Reading List: The Best of Philippine Literature

Here's another of my random internet finds from Yahoo!. The teaser in the bulletin read "Pinoy Literature's Best Ten" and being the avid reader that I am, there was no way I wouldn't check this out.

The writer, Gel Galang, listed the following must-reads, all by Filipino authors, in an enticing feature I'm sharing below with anyone out there- non-Yahoo readers or busy-bee young pros who don't get to read much lately.

1. GAGAMBA by F. Sionil Jose

Why you should read it
Almost 10 years after its release, the stories of poverty, prostitution, and injustice still resound in our society today. Aside from the critical observations of societal affairs and the upper class, there’s also the jab at God, religion, and the ultimate question, “Why?”
The Bida
Journalists, landlords, politicians—basically the “beautiful people” killed in the earthquake. Their stories take centerstage in the eyes of Gagamba, the storyteller.
The Badass
Tranquilino Penoy a.k.a. Gagamba, a cripple who sells sweepstakes at the entrance of Camarin and a survivor of the earthquake.


2. THE TWISTED SERIES by Jessica Zafra

Why you should read it
If you’re a ‘90s baby, an Eraserheads fan, a tennis fan, a cat lover, or a true cynic with a sharp taste for zing and snap, Jessica Zafra’s Twisted series will surely make you take off your rose-colored glasses and opt for her thick-rimmed ones.
The Bida
Everything. Everyone. Anything, especially world domination.
The Badass
The author, who else?


3. ILUSTRADO by Miguel Syjuco

Why you should read it
An ambitious novel that prods into the Philippine history, lifestyle, and society. Its being awarded the 2008 Man Asian Literary Prize grand winner is practically just icing on the cake, but justly given.
The Bida
Miguel—namesake of the author, but a name that he insists is purely fictional. As the student of Crispin Salvador, Miguel takes it upon himself to uncover the mystery of his mentor’s death.
The Badass
Crispin Salvador, literary lion, womanizer turned recluse, who stays in New York to finish his final masterpiece.


4. MY SAD REPUBLIC by Eric Gamalinda

Why you should read it
Passion and the Filipino-American war didn’t seem to make an interesting read—until this novel came along.
The Bida
A love triangle between a rich girl, a poor boy, and a tisoy gold digger, minus the cliché of your typical telenovela.
The Badass
Asuncion Madrigal, rich, sugarcane hacienda heiress with an attitude. Even when she’s caught in a fierce love triangle with farm boy Isio Magbuela and the rich Tomas Agustin, she’s hardly the damsel-in-distress who’d get swept off her feet. If anything, she swept them off theirs.


5. SOLEDAD'S SISTER by Butch Dalisay

Why you should read it
Dalisay’s prose. Succinct, powerful, muted, restrained, vulnerable, simple, classic.
The Bida
Aurora Cabahug. While the casket labeled with her name arrives from Jeddah and opens the story, Aurora is, in fact, very much alive as a singer in a nightclub.
The Badass
SPO2 Walter Zamora, the cop tasked to reunite the deceased sister with her only living family. Instead of the pot-bellied, ticket-waving, megalomaniac officers that we immediately think of, Walter comes as a mild but pleasant surprise.


6. MONDOMANILA by Norman Wilwayco

Why you should read it
If you’re a fan of transgressive fiction, but want to see how Chuck Palahniuk’s Fight Club or Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting would read in the context of Philippine society, this novel reveals the least expected, but most probable, place to find a cesspool of violence and obscenity—in one’s self.
The Bida
Tony de Guzman, the antihero in search of enlightenment.
The Badass
Tony’s thoughts and ramblings—the things he easily admits about himself—are those that most people would only say out loud on their deathbeds, if they ever would at all.


7. IN THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS by Michelle Cruz Skinner

Why you should read it
A follow-up to Balikbayan and Mango Seasons, this collection captures the essence of Filipino speech and chatter—even though it’s written in English.
The Bida
Choose from the characters of the 16 stories of migrant workers, families in the suburbs, teenage life, and more.
The Badass
Of all, Virgie in “Beautiful” stands out. Despite her fondness and affections for older foreigners that have a price, she does not think of herself as a prostitute.


