Orosa-Nakpil, Malate

The book was well-written in Filipino--at F na F ko ang pagkadescribe ng author na si Louie Mar Gangcuangco sa Orosa-Nakpil—The music, the people, the quests for friendship, bookings and sometimes even true love. Bigla bigla akong nagkakaflashback ng Malate days hanging out with my Tita, Dra. Babes Ilarde-Nazareno and my first gay friend, Joel De Mesa (Viva! The Library Foundation days!)

While the book centers on the life of homosexuals, it touches upon facets of life that heterosexuals can relate to. The challenges and difficulties of accepting one’s true self, finding and losing people and everything that comes in between. At ang pagpapakatotoo sa huli. Hindi naman ‘yan pangbakla lang diba. The book touched me in many different ways. Napakilig din ako ng bida na si Dave sa kanyang love story. I can’t believe I was up until 5 in the morning, trying to finish the book. Hindi ko kinaya ibaba ang book dahil kilig na kilig ako sa search ni Dave for true love. And since doctor wannabe si Dave sa book, I was able to relate din kasi I was once a lawyer wannabe.

Another thing that I loved about Orosa-Nakpil, Malate is its social relevance. Gangcuangco, through his book, did not simply show the readers the party scene in Malate or how homosexuals live and love. He aimed to educate the readers about AIDS-HIV; how serious this virus is and how recklessness can change your life and the lives of people who love you. Sa isang banda, maski ako nataranta. Hindi naman sa high risk ako! Anuva, kulang na lang ay maging halaman na ako! Ang point ko lang, it’s true that not a lot of people know about AIDS-HIV. Gangcuangco pointed out through Orosa-Nakpil, Malate that until now, there are people who think that AIDS can be acquired solely through sexual intercourse. Ang iba nga akala pa yata sa foreigners lang nanggagaling ang Aida! At kung ganyan na may ignorance, aber pano nila maiiwasan ang virus? It’s very alarming nga naman, bearing in mind na ang ilan sa mga inflicted ay mga bata. The book truly was an eye-opener that everyone should be informed about AIDS-HIV. Go AIDS Awareness!

Double thumbs up! As in. Siguro nga lang kelangan ng konting pag towel-dry sa ibang eskena dahil may pagka madrama. Parang lagi nalang umiiyak si Dave. Pero kerri lang, maganda pa rin ang pagkasulat ng libro. It educates and entertains at the same time. Gangcuangco, through Orosa-Nakpil, Malate, was able to showcase life, love and what we can do to be able to live and love longer.

Award!

p.s.
This book made me cry. And for a lot of reasons.