THE EARNEST PARABLE BY AIKO CAMARAO

This story is a choice of mine to make a review because it’s no other narrative I have read before and its something new, The way the plot and concept was made and compact it into a short story its just perfect for me also it tackles about respect one’s own belief and promotes equality.

The Earnest Parable was made by a F’lipino author, Merlinda Bobis. An award winning writer, Also famous for her writing and performance as she published novels, short stories, dramas and poems. With that her plays have been performed and produced all around the world including Philippines,Spain,Canada, France and many other countries. The Earnest Parable is a short story that tackles about multiculturalism. Multiculturalism in dictionary states that it is the co-existence of diverse cultures, where culture includes racial, religious, or cultural groups and is manifested in customary behaviours, cultural assumptions and values, patterns of thinking, and communicative styles. But for me, It’s just simply respecting one’s belief and accept each other’s differences. The book is all about five people with different kinds of race living in the same neighborhood sharing each other’s “tongue” which means own delicacies and experiences. The cultural values that the story of The Earnest Parable taught me is that to be proud of who you are and never forget where you came from because its you’re homeland, Embrace you’re culture, race and who you really are. The context of the story “The Earnest Parable” is same with our Philippine Literature as it creates a creative way of writing that includes different people , culture , tradition and history. In this way it would be for the people to be able to relate and reflect.  To summarize the story of The Earnest Parable, It all began on the the neighborhood of Bessel Street where there are 5 neighbors came from a different country and race.And this were the Filipino chef, Italian butcher, Australian couple, Sri Lankan Tailor and a Turkish baker.  Then there will be the time where they will all gather and made each other’s own famous delicacy in their hometown then share it to everyone. The literary approach that is most applicable to the story of The Earnest Parable is the Socio-Cultural approach because the story mainly focuses on multiculturalism where there are different kinds of culture, delicacies, beliefs and where they all meet in the middle and learn to understand each other’s own differences and faith. The thing, I like about the book is that it embraces the equality of every race because its shows that each has its own strengths and beauty in their own culture. There’s nothing not to like about the book because as long as its promotes positivity and have good intention. I would like to recommend the book to all kinds of people out there millennial, oldies , kids and etc. Because I believe that everyone must learn and taught how to embrace and respect the differences of people. I would rate the book 10 over 10 because it is a short story that will have a great impact on you once you read and internalize it. Also it is a complete package because it will bring your imagination into variety of countries and feeds you with its own delicacy. A great experience right!!

One Day On The Road

Yours Sincerely, Ysavel Soriano

Tricycles are one of the trademarks and most convenient way of public transportation here in the Philippines not just because they’re rate are lower than some public transportations but also can take you to places exactly where you should be. But after reading this blog, would you still ride the tricycle after?

Temistokles Adlawan (The Author) is from Naga, Cebu. This story actually made me realized that it was inspired by the Filipino’s daily live. The book started off to the two tricycle drivers named Miguel and Sherwin. The cultural value that showed in the story is that the Filipinos have this respect to each and everyone yet the egos are way up to them that sometimes leads to tragedies. The theme of the story is actually similar to us Filipinos. We shouldnt let the things arounds us affects us even in the smallest way. The story started off when Miguel dropped of a passenger and when he’s driving back to the terminal of the tricycles he saw Sherwin riding off wearing a unbranded sun glasses and his “new” tricycle. Miguel thought that Sherwin was challenging him for a race due to speed of sherwin’s driving, eventually miguel did took it as an negative way and raced sherwin, rises up his engine and sped up his driving. Unfortunately he got into a accident due to his decision. The story ended in a way everyone wasn’t expected but should be where a typical story ends with a happy ending yet this one ends with a tragedy. But this story helped us realized how life should be treated importantly, and shouldn’t be greedy on things that we want that may lead us to danger.