8. NEWS OF THE SHAMAN by Karl de Mesa

Why you should read it
If you think you’ve seen the dirtiest, most fetid and putrid parts of our beloved city, these four novelas will take you for a ride with fading rock stars, druggie photographers, puppeteer politicians, and otherworldly creatures to a different Manila.
The Bida
Lucas the tripped-up photographer in “Faith in Poison” and “Angelorio.”
The Badass
Joaquin, the vocalist of Shadowland who committed suicide in “Bright Midnight.” Before you say “Kurt Cobain,” make sure to take in the unusual trips, the talking cars, and personal demons that come his way.


9. THE SKY OVER DIMAS by Vince Groyon

Why you should read it
It’s a story about a family straight out of a Jerry Springer episode—crazy dad, klepto mom, one dead brother, and another estranged one—but with the distinct flavor of Filipino craftsmanship.
The Bida
Rafael Torrecarion, the son who goes back to his hometown of Bacolod to bring his father out from his self-confinement in Dimas.
The Badass
George Torrecarion is the labeled local nutcase now rumored to be living with another girl in their hacienda. But he’s also the bearer of stinging truth about his family’s past.


10. THE WOMAN WHO HAD TWO NAVELS by Nick Joaquin

Why you should read it
A tragic story of a family where the mother and the daughter are constantly at muted war with each other, with only their men as their point of agreement and, ironically, disagreement.
The Bida
Connie Escobar, the woman who claims that she has two navels.
The Badass
Concha Vidal, if only for the fact that she got to her daughter’s husband first, and then gave her the spoils later on.

There's a lot of truth in what the writer said about "our local books seem-ing to have started collecting dust even in our own bookstores". I don't really get to buy as much books as I want to but reading doesn't have to equate with buying. Through friends and other connections, I find ways to read the books I fancy. Sadly though, they're mostly by foreign authors. I also have a list in mind of books I'd like to get for myself in time, but it has no Filipino authors included in it.

I've had the privilege of reading collections of Filipino stories back in college which was a gift from my sister. They were actually gifts- 2 books, both collections of stories by Filipino authors, one in Filipino and one in English. I read and enjoyed the Filipino book, but the one written in English seemed too hardcore for me, I think I was only able to read one story. It was more than a challenge to my vocabulary. I usually have the habit of looking up words I don't understand in the articles I read but with that book, either I was overwhelmed or I just wasn't interested at all. So aside from Noli and Fili, and the materials I had to read for my Philippine Literature subject back in college, my reading list is pretty much unpatriotic.  

Of the 10 books listed above, I've only had the chance to read some of Zafra's Twisted series. I've heard about the others in a trivial way, like something I've reviewed for a quiz bee..haha...but after reading the article above, I now have my eyes set on a few that roused my interest. I am not easily convinced by reviews, but they can charm me into trying to see for myself, to prove them either right or wrong based on my personal standards. When I was younger, I used to read anything I could lay my hands on, but the maturity that came with my age taught me to be vigilant with my choices, discriminating those that may not be good for me, overtly or discreetly. In the recent years, I found myself drawn to light, feel-good, yet wisdom-ful books. While I try to stay away from romance novels, they remain close to my heart. But what I've really been investing my time and my sight on these days are the Bible and other Christian books. I thank God for the faith, and for this longing in my heart to know Him more. May my eyes and thoughts give glory to your Name at all times. Let your Holy Spirit guide me in choosing my reads well, that, while I remain open, I may not invest my time and the knowledge and wisdom that comes from you, in understanding anything that could separate me from you.

So I'm keeping the list here, and hopefully I could cross them out one by one in the years to come. I'd probably won't get to read all of them in my lifetime (some of the subjects I particularly avoid or don't like), but this is my way of reminding myself to read more of books not just by Filipino authors, but especially those written in our native language as well.

