Actress Irma Adlawan, filmmaker and author Alvin Yapan, and character actor Simon Ibarra at the 'Worship the Body' book launch. Josh Mercado 

MANILA -- Filmmaker Alvin Yapan, who helmed the controversial movie “Oro” (2016), recently launched the English translation of his NCAA prize-winning novel “Sambahin ang Katawan” (now “Worship the Body”) under Penguin Random House SEA.

The launch was attended by Yapan’s industry friends Irma Adlawan, Simon Ibarra, Cedrick Juan, Kristof Garcia, and Mercedes Cabral. 

Adlawan and Ibarra led the book reading, followed by an interview with the press, where the author talked about the inspiration and plans for the book.

“It’s about transactional relationships. The scenes that you will read in that novel did not come from personal experience. They are pigments of my imagination. You know how I think as a creative person. I hope hindi magbabago ang tingin niyo sa akin,” Yapan said.

The author added that the piece is his ode to Manila: “I thought it’s going to be easy for me to write about my experience in Manila. Hindi pala. You can actually also consider the novel as my ode to Manila. You would always hear about Manila in very relative ways — ‘yung usok, ingay, pollution. But, here, I wanted to present a different taste of Manila that we all love. That defines actually how we relate in each other.”

Originally published as “Sambahin ang Katawan,” Yapan's novel explores the complex lives of Jaime, a furniture workshop owner, and Jun, a waiter whose fateful encounter sparks a series of relationships that challenge societal norms.

While acknowledging translator Randy Bustamante, Yapan was also asked about making a film versus writing a novel.

“When you make a film, it’s very collaborative. So many things are happening. You have the budget. You have the weather. Sa novel, I can run wild whatever I want to say in the page because it’s just me,” he said.

“I love the reviews that I’m reading right now online. Natutuwa ako kasi nage-get pala nila. Ibang-iba kasi sa cinema. When you screen a film, the reaction of the audience is very immediate. It’s right beside you. Dama mo talaga kung naiirita sila or hindi. With the novel, you really just have to trust the readers. It’s a different experience,” he added.

With the support of Penguin Random House SEA, Yapan is scheduled to do a book tour.

“This is the first time that I’m going to experience a book tour. We’re going to the Southeast Asia and universities to promote this book. First time kong ma-experience ‘yun. They have the resources and the network to do this for Filipino authors,” he told ABS-CBN News.

“Worship the Body” is available at Fully Booked, National Book Store, Shopee, Lazada, Amazon, Kinokuniya, Barnes & Noble, Foyles, and Waterstones worldwide.