What i really liked in the story was how it shown the moral lesso that’s truly enlighten us is that if we just go and take a risk and not thinking of what could happen, you could be in put to danger and that’s not how we should take care of ourselves. Talking about dislikes, for me there is no part that i hated or got me so bothered because the story has a point and we can relate it to our daily lives. This story i would recommend because it’s not just an scenario but we encounter this every single day in our main roads going to school, work, ect or in our daily lives but this could also be taken as a deeper meaning wherein taking risks and not thinking about the things that could happen in the future if we just keep on making decisions that aren’t right can lead us to danger. Life is too short to be wasteful, have a meaningful life and don’t take your greediness ego way up to your head.

Lastly, I would rate this story 8/10,

because this story didn’t bore me out and it really does shown how a simple story wherein two tricycles raced out can make a deeper meaning and gives us light and shows how important life could be, that being greedy,arrogant won’t make you the person you wanted to be. Being kind,humble and down to earth is what everyone should be and enjoying life is what we’re here for. All The Love, Ysavel. x

One Day on the Road A Review by Leigh Gono

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Public Transportation really does save us a lot of money. I’m a type of a person who uses public transportation regularly than private vehicles. I ride on it and then it’s done but do we ever wonder what’s behind every driver’s story? Now here’s a one story about a driver who drives tricycle.

hehehe

Let’s start with the Author. Temistokles Adlawan is a contemporary Cebuano poet that makes the book originate from it. He often writes with irreverent humor usually associated with Cebuano folk. Some of his writings expresses a greater sensitivity to gender issues according to the Wikipedia. I’m assuming that his reason for writing this story is to teach us on how to deal with the troubles we encounter everyday. The book is about a two tricycle drivers who is complete different from each other. In the story, the author showed us a typical Filipino cultural value, being competitive who always wants to be the best or just be better than others. The theme of the story is very much alike with us because it’s true to life and very relatable.

Miguel dropped off his last passenger and and go back on where he came from then, an empty tricycle drives behind him who turns out to be Sherwin, Miguel go the same way and pick up any passengers on the way back to town. Miguel got the impression that he was racing him for fares, but Sherwin just wants a contest. Miguel decided to give up on picking passengers and drives up really fast, when his marking speed closes to 60 KM on 5th gear he still doesn’t catch up to Sherwin but the distance is scaring Miguel. He give way to his pride and drives up really fast which bring him to Sherwin on the road. He overtaken to a jeep leading to his side car getting hit. Miguel had scratches and realizes that he shouldn’t let his pride got him and told himself “Never again.”

The story is interesting because it is the kind of a story which you can sense whether it is good or bad easily. It is not that typical which is good and I like how the author uses public transportation as his topic because there are only some writers who do that. I really like that part in the story where Miguel gave in with his pride because you will never learn your mistakes unless you try it. What I didn’t like about the story is when Sherwin wants to race with him, why would he initiate in the first place? is he conceited or he just really wants to have fun? and that makes him childish.

I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO EVERYONE BECAUSE THE STORY DOESN’T JUST TALK ABOUT MIGUEL AND SHERWIN IT ALSO SYMBOLIZES A LOT OF TROUBLES IN LIFE AND WE COULD REALLY APPLY THE LIFE LESSONS THIS STORY TEACH.

I would rate the book 10/10 because what can I say? It’s really nice to be taught of something we can really apply in our own situation.

haha

THE GREEN SANCTUARY BY AIKO CAMARAO

To begin with my blog,  I just want to notify you all that I’m not a big fan of reading but sometimes I’m fascinated on how  the author make a whole novel, make a concept/plot and write . With that I just admire them because it really blows my mind. But hopefully you’ll like my first review on the book Green Sanctuary.

