The Untold Stories of Cebu: From Mango Avenue to the World – R. Joseph Dazo’s Queer Tales Breaking
Hey there, my fellow story lovers and culture enthusiasts! As a Filipina writer, there’s nothing that makes my heart swell with more pride than seeing our very own voices, especially those from underrepresented communities, shine on the global stage. And today, I simply have to gush about someone who is not just making waves, but literally creating tsunamis in the literary world: R. Joseph Dazo. His journey, marked by an incredible collection of queer short stories, is a testament to the power of authentic narratives and the magic of translation.
Can you imagine waiting 85 years for something truly revolutionary to happen? That’s exactly how long it took for Bisaya Magasin, our country’s oldest Cebuano magazine, to publish its very first queer short story. And guess who penned that groundbreaking piece? None other than Joseph Dazo, whose fiction writing in Sugboanong Binisaya began just a few years prior, in 2015. “For me, it was already a win for both myself and Cebuano literature,” he recalled, and honestly, don’t we just love an author who recognizes the profound impact of his own work?
A Literary Odyssey: Ubang Gabii sa Mango Avenue’s Rise to Global Prominence
Since that initial leap, Dazo has been unstoppable, continuously forging new paths in Cebuano queer literature. His debut collection, Ubang Gabii sa Mango Avenue, is more than just a book; it’s a vibrant tapestry of stories that intricately depict the lives of queer men, or bayot, within the heart of our Cebuano-speaking communities. This collection isn’t just locally admired, it’s garnered international applause, being celebrated as one of six winners in the inaugural PEN Presents x International Booker Prize program. Talk about a glow-up for our Filipino narratives!
From Local Laurels to a Global Spotlight
Before its international recognition, Ubang Gabii sa Mango Avenue had already captured hearts and minds right here at home. It proudly won the prestigious Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 2019 – a true mark of literary excellence in the Philippines. It even landed on CNN Philippines’ Best Books of the 2010s. For us, these aren’t just accolades; they’re affirmations that our stories, written in our own languages, are powerful and profoundly resonant.
The PEN Presents program, launched in 2024 by the Booker Prize Foundation and English PEN, is a beacon of hope for so many. It specifically champions translators from the global majority and shines a much-needed spotlight on works in underrepresented languages. And what an honor it is that Dazo’s collection is among the first PEN Presents winners to feature works originally published in Cebuano, Filipino, and Malay, marking the very first time that works from the Philippines have received such a nod! Dazo shared in an interview that his primary goal was always to promote Cebuano queer literature without expecting an audience beyond our archipelago. Yet, here we are, witnessing his stories transcend borders, carried by the incredible power of translation to reach a wider, eager readership.
The Art of Carrying Stories Across: A Translator’s Partnership with Heart
Behind every globally acclaimed translated work lies a brilliant translator, and for Dazo, that person is John Bengan – a gifted writer and faculty member at UP Mindanao. Bengan had already beautifully translated three of Dazo’s short fiction works, which were published in esteemed platforms like Words Without Borders, ANMLY, and SLICE Magazine. It’s a partnership forged in mutual respect and deep understanding.
Dazo himself couldn’t praise Bengan enough, stating, “There is no one else who can capture the nuances of Cebuano and queer identity the way he does.” He even revealed that Bengan was an early inspiration for his queer writings, ever since he read Bengan’s own Palanca-winning short story, Armor. Imagine that – an artist inspiring another, who then helps bring their inspired work to the world! That’s literary alchemy right there, isn’t it?
Bengan, on his end, describes translation as both a “labor and partnership” and a “demanding art form” where the translator essentially becomes an author in their own right. He confessed that despite the challenges, he savored every moment of the process. What truly resonated with Bengan wasn’t just the technical prowess required, but how Dazo’s fiction bravely filled a gaping void in Cebuano literature. “The lives of these characters trying to exist and survive as bayot in the city or in rural towns were so familiar to me,” he shared. “But I feel that they were not yet being written about as much in our Cebuano-language literature.” He continued, with palpable admiration, “Joseph’s work is one of the most exciting we have. And he writes about us Bisaya queer folks in his own queer Binisaya way.” It’s this deep connection to the material, this shared understanding of identity, that elevates their collaborative effort beyond mere words on a page.
