ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! : A Book Review

    “… karapatan kong madapa at bumangon sa buhay nang walang tatawa, magagalit, magtatanong, o magbibilang kung ilang beses na 'kong nagkamali at ilang ulit akong dapat bumawi.” – Bob Ong

    ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (2013) is an autobiography revolving Bob Ong’s, scholastic journey from his pensive elementary school, going with frisky high school life, to a dreadful university experience and culminating with his entry into the educational sector as a teacher. In addition, the literature delineates various references to ‘80s and ‘90s pop culture to tickle readers’ fancies. However, it goes beyond a simple life story as it unfolds a critical outlook at the country’s education system and calling for substantive change. Bob Ong is the pseudonym of a contemporary Filipino author recognized for utilizing conversational writing techniques to craft humorous and reflective depictions of Philippine life.  The writer's actual name and identity are still unidentified. Regarding the genre of the text, it is considered as a non – fiction autobiography of the author himself. 

    The title is intended to be read phonetically as “Aba, nakakabasa na pala ako?!.”  It is structurally written through successions of humorous anecdotes.  A blast from the past came along the way when the invitation to their elementary alumni homecoming reaches Roberto Ong, a mid – 30’s high school teacher who is hesitant to go as he feels less successful than his batch mates. His long-term friends Ulo and Portia try to remove his insecurities and convince him to attend the gathering. As the event is fast – approaching, Roberto's memories of awkwardness and heartaches, romance and friendships, and successes and failures came rushing in. As the story goes, Ong started his educational voyage at a Filipino public school at age five and deeply scared of a petrifying and witch-like primary teacher who made a habit of physically lashing out at misbehaving students. During this phase, he also bumped into his first encounter with romance with the affections of his friend, Portia.  Afterward, during high school, Ong experienced the traditional teenage scourge of acne and battles his constant foe, math class. Additionally, he falls hard for a transferee student he referred to as "special someone." The girl’s name is still unknown in the entire storyline. When Ong progressed from secondary school to university, the change in setting altered his academic motivation. In college, he stumbled upon the prospect of failures. His troubles with school occurred as he skipped classes to watch movies at the local movie theater and play video games. His Computer Science program turned out unsuccessfully but later finished up his studies from a vocational school. The final section of the book revealed that Roberto Ong returned to his roots as he begins working as an educator at his alma mater despite of his scuffles. As a teacher, he observes his students and provides a guide to various social groups that make up the school’s population. The last fragment of the plot exposes a new perspective on the various failures of the Filipino education system and concludes his art piece with a call to address these issues.

            

    Selecting this book is a personal choice rooted for several reasons. Foremost, as the main character reminisces his academic experiences, it tends to bring me back from my primary and secondary school life. Most of his statements regarding the school such as making unreal excuse letters, tardiness, canteen moments, cleaning the classroom, cramming, getting scolded by teachers, childhood crushes, passing examinations, failing and the such conform to my academe encounters which I really glad to recall. Those rollercoaster instances contribute a lot to who am I today. They serve as my foundations for school and real-life matters. I can see myself through the main character of the story who experienced a lot of ups and downs and yet, continued to strive for the betterment of oneself and achieving short – term and long – term goals.

    Furthermore, as Roberto Ong turned out to be an educator despite his shortcomings as a student, it urges my aspiration to pursue a career in teaching. My interest to enter the educational field is heightened as the story made me contemplate that I want to fill the gaps of ignorance and at the same time, provide life lessons that pupils can apply practically. The passion in my heart tends to be amplified to mold children’s academic and attitudinal aspects.

    Moreover, Bob Ong does not only intend to tell a story but also to educate and inform readers about the existing reality and make us think and reflect upon to. Its elucidations of the country’s educational and socioeconomic inadequacies greatly contribute to its substance. Aside from its entertainment purpose, it serves as an eye-opener for all the individuals composing the teaching sector that more than anything else, their goal is to develop learners for a tangible service for themselves, their families, communities, and the country after school. In addition, the book wants to urge the government with regards to funds that should prioritize improving school facilities and teaching materials for conducive learning.

    In the technical aspect, aside from the narrations, there are portions that are essay-like. These parts are full of substance, valid arguments, and supported by facts. The author’s genre, the formatting, and its physical appearance as it was printed are very satisfying for the readers. Although technical stuff is not as important as the story itself, it contributes to the interest of the audiences.

    ABNKKBSNPLAKo?!  instilled numerous lessons that certainly serve as guides in my being. First, the literature taught that education is more than schooling. Going to the academe is not just reading books, writing lectures, reciting, and compliance but rather acquiring knowledge for the preparation for the bigger world outside the for walls of the classroom. One’s triumph cannot be measured by A’s but rather through the application of the acquired knowledge in school in the real realm of mankind. As the story reads, “Nakalimutan na ng tao ang kabanalan n'ya, na mas marami pa s'yang alam kesa sa nakasulat sa Transcript of Records n'ya, mas marami pa s'yang kayang gawin kesa sa nakalista sa resume n'ya, at mas mataas ang halaga n'ya kesa sa presyong nakasulat sa payslip n'ya tuwing sweldo. ” 

    The line, “Alam mo ba ang pinagkaiba ng mga bulag at ng mga nakakakita? Hindi alam ng mga nakakakita kung kelan sila bulag,” impulses humanity to be aware of the various disputes circulating in the society and make movements to unravel these glitches for continual enhancement of life. The values of awareness and civic welfare participation are upheld by my character. In addition, the world, in reality, is incomparable to murals that are printed in the textbook with always inclusion rainbow, sun, birds, and flowers. Life is not as perfect as the book wants to imply. As Ong said, “Hindi maiiwasan sa buhay ang bagyo. Kahit sa classroom,” it forms realization of the inevitability of downfalls in one’s existence. This makes me be tenacious and equipped in facing challenges and difficulties.

    Life is not an exam with a passing rate, not multiple choice, identification, true or false, enumeration or fill-in-the-blanks. Instead, it is an essay that one inscribes every day. It is judged not primarily grounded in its accuracy or faultiness but rather based on its significance. Erasures are allowed. As the writer of my paper, it is my choice to make it a meaningful one besides the imperfections existing within me and the social milieu. I just need to continue endeavoring for erudition and look for the furtherance of myself.

    The literary piece correspondingly implies the importance of social relationships. The book emphasizes openness in our family who truly understands us in our accomplishments and profoundly appreciates us in our disappointments. Aside from family ties, the presence of friends and acquaintances primarily helps to set security networks and assurance in times of doubts and troubles. In our humanness, the people around us have something to contribute to our growth, whether conspicuous or not.

    Lastly, Ong really enthused my heart as he says that I have the right to fail with no mocks, interrogations, and counting on how many times I should lose in the game of subsistence and the number of stints I should cope up. “Obligasyon kong maglayag, karapatan kong pumunta sa kung saan ko gusto, responsibilidad ko ang buhay ko.” Thus, living my own life is giving what I deserve for myself without compromising other’s validation, celebrating feat, learning from defeat.

    Taking everything into account, Bob Ong’s ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! is really an excellent masterpiece that is entertaining yet informative. Its genre and theme are quite relevant and timely for today’s contemporary generation. The story has something substantial lesson and takeaways to offer for the readers. Henceforth, the book is worth reading and recommending.

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