[This review may contain spoilers]
Orosa-Nakpil, Malate, is a book of many things. It is funny, informative, heartbreaking, and thought-provoking.
Perhaps the most moving part aside from the “rape chapter” was the last time Dave and Ross saw each other. I thought I was about to have a cardiac arrest reading that scene because it was just heartbreaking. When I was just 20 pages away from the end, I told my big sister, who has read the first five chapters and the last one (IKR? She’s super weird that way), that I knew what would happen next, and that it was very predictable! I got it all wrong, though. Goodness, what a twist!
Dave and Ross’s love for each other reminds me so much of Brokeback Mountain, the infamous love story of Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist. There’s always an underlying melancholy about their love affair.
And who doesn’t hate Michael Pundasyon in this book? I would’ve killed him myself.
One of my favorite scenes was when Ross collected the flyers, telling everyone in Malate that Dave has HIV. That says a lot about Ross. And when I found out that he sold his phone to buy a gift for Dave, ugh. Waterworks alert!
I enjoyed reading this book immensely. Louie Mar has showcased his ability to transform experiences through writing and make it possible for readers to feel his characters.
“May mga bagay sa buhay natin na hindi natin kontrolado.May mga pagkakamaling hindi na natin maitatama pa gaano man nating gustuhin. Kaya minsan kailangang gamitin and utak kahit iba ang isinisigaw ng puso. Kahit pa maskit, kailangan nating magtiis.”
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Published 2006 by Louie Mar’s Publications
About The Author
Louie Mar Gangcuangco is the author of a Filipino novel Orosa-Nakpil, Malate. In 2008, Louie Mar Gangcuangco published his second book, Gee, My Grades Are Terrific: A Student’s Guide to Academic Excellence, a self-help book for students.
Louie Mar has served as a guest speaker in UP Manila, UP Diliman, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, San Beda, Philippine Normal University, and the American Chamber Foundation Philippines on various topics including homosexuality, HIV-AIDS, and gay literature in the Philippines.
Louie Mar passed the Straight Internal Medicine Internship in the Philippine General Hospital. He will be graduating from the UP College of Medicine in 2010.
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