Two of a Kind

My friend and favorite writer, Cherie a.k.a. Sonia Francesca often quotes Bob Ong. I was intrigue by the funny, witty and unapologetic banters of this Filipino writer. His words are often slap on one’s face to awaken you to face the truth. He also makes metaphors that will just make you scratch your head. His choice of words is often the easiest to understand by his audience. He even admitted that he doesn’t care much about grammar usage. I think that is the beauty with his literature. It is raw, original and entertaining.

I was privileged to read two of his books, Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas at Stainless Longganisa. Both books had been really a pleasure to read. I felt like the author was my long time friend because we shared a lot in common. We both had an exciting but awkward school life; we liked Batibot and sentai and both were heavily influenced by media and pop culture. He proved in his books that these supposed trivial and fleeting things gave spice to life and adds color and uniqueness to one’s character.

Amidst the apparent random thoughts, the seriousness of Bob Ong was also evident in his books. Like me, he is also frustrated in the seemingly hopeless case of our country politically, economically and socially. But there is also the ‘never-die-spirit’ that through our unified efforts, our beloved nation will soar into a brighter future.

Admittedly, I did not realize that each chapter of Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas represented the seven deadly sins. But in Stainless Longganisa, I think I understood it more because it tackled the writing career of Bob Ong. I see myself as writer, not prolific but to the very least, decent. I studied Journalism in college and I have three unpublished manuscripts. Yes I am a frustrated writer. And that will propel me more to write entries in this blog. Bob Ong taught me that you don’t have to be Shakespeare to have the right to have your own ‘nagtataeng ballpen’.