What do you think?
Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata
ASWANG KA BA?
NARINIG MO NA BA ANG ALAMAT NG BAKLA?
MAY PAG-ASA PA BA ANG PILIPINAS?
Eleksyon, 2010. Isang baklang impersonator, si Amapola, ang naging manananggal at nakatanggap ng propesiya na siya ang itinakdang magliligtas sa Pilipinas. Ang naghatid ng balita: si Emil, isang pulis na Noranian. Ang pasimuno ng balita: si Sepa, ang lola sa tuhod ni Amapola, na nanggaling pa sa panahon ng Kastila at may unrequited love noon kay Andres Bonifacio.
Ang ikalawang nobela ni Ricky Lee ay isang hati-hating tingin sa buhay at pag-ibig ni Amapola at ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay, at sa buhay at pag-ibig na rin ng mga taong gusto nating pakialaman, dito sa bansang tinatawag nating Pilipinas, sa isang panahonng halos humihingi tayo ng mga kababalaghan. At donuts.
Napaka-imaginative ng Pilipino at di nauubusan ng mga bagong paraan ng pagdurusa.
NARINIG MO NA BA ANG ALAMAT NG BAKLA?
MAY PAG-ASA PA BA ANG PILIPINAS?
Eleksyon, 2010. Isang baklang impersonator, si Amapola, ang naging manananggal at nakatanggap ng propesiya na siya ang itinakdang magliligtas sa Pilipinas. Ang naghatid ng balita: si Emil, isang pulis na Noranian. Ang pasimuno ng balita: si Sepa, ang lola sa tuhod ni Amapola, na nanggaling pa sa panahon ng Kastila at may unrequited love noon kay Andres Bonifacio.
Ang ikalawang nobela ni Ricky Lee ay isang hati-hating tingin sa buhay at pag-ibig ni Amapola at ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay, at sa buhay at pag-ibig na rin ng mga taong gusto nating pakialaman, dito sa bansang tinatawag nating Pilipinas, sa isang panahonng halos humihingi tayo ng mga kababalaghan. At donuts.
Napaka-imaginative ng Pilipino at di nauubusan ng mga bagong paraan ng pagdurusa.
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
About the author
Ricky Lee
48 books754 followersFilipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
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November 30, 2012
This is my 1st time writing a review. Haha! Forgive me! :))
I don't really like reading Tagalog novels kasi wala lang. Ayoko lang talaga.
Pero nagbago lahat yun ever since nabasa ko ang unang novel ni Ricky Lee na 'Para Kay B'
You see, whenever you're going to read Ricky's work kailangan malawak ang pag-unawa mo dahil behind all those stories ay laging may pinapahayag na mas malalim na bagay si Ricky Lee. Hah! Feeling ko ang tanda and ang mature ko na mag-isip whenever I'm reading his works where in fact 17 y/o pa lang ako at sabi ng iba ay wala pa masyadong alam sa mundo.
I asked my 21y/o classmate to read this and her reaction? Well, di niya lang naman naintindihan Kung about saan ang kuwento. Hahaha! :))
For me, this novel tackles about the system of Government here in the Philippines. Si Amapola, iba pang MANANANGGAL at mga Noranians ay nagsisimbolo bilang ibang mga Tao na patuloy na lumalaban para sa ATING bansa hanggang ngayon. Yung bagong prediction ni Lola Sepa tungkol sa bagong magliligtas sa Pilipinas na anak nila Homer at ng iba pa?? Yun ay walang iba kundi ang mga kabataan sa ating panahon!! Yung pagkamatay ng napakaraming tagapagligtas?? Hindi nga ba yun naman talaga ang nangyayari sa panahon natin ngayon? Kung sino ang may magandang hangarin ay sila tong napagkakamalan na masama dahil marami sa atin ang nabubulag pagdating sa konsepto ng kapangyarihan na yan! At huli sa lahat, yung pananatiling buhay ng ibang Noranians at MANANANGGAL, ibig sabihin nun ay may mga Tao pa ding nabubuhay na handang ipaglaban ang bansa ang kailangan lang gawin ng mga kabataan ay lapitan sila at magtulungan.
Feeling ko ang tanda ko na. Ano ba yaaaan! Hahaha :)))) yun lang. Nagustuhan ko talaga tong nobela na to. Sana ay mas marami pang kabataan kagaya ko ang makabasa nito at lubusang maintindihan Kung ano nga ba ang tunay na kuwento sa kuwento na Ito. :)))))
I don't really like reading Tagalog novels kasi wala lang. Ayoko lang talaga.
Pero nagbago lahat yun ever since nabasa ko ang unang novel ni Ricky Lee na 'Para Kay B'
You see, whenever you're going to read Ricky's work kailangan malawak ang pag-unawa mo dahil behind all those stories ay laging may pinapahayag na mas malalim na bagay si Ricky Lee. Hah! Feeling ko ang tanda and ang mature ko na mag-isip whenever I'm reading his works where in fact 17 y/o pa lang ako at sabi ng iba ay wala pa masyadong alam sa mundo.
I asked my 21y/o classmate to read this and her reaction? Well, di niya lang naman naintindihan Kung about saan ang kuwento. Hahaha! :))
For me, this novel tackles about the system of Government here in the Philippines. Si Amapola, iba pang MANANANGGAL at mga Noranians ay nagsisimbolo bilang ibang mga Tao na patuloy na lumalaban para sa ATING bansa hanggang ngayon. Yung bagong prediction ni Lola Sepa tungkol sa bagong magliligtas sa Pilipinas na anak nila Homer at ng iba pa?? Yun ay walang iba kundi ang mga kabataan sa ating panahon!! Yung pagkamatay ng napakaraming tagapagligtas?? Hindi nga ba yun naman talaga ang nangyayari sa panahon natin ngayon? Kung sino ang may magandang hangarin ay sila tong napagkakamalan na masama dahil marami sa atin ang nabubulag pagdating sa konsepto ng kapangyarihan na yan! At huli sa lahat, yung pananatiling buhay ng ibang Noranians at MANANANGGAL, ibig sabihin nun ay may mga Tao pa ding nabubuhay na handang ipaglaban ang bansa ang kailangan lang gawin ng mga kabataan ay lapitan sila at magtulungan.