List of Loves

My 22nd birthday's coming up (weeeh!) and I'm so excited! The day I turned 21 didn't feel so special but I'm all hyped up for this one, I just hope and pray that it would be awesome! With that in mind, I decided to repost my random list of wants. It has been piling up but I have no problems with keeping up (wow rhyme). They will happen depending on how much I want them, who sees this blog, and God's will of course.

It's a weird combine 'em all list of wishes, dreams, things I want to get for myself, and experience in the years to come. Some of the things on this list are also items I used to have but now I don't. I really feel bad losing them so I'm keeping them here until I get to have them again. And of course, my all time favorite foods won't be missed in this list. Knowing myself, I'm sure this list's gonna be updated every now and then..haha...but I hope to scrap more, than add on to the list:)

A Camera and my own laptop :p

Comfy Footwear-Suelas! (finally got a pair!-August 10, 2011)

Artsy Fartsy Craft Materials- I already have some but there's no stopping with these things:)

Cookbooks of all kinds

A Night (or day) at Mercato!-why'd you have to be so far?:( - prayers answered with the now so near Mercato nights at UP Ayala Technohub:)

Max Lucado's It's Not About Me, and more of his books

Stand-out Albums-Hillsong, Nina Live, R2K, The Script

Luxury Train Travel (i dream big!)

Traveling!!!

Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, Five People You Meet in Heaven

John & Stasi Eldrege's Captivating, Joshua Harris' Say Hello to Courtship

Awesome Kitchen Gadgets, Organizers, Containers, Baking wares and utensils! (not that I'm good at cooking, but I super wanna learn- more like aspiring to be dashizz in the kitchen:)

Yellow Cab Pizza, Chicken Alfredo Pasta, and Hot Wings! (without the hot...boo)- my tastebuds had a change of heart lately and I now love spicy!

Romance Novel Overload (Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught, Susan Elizabeth Phillips)- not a good idea to go back to reading these though

Sidney Sheldon's Tell Me Your Dreams

Wendy's Frosty :D

Shakey's Pizza Bianca & Mojos

Full body massage (love!)

Pringles Sour Cream & Onion

Harry Potter (all 7 books)

Victorinox Swiss Knife

Piano (gotta learn how to play one first though)

Forever 21 shopping spree!

Ritter Sport Hazelnut

Hershey's Cookies & Cream (Goya cookies & cream chocolate makes me just as happy!)

Toblerone White Chocolate

Cadburry Fruit & Nut

Kyocera porcelain knife :)

L.S. Series of Unfortunate Events

Chronicles of Narnia 7-in-1 book 

and there are a lot of things I want to try:)

-restaurants and desserts (mostly from homebakers I saw in dessertcomesfirst.com)

and like most girls around, I am in love with shoes:) and I like cute bags too!

there you go...till my next update!

My Gospel Playlist

*Last updated: July 13, 2011

These are my all-time favorite Christian songs and I thought of compiling them here just in case I forget about them in the future.

1. None But Jesus (Hillsong)
2. I Live, I Breathe (Jon Owens)
3. Lay It Down (Jaci Velasquez)
4. Lord of All (Jose Villanueva III)
5. One God (Citipointe)
6. It is You (Youth Alive)
7. Deeper (Planetshakers)
8. Lead me to the Cross (Hillsong)
9. Gift of Love (Hillsong)
10. All of My Days (Hillsong)
11. Complete (Parachute)
12. *I Want to Fall in Love with You (Jars of Clay)
13. Still Standing (Lakewood)
14. Made Me Glad (Hillsong)
15. I Adore (Hillsong)
16. Hosanna (Hillsong)
17. Shout to the Lord (Hillsong)
18. For Love of You (Audrey Assad)
19. Like an Avalanche (Hillsong United)
20. Bones (Hillsong United)
21. Open my Eyes (Hillsong)

...I'm still learning Open my Eyes by Hillsong at the moment. I love all genres of Christian music in general but I enjoy listening more to solemn worship songs. There are also still a lot of songs I love which aren't on the list because I only included those that deeply moved me the first time I listened to them. For the months and years to come, I hope to add a lot more songs in this list. To God be the glory! meow

July 13, 2011
I have already learned Open my Eyes and have been frequently singing it in the past months while walking on the street going to work. My current favorites, also songs I'm still learning, are Bones and Like an Avalanche from the Hillsong United Aftermath album. I actually like all the songs but these are the ones that I love most:) More songs to come! Thank you Lord for this opportunity to worship you with such wonderful songs!