Challenging Prejudices and Embracing Our Authentic Voices
Beyond his personal triumph, Dazo views this international recognition as a much-needed challenge to the long-standing prejudices that have often relegated our local literature to the sidelines. “Cebuano literature is still at the margins, dismissed as ‘pambakya – low-class, unsophisticated, unrefined,’” he lamented, echoing the words of National Artist Resil Mojares. It’s a sentiment many of us familiar with Philippine regional literature can painfully attest to. He highlighted how major presses often shy away from manuscripts in Cebuano and other Philippine languages unless they are translated into English or Tagalog. This win, therefore, isn’t just for him; it’s a defiant roar for the richness and validity of all our indigenous literary traditions.
Dazo’s stories are deeply rooted in the places that shaped him. The people, the bustling streets, the familiar neighborhoods he grew up in – these are the wellsprings of his unique voice and the vivid worlds he crafts. Inspired by his love for films, he desires for readers to feel as if they are right there, walking alongside his characters, experiencing every nuanced detail of these places. “Whether the story is set in a rural area in Alcantara, the streets of Cagayan de Oro City, or Mango Avenue [in Cebu], readers are immersed in the setting just as deeply as I was when I first experienced these places,” he explained. Isn’t that exactly what we seek in a good story? To be transported, to feel the ground beneath our characters’ feet?
Advocating for Inclusivity, Even Across Continents
Now teaching in Texas, Dazo faces a different kind of battle under the current US administration, which he notes is increasingly targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans individuals. “Navigating life here is both challenging and dangerous,” he shared, pointing to districts that are banning queer-themed books, prohibiting correct pronouns, and refusing affirmed names. It’s a stark reminder that the fight for acceptance and understanding is a global one, and it continues to rage even in places we might assume are more progressive.
Yet, Dazo remains resolute. “As both a fictionist and a teacher, my role is to continue creating a safe and inclusive environment for my students, one where everyone feels heard, seen, and that they truly belong,” he asserted. It’s a powerful declaration, isn’t it? That even when faced with adversity, the commitment to fostering belonging and amplifying marginalized voices endures. His work, both on and off the page, becomes a sanctuary, a testament to the enduring human spirit and the universal need to tell our truths.
A Future Bright with Cebuano Narratives
Looking ahead, Dazo envisions a truly vibrant and thriving future for Cebuano literature. He believes “the art of storytelling is in good hands with both established and emerging writers such as Omar Khalid, Januar Yap, Manuel Avenido, Elizabeth Joy Serrano-Quijano, John Danté, Hannah Leceña, Alden Arsèn, among others.” He stressed that Cebuano literature deserves to reach readers not just locally, but across the entire Philippines, and he holds onto the hope that Filipinos will genuinely recognize and celebrate the incredible diversity and richness of all our local literatures. Imagine a Philippines where all our regional stories are cherished and easily accessible – what a beautiful dream!
Alongside Dazo’s trailblazing work, the 2025 PEN Presents winners also include Time of the Eye by Alvin B. Yapan, originally in Filipino and translated by Christian Jil R. Benitez, along with equally compelling works in Malay, Indonesian, and Arabic from Sudan and Palestine. It’s a truly global celebration of diverse narratives, and our Filipino authors are right there, standing tall among them.
R. Joseph Dazo’s journey is a powerful reminder that our stories, especially those that dare to speak truths from the margins, hold immense power. They connect us, they challenge us, and they ultimately enrich the tapestry of human experience. Let’s continue to champion our Filipino writers and translators, because when their voices rise, all of us rise with them.
Marjuice Destinado is a senior political science student at Cebu Normal University (CNU). An Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow for 2025, she is also the feature editor of Ang Suga, CNU’s official student publication.