Feeling ko ang tanda ko na. Ano ba yaaaan! Hahaha :)))) yun lang. Nagustuhan ko talaga tong nobela na to. Sana ay mas marami pang kabataan kagaya ko ang makabasa nito at lubusang maintindihan Kung ano nga ba ang tunay na kuwento sa kuwento na Ito. :)))))
December 9, 2011
To my foreigner friends:
The author of this book is Ricky Lee, a popular screenwriter of local Tagalog movies here in the Philippines. I read a couple of his previous works and found one to be great while the other to be just okay. What I mean is that I never disliked any of his previous works. His stories made for silver screen were all nice or quite unforgettable at least those that I can still recall even if I saw the movie when I was a younger man. I also read his scriptwriting manual Trip to Quiapo and his first novel Para Kay B. I liked the first but found the second one wanting but still okay. Although most of his stories for films had gay characters, those characters were in supporting or even bit roles. There were also references to gays in those two books but they were secondary and not their main selling point.
In this book, however, Amapola is the MAIN and the only selling point of the story. Everything revolves around her and her two other personas. She is a gay stage performer and she has other human personalities and both of them are straights. Aside from that anomaly, she is also a manananggal. A manananggal is a Filipino horror mythic folklore creature that is similar to a vampire but more gruesome, hideous and weird. It is normally a woman who has to split her body into two: upper and lower. When the creature wants to kill and eat the heart or sip the blood of a human being (preferably a pregnant woman), she has to fly only with her upper torso leaving her lower part (waist down) on the ground while hunting for her prey. During this exercise, she has to change from her normal human being look to as ugly and scary as possible.
While reading, I had that feeling that Lee made use of his brain to come up with an entertaining and believable, despite the story of mananggal being just a myth in the first place, storyline. He also made use of his heart as some of the back stories are poignant and sad like the story of Amapola and her sister when they were young orphans. He also made use of his artistic flair, honed by almost a lifelong career of writing for screen and TV drama series, in coming up with funny situations and colorful characters that celebrate the gay pride that is already acceptable in the Philippine society particularly in its local show business industry.
The only thing that failed me to like this is that I, a straight man, don’t find humor in being gay. I understand that female readers can find this book extremely funny because here, gay man Amapola makes a fool of himself. Amapola is beautiful and Lee even describes him at the start of the novel as someone more beautiful than Britney Spears. You see, I just formed this theory: because some gays are more beautiful (in and out) compared to real women, when they make fool of themselves, the real women celebrate. Reason: they lose some of their competitors. No wonder, more and more women like this book. And most readers are women or feel like women.
To my Filipino friends
Ipagpaumanhin na. Hindi ko na naman nagustuhan ito. Pinilit kong magustuhan dahil talaga namang fan ako ni Ricky Lee mula sa kanyang mga obra like Himala, Kapit sa Patalim, Salome, Moral, Relasyon, Brutal, City After Dark, Alias Baby China, Fuschia, Nasaan Ka Man, Aishite Imasu, Tatarin, Minsan Minahal Kita, Jose Rizal, Curacha, Calvento Files, Ipaglaban Mo, Lahar, Madrasta, The Flor Contemplacion Story, Separada, atbp. hanggang sa Sa ‘Yo Lamang. I mean having written 140 stories that were used for movies and TV drama or drama series, sino pa sa atin ang di nakakapanood ng likha ni Ricky Lee? Unless talaga na nasa vacuum ka at di ka sumisilip ng TV drama kahit mga lumang mga pelikula sa Cinema One, at some point in your life, siguradong nakapanood ka na ng likha ni Ricky Lee. O di mo lang alam na ang pinapanood mo ay either sinulat ni Ricky Lee o si Ricky Lee ay isang creative consultant ng pelikula, istorya or teleseryeng nagustuhan mo.
Alam ko na na ang hangarin ng librong ito ay magpatawa. Loosen up, ika nga nila. Kaso, siguro kababasa ko lang ng Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin ni Bob Ong noong basahin ko ito. Actually, back-to-back sila. Kaya di ko maiwasan na mag-kumpara. Kung tawa ako ng tawa kay Bob Ong, inip na inip ako rito kay Ricky Lee. Natapos ko ng isang araw ang Bob Ong. Ito, inabot ng isang linggo. Eh ano kung may tatlong persona si Amapola? Eh ano kung nakakapag-split sya ng triple? Eh ano kung may Lola Sepa sya na nag-train sa kanya kung paano maging mabuting manananggal? Una-una di naman ako naniniwala sa manananggal at pangalawa ang mga bakla ay di pinagtatawanan dahil sila ay kagaya rin ng kahit sino sa atin na normal. Mahal lang nga nila ang kapwa nila lalaki pero bukod doon ay wala nang ibang dapat pang i-highlight na kaibahan nila.
Bilang ladlad na bakla, hinahanggaan ko naman si Ricky Lee. Masaya nga para sa akin ang tao na nakukuhang magpatawa at his own expense. Di na kailangan pang gumamit ng iba upang makapagtawa ng mga kaibigan nya. Di rin kailangang magkunwari. In fact, sa paglalahad ng buhay ng isang bakla, lalo na sa paraan ng pagpapatawa, mukhang ipinararating ni Lee na ang mga bakla ay mga interesanteng tao rin na masarap makasalamuha o maging kaibigan. Ang di ko lang makuha ay kung bakit pa kailangang gawing manananggal si Amapola ganoong ang bakla na mismo ay isa ng makabuluhang paksa. Dahil ba uso ang Twilight? Kung makikiuso rin lang, bakit di na lang isang magandang bakla na nambibiktima ng mga guwapong bagets na mai-inlab sa kanya? Sa paglalagay ng supernatural or mythological gruesome creature sa istorya, para tuloy nagiging paurong ang imahen na kailangang kailangan ng mga bakla upang sila ay seryosohin ng lipunan.