MY 2011 RESOLVES

I've been under a lot of stress lately, doing hunger-provoking intellectual stuff, that I'm so glad for this short blogging break (parang bladder break lang..haha:) I managed to convince myself to take without battling with my conscience. After all, I wouldn't need to rush if I had finished all those things months ago; and for that, I felt like I deserve a punishment, so I settled on depriving myself of things other than work. Procrastination is still a serious concern for me. For me it isn't just delaying finishing my tasks. It's also about not being the responsible person I claim to be; and because I was rushing, the fruit of my work also reflected the sin of mediocrity. I also ended up lying, making up reasons to justify why I couldn't meet the deadline. Haaay, this, among other events at this time of the year (hello? isn't the year just starting?) makes me want to go to a retreat, reflect on the past week and year, and probably set up a list of My 2011 Resolves. Someone told me that resolves, being 'firm resolutions', are better, as juxtaposed with plain 'resolutions'. But what's in a word or in these words, if I don't live up to their meanings? So now, I have decided to come up with my New Year's list and by the end of the year, I hope to look back and place JOB WELL DONE beside each entry:).

MY 2011 RESOLVES
1. I resolve to act on my responsibilities immediately, and to finish them all on time.
2. I resolve to be more helpful, show more initiative.
3. I resolve to be less impatient.
4. I resolve to be less critical of others.
5. I resolve to weigh my thoughts and words carefully before I share them with others.
6. I resolve to commit to daily prayer and devotion.
7. I resolve to commit to at least a week of prayer and fasting before the year ends.
8. I resolve to commit to a weekly prayer with Ate, other people or alone, for items other than my personal requests.
9. I resolve to take responsibility for myself, especially in the financial aspect, as early as possible within the year.
10. I resolve to avoid participation in gossips about other people.
11. I resolve to show more kindness and compassion to the people I encounter.
12. I resolve to be braver, especially for things worth fighting for.
13. I resolve to be less selfish and more generous to other people.
14. I resolve to embark on new adventures, collect another FIRST, and make at least one dream of mine come true this year.
15. I resolve to blog more on relevant and inspirational topics.
16. I resolve to indulge myself on many good reads this year, and maybe own one from my savings.
17. I resolve to be more sociable..haha
18. I resolve to finish the yearbook!
19. I resolve to be more organized with my belongings.
20. I resolve to know more places, with the hopes of suppressing my natural instinct to get lost.
21. I resolve to lose weight, engage in more physical activities, and give in less to the cravings of my sweet tooth.
22. I resolve to find a way to be a part of the church.
23. I resolve to surprise Papa, Ate, and Micah with something that would make them happy.
24. I resolve to make an important investment before the year ends.
25. The list goes on actually, but to temporarily end this list, I resolve to keep dealing with this life as if running a marathon, and never a race.

This was part of the 2008 resolves Coach Anne told us about when I was in college, attending Sunday services with Bread of Life Baguio City; and every year since then, I make it a point to include this in my resolves, whether as part of a true list, or just an imaginary list in my mind. As opposed to the usual race, a marathon is more of a test of endurance than that of speed. There are times when I want a lot of things so much, and I want them fast, right at that moment; and although achieving stuff is also good, wanting to have material things, to achieve success, to increase in knowledge and in other perks of this world, sometimes cloud my vision of what really matters in my life. They invoke from me feelings of self-pity, dissatisfaction, envy, pride, and selfishness, among many other nonvirtues I've been trying so hard to heal within my system. I'm grateful that although they've clouded my vision a lot of times already, I've never gotten blind, because God always shows me His light, which shines far brighter than any temptation in this world. I probably haven't seen the worst of them yet, which is why I pray each day for God to "Teach me to number my days aright that I may gain a heart of wisdom"- a heart that relies not on worldly achievements to measure life;but instead, finds joy in investing in good, lasting relationships with others, serving my Creator, and worshipping Him in every word, every move, every feeling, and every thought. When my time to leave this world comes, I hope to be able to measure the length of my days, not by how far I've come, but by how long, and how strong I've remained in my faith.

