Fathers play an invaluable role in our lives, and their dedication and love deserve recognition every day. Let’s take a moment to appreciate Ronald Verzo, a dad who’s been on a unique and inspiring journey raising a child with autism. His story is all about acceptance and learning alongside his child. Fathers like Ronald deserve to be celebrated every day.
“In the beginning, it’s the acceptance that you don’t know anything about it and that you need to learn. Next, that there’s no better teacher than your child. And last, that this is not just a one man’s journey, that it ain’t just a father’s journey, that it is the healthy relationship you and your child share with each other.”
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Ronald’s journey led him to start Isang Balangay Media Productions, a small press that focuses on grassroots literary development. It’s a project that mirrors his values and the lessons he’s picked up as a father.
“Balangay Books is built on the idea that literary development should start in the grassroots. There’s a need to address things where inspirations spring, to produce books read first by the community where the author comes from,” he explains. Ronald’s vision comes from his early days as a writer and his desire to make literature accessible and meaningful at a local level.
“The book should affect that community so that it can break the ground for a foundation, for it to be relevant and important. It is to attend to gaps unnoticed or ignored by the structures we have in literary and book production.”
Storytelling through a father’s lens
Being a dad has deeply influenced Ronald’s approach to storytelling and the books he chooses to publish.
“I recently learned that most of the books we published are written by fathers. The books however are not about fatherhood,” he explains.
Despite Balangay not being focused on fatherhood or publishing children’s books, this media production still carries the advocacy of inclusivity.
“Balangay’s selection has always been inclusive of the marginalized in the community. I stand by this vision of the house because as a father I want my children to grow in a community who is compassionate of people.”
Creative inspirations from fatherhood
Ronald’s creative projects are often inspired by his experiences as a father. One meaningful project is his chapbook with Aklat Ulagad, titled “May hindi maalalang mga pangalan.”
“It’s a collection of my writings about home and fatherhood. A poetry-memoir. It’s an examination of the homes that brought me up and the home which I am now trying to build, and how my son’s autism factors on how I see through things,” he shares.
Overcoming challenges
Ronald Verzo acknowledges the hurdles he’s faced, particularly the lack of inclusivity in some communities and schools.
“I became aware that there are communities that are not inclusive of children with special needs. And what saddens me further is on how schools are totally unprepared for them,” he says. This has reinforced his commitment to advocating for inclusivity through his press, aiming to educate and build compassionate communities.
Advocating for Inclusivity
“My experiences with having a child with special needs only stress that more work should be done by our small independent press to advocate further for inclusivity, to educate people to build communities that addresses the need of people with disabilities,” he said.
The messages Ronald wants to convey through his books and media productions are clear and purposeful.
“That we should shape our lives for the needs of others. That we publish books that are not self-serving. That the books we publish will serve a local community,” he emphasizes. These values are tied to his personal experiences and his desire to create a better world for his child and others.
Balancing Work and Fatherhood
Balancing the demands of running an independent press with being a dad is a constant juggle, but Ronald always puts his child’s needs first.
“Priority should always be given to the child. That is shaping our lives to their needs. Work should go around,” he advises.
He also shares practical advice for other parents pursuing entrepreneurial or creative careers: “It’s about time management, and acknowledging that you cannot do everything, that you cannot do too much. That those little efforts produce big results, you just have to trust your child, trust yourself, and respect time.”
Future Plans for Isang Balangay Media Productions
Looking ahead, Ronald Verzo has big plans for Isang Balangay Media Productions. Including participating in the Frankfurt Buchmesse with hopes of securing deals for foreign language translations and readership.
He compares his role as a father to his role in nurturing his press: “Like any father, we look after our children until they can do things on their own. What every father wants is for their child to be independent someday. And that is what fatherhood taught me in handling Isang Balangay. That producing books is very much like teaching a child to walk. How cliché can it be, it is seeing that these books can be on their own, to do good on their own–apparently, without me.”
Ronald Verzo’s journey reminds us of the power of acceptance, learning, and advocating for inclusivity. His experiences as a father of a child with special needs have not only shaped his personal life but have also driven his professional endeavors, making a meaningful impact on the literary community and beyond. Let’s celebrate the dads who, like Ronald, embrace the journey with courage, love, and unwavering dedication.
Ronald Verzo. Interview. Conducted by Marhiel Garrote. June 19, 2024