Overall, maganda naman ang pagkakakuwento. Pero di ko lang talaga nagustuhan ang mismong kuwento.
The author of this book is Ricky Lee, a popular screenwriter of local Tagalog movies here in the Philippines. I read a couple of his previous works and found one to be great while the other to be just okay. What I mean is that I never disliked any of his previous works. His stories made for silver screen were all nice or quite unforgettable at least those that I can still recall even if I saw the movie when I was a younger man. I also read his scriptwriting manual Trip to Quiapo and his first novel Para Kay B. I liked the first but found the second one wanting but still okay. Although most of his stories for films had gay characters, those characters were in supporting or even bit roles. There were also references to gays in those two books but they were secondary and not their main selling point.
In this book, however, Amapola is the MAIN and the only selling point of the story. Everything revolves around her and her two other personas. She is a gay stage performer and she has other human personalities and both of them are straights. Aside from that anomaly, she is also a manananggal. A manananggal is a Filipino horror mythic folklore creature that is similar to a vampire but more gruesome, hideous and weird. It is normally a woman who has to split her body into two: upper and lower. When the creature wants to kill and eat the heart or sip the blood of a human being (preferably a pregnant woman), she has to fly only with her upper torso leaving her lower part (waist down) on the ground while hunting for her prey. During this exercise, she has to change from her normal human being look to as ugly and scary as possible.
While reading, I had that feeling that Lee made use of his brain to come up with an entertaining and believable, despite the story of mananggal being just a myth in the first place, storyline. He also made use of his heart as some of the back stories are poignant and sad like the story of Amapola and her sister when they were young orphans. He also made use of his artistic flair, honed by almost a lifelong career of writing for screen and TV drama series, in coming up with funny situations and colorful characters that celebrate the gay pride that is already acceptable in the Philippine society particularly in its local show business industry.
The only thing that failed me to like this is that I, a straight man, don’t find humor in being gay. I understand that female readers can find this book extremely funny because here, gay man Amapola makes a fool of himself. Amapola is beautiful and Lee even describes him at the start of the novel as someone more beautiful than Britney Spears. You see, I just formed this theory: because some gays are more beautiful (in and out) compared to real women, when they make fool of themselves, the real women celebrate. Reason: they lose some of their competitors. No wonder, more and more women like this book. And most readers are women or feel like women.
To my Filipino friends
Ipagpaumanhin na. Hindi ko na naman nagustuhan ito. Pinilit kong magustuhan dahil talaga namang fan ako ni Ricky Lee mula sa kanyang mga obra like Himala, Kapit sa Patalim, Salome, Moral, Relasyon, Brutal, City After Dark, Alias Baby China, Fuschia, Nasaan Ka Man, Aishite Imasu, Tatarin, Minsan Minahal Kita, Jose Rizal, Curacha, Calvento Files, Ipaglaban Mo, Lahar, Madrasta, The Flor Contemplacion Story, Separada, atbp. hanggang sa Sa ‘Yo Lamang. I mean having written 140 stories that were used for movies and TV drama or drama series, sino pa sa atin ang di nakakapanood ng likha ni Ricky Lee? Unless talaga na nasa vacuum ka at di ka sumisilip ng TV drama kahit mga lumang mga pelikula sa Cinema One, at some point in your life, siguradong nakapanood ka na ng likha ni Ricky Lee. O di mo lang alam na ang pinapanood mo ay either sinulat ni Ricky Lee o si Ricky Lee ay isang creative consultant ng pelikula, istorya or teleseryeng nagustuhan mo.
Alam ko na na ang hangarin ng librong ito ay magpatawa. Loosen up, ika nga nila. Kaso, siguro kababasa ko lang ng Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin ni Bob Ong noong basahin ko ito. Actually, back-to-back sila. Kaya di ko maiwasan na mag-kumpara. Kung tawa ako ng tawa kay Bob Ong, inip na inip ako rito kay Ricky Lee. Natapos ko ng isang araw ang Bob Ong. Ito, inabot ng isang linggo. Eh ano kung may tatlong persona si Amapola? Eh ano kung nakakapag-split sya ng triple? Eh ano kung may Lola Sepa sya na nag-train sa kanya kung paano maging mabuting manananggal? Una-una di naman ako naniniwala sa manananggal at pangalawa ang mga bakla ay di pinagtatawanan dahil sila ay kagaya rin ng kahit sino sa atin na normal. Mahal lang nga nila ang kapwa nila lalaki pero bukod doon ay wala nang ibang dapat pang i-highlight na kaibahan nila.
Bilang ladlad na bakla, hinahanggaan ko naman si Ricky Lee. Masaya nga para sa akin ang tao na nakukuhang magpatawa at his own expense. Di na kailangan pang gumamit ng iba upang makapagtawa ng mga kaibigan nya. Di rin kailangang magkunwari. In fact, sa paglalahad ng buhay ng isang bakla, lalo na sa paraan ng pagpapatawa, mukhang ipinararating ni Lee na ang mga bakla ay mga interesanteng tao rin na masarap makasalamuha o maging kaibigan. Ang di ko lang makuha ay kung bakit pa kailangang gawing manananggal si Amapola ganoong ang bakla na mismo ay isa ng makabuluhang paksa. Dahil ba uso ang Twilight? Kung makikiuso rin lang, bakit di na lang isang magandang bakla na nambibiktima ng mga guwapong bagets na mai-inlab sa kanya? Sa paglalagay ng supernatural or mythological gruesome creature sa istorya, para tuloy nagiging paurong ang imahen na kailangang kailangan ng mga bakla upang sila ay seryosohin ng lipunan.