The Green Sanctuary or its originally publicated as Surveyors of the Linguasan Marsh was made by Antonio Enriquez who is a known filipino author and a contemporary artist from Mindanao that made several books including short stories and novels. And won the the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial grand prize which is considered as the most prestigious award for literature in the county. Green  Sanctuary is a novel that shows and exhibit how the Moros live their life, how their justice system works and the totality of their culture. Basically the story is a representation of the life of the Moros. The book is all about the native people of Mindanao that evolves in their way of living and shows the big differences on how we live our life here in this generation. The cultural values of the story Green Sanctuary is mainly focuses on being obedient and respect because we people have different cultures and traditions that we grew up to therefore we must learn to respect each other’s differences. The similarities of the novel, Green Sanctuary to our Philippine Literature that it both tackles history and culture on how a certain kind of people have lived their life. Also leaving us with great experience and feeling on being able to read a novel that once become part of our past. To wrote the summary of the book,  I consider the Green Sanctuary has its 3 main parts of the story. First, The setting of the story was in Pikit, The oldest town in Cotabato were Moros lived with strict following of rules that by the time it reaches 6’oclock pm there’s no one allowed to roam around the streets only if it is Datu Mantel and if you were caught being on the streets you’re dead. One day a four yr. old girl was left behind in the bus and was gunned down by the policemen. Second, There was this drunkard who was lost in his way home past 6’oclock then the next day, He was found dead and of course it was only Datu Mantel who could have done that crime as he was the only person could be on at night but nothing happened no justice was served by the drunkard because Datu Mantel have known better and changed the Chief of Police by he, Himself. Lastly, On the movie house there was this film of Fernando Poe Jr. showing of him killing the Moros then with no hesitation Datu Mantel got up pulled up his gun, pointed at the screen then pulled the trigger. Never again there was FPJ movie that was shown. A historical criticism approach will be more applicable as the story tackles about the history and past of the native people specifically the Moros. It was shown in the novel the realness of the content as also it was a written by a citizen of Mindanao himself, Antonio Enriquez. What I like about the book is its authenticity because its direct to the point showing the real happening and feeling  during that time with no hesitations and was delivered well by the author. I honestly liked everything about the book there’s nothing to not like if you truly admire its plot and loved to know and learn what is our Philippine history. I would fully recommend the book by those people fascinated in our history, our past. Also the book Green Sanctuary is for everyone because each and one of us has the right to know, As we will be history also. For me, I would rate the book 10 over 10 because Green Sanctuary gave me the feeling on what was it like being on that generation were such rules were implemented and it really leaves a message to me to respect differences  and obey the laws for there are consequences.

The Green Sanctuary A Review by Leigh Gono

My whole life wasn’t all about reading and writing. It’s not actually my favorite thing to do.  To be honest, The Green Sanctuary didn’t do a big turnaround to my life but I’m sure it did something.

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The Green Sanctuary originated in Mindanao and the role of environment of the story and cultures of Moros. Antonio Enriquez is a Filipino Contemporary Artist from Mindanao, he was born in Zamboanga. His parents wanted him to study Medicine and sent him to Manila, but then he came back in Zamboanga without a college degree, so he later did various jobs in writing. He also joined surveying company in Cotabato where his experiences provided him settings and characters for the Green Sanctuary. The Green Sanctuary was formerly named Surveyors of the Liguasan Marsh according to Joey Zamora in wordpress. It was also said that the novel is supposed to be titled only Sanctuary because that was Antonio Enriquez wants but Nestor Gonzales suggested to Antonio Enriquez that the novel should be called The Green Sanctuary.

Antonio Enriquez is said as a sensitive observer maybe it’s because he wants other Filipinos to be aware of what’s happening on the other side of our country. Green Sanctuary is all about Moros. It talks about the culture happening in Pikit, Cotabato. This context is different in our Philippine Literature but still there are some ways that makes it same. It is different because not all province do the way the Moros did there, and maybe it’s also the same if we’re going to read the whole book in spite of that the excerpt of the novel clearly stated what’s really happening in Pikit.

Pikit was the oldest town in Cotabato, it is said that Spanish Soldiers came down there but didn’t stay much because it wasn’t like their hometown. Commercial buses never stop at Pikit seeing that the driver will force you to come down and will let you walk barefoot at the streets down to the nearest city where people brought their slippers, buses will also be destroyed if you stop at Pikit. At 6 PM all carinderias and sari sari store should be close. The policemen will change their uniforms into civilians. No one would dare to go out, only Datu Mantel can. One night a drunkard lost his way home and died the next day, Datu Mantel is the only possible suspect. He talked to the chief of police and the next day he became the unofficial chief of police with the uniform in the absence of the badge. There was a Movie House in Pikit and they are always showing two movies, one is american and the other one is from Fernando Poe Jr. where he was killing a moro, Datu Mantel stood up all of a sudden then said “You are now dead.” then the movie house never played any of Fernando Poe Jr. movies again.

