Books PhilippinesPhilippine FlagWhatsoeverOur CountryFilipinoLittle ThingsDedicatedContentForward12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do to Help Our Country --This may not have Philippine flag or whatsoever, but the content is truly dedicated for us Pinoys. 12th Anniversary Edition paperback mga kuwentong chalk ni Bob Ong Matapos ang labindalawang taon ng “basic education”, nagbabalik ang kauna-unahang libro ni Bob Ong at instant Pinoy classic na nagpaalala sa mga Pilipino ng kakayahan nilang matuto. Magbalik-tanaw sa buhay-estudyante, sariwain ang mundo sa loob ng eskwelahan, at muling kilalanin ang sarili ayon sa mga natutunan sa buhay ngayong malaki ka na, nakakaunawa ka na, at…aba, nakakabasa ka na! TATLONG GABI TATLONG ARAW Mula tabloid hanggang TV network, naibibigay ni Raymundo Mojica ang hinihingi sa kaniya ng industriya. Nagsimulang horoscope writer sa isang tabloid na may pinakamalaking sirkulasyon hanggang makilala sa paggawa ng documentary. Bumalik siya sa kapistahan ng Brgy.
Magapok, dahil na rin sa kahilingan ng namatay niyang ina. Napuno ng kababalaghanat karahasan ang isa sanang simpleng kasiyahan ng tatlong araw na pista ng patron na si Sta. Barbara de Bendita Sa dinami-dami ng kanyang teorya, naging mailap ang katotohanan sa isang tulad niyang mamamahayag na tagapaghatid o tagalikha ng katotohanan.The first page recounts the author’s kindergarten experiences, and readers can’t help recalling the same scene in Bob Ong’s ABNKKBSNPLAko?. Actually, if one is going to scan the Philippine lit bookshelves, one will feel an earnest desire of local publishing houses to come up with books that will equal if not outdo the success of the Bob Ong series. Aside from this book, there are Eros Atalia’s “Peksman, Nagsisinungaling Ako” and Bud Tomas’ “Wala lang,” which are both written in comical-but-wait-there-is-depth-and-drama-somewhere-yes-I’m-Bob-Ong-but-hello-I’m-not mode. Even National Artist Virgilio Almario employs a Bob Ong element in his new book which he entitled “Supot ni Hudas.”
But why should I complain? Many students are now flocking National and Powerbooks to search for local books with the same BobOngish mode, and before I know it they’re already reading F. Sionil Jose. And even Edel Garcellano! This might be a sign of an upcoming golden age of Philippine literature! And god, Bob Ong is its father. Anyway, back to Gonzales’ book. “Isang Napakalaking Kaastigan” really is a napakalaking kaastigan, as it is indeed tough to talk about nothing but yourself in a 100+ page book. Reading it feels like going through a collection of journal entries, spontaneous, no uniting theme, and flowing with memories about childhood, school, family, sex, funny and corny cobweb jokes, and influences from pop culture. There are stories about eventful quarrels between his parents, unforgettable conversations with friends and relatives, and hilarious and sometimes melodramatic moments with the family. There are stories about growing with and being conditoned to live like TGIS stars, learning to act like Sharon Cuneta , and dance ala Maricel Soriano.