Book: Zombinoy #4

“Zombie apocalyptic, big-time, end-of-the-world scenario of biblical proportions. Pinoy style.“

And so we begin the second “season” of Zombinoy, where the first issue alone has more happening than the whole of the first season combined. Well, that’s not completely true, but it sure does feel like it.

I think the problem with the first three issues was that the people behind Zombinoy wanted to create the world first, to introduce the characters and the zombie plague at the same time. I don’t know why, but I think it may be because they wanted readers to connect to the characters first. Having read Issue #4, I don’t think they had to.

Issue #4 has us facing the problem of zombies in our land, with the Americans very gung-ho about helping us because of nefarious reasons. Prior to this, we had a lot of government drama that tiptoed around this issue. I think #4 had the better execution, as you’re seeing things in action while discovering that things are not what they seem.

The characters feel more real too, even though “screen time” is more spread out. At first, I attributed it to the fact that I’ve read the first three issues. I already know these characters. But that’s not exactly true. Zombinoy, while a brilliant idea, wasn’t completely remarkable nor was it unforgettable. The characters in this issue really lived and breathe, that despite not knowing who they were before, you already have a sense of who they are as a person.

The writing’s brilliant, actually. It shows just how much writer Geonard Yleana had grown from the time he wrote the first three issues to now.

I’m still not a fan of the art though. This is more personal preference though, as I’m not exactly an artist. It’s just that–the glossiness of the drawings and the shadings doesn’t fit with the world they’re trying to build. The Philippines is going to hell, and it’s presented in the cleanest way possible.

It’s a little jarring.

But it’s not something you can’t get over. Especially with a story as strong as the one presented here in the fourth issue. And if Yleana continues to grow, I can’t wait to see what he (and the rest of the Zombinoy team) has in store for us next issue.

Book: Heroes and Villains

“‘Heroes and Villains’ offers 17 racy, true stories about remarkable people who lived and interacted and did extraordinary things in the Philippines

There’s Enrique, Magellan’s slave, who stayed in the boat while Lapu-Lapu killed his master. And Philip II of Spain, after whom we were named, who married five wives without having to cut anyone’s head off. And the Hero of Makati, Pio Isidro del Pilar, farm boy from Culi-Culi, arrested and left for dead by the Spanish police, an early Katipunero who rose to become general of the Revolutionary Armyy and the Filipino Republic, traveling scandalously with a pretty mistress.

The stories may read like a tale of adventure or a gossip column, but they’re fully documented and supported by historical facts.“

It does read like a gossip column, and the stories are supported by historical facts. But then again, for years and years, we’ve been taught falsified history by teachers and professors that were also supported by historical facts. Not that I’m discounting what Carmen Guerrero Nakpil has written. I’m just saying that, since none of us lived during the time these events happened, none of us can actually claim what really happened and what didn’t.

But that’s beside the point.

Heroes and Villains is mostly a fast read, mainly because of its gossip column type of writing. Which is genius, because masking history with gossip is one surefire way of people intrigued. If this was by design, I have to say that author Nakpil is a genius.

Unfortunately, not all of the stories are as juicy. And most of the stale stories appear near the end, which makes the read a bit disappointing (and boring) as the book winds down. I know the articles were presented in chronological order–arranged by when they happened–but I must wonder if it would have been had the author decided to jump around time, so the duds didn’t have to come one right after the other.

The last three articles were particularly sleep-inducing. The last one, the seventeenth “true story” especially so because it reads like a recap of the other sixteen stories.

That said, Heroes and Villains is still a must read. Especially if you’re looking for something that would help you remember our history. Gossip lasts longer than lectures, and Heroes and Villains provide gossip-like information with great style.

Book: Zombinoy, Season 1

I love zombies. Which is why it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me, that I would pick up the Zombinoy title. I didn’t even look at the synopsis, I just saw the title and the cover–and I bought the first issue.

