Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? (Mga Kwentong Barbero Ni Bob Ong) (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
Hindi ko alam kung bakit nga ba? Hitik sa random na mga bagay 'tong librong 'to na tiyak na kapupulutan, hindi ng aral, kundi ng kaunting pambusog sa isipan. Madali itong basahin at ewan ko lang kung madali kang patatawanin. Medyo throwback na ang librong ito at malamang hindi makukuha ng ilang batang mambabasa ang mga reference tungkol sa 90s at early 2000s. Ang salamangkang mayroon ang gawang ito ni Bob Ong ay 'yong hatak sa mambabasa. Karamihan kasi sa mga sinalaysay niya rito ay mga obserbasyon at karanasan niya na malamang ay nararanasan din ng ibang mga Pilipino (na baliktad daw magbasa). 'Yong ibang sulat din dito ay galing sa Bobong Pinoy. Dito mo malalaman 'yong dahilan kung bakit pumatok si Bob Ong sa mga mambabasa. Una, ang gamit niyang wika sa pagsusulat ay 'yong ginagamit ng mga Pilipino sa pagsasalita. Pangalawa, madaling makuha ang kanyang mga kwento (at ewan ko na lang kung mage-gets pa ng iba 'yon mga akda niyang may onting patama). Panghuli, 'yong kwento niya kasi, mga kwento rin 'yon nating mga Pilipino. When I was taking a vacation in the Philippines last summer, my brother bought me this book as a souvenir. He highly suggested it to me, and said it's one of his favorite books. I've attempted reading this book many times, and the introduction always bores me. I forced myself to continue reading, and I ended up laughing out loud. "Bakid Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino?" (which translates to "Why do Filipinos Read Books in Reverse?) is about Bob Ong, the author, humorously talking about the Filipino culture and traditions. It is filled with hilarious observations and short stories in Tagalog. There was a quote in the book, and it was "Ang karamihan ng tao ay walang pakialam, ang karamihan ng politiko ay walang utak, at yung ibang may utak... walang puso." ("Most people are indifferent, most politicians are idiots, and some of the smart ones... are heartless.") The quote is vulgar, but once you think about it, it's frank and true. I never thought of people and politicians that way, I believe it's accurate and witty. I loved the author's writing style, although there were some words I didn't understand. He wrote it in first person, and I felt like Bob Ong was my uncle telling me stories. I laughed throughout the whole book, and I suggest it to my friend Xurshia, because I'm sure she'll laugh and learn from this book.
What do You think about Bakit Baliktad Magbasa Ng Libro Ang Mga Pilipino? (Mga Kwentong Barbero Ni Bob Ong) (2001)?
for those who want to know the Filipinos, this is one of those books.
—hope