As a Filipino, I am awed about how Antonio Enriquez wrote this, it is nice to be aware what happened to my fellow Filipinos but I’m also surprise how it is different to our culture, maybe it’s not too different but I believe that our government is not as strict as how they are. Somehow, I really want our government to be strict about their rules because people aren’t taking it seriously and believes that they could do whatever they want as long as they are not being caught. Although the story wasn’t that fine for me there are still parts that I like. I like how the author showed clarity about his topic. What I don’t like about the book is the cruelty but it’s also nice because it shows accurate event that really happened.

This book is recommended for Historians and for the people who likes to read about the culture of Mindanao but anyone should read this because it’s still important to be aware of what’s happening around us even if it’s already in the past as long as they are interested. I would rate this book 9/10 because it showed accuracy of what really happened and for me it’s important to know the truth because not all people can not say it without a little lie.

hehe

The Green Sanctuary

Sincerely yours, Ysavel Soriano

Reading novels and short stories really does boosts my happiness all the time. As a teenager for this generation, books aren’t given much attention as it should be due to the issue of gadgets and newly high technologies, The story ‘The Green Sanctuary’ is actually one of the books/an excerpt that i could recommend to a beginner for reading and for someone who’d like to read a novel. The author of the story is Antonio Enriquez, who is a Filipino writer. The “Green sanctuary isn’t really what the title of the book and it is the ‘The Surveyors of the Linguasan Marsh’. The story took place in a small town in Pikit, Cotabato. The book talks about the Culture and mainly the native people in Mindanao, As we all know Mindanao is one of the places here in the philippines that really does give importance to ‘tribes’ and its own culture. The native people in the story are called the “Moros”.

The Moros are very different from us, they give importance and follow the culture up until now and how they take care of their ancestors. There is actually not much of a difference with the Philippine culture because we’re all came from the same culture yet follows what does the ‘Datu’ told them. In the book of “21st Century Literature” it summarises and showed the excerpt of the novel. And in that, it helped me to understand the novel and what the author wants to tell. The author helped us know how the “Moros” or native cultures on the people when they visit the town proper, they may not be affable to the people because they are also just doing it for the sake of preserving their cultural traditions. The author also showed that in the story, the bus doesn’t actually stop at the town Pikit because once they do, the Moros will destroy the bus which they break the windows, steal the engines and only the skeleton of the bus will be left, There was also the time where a 4 years old kid was beaten to death by gunshots. The Moros also follow the rules by staying at their house at exactly 6 pm where they close there stores,houses and other establishments, Datu Mantel is the only one who’s allowed to roam around the town, the police wears civilian and not their usual uniform.There’s this night where is a person who got amiss to their town at around 6pm, and that person was killed by Datu Mantel. They also mentioned on how the Moros including Datu Mantel watched in a movie house that shows the movie of Fernando Poe Jr. as the protagonist, FPJ killed a native or a Moro so Datu Mantel got fired up and he took out his gun and shoot out due to the feeling of being attacked and offended by it. And now for my likes and dislikes from the story. Firstly i like how the author gave justice to the culture of the Moros wherein in the story he clearly shown how the the culture was practices and how was it preserved up until now, And what I’ve disliked about the story is how he Datu Mantel got so affected by the movie of FPJ and attacked it like he doesn’t care. But summing it all up,I would highly recommend this story to others and for the future generations because this story have shown our own native cultures and how the Moros lived before all of these extravagant things we’ve had now. I would rate the story 6/10 because it showed how our culture must be respected and preserved yet i haven’t read the whole novel yet and was only the excerpt that’s why i can’t give my full rate to it. Surely you loves will love this story especially when you’re into cultures and Mindanao Literature, All The Love from Ysavel Soriano. x

ONE DAY ON THE ROAD

by: Aaron Gumapas

Riding tricycles is one of the convenient public transportation here in the Philippines not only they are cheap but they can help you to go to your destination faster! But will you still ride a trike once you read the story?

