LIVE INTERVIEW WITH Hon. DEMY SONZA

 Interviewer: What are the things that motivate you to write?

Hon. Sonza: Motivation may come in many forms. If you are inspired, you may write poetry. I write to communicate my ideas, feelings and thoughts to share with the readers. I write good ideas. Motivation is to share what you have that others may be affected for good, to influence, correct and even to criticize.

Interviewer: In the many writings that you've done, what is your favorite?

Hon. Sonza: Tales of my father which is written in memory of my father.

Irviewernte: Who are the writers whom you idolized?

Hon. Sonza: Jose Rizal and Graciano Lopez Jaena whose biography was written by me. When we were in High School and elementary, our literatures were written by Americans. You are lucky that you have a variety of literature to study. My favorite writers are those whose writings were produced from the revolutionary period up to the American period.

Interviewer: What is your message to the readers viewers?

Hon. Sonza: I would recommend to people of today to read Rizal, Mabini, Lopez Jaena and Bonifacio. In Tagalog, we have Balagtas. I was surprised to received the Pinoy Icon 2011 Award. You read not because you are required to read. Read the classics and don’t forget that the Philippines have also her own literature. I hope I’m wrong, our young people today are not interested in reading. They prefer watching the movie version. If you write well, you can quote your ideas in writing. Read and love reading-read to learn. Reading becomes a habit if you love it. The best book I still want to read is the Bible. The best book that I have read is still the Bible.

DEMETRIO "DEMY" SONZA

He began writing for Hiligaynon and Philippines Free Press while still in high school in Sta. Barbara. His first book was published when he was in college at Central Philippine University. He has now 17 published books on various subjects. He was chosen to represent the Philippines at the ASEAN Conference on Oral History in Kuala Lumpur in 1990 and in Singapore in 1991. He has lectured or participated  in dozens of regional,national and international conferences and seminars on cultural, economic, religious and social subjects. He has gone on speaking and study trips to Hongkong, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Australia, India, Dominican Republic, the United States and Canada.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HON. SONZA