Overall, maganda naman ang pagkakakuwento. Pero di ko lang talaga nagustuhan ang mismong kuwento.
November 29, 2011
Sabihin na lang nating 3.5 ang tunay na rating.
(May kaunting spoilers)
Sa totoo lang, wala pa akong napapanood na pelikula sa panulat ni Maestro Ricky Lee. (Whaaaatttt????) Dahil siguro dito ay mas obhetibo ang aking pagbasa at paghusga sa kaniyang mga pampanitikang akda. (Naks!)
Una kong nabasa ang Para Kay B (O kung paano dinevastate ng love ang 4 out of 5 sa atin). Marami akong nagustuhan sa nobelang iyon bagamat mas nagbabasa ako ng mga akdang nakasulat sa Ingles. Mabigat, malaman, kumplikado, madamdamin, pulitikal. Iyan ay ilan lamang sa mga salitang maaaring gamitin para ilarawan ang Para Kay B. Hindi ko na nga naaalala ang bawat tagpo, ang bawat kwento, ngunit naaalala ko ang aking nararamdaman sa bawat pahina.
Ang Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata ay naiibang nobela dahil sa masasabing mas "normal" ang porma ng nobela (hindi ko alam ang terms sa Filipino ng mga kritikal na rebyu ng panitikan). May tuwirang paglalahad, pagbabalik-tanaw, pagpapalit ng punto-de-bista. Mas madaling basahin kumbaga, at dahil diyan, mas madaling i-enjoy.
Natatangi ang pangunahing tauhan na si Amapola bilang siya ay isang baklang impersonator na may multiple personality disorder o iba-ibang katauhan. Sa detalyeng ito pa lang ay marami nang pwedeng gawing pagpapakahulugan. Kung ikaw ba ay nag-iimpersonate, hindi mo ba maituturing na isa sa mga katauhan mo ang mga iniimpersonate mo? Ano ang implikasyon ng pagiging hati sa kasarian?
Speaking of hati, si Amapola din ay isang aswang. Hati siya literally. Bakit aswang na baklang impersonator na may multiple personalities? Grabe ang pagkakahati-hati ni Amapola! At yan ang kabuuan ng hati-hating bida na sa maraming lebel ay nangangailangan ng pagtanggap sa lipunan.
Iba-iba ang mararamdaman habang binabasa ang nobela. Suspense para sa mga adbentyur ni Amapola. Pagkainis sa mga pangyayari. Pagkabigla sa mala-telenobelang pasabog. Pagkalungkot para sa mga ibang tauhan, sa kanilang kanya-kanyang kwento. Katatawanan sa mga makukulit at LOL na mga pangyayari. Marami.
Isa sa mga pangunahing Aaaww moments ay ang pagkukwento sa Alamat ng Bakla. Hindi ko na idedetalye dito. Basta sa dulo ay mapapa-Aawww ka. Kung hindi ka homophobic.
May mga pasintabi rin sa mga pulitikal na personalidad, na bagamat di pinangalanan ay makikilala pa rin ng mambabasa. Kakatuwa rin ang timing ng pag-launch ng nobela sa pagdiriwang ng kapanganakan ni Andres Bonifacio dahil masasariwa ng mambabasa ang kwento ng ating kasaysayan, lalo ng kay Bonifacio... sa naiibang punto de bista at paraan.
Gayunpaman, ramdam ko rin ang kahabaan ng nobela. Madaming kaganapan, rebelasyon at pagbabago. madaming idinetalye at binigyang puwang na diskurso. Bawat tauhan ay may sariling back story, nabigyan ng mukha, ng pagkakataon na makahingi ng simpatiya. Kaya enjoy pa rin naman.
Isipin mo man na isang alegorya ang nobela o isang mas mahabang Zsa Zsa Zaturnah, bahala ka na. Para sa akin, isa pa rin itong tagumpay para kay Ricky Lee.
Sige na nga, 4 stars talaga!
(May kaunting spoilers)
Sa totoo lang, wala pa akong napapanood na pelikula sa panulat ni Maestro Ricky Lee. (Whaaaatttt????) Dahil siguro dito ay mas obhetibo ang aking pagbasa at paghusga sa kaniyang mga pampanitikang akda. (Naks!)
Una kong nabasa ang Para Kay B (O kung paano dinevastate ng love ang 4 out of 5 sa atin). Marami akong nagustuhan sa nobelang iyon bagamat mas nagbabasa ako ng mga akdang nakasulat sa Ingles. Mabigat, malaman, kumplikado, madamdamin, pulitikal. Iyan ay ilan lamang sa mga salitang maaaring gamitin para ilarawan ang Para Kay B. Hindi ko na nga naaalala ang bawat tagpo, ang bawat kwento, ngunit naaalala ko ang aking nararamdaman sa bawat pahina.
Ang Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata ay naiibang nobela dahil sa masasabing mas "normal" ang porma ng nobela (hindi ko alam ang terms sa Filipino ng mga kritikal na rebyu ng panitikan). May tuwirang paglalahad, pagbabalik-tanaw, pagpapalit ng punto-de-bista. Mas madaling basahin kumbaga, at dahil diyan, mas madaling i-enjoy.
Natatangi ang pangunahing tauhan na si Amapola bilang siya ay isang baklang impersonator na may multiple personality disorder o iba-ibang katauhan. Sa detalyeng ito pa lang ay marami nang pwedeng gawing pagpapakahulugan. Kung ikaw ba ay nag-iimpersonate, hindi mo ba maituturing na isa sa mga katauhan mo ang mga iniimpersonate mo? Ano ang implikasyon ng pagiging hati sa kasarian?
Speaking of hati, si Amapola din ay isang aswang. Hati siya literally. Bakit aswang na baklang impersonator na may multiple personalities? Grabe ang pagkakahati-hati ni Amapola! At yan ang kabuuan ng hati-hating bida na sa maraming lebel ay nangangailangan ng pagtanggap sa lipunan.