According to my research, Temistokles Adlawan is from Naga, Cebu. I feel like the story was inspired and it was made for us so that, us, Filipinos will be warned whenever we are riding in a public transportation. The book is all about the two tricycle drivers named Miguel and Sherwin. The cultural value that showed in the story is that the Filipinos have a trait that they can be respectful and the negative trait is that the Filipinos are competitive and want everything in the easiest form. The theme of the story is very much the same to the Filipinos. We shouldnt be affected by the things that surrounds us in every step of the way. The story started when Miguel dropped of a passenger and when he’s on the way back to the terminal he saw Sherwin, Miguel thought that Sherwin was challenging him for a race. So Miguel ran fast with his tricycle and sadly, he got into a accident. The story ended in a tragic way but helped us to realize so much more and gave us true life lessons.

What I like about this story is that the moral lesson is truly helpful and opened our eyes to see what can happen when we don’t take good care of ourselves and something bad can happen to us. In terms of what part of the story I dislike I think there is none, because the story was on point and captivated me. This story is recommended to everyone especially to the people who are feeling depressed/suicidal because once they read this, there is a big chance for them to surpass depression and help them realize that life is important and we shouldn’t risk life for a something most especially when our life can be at risk. Overall, I would rate this 10/10, because it showed real life problems of the people and it can happen everyday and ofcourse we can encounter this in everyday of our lives because we use public transportation. We cant only relate this to drivers but the people who are competitive and will do everything with their life.

THE GREEN SANCTUARY

by: Aaron Gumapas

I’m never addicted when it comes to reading novels but reading short stories became my hobby most importantly when im bored. The story ‘The Green Sanctuary’ actually captivated me. The author of the story is Antonio Enriquez, who is a Filipino. The story has another title (The Surveyors of the Linguasan Marsh). The story took place in Pikit, Cotabato. The book is all about Culture specifially the native people in Mindanao, As we all know Mindanao still have many tribes that is still preserving their cultures. The native people in the story are called Moros.

The Moros is unlike us the millennials or the Gen. Z, they follow their culture and it represent how they take care of their ancestors and how they practice their culture in different ways. There’s isn’t much difference with the Philippine culture because they are also Filipino its just that they strictly follow what their Datu told them. In the book “21st Century Literature” they summarized it and showed the excerpt of the novel. With that summarization, it helped me to understand the novel much better. The author helped us imagine how the Moros or what they call the native reacts on the people when they visit their town, they may not be as hospitable to the people because they are also taking care of their culture and as much as possible they want to preserve it. The author also showed that in the story, the bus doesn’t stop at Pikit because once they do, the Moros will destroy the bus or get the gears of the wheels. The author also showed how the Moros once killed a 4 year old kid because the child was left in the bus. The Moros used a gun to kill the child. The Moros also follow the rules by staying at their house at exactly 6 pm, Datu Mantel is the only one who’s allowed to roam around the town, the police wears civilian and not their usual uniform. One night there is a person who got astray to their town at around 6pm, The person was killed by Datu Mantel. In the excerpt they also mentioned on how the Moros including Datu Mantel watched in a movie house that shows the movie of Fernando Poe Jr. In the movie, FPJ killed a native or a Moro so Datu Mantel got triggered so what he did was took out his gun and shoot the movie house because he was attacked and offended by the Movie. Now lets tackle what I like and what I dont in the book. First, I love how the author showed transparency in the story. They showed how the Moros acts to people who visit their town, What I dislike about the story is how he got affected by the movie of FPJ and attacked it like he doesn’t care to the native that is also there in the movie house. Overall, I would recommend this novel all the people because I believe this caters to all generation I believe that Respect is the most important when it comes to cultures and to the natives. I would rate the story 8/10 because it showed me how we should respect and how we should preserve the culture of not only Moros but all the Indigenous tribes. I know all of you guys will surely enjoy this novel a 💯 percent!