ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (mga kuwentong chalk ni bob ong)

I'm not sure why I made this review (if it is considered considered a review). Oh well...


Those who will pass by the Filipino section of National Bookstore, Fully Booked or Powerbooks will surely not miss the little green book that resembles a miniature blackboard as it has the weirdest title on the shelf ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! (mga kuwentong chalk ni bob ong). Although the book claims to be a story of the author’s personal experience, it is actually a book that speaks for and represents everybody: "Para Sa: Mga Guro, Mag-aaral, Dating mag-aaral, Ayaw mag-aral, Drop-out, Kick-out, Transferee, Cross-enrolled, At honor students."

Bob Ong narrates in an entertaining, yet sarcastic manner, the numerous embarrassing moments of his young life. He tells stories about his school in which walls were torn down because of a storm, and his elementary teacher who spanked him because he brought a toy for a Show and Tell in class. He also introduces the readers to Tigang, Waway, and the rest of his classmates, including Ulo, who were mesmerized with the toys they saw for the first time. Readers may even sympathize with Ong and his wrath for math (possibly even relate to his demise as to why he could not forget the answer to eight times seven). The book will also enlighten people on the secret on why some students become instant Hindus and Atheists, and make them realize what a real diploma means.

The book is easy to read and downright funny and entertaining. In fact, it may even serve as a reality check for those who spend hours watching telenovelas. Ong's stories still tackle issues about life, albeit he has put it in a different point of view: "Hindi biro ang pagbabasa, rite of passage ito. Ibig sabihin nabinyagan ka bilang "literate." Kaya mong magbasa ng mga kasinungalingan sa dyaryo, ng mga subtitles ng foreign movies, at ng mga vandalism sa upuan ng bus gaya ng "Bobo ang bumasa nito!"" His stories are concrete representations and examples of what is truly happening in our society. It may be his personal experience, but one can positively say that Ong’s experiences is almost similar, if not exactly the same, as that of a public school student’s, a dropout’s, a teacher’s.

A student's life is not as easy as others may think it is. It has never been easy to study. As a matter of fact, Ong has described perfectly what college life is, "Doon ko lang naisip na ganon pala sa college. Gaguhan… Sa second year, bumalik ang eskwelahan sa dati nitong anyo-gubat. Bumalik din ako sa dati kong pagkatao-insekto."

If the book’s purpose is simply to entertain its readers, then ABNKKBSNPLAKo?! has served its purpose very well. In reality, however, the book does more than to amuse its readers. It actually makes its readers remember life’s difficulties and how unfair it can be most of the time, especially for those who are underprivileged in life. Then again, the author’s sarcastic, sometimes almost revolting, tone can make one think that the book is written not simply to entertain or to share life experiences. It is written to inspire, and hopefully, one student will emerge from his seat and try to change the world by asking questions other students are afraid to ask.