Iba-iba ang mararamdaman habang binabasa ang nobela. Suspense para sa mga adbentyur ni Amapola. Pagkainis sa mga pangyayari. Pagkabigla sa mala-telenobelang pasabog. Pagkalungkot para sa mga ibang tauhan, sa kanilang kanya-kanyang kwento. Katatawanan sa mga makukulit at LOL na mga pangyayari. Marami.
Isa sa mga pangunahing Aaaww moments ay ang pagkukwento sa Alamat ng Bakla. Hindi ko na idedetalye dito. Basta sa dulo ay mapapa-Aawww ka. Kung hindi ka homophobic.
May mga pasintabi rin sa mga pulitikal na personalidad, na bagamat di pinangalanan ay makikilala pa rin ng mambabasa. Kakatuwa rin ang timing ng pag-launch ng nobela sa pagdiriwang ng kapanganakan ni Andres Bonifacio dahil masasariwa ng mambabasa ang kwento ng ating kasaysayan, lalo ng kay Bonifacio... sa naiibang punto de bista at paraan.
Gayunpaman, ramdam ko rin ang kahabaan ng nobela. Madaming kaganapan, rebelasyon at pagbabago. madaming idinetalye at binigyang puwang na diskurso. Bawat tauhan ay may sariling back story, nabigyan ng mukha, ng pagkakataon na makahingi ng simpatiya. Kaya enjoy pa rin naman.
Isipin mo man na isang alegorya ang nobela o isang mas mahabang Zsa Zsa Zaturnah, bahala ka na. Para sa akin, isa pa rin itong tagumpay para kay Ricky Lee.
Sige na nga, 4 stars talaga!
April 3, 2025
Sadly this just wasn't a well written book... the characters and situations got introduced as if on a whim. Honestly got the impression that this was written without an outline whatsoever...
do not get me started on the MC like so many attributes are stuffed in that you kinda won't develop any sort of care for their plight... the story itself was all over the place.
I really wanted to LOVE this book but alas it gave nothing back. Ricky Lee is still a literal legend though
do not get me started on the MC like so many attributes are stuffed in that you kinda won't develop any sort of care for their plight... the story itself was all over the place.
I really wanted to LOVE this book but alas it gave nothing back. Ricky Lee is still a literal legend though
August 6, 2026
Si Amapola sa 65 Kabanata by Ricky Lee was a book I went into with high expectations, especially after enjoying his other works so much. Unfortunately, this one just was not for me. I never really connected with the story, probably because I could not fully relate to it. There were also a lot of punchlines throughout the book. Some landed well, while others did not, and I personally felt the story was a bit too long.
That said, I still would not call it a bad book. Ricky Lee's writing is still undeniably good, and I can see why many readers would appreciate it. The short chapters definitely made it easier to get through. Overall, this simply was not my cup of tea, but I still respect what the book was trying to do. 3 out of 5 stars.
That said, I still would not call it a bad book. Ricky Lee's writing is still undeniably good, and I can see why many readers would appreciate it. The short chapters definitely made it easier to get through. Overall, this simply was not my cup of tea, but I still respect what the book was trying to do. 3 out of 5 stars.
November 30, 2011
May mga pagkakataong nakakatulugan ko ang pagbabasa sa librong ito. May mga pagkakataong hindi ako makahabol sa kwento. May mga pagkakataong may mga eksenang para sa akin ay pwede namang wala. Ganyan ko natapos ang pagbabasa sa librong ito.
Masyadong marami ang tauhan para sa akin. Ako kasi yung tipo ng mambabasa na nagugulumihanan pag marami na ang sangkot sa kwento idadagdag mo pa ang pahirap sa pagbibigkas ng mga pangalan at salita. Marami ring eksena sa kwento ang parang pilit na lang pinagdudugtong dugtong.
Natapos ko ang libro na may pag-aalinlangan sa kung tama ba ang pagkakaintindi ko. May mga puntong hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig ipahiwatig ng mga salita sa bawat isa. Isa pa, hanggang ngayon hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig sabihin kung bakit mananananggal ang bida, kung meron man iyong kahulugan.
Ang ilan lamang sa mga nagamay ko sa kwento ay yung mga parteng may pasaring sa kasalukuyang lipunan. Mga pinagdadaan at paghihirap ng bansa sa mga lider nito, na para akin, na silang manananggal. Pero salungat sa kwento, ang manananggal dito ay isang tagapagligtas.
Siguro ang punto de vista, totoo walang propesiya. Walang itinakda. Walang manananggal na magliligtas sa sambayanan. Tayo mismo, sa sarili natin, ang magliligtas sa bansa.
Masyadong marami ang tauhan para sa akin. Ako kasi yung tipo ng mambabasa na nagugulumihanan pag marami na ang sangkot sa kwento idadagdag mo pa ang pahirap sa pagbibigkas ng mga pangalan at salita. Marami ring eksena sa kwento ang parang pilit na lang pinagdudugtong dugtong.
Natapos ko ang libro na may pag-aalinlangan sa kung tama ba ang pagkakaintindi ko. May mga puntong hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig ipahiwatig ng mga salita sa bawat isa. Isa pa, hanggang ngayon hindi ko maintindihan ang ibig sabihin kung bakit mananananggal ang bida, kung meron man iyong kahulugan.
Ang ilan lamang sa mga nagamay ko sa kwento ay yung mga parteng may pasaring sa kasalukuyang lipunan. Mga pinagdadaan at paghihirap ng bansa sa mga lider nito, na para akin, na silang manananggal. Pero salungat sa kwento, ang manananggal dito ay isang tagapagligtas.
Siguro ang punto de vista, totoo walang propesiya. Walang itinakda. Walang manananggal na magliligtas sa sambayanan. Tayo mismo, sa sarili natin, ang magliligtas sa bansa.