May each day, Father, of my life on this earth lead me closer to you and your promise. Help me invest on things that last, and things that truly matter as I commit my whole life to you each day. Help me keep my face toward the goal and live a life that is heaven-bound, a life lived according to your example, and a life that allows your light to shine forth in all my relationships, my work, and in our community. I commit all these resolves in Your hands, in You whose strength enables me to do great and mighty things in Your name, according to Your will. I love you Lord, I love you Jesus, I love you Holy Spirit. My year, and my lifetime is yours and yours alone! meow

When I Grow up, I want to be...

Being stuck with endless trainings, 6 jobless months after passing the board, made me reflect on why I decided to be a nurse in the first place. I remember back when I was a child, I was already having a hard time deciding on what i want to become when I grow up. That space for ambition in life in my friends' slumbooks always gave me a hard time..haha...I really had no idea then, and being the fickle-minded and ambivalent, yet bright little girl I was:), I just wrote whatever interested me the most at that very moment. I wanted to be a teacher in one, a lawyer in another, a doctor, an engineer, etc. It was still, after all, wasn't such a big issue at that time. It was when I was about to enter 4th year high school when having no specific career path really gave me the worst headache. Nursing was apparently the most popular choice at that time but although i don't really know what i want to become, being a nurse wasn't among my choices. I was having a battle with myself, torn between wanting to obey my parents, and obeying my own self. I remember, when I qualified for a top university in Manila that doesn't offer nursing, I cried, not out of joy, but out of despair. My turning point in that difficult stage of my life was when papa told me, "mawawalan ako ng ganang magpa-aral kung hindi nursing ang kukunin mo." kumusta naman di ba? I can just imagine how guilty he would feel once he reads this..haha...but on a more blame-it-on-myself-not-on-others level, what really made me decide to obey my parents was the fact that aside from wanting to study where my ate angel is, regardless of the course:), i really had no idea on WHAT i wanted to be. So there, i took up nursing and it later turned out, it was the right one for me, i think:) The first few years were easy. I wasn't really proud of my course, but i enjoyed the basic subjects, the environment in baguio, the university, my new friends, my first taste of independence, my first taste of a lot of things in general. The adjustment had been pretty easy, with the help of my relatives and friends, and although my immediate family wasn't physically there to support me (as mama was already sick at that time and they were already staying in manila), they never forgot to keep the lines of communication open.
When I learned that mama had lung cancer, stage IV, that was when I finally came to terms with myself that I really made the right decision, that it was all part of God's plan, so I could be with my youngest sister even just during weekends. Mama wanted me to transfer to a local college to really be with papa and micah while she stays in manila for treatment, but i really cried my heart out to them, firmly said no, and sought the help of my ate angel to convince our parents that asking me to transfer would be too much. I realize now, if i hadn't really wanted nursing, i would've done the same thing, but i meekly obeyed so i probably had considered it then subconsciously.

The final two years of my college education had been physically and mentally demanding, and totally resource-draining, but they were also among the happiest, most productive years of my life. Now I can truly say that I love what I do, because i surely couldn't have survived it, and excelled among all others if i didn't enjoy what i was doing. The things we do, combined with the pressure, the unexpected medical emergencies, the variety of people we deal with, the innumerable cases we handle varying in complexity-everything about the job is enough reason for burn-out. But if only for the simplest thank-you's, the smiles, the praises, and the im-not-supposed-to-accept favors from the many people whose live's i've touched in the practice of my profession, i can now say that if i could go back to that difficult time when i didn't know what course to choose, i would still take up nursing, in obedience to my parents, and to myself as well:). by the way, as a student nurse, i've accepted many favors from my patients, all in the form of food such as biscuits, pastries, baked goodies and the best so far had been 1 bilaong pansit palabok, 3 1.5 L coke, and 1 goldilocks mocha roll. They even gave me an instruction that i could share the pansit and coke to my friends, but i should keep the cake all to myself...haha...i will never forget lolo c______n and his family and they, together with all my other patients, are always in my prayers.

