I had a hard time pondering choosing a Filipino author to write about, mainly because I lacked knowledge about them and only knew a few. However, it’s undeniable that the Philippines is home to many writers who excel in writing poetry and other literary works, but still I was only familiar with a few. As I conducted my research, after reading multiple essays and stories, one line from an essay particularly caught my attention, “Sapay koma naimbag ti biag yo dita” which translates to "to hope that your life there is good.” This line, written by Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz, intrigued me and led me to explore her works and purpose as an author.
Early Life & Accomplishments
Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz, also known as “Joy Cruz” is a notable Filipina writer who is based in Mindanao. She is a professor who teaches linguistics, literature, and creative writing in the Department of Humanities of the University of the Philippines Mindanao and an advocate known for her contributions to contemporary Philippine literature, particularly in the fields of creative nonfiction and LGBTQ+ narratives. She completed her Master of Arts in Language and Literature and Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at De La Salle University. She currently serves as the president of Davao Writers Guild and is the regional coordinator for Southern Mindanao in the National Committee on Literary Arts. At a young age, she envisioned herself becoming a writer someday. She felt like she had a story to tell, especially she's a woman, and believed that she needs to express her thoughts and share her experiences to help contribute change in a patriarchal society she lived in.
Her works were showcased at literary events in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Vietnam, and Australia, and were featured in the 'New Asia Now' issue of Australia's Griffith Review. In 2015, she was a featured as a Philippine writer at the Melbourne Writers Festival as part of the Writers Immersion and Cultural Exchange (WrICE) Program at RMIT University in Melbourne. In addition, she's is a Palanca Award-winning writer and was the first Philippine representative at the Tokyo International Literacy Festival. She has also participated in writing residencies in both Vietnam and Australia.
Literary Works
Cruz’s works had established a significant voice in contemporary Philippine literature, which contributed to various topics including gender, identities, and society itself. One of her recognized works entitled “Women Loving: Stories and a Play" was published in 2010 and won the Philippines’ prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. This collection of lesbian-themed short stories and a play explores the complexities of love and relationships among women in the Philippine context. This book brought significant contribution to LGBTQ+ literature in the country, particularly because it focuses on same-sex relationships, which have often been underrepresented in mainstream Philippine literature. The stories also gave highlight to the lives, desires, and struggles of queer women. In writing this, Jhoanna believed that “Writing is not just about me and my personal issues. It is an obligation to a community” inspiring many queer women.
Another notable work of hers is “Abi Nako, Or So I Thought” that was published in 2020. This memoir won the 2021 National Book Award for Best Book of Nonfiction Prose in English from the National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle in the Philippines. This memoir is about Jhoanna’s first ten years in Davao City, where she moved after her heterosexual marriage had failed. It reflects on her journey of rebuilding her life as a single mother to two children and her adventures in refreshing herself as a writer and a lesbian in the face of her own false expectations.
Her essay entitled
“Sapay Koma”, which originally catched my attention, won third prize in the Essay Category of the 58th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature. The title, derived from an Ilocano word, which means "I wish" or "I hope." This personal essay mirrors her story from “Abi Nako, Or So I Thought” because this is a personal essay she wrote that was published under that story. This tells the story of Maria, who was raised in Pasay City, who marries Leon who was raised in Itogon, Benguet.
Despite identifying herself as a self-proclaimed lesbian and even having past relationships with women, Maria falls in love with Leon, perhaps due to her pregnancy or maybe because of love. However, their marriage begins to unravel due to cultural differences. At the end, “Sapay Koma” is a story of unspoken wishes. Each of the characters holds a secret, wishing to have done things differently or to have a kinder and more understanding to the shortcomings of everyone.
Reflecting on Jhoanna’s background and accomplishments, I found myself wondering, “Why is this the first time I heard about her?. Despite her numerous awards and significant contributions she brought in the Philippine literature, her works are still relatively unknown to many. However, this realization made me grateful to write about her. Because, through her writing, teaching, and advocacy, Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary Philippine literature, offering her narratives and thoughts that can be beneficial to today’s generation.
References:
Author: Merliana Mari P. Collado
No comments:
Post a Comment