November 14, 2012
Ang gusto lang sabihin nung libro eh kung hindi magtitino ang mga Pilipino, eh kahit pa isang daang Itinakda ang dumating eh sureballs na walang pag-asa ang Pilipinas. Sinisimbolize lang nun ang mga Pilipinong may hati-hating pagkatao na minsan eh nagiging Amerikano, Hapon o Intsik tulad ni Amapola. Pero tulad nga ng ginawang pagpatay kina Isaac at Zaldy, kahit masakit at ayaw nating pakawalan ang pagiging "Americanized" natin eh kailangan kasi sila ang pumipigil satin para maging epektibong mamamayan. Sinisimbolo ni Amapola ang mga Pilipinong hati ang pagkatao, si Emil na isang Noranian naman ay sumisimbolo sa mga Pilipinong gustong gumawa ng pagbabago pero walang magawa para sabayan kaya't umaasa na lang sa iba. Hindi ko alam kung may kabuluhan ang analysis ko sa librong ito pero ang alam kong totoo ay ipinaparating sa atin nito na kailangang sa sarili natin mag-simula ang pag-babago. Kailangan tangalin natin ang pagiging hati.
Mas maganda parin para sa akin ang Para Kay B (Sorry sa pagccompre) pero mulia kong napa-ibig ni Ricky Lee sa kanyang mga likha.
PS
Kahit na nakakatawa at kwela ang librong to, bilang isang satire, pakiramdam ko ay hindi nito purpose ang magpatawa kundi magpaalam.
Mas maganda parin para sa akin ang Para Kay B (Sorry sa pagccompre) pero mulia kong napa-ibig ni Ricky Lee sa kanyang mga likha.
PS
Kahit na nakakatawa at kwela ang librong to, bilang isang satire, pakiramdam ko ay hindi nito purpose ang magpatawa kundi magpaalam.
January 26, 2014
The only reason I gave it a star is because the last chapter got me turning pages and Isaac's story was the only one that kept me interested—but other than that, it was a major clutter fest! 3/4 of the time I didn't know what the book was about.
When I read a book, I try and look for the reality in it even if it's in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, there's always that element. But with this one, I couldn't find it! There was too much fantasy and the only element that kept it grounded and believable was Isaac's story—and he got rid of his character so quickly—what a shame!
Character development was an epic failure too, considering that the book is almost 400 pages long.
I tried to appreciate the novel but the more I read it, the more I hated it!
It seemed like Lee had all this ideas and decided to put it in one novel and entitle it Amapola. Ricky Lee should just stick to writing screen plays.
When I read a book, I try and look for the reality in it even if it's in the sci-fi/fantasy genre, there's always that element. But with this one, I couldn't find it! There was too much fantasy and the only element that kept it grounded and believable was Isaac's story—and he got rid of his character so quickly—what a shame!
Character development was an epic failure too, considering that the book is almost 400 pages long.
I tried to appreciate the novel but the more I read it, the more I hated it!
It seemed like Lee had all this ideas and decided to put it in one novel and entitle it Amapola. Ricky Lee should just stick to writing screen plays.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2012
This is very surreal and fun! Very interesting to read and it exceeded my expectations. Great job. Characters you will never forget for sure and the plot and story is simply amazing!
May 1, 2020
When I bought this book, maybe 3 years ago, I don't have even the faintest idea of what this is about. It is just one of the books we are ought to tackle for my 21st Century Literature class. I have attempted to read this book several times for the past 3 years, but the farthest I was able to get through was only 50 or so pages. Fortunately, my attempt just a few days ago let me go through the end and actually enjoy the story.
Ricky Lee's Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata is a humorous yet striking literary piece. Albeit, this is not for everyone - not for those who solely seek fun - but for those who have an open mind to see the reflection of the Philippine society told in a fictional way. It hits a lot of sensitive topics some chooses to steer clear of, like from how every elected president will become anti-poor and anti-Filipino, normalizing Aswang - which I see as a symbol of every exploited and minority sectors (e.g. LGBTQIA+ community, activists, etc.), homosexuality, activism and resistance of the Filipino against a fascist government, and a lot more.
Your understanding and appreciation of the story will surely reflect from your taste, preferred genre, open-mindedness, and maturity as a reader. Rest assured, you will learn something from it. You can try to read the book, make an effort to study the history of Philippine Society and Revolution, and read the book again. You might want to compare the level of your understanding and appreciation between the 2 attempts.
Ricky Lee's Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata is a humorous yet striking literary piece. Albeit, this is not for everyone - not for those who solely seek fun - but for those who have an open mind to see the reflection of the Philippine society told in a fictional way. It hits a lot of sensitive topics some chooses to steer clear of, like from how every elected president will become anti-poor and anti-Filipino, normalizing Aswang - which I see as a symbol of every exploited and minority sectors (e.g. LGBTQIA+ community, activists, etc.), homosexuality, activism and resistance of the Filipino against a fascist government, and a lot more.
Your understanding and appreciation of the story will surely reflect from your taste, preferred genre, open-mindedness, and maturity as a reader. Rest assured, you will learn something from it. You can try to read the book, make an effort to study the history of Philippine Society and Revolution, and read the book again. You might want to compare the level of your understanding and appreciation between the 2 attempts.
December 17, 2012
Dahil walang pagibig, mga punyeta kayong pelikula at TV at mga nagbebenta ng ang mamahal na bulaklak kapag Valentine's Day! Sino ba yang si St. Valentine? At anong kuwenta ng bracelet? Hindi totoong laging nananalo ang pagibig! Ang pagibig ay para lang sa mga walang self esteem at ang tingin sa sarili ay hindi kumpleto kung wala ang minamahal!