If you have taken note of my choice of words, i've been referring to my career path as WHAT i want to become, not WHO i want to become. i prefer to reserve the term WHO to my most intimate hopes, dreams and wishes for myself and they are to be the ff.:
1.) a homemaker- i've always been a home buddy and i enjoy the things my mother, being the lady of the house, used to do when she was still alive. i'm not talking about the 'housework' as in cleaning, washing, ironing clothes, etc..we consider ourselves fortunate, having had household help since we were kids, although mama made sure that we always do our share in all the house work. I'm talking about running the household in general, turning it to a home and keeping it as such- and that includes decorating the house, keeping it fresh and beautiful, maintaining a garden perhaps, making sure that we have all our essentials available, etc. This is actually a revision of my previous dream to become a housewife:). Not only does it sound better, but it's also more generic, since you have to have a husband to be a housewife, and just a home and a family to be a homemaker:p.
2) a chef- i really really enjoy cooking though it doesn't seem so on my rare:) lazy days...cooking shows are among my most watched shows on tv; and although i know i have to take up culinary seriously to be a chef (which i can't prioritize at the moment), it's enough for me to be a great cook, able to create dishes of wide variety, from the basic to complex viands, to pastas, baked goodies, soups and desserts. all of us in our family love to eat, whether fastfood or fine dining. Papa doesn't always give us what we want, but when it comes to food, he allows us to indulge from time to time, maybe that's why food is so important for us siblings. we actually equate it with celebrations, and sometimes use eating to reduce stress or simply make ourselves happy:)..when i finally become the great cook i want to be, our family will never run out of delicious foods to share and eat together, i promise:)
3) a pianist- i would've wanted to become a virtuoso but that's way too unrealistic, especially for someone like me who doesn't know how to play a single instrument, so to be a pianist, a very good one, would be fine:). i promised myself that i would learn how to play the piano before i get pregnant but in case i'm destined to be single, i would still want to be a very good pianist. It's my favorite musical instrument and i find it relaxing to play with those keys while at the same time make good music. i actually imagine singing and playing the piano at my sister's and friend's wedding, and sometimes, i also imagine playing it at my own wedding:)
4) a bookstore owner- reading is probably my best hobby especially as opposed to playing computer games and watching tv :p..and after watching the movie you've got mail when i was so much younger, i started dreaming of owning a bookstore someday, although a book collection at home would also be great! the National Bookstore (pls forward payment for the ad to...:) was my comfort zone in my college days...i felt close to heaven, just being there, choosing among a wide variety of books and school supplies, which is the same feeling i get in a grocery or furniture store..haha..unessential school supplies, especially all kinds of tapes (scotch tape, magic tape, masking tape, double tape, etc.), are one of the few luxuries i allow for myself, so having a bookstore of my own would probably feel 10 times closer to heaven:)
5) a painter- i used to think i was created left-handed for nothing (art-wise) until i was forced to paint for two high school projects. i'm not good at drawing but i'm better in decorating, mixing colors and creating designs and it truly showed in the two paintings i have created. they were both good so my self-esteem in terms of being an artist really skyrocketed to the highest level, enough to keep myself dreaming that i could be a great painter someday, not really to make a living out of it but to just create masterpieces i can proudly hang at home.

Other dreams of mine would be to travel the Philippines and world with my family, and see the beauty of God's creation in different ways. Apparently, i'm not really an adventurous person, even my dreams are just simple, reflective of the child and woman in me. They're all achievable and i intend to make them all happen, with God's help in whom all things are possible:) God bless me and my dreams!