I didn’t think there was anything to write about Zombinoy back in May though. At the time, while I saw the potential in the title, I didn’t really think it had enough to merit an actual discussion. It defined the premise, and it presented its take: the world goes to hell but we still have human drama to make everything colorful. It was a selling point, but not the whole story.

Fast forward to a few months later, and the people behind Zombinoy releases the two other issues that would complete their first “season.” And while I’m still not completely sold, I am intrigued as to where they’re planning to take the story.

What is Zombinoy? It’s your typical zombie apocalypse, complete with a healthy cast full of drama, set in the Philippine setting.

We have a number of main characters who have yet to show any distinguishable traits, and a villain that’s supposedly scarier than zombies–bureaucrats.

So far, the only thing redeemable about the title is a character that starts out annoying and becomes a bit of a comic relief by the time the third issue rolls around.

Our main couple, Paulo and Clara, are so far one-dimensional and their respective families have been defined more by the roles they play and not the characteristics they possess. Well, there was that one scene with Ryan, Paulo’s brother, which was supposed to be a deviation of his stereotype. Except his stereotype wasn’t well-defined to begin with.

And then there are the other characters, the ones who are supposed to make things interesting. They don’t. One group of survivors seem to have been able to commandeer a ship, save dozens of the impoverished, and set up a semblance of a political structure in the same span of time it takes Paulo and Clara to go up and down the North Luzon expressway. Then there’s the villains.

I don’t know if the writer/s of Zombinoy is planning a twist that would put all twists to shame, but from the picture being painted in the three issues released so far, the villains are pretty clear cut. Black and white. And boring. So very boring.

Of course, I didn’t really expect much from the title when I picked it up. The one thing important to me at the time was that it was about zombies, and that it was set in the Philippines. It delivered on both accounts. Now, if it’s not too much to ask from the writer/s, I want the next “season” to surprise.

Now, let’s see what other people have written about the title:
Jumper Cable
Daily Blurbs

Book: Trash

“In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.

One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and rat–boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money–to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.“

You know the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”? Well, in the case of Andy Mulligan’s Trash, it really is treasure.

What we have in this book is a well-written, well-plotted treasure hunt story, with our dumpsite boys as the dashing pirates, and corrupt politicians as the … well, the corrupt politicians.

Looking at the book cover, I don’t remember why I decided to buy it. Maybe because it was displayed so prominently in one of the book displays? I was intrigued, I have to admit. National Bookstore, where I bought the book, has discriminating tastes when it comes to displaying books in their more masses-friendly branches. Lately, the discrimination is, unless it’s high fantasy or a supernatural romance, you don’t get featured.

So for Trash to be displayed alongside the Fablehaven series and the Twilight ripoffs (why would you want to rip off something so horrible?), it has to be something special right?

Well, it turned out that this version of Trash is indeed special. It’s an exclusive cover printed for National Bookstore. No wonder they had to give it a prominent space in the display case–with a cover this bad, who’s going to be interested enough to pick the book up and read the back cover?

That’s just my opinion, but if I ask you now what you think of the book cover, what would you say?

The great thing here though is that the really bad cover lowers your expectations for the book–allowing the story to punch you in the gut and say, “I’m awesome, and you shouldn’t judge books by their covers.” And in this case, the book would be right. Granted, if the book did indeed talk to you, you might need psychological help–or an exorcist.

All kidding aside though, Trash is indeed a treasure of a book. It is very well-paced and well-plotted, with lovable characters you can’t help but root for. True, if the characters in the book had approached me in real life, I might have run to the opposite direction screaming (goes with being a slight hypochondriac)–but in the safety of them being stuck within the pages of a book, I wanted to hug them.

Having spent time around people who have an elitist view on literature, I’ve read a large number of corruption stories. Most of what are said to be beautiful, awe-inspiring, and life-changing are the ones that bore me. But Trash tackles the story of corruption in a way that you can see the problem, the people affected by it–and still manage to not feel bogged down by the bleakness of it all.

