ng mga publisher at ang pagbabagong-bihis ng aklat mula pa noong 1996 ay indikasyon sa makabuluhang pamumuhunan sa kabataan at sa pagbabasa.

Winners of the 2011 Alcala Prize

Congratulations to Yasmin Doctor for winning the 2011 Alcala Prize. She will be awarded the medal and cash prize along with Eugene Evasco (Salanga Prize 2011) on 19 July 2011 during the National Children's Book Day celebration. Below is her winning illustration to Evasco's story, Rizaldy. 

Honorable mention goes to Jonathan Ranolla and Leo Agtuca. Their works are posted below respectively. Thanks to Ani Almario and Liza Flores for the graphics. View more of the winning artworks in PBBY website.

A sample of Jonathan Ranolla's interpretation of Evasco's story, Rizaldy

Leo Agtuca's samples of his rendition of Rizaldy by Eugene Evasco