Two days ago, I finished reading “A B N K K B S N P L Ko?!” written by Bob Ong. My best friend, Joel, gave me the book before my flight. I intended not to read it during the flight, for I want to give special attention. I would not want the book to serve as a vacuum filler during the boring and stodgy plane flight.
It would seem reasonable to consider the book poignant. I would qualify the adjective poignant, because the book brought back memories of elementary, high school and some college days. As I was reading the text, it evoked memories painful and touching, and it delved on the sacrifices of a teacher. For instance, Ong quoted Henry Adams: “A teacher affects eternity. No one can tell where his influence stops.” Ong conveyed that he became a computer teacher. As a student, he was puzzled about why teachers usually notice a silent chatter. When he became a teacher, he realized that with so many things going on, a teacher would need to focus, and, even minutiae of distraction would make the concentration off- tangent. As mentioned, the book evoked memories of youth (elementary days). For instance, Ong writes: “Isipin mo. Librong manipis. Dilaw ang cover. May litrato ng babaeng nakasalampak sa sahig at may hawak na libro {….} Ang imortal na libro ng Abakada.” It has been a long time since I have heard that book mentioned. Abakada was one of the generic materials for a Filipino reader (beginner). I suppose I have suppressed the memory of such book, and the moment laid my eyes on it, I remember a time in kindergarten when every morning I would try to read each word on the Abakada book.Ong also mentioned about high school reunion. In a gist, he asserted that most people attend high school reunions just to brag how rich they have become, and discretely belittle those who failed. Such claim seems reasonable. Some people like to have some validation of how great they became, hence, high school reunion is a great venue to dignify a fragile ego, which can be represented in Ong's book.
During my stay in the Philippines, I visited my high school: Immaculate Conception School for Boys (ICSB). The building school seemed to be the same. I talked to my 4th year adviser. She told me how many teachers have left the school, and the expansion of ICSB for up to five branches. In my unconscious, I was wondering why these people have to leave. Right then, I felt pangs of nostalgia. I would suppose I do not want change. I would suppose I want my high school to remain the same, so I would feel safe. Safety in terms of the school shall preserve the memories I embrace after I left. That some things would not change, and upon my return, I would be present in the school the way I used to be. I guess I was mistaken. I can infer that Bob Ong might have felt the same pangs of nostalgia when he writes: “Nakabalik ako sa lugar, pero di ko na naibalik ang panahon.” (I was able to return to the place, but I could not turn back time)With all the above assertions, I can say it is reasonable to consider the Ong’s book as poignant.
Photo source: http://www.bobongbooks.com/33.htm
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