Andy Mulligan, the author, has a great handle on the story that refuses to take out the hope that lives on even in the most hardened, and poverty-stricken, characters. Trash gives us a clear view of the problem, and still gives us the hope we need to soldier on after reading it.

It’s stories like Trash that inspires people to do something. Maybe not a lot, but enough to make a person more charitable than he used to be. More hopeful that a better future might just be around the corner if we work for it.

But, as I always say at the end of my blog posts, these words are just my opinion. Do check out what other people have said about the book as well:
MC Reviews
Wondrous Reads
Iwas a Teenage Book Geek

Trash is already available at National Bookstore for PhP 299; some friends of mine are waiting (and hoping) for the UK print of the book to arrive in our shores. That one has a better book cover. A way better book cover.

Event: Pacific Rims Book Signing

Back in October of 2010, I wrote about Pacific Rims here on my blog. I gushed about it, to be perfectly straight with you. And I felt disappointed (in myself) that I didn’t attend any of the Pacific Rims-related events that Fully Booked and National Bookstore had held during the book’s release. Then again, when said events happened, I didn’t know if I was going to like the book or not. I hadn’t read it yet.

When I found out about National Bookstore’s Book Signing event for the release of Pacific Rims’ paperback copy, I knew I was going. It wasn’t even a question. I knew I was going to make time for it.

So Saturday, May 21, found me at Booksellers in Ortigas, at the book-signing event where author Rafe Bartholomew shared what his next plans are, and how much has changed in his life since the book came out. Spoiler: not much.

Rafe Bartholomew, contrary to his acting stint in Bakekang, is fun to watch live. He conveys his thoughts well—if a bit lengthily. That’s not a criticism, it’s just an observation—by a few people at the event, including me. One attendee, in line to have her book signed, commented that it was great that Rafe was conversing with everyone in line for an autograph—if only he didn’t take 20 minutes to answer each question.

I had my chance to speak with him too. I was planning on telling him how much I enjoyed the book, even though I wasn’t a fan of basketball—and then segue into a couple of questions about his chapter on Philippine show business. But for some reason, my mind went blank. I managed to ask about his acting stint, with a bit of (what I felt was) an accusatory tone. Rafe was nice about it, but I felt like kicking myself. If, by chance, Rafe is reading this: I’m sorry if I sounded snooty. And I really like your book.

The lesson here is: if you’re having problems putting your thoughts to words, not speaking would be the best option.

What’s done is done though, so instead of wallowing, I’ll give a short summary of what was said in the event instead:

First, Rafe Bartholomew is back in the Philippines for a short series of documentaries that will be aired at National Geographic sometime soon. He’ll be in the Philippines until the end of the month, which is sometime next week.

Second, he’s been offered a job as a researcher, with the option of writing, for a sports-centric website. I forgot the website, but I do have it on video, which I will put up as soon as I can. Rafe also mentioned that he’ll continue with his own blog; and that he has sent a proposal to publishers for another book. From what wasn’t said, I think it has nothing to do with basketball, or the Philippines.

I’d still pick it up when it gets released though. Whatever it is.

Third, Rafe got to play with some of the PBA legends when he went back to the United States. And most of the feedback he’s gotten for the book has been positive. Though, he said, there were a lot of questions from people of why he chose to dog Alaska instead of Ginebra.

Honestly, I found it weird when people started asking Rafe about stuff that gets covered in the book. Like the “Why Alaska?” question. That is, until I found out that around half of the attendees haven’t read the book. Oops on my part.

Before I end this post though, I have something for my readers: a free (and autographed) copy of Pacific Rims!

Since I liked the book so much, I thought I’d buy a paperback copy to giveaway. To win the book, all you have to do is comment on this post saying you want the book. Oh, and promise than when you do win it, you’ll give me your mailing details so I can actually send the book to you. That’s pretty much all I’m asking.

So do you want the book?

I will pick a winning comment using a randomizer (or whatever you call it) on the morning of June 12.