Interview with Bong Serrano
When Bong Serrano learned that his older brother, Boying, had cancer, the notes he had jotted down about his childhood took on new meaning. Memories of his time with his family in the Philippines came rushing back. At the center of those memories were the precious moments he’d spent with his Kuya. Faced with his brother’s impending death, Bong asked himself: “What if one day I lose my memories? Who will remember us?”
Thus began Bong’s years long journey of immortalizing not only his childhood but also his country’s history and traditions. Bong grew up in the southern province of Batangas, on Luzon Island. Batangas: My Sky and Earth is a celebration of that childhood. This memoir takes you into a world made rich by the intricate descriptions of life in the Philippines in the 1970s and ’80s, where the family unit is close, and many households are multigenerational.
From family dynamics to church duties to delicious food and the inevitable annual typhoons, Bong invites you to experience his culture from the inside. Throughout this memoir, Bong honors his childhood home and country and the memory of his beloved brother. The choice to interweave Tagalog throughout this book’s pages helps to steep the story in Filipino culture further. A whole village raised this boy, and as Bong looks back on his childhood, the lessons he learned come to the foreground: clarity, forgiveness, tradition, and love.
We sat down and interviewed author Bong Serrano about his experiences and reflections on his work.
What was the most challenging part of writing this memoir? Were there any particular memories that were difficult to revisit?
The most challenging part of writing my childhood memoir, Batangas: My Sky and Earth, was organizing and interweaving the narrative. Recalling my childhood memories was a complex task, and certain memories, especially those involving my late brother Kuya Boying, were particularly difficult to revisit due to their deep emotional impact. To bring my loved ones back to life on the page, I relied on my observations, perceptions, and judgments, while also seeking validation from my living relatives.
I also had to put my familiarity with Filipino culture, particularly Batangueño traditions, to the test in my world-building efforts, aiming to evoke the concrete sensory details unique to my sky and earth. Overcoming self-doubt and balancing career demands were additional significant hurdles during the writing process. Ultimately, my fear of forgetting the most cherished moments of my life, including those shared with my only brother, motivated me to write this memoir. It became the most effusive love letter I have ever written, and seeing my readers respond to it as such has been deeply fulfilling.
How did the multigenerational family dynamics in Batangas shape your upbringing and perspectives?
The multigenerational family dynamics in Batangas significantly shaped my upbringing and perspectives. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by an extended family who provided me with a strong sense of tradition, community, responsibility, and cultural heritage. The influence of various family members, along with their stories and experiences, enriched my understanding of life and deepened my connection to my roots. I also grew up with neighbors, classmates, and friends who were very much an extension of my family. This close-knit environment fostered values of respect, resilience, and the importance of family bonds, all of which are vividly captured in my childhood memoir, Batangas: My Sky and Earth.
“It takes a village to raise a child.” This time-honored African proverb perfectly reflects the community I grew up in, where the neighborhood children were embraced by the village as a whole, nurtured and cared for by everyone. The villagers provided positive interactions that allowed us to experience life and grow in a safe and supportive environment. A little-known subdivision in Batangas was the heart of this village, and the house on the hilltop was my sky and earth. It took an entire village to help me recall the memories of one of its children. The villagers of my childhood went to great lengths to remember and validate the people, places, and events that shaped my early years. Their insights helped me understand the motives and intentions of the characters and set the events of my childhood in motion.
What book in the Canadian literary canon do you think is a must-read? And why?
One must-read book in the Canadian literary canon in context of linking our discussions between the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora in Canada is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. It offers profound insights into themes of power, resistance, and gender that resonate with Filipino readers and the Filipino diaspora. Its exploration of authoritarianism, feminist issues, and the dynamics of resistance makes it a crucial text for understanding both historical and contemporary struggles for justice and equality.
Reflection on Authoritarianism and Political Oppression
The Philippines has experienced periods of authoritarian rule, most notably under Ferdinand Marcos’ regime from 1965 to 1986. The Handmaid’s Tale offers a stark depiction of a dystopian regime that consolidates power through fear, control, and propaganda. This depiction echoes the experiences of Filipinos under martial law, where dissent was suppressed, and the government exerted extreme control over society. In recent years, concerns about rising authoritarianism in the Philippines, particularly under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, have echoed themes from Atwood’s novel. Issues such as extrajudicial killings, suppression of dissent, and manipulation of public opinion reflect the same patterns of power and control depicted in Gilead.
The novel’s exploration of a totalitarian state provides readers with a critical perspective on how such regimes operate and the ways they can infringe on personal freedoms and human rights. It serves as a cautionary tale for both historical and contemporary political climates.
Exploration of Gender Inequality and Feminist Perspectives
The Philippines has a complex history of gender relations, where traditional roles and modern feminist movements coexist. Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale offers a critique of gender oppression and the stripping of women’s rights, which parallels struggles faced by women in the Philippines. The novel’s feminist perspective provides a voice for discussions about gender equality and women’s rights in the Philippines. It challenges readers to reflect on the role of women in society and the measures needed to achieve equality.
The novel provides a foundation for feminist analysis and activism. It encourages readers to examine the structures of power that perpetuate gender inequality and to advocate for the rights and freedoms of women.
Inspiration for Resistance and Activism
The novel’s themes of resistance against oppressive systems offer inspiration for activists. The courage of characters like Offred can empower readers to stand up against injustices in their own contexts. The Handmaid’s Tale has been used in various protest movements around the world, including in the Philippines. It serves as a symbol of resistance against any form of tyranny or injustice.
The novel’s message of resistance against oppression encourages readers to engage in civic activities and to fight for social justice. It provides a narrative that empowers individuals to challenge injustices and to work towards a more equitable society.
Connection to Filipino Diaspora Experiences
For Filipinos living abroad, The Handmaid’s Tale offers a reflection on the challenges of maintaining cultural identity in the face of political and social upheaval. It provides a lens through which to examine the complexities of diaspora experiences and the preservation of cultural heritage. The novel encourages members of the Filipino diaspora to reflect on their own experiences of displacement and resilience, fostering a sense of solidarity with others who have faced similar struggles.
The novel’s exploration of personal and collective identity in the face of oppression provides a valuable perspective for those in the diaspora, encouraging reflection on their own experiences and fostering a sense of global solidarity.