Nangyari na ba sa inyo ang gano'n? 'Yong moment sa pelikula at sa TV na ang bidang lalaki at ang bidang babae ay coincidence na pinagtagpo uli ng tadhana, ang mga tao sa palibot ay pigil ang paghinga at maski ang langit ay diabetic sa tamis ang pagkakangiti, tumutugtog ang mga biyulin at sabay sa pagtingin ang bidang lalaki sa bidang babae, na suot-suot pa rin ang bracelet na regalo niya dito ay mari-realize niya na ikaw, ikaw ang nagiwan ng twenty kiyaw sa sala! Saka slow motion na nagsisising tatakbo siya papunta sa babae para mag-sorry?
Well, hindi iyon ang nangyari! Na-imagine ko lang.
winner ilang beses ko siang binasa til now tawa pa din ako ng tawa!
Nangyari na ba sa inyo ang gano'n? 'Yong moment sa pelikula at sa TV na ang bidang lalaki at ang bidang babae ay coincidence na pinagtagpo uli ng tadhana, ang mga tao sa palibot ay pigil ang paghinga at maski ang langit ay diabetic sa tamis ang pagkakangiti, tumutugtog ang mga biyulin at sabay sa pagtingin ang bidang lalaki sa bidang babae, na suot-suot pa rin ang bracelet na regalo niya dito ay mari-realize niya na ikaw, ikaw ang nagiwan ng twenty kiyaw sa sala! Saka slow motion na nagsisising tatakbo siya papunta sa babae para mag-sorry?
Well, hindi iyon ang nangyari! Na-imagine ko lang.
winner ilang beses ko siang binasa til now tawa pa din ako ng tawa!
July 5, 2020
shuta natapos ko na rin sa wakas
naeenjoy ko pa siya nung una. nakakatawa at nakakatuwa yung writing ni ricky lee, at kuntento lang akong sundan si amapola sa mga adventures niya. kaso sa bandang gitna, pagulo na nang pagulo yung kwento. itong librong 'to, para siyang limang magkakaibang kwento na pilit pinagtagpi-tagpi para gumawa ng isang kwento. nakakalito basahin, lalo na't sobrang dalas magpalit ng POV, 'di lang sa pagitan ng iba-ibang karakter kundi sa pagitan din ng first person, third person, at maging second person.
ewan naguluhan lang talaga ako. tingin ko masyadong ambitious 'tong libro. sa bandang dulo rin sobrang urat na urat na ako basahin, binabasa ko na lang para matapos na :( masyadong madaming nangyari, literal na nakakawindang, tas yung ending ganon lang???? nakakaloka.
gusto ko yung attempts sa sociopolitical commentary, kaso 'di masyadong na-flesh out. problematic din ang gender politics ng libro.
hay. ricky lee this aint it T___T sayang kasi gustong gusto ko pa naman yung iba niyang mga libro. oh well.
naeenjoy ko pa siya nung una. nakakatawa at nakakatuwa yung writing ni ricky lee, at kuntento lang akong sundan si amapola sa mga adventures niya. kaso sa bandang gitna, pagulo na nang pagulo yung kwento. itong librong 'to, para siyang limang magkakaibang kwento na pilit pinagtagpi-tagpi para gumawa ng isang kwento. nakakalito basahin, lalo na't sobrang dalas magpalit ng POV, 'di lang sa pagitan ng iba-ibang karakter kundi sa pagitan din ng first person, third person, at maging second person.
ewan naguluhan lang talaga ako. tingin ko masyadong ambitious 'tong libro. sa bandang dulo rin sobrang urat na urat na ako basahin, binabasa ko na lang para matapos na :( masyadong madaming nangyari, literal na nakakawindang, tas yung ending ganon lang???? nakakaloka.
gusto ko yung attempts sa sociopolitical commentary, kaso 'di masyadong na-flesh out. problematic din ang gender politics ng libro.
hay. ricky lee this aint it T___T sayang kasi gustong gusto ko pa naman yung iba niyang mga libro. oh well.
September 4, 2014
Maliligtas ba ng manananggal ang isang bansang tila wala ng pag-asa? Una sa lahat, may naniniwala pa ba sa mga manananggal sa makabagong panahon? Eh 'di ba kakaunti na lang ang naniniwala sa kanila't binabansagan pa silang nasisiraan ng bait? 'Yan ang paghahalintulad na nabuo ko matapos kong mabasa ang akdang ito ni Ricky Lee. Si Amapola (manananggal) ay sumisimbolo sa pagbabago. Pagbabago na tila imposibleng paniwalaan sa gitna ng isang bansang hirap kumawala sa bulok na sistema. Pero kung maniniwala ka kay Amapola, may mangyayari. May magbabago kahit paunti-unti lang. Bansagan ka man nilang baliw, ang mahalaga'y may pinaniniwalaan ka hindi tulad ng ibang nasasanay at nagpapabihag na lang sa nakakasukang sistema na hadlang sa kaunlaran. Mahirap kalabanin ang bulok na sistema dahil parte tayo nito. Pero anong masama kung maniniwala kang kaya nating baguhin ito? Tara. Hatiin ang katawan. Sabay lipad. Para sa bayan.
December 2, 2011
I was thinking, should I just accept the story as it is, or should I interpret this story as something that reflects the society? I felt that there were a lot of unimportant scenes and It really took me some time to finish this.
July 27, 2023
Hanggang ngayon may mga bagay pa din akong iniisip king ang ibang eksena ay palaisipan at may malalim na kahulugan ngunit hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin ma iconnect ang aking mga nabasa ko.
Isa sa magandang natalakay sa librong ito ang usaping Politika, ang paghulma ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino sa nakaraan.
Medyo naumay siguro din ako sa pag highlight kay Nora Aunor at sa karakter sa libro na avid fan nya. Dinomina ng Noranian ang librong ito sa aking palagay. May mga pagkakataong natatawa ako sa mga jokes ngunit karamihan sa kanila ay hindi lumalanding ng tama at corny ang datingan sa akin.
I hate to say this but I guess this time, I wasnt able to like Sir Ricky Lee's writing on this novel. 🥺🥺
Rating this as 3.0 star
Isa sa magandang natalakay sa librong ito ang usaping Politika, ang paghulma ng mga kapwa natin Pilipino sa nakaraan.
