Fifty-four authors across 22 writing categories under four divisions were celebrated for their outstanding writing and creative excellence at the 72nd Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, held on November 22 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City
This year’s lineup of Palanca winners includes Brian James S. Camaya, associate creative director of GMA Network’s Program Support Department. He won second prize in the Short Story for Children category in the Filipino Division for his piece, “Si Bambalito, ang Batang Bayani ng Bangkusay.”
In an interview with GMA News Online, Brian shared that he is honored, flattered, and grateful by the recognition, noting that it is among the big dreams of Filipino writers.
“Sobrang tuwa. Actually, mas masaya ‘yung wife ko kesa sa ‘kin. Siya ‘yung mas na-excite. Ako, teary-eyed. First Palanca kasi eh,” he said.
The 43-year-old author shared that his idea for the piece sparked two to three years ago when he saw Sandra Aguinaldo’s “I-Witness” documentary, “Ang Batang Hari Ng Tondo.”
“Napanood ko ‘yon, tapos sabi ko ang ganda pala ng history ng Pilipinas. May royalty na pala tayo noon, so na-fascinate ako, basa-basa pa,” Brian said.
As he was doing his research, he stumbled upon a small excerpt about Bambalito, a young Datu from Macabebe, Pampanga. He was among those who fought against Miguel López de Legazpi’s group.
“Watak-watak kasi ‘yung history about him. Parang sa isang libro, may isang paragraph. Kabilang libro, may isang paragraph. Sabi ko, parang ang ganda sanang maikuwento nang isang buo ‘to,” he said.
His short story had four iterations before he came up with the final version, just in time for the deadline of this year’s Palanca entry submissions.
Brian admitted that the most challenging part of writing the story was narrating the entire plot in a way that would be entertaining to children, while still maintaining its educational and historically accurate aspects.
Aside from this writing challenge, he opened up that his attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) makes it difficult for him to stay on task. Nevertheless, he has credited the condition for his curious mind.
“Parang lahat ng tangent, gusto mong puntahan. ‘Uy, ano kaya ‘yon?’ Although, kadalasan naman, it leads to nowhere, pero napuntahan mo, na-try mo, nag-explore ka about it, nagbasa ka,” he shared.
What’s next for Brian?
Brian is hoping that a publisher would take interest in turning “Si Bambalito, ang Batang Bayani ng Bangkusay” into a book, so he can share the young hero’s story to more readers, especially children.
Aside from this, he teased that he is now working on a new short story for children, which is also about another Filipino hero, General Simeon Ola.
It is again inspired by an “I-Witness” documentary, but this time by Kara David.
“Kung kakayanin ng energy ko at ng attention ko, gusto kong magsulat sana ng parang series of books tungkol sa mga lesser-known heroes ng Pilipinas,” he said.
Brian’s advice for aspiring writers
Before “Si Bambalito, ang Batang Bayani ng Bangkusay,” Brian had written other short stories when he was in college. His earlier works were published in De La Salle University – Manila’s official literary folio, the Malate Literary Folio.
In 2004, he wrote “Ang Bituing Gawa sa Bigas,” which was published in the Likhaan Journal of the University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing.
The following year, he started his career as a Kapuso.
One important lesson Brian learned throughout his writing journey, and which he eagerly shares with aspiring writers, is the importance of following your interests.
“Ako kasi talaga, interest ko talaga [ay] history eh. Tapos at the same time siguro, dahil maliliit ‘yung mga anak ko, so parang bumalik ‘yung urge kong magsulat ng children’s literature,” he said.
“Ganun ‘yun eh, kung ano ‘yung interes mo, ‘yun lang din ‘yung gusto mong basahin, ‘yun din ‘yung maisusulat mo kasi kung hindi mo interes ‘yon, mahirap i-sustain ‘yung energy.”
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
