Filipino director and author Alvin Yapan recently launched the English translation of his award-winning novel, Worship the Body, during the Manila International Book Fair 2024. Translated by Randy Bustamante, the novel originally titled Sambahin ang Katawan won the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Prize in 2005.
In an interview with Manila Standard Life, Yapan discussed the creative freedom he experiences in writing novels compared to filmmaking. “I find a greater sense of freedom in writing novels,” Yapan said.
“Many who pursue both mediums would agree. Making films is a highly collaborative process; so many elements come together to create a good film. Cinema requires teamwork, while with a novel, I can let my imagination run wild and express whatever I want,” the film director carried on.
Yapan expressed joy in connecting with readers, noting, “I feel a deep sense of joy when readers understand what I want to convey. In cinema, audience reactions are immediate; you can sense their emotions right there beside you. It’s a tactile experience. In contrast, with a novel, I have to trust that readers will grasp my message.”
Worship the Body explores themes of gender politics, secrecy, and intimacy within modern Filipino society. The narrative follows Jaime, a furniture workshop owner, and Jun, a waiter, whose fateful encounter ignites a series of relationships that challenge societal norms. As their lives intertwine with Ria and Maya, the story reveals complex dynamics of joy, power, identity, and hidden truths.
The novel is told through interlocking points of view, adding depth and musicality to the storytelling. It engages readers in an introspective journey about happiness, history, and secrets, ultimately questioning how the silences of the body contribute to our understanding of joy.
Yapan, who premiered his award-winning film Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa in 2011, infuses the same tenderness and lyricism into the novel. He encourages aspiring creators to maintain their passion, stating, “Do not lose your passion. Let your passion be your identity.” This sentiment encapsulates the heart of Worship the Body, where passion serves as a driving force for the characters’ understanding of desire.
This English edition of Worship the Body aims to introduce Yapan’s exploration of Filipino culture and universal themes of desire and identity to a broader audience.
The book is available at Fully Booked, National Book Store, Shopee, and Lazada in the Philippines, as well as Amazon, Kinokuniya, Barnes & Noble, Foyles, and Waterstones worldwide.
