DAVAO CITY – The book “Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Uban mga Sugilanon” (Can’t Go Out and Other Stories) by Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, an author with a Blaan-Ibaloy heritage from Davao del Sur, was named Best Book of Short Fiction in Binisaya in the 41st National Book Awards recently.

The award-winning book derived its title from the author’s short story featured in “In Our Own Words: Writing from the Philippines” four years ago. John Bengan, a Carlos Palanca awardee, translated the book into English with illustrations by Noi Narciso.

Quijano regarded her achievement as the first book authored by a Blaan a shared success for the entire community.

She said despite her stories being written in Binisaya, a reflection of her childhood in Davao, she aims to write in the Blaan language one day.

Quijano hoped that her success will inspire other people, particularly the younger generation of the indigenous people (IP), and encouraged them to express and convey their distinctive experiences and stories rooted in their cultural communities.

“Akong gusto ra gyod unta daghan pang indigenous people ang mosulat sa ilang mga istorya kay rich kayo ang ilahang literature (I wish that more indigenous people would write stories because their literature is vibrant),” Quijano said.

The National Book Development Board (NBDB) and the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) said the Dili Pwede Mogawas ug Uban mga Sugilanon contained 10 stories in Binisaya/Cebuano with English translations and promotes marginalized identities.

“Committed to the exploration of the Mindanaoan, specifically the Blaan community experience, the author has woven a post-colonial subtext into the fabric of her stories,” the NBDB said in their announcement of the official list of 35 winners of the 41st National Book Awards.

The winning titles came from various publishing firms in Manila, Bicol, Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao. Presentation of awards was scheduled in February.

Quijano said she hopes that IPs will receive the recognition they deserve to fulfill their potential, particularly in writing. She added that she feels fortunate to have her parents’ support, enabling her to develop literacy skills at a young age.

“We hope to attain authentic development by writing our stories,” Quijano said, emphasizing the importance of reading with physical and mental comfort. She added that one cannot write without being a reader.

Quijano earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mass Communication degree at the Holy Cross of Davao College in Davao City in 2009. She is currently a teacher at the Southern Philippines Agribusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Malita town in Davao Occidental.

Her narratives have been featured in various publications, including World Literature Today, Words Without Borders, UP Mindanao Banwa Journal, LIT, Anomaly, Shenandoah, and Barzakh Literary Magazine (translated by John Bengan).