Medyo naumay siguro din ako sa pag highlight kay Nora Aunor at sa karakter sa libro na avid fan nya. Dinomina ng Noranian ang librong ito sa aking palagay. May mga pagkakataong natatawa ako sa mga jokes ngunit karamihan sa kanila ay hindi lumalanding ng tama at corny ang datingan sa akin.
I hate to say this but I guess this time, I wasnt able to like Sir Ricky Lee's writing on this novel. 🥺🥺
Rating this as 3.0 star
August 12, 2026
eto na yata ang pinaka matagal kong binasang libro kahit less than 300 pages lang siya💀 id have to say that this is my least fav ricky lee book.
gets naman ang lahat ng representation sa storya and ive been a fan mula nung nabasa ko ang kalahating bahaghari and ive already read around 4 books alresdy from sir ricky lee but ayon! mej di ko lang nagets tong book na toh. its not bad bad but ifl a lot is happening all at the same time, there were times na inaantok ako while reading ( for context, isang araw ko lang binasa kalahating bahaghari) idk baka di lang talaga sakin nag click yung story butttttt i liked where it was going sana, medyo marami lang nangyayari.
but !! i like how this story continues to be somewhat a commentary abt the ph….isa sa mga tumatak saking linya mula sa libro ay yung pilipino pa rin talaga ang kalaban ng pilipino. something like that. which is super gets whahshs mula nung masakop tayo hanggang ngayon, patuloy lang nating pinagihirapan ang isat isa.
gets naman ang lahat ng representation sa storya and ive been a fan mula nung nabasa ko ang kalahating bahaghari and ive already read around 4 books alresdy from sir ricky lee but ayon! mej di ko lang nagets tong book na toh. its not bad bad but ifl a lot is happening all at the same time, there were times na inaantok ako while reading ( for context, isang araw ko lang binasa kalahating bahaghari) idk baka di lang talaga sakin nag click yung story butttttt i liked where it was going sana, medyo marami lang nangyayari.
but !! i like how this story continues to be somewhat a commentary abt the ph….isa sa mga tumatak saking linya mula sa libro ay yung pilipino pa rin talaga ang kalaban ng pilipino. something like that. which is super gets whahshs mula nung masakop tayo hanggang ngayon, patuloy lang nating pinagihirapan ang isat isa.
March 13, 2026
As a starter in Filipino, the language was accessible and conveyed well as Ricky Lee proceeds to give sociopolitical commentary on elections and queer community. The book also includes police brutality and comments how capitalistic our country is. Approaching the story with a much more entertaining way, it can easily engage with readers like us. Would recommend this :)
January 5, 2012
NOTE: WIth unintentional spoilers.
This is one of those few books that I like so much, but when you ask me why, I can't exactly explain the reason. I finished and put down the book with so much joy in my head, thinking "I've read another masterpiece." But then, masterpiece in what way?
Amapola, sa 65 na Kabanata is about a homosexual who happened to be a "mananangal" in a monstrous-literal way, and was tasked to save the country from any possible proverbial destruction. Amapola as the lead character, when he's not a monster, is a modern gay character, with all the gay lingo and characteristics you can think of.
Ricky Lee's Para Kay B is one of the books that I really LOVE (imagine a wide-eyed grin with it) and I can explain profoundly why I adore the book, but with Amapola? Uhmnnn...well, the only that puts doubt in my "liking" the book was the fact that after finishing the book, I was asking myself, "what did it try to teach me?" and all I did was answer my own question with, "I'll ponder on it, give me more time." I tried to come up with a blanket answer, but I really had to go through each pointers to see and further understand my own choice.
Amapola sent me laughing on my desk as I read it on our break time. I even missed my destination while on a jeepney as I read Amapola's insane adventures. The book was endearing. The characters were marvelous. I love how I was able to shift my emotions in every shift of each characters perspective. I love the way I felt sad for Zaldy, for Amapola, for Giselle and for every characters told in the story. Well, it's Ricky Lee who wrote it, and I was not dissappointed with how meaty and colorful each characters are.
The lead character, being a gay one, depicts how the gays are at this day and age. The way they talk, the way they act, the way they are typecast, and treated in still stereotype manner. Amapola tells us the story of his life, in a vibrant manner, despite of the bitter truth in every words and actions in the story. For a day or two I felt like I'm one of the homosexuals, singing, performing in those comedy bars in Tomas Morato. I saw myself in their story, though I am a real woman.
I felt Amapola's struggle with his other personalities, and I felt each personalities dilemma. I found myself in Giselle's situation, trying to find acceptance and eventually realizing that people uses people, and in the end, you can only rely on yourself.
The political dilemma is understandable, I know how dirty each politicians can be, with all of those masks they wear when in front of the voting public. How each politician had to pay back all their supporters, eventually forgetting about their political will. Politics nowadays are one of the dirtiest scheme one could think of.
Amapola showed us how we can be destructive with our own but different personality through Montero's existence. It showed us how we can try to live a clean slate, and still find ourselves being engulfed with the dark side of ourselves, that in order to get rid of that dark side, we had to fight for it. We have to focus and understand where each dark side is coming from. Amapola and Montero mirrored Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde's story, but in a different approach.
I guess, I like the book because I found myself in it, in its every character, and it's one of the things that really made me like a book - when I don't feel detached from the storyline and each characters. Somehow, Lola Sepa's existence blurred my vision for the book, and I cannot take a full a grasp on her character's purpose. I can tell that she's bound to teach us something greater than Amapola's but I found myself lost in tracking her message. In missing that piece of story made me question why I like the book.
Also, I had this feeling that it tried to force all the nagging issues of the society right into my throat, that I somehow found myself confused on what issue I should dwell into. I was busy thinking about the so-called tragedies of being judged by the society as homosexual, then after turning a page I am now struggling to move forward from the sinking sand of politics. It was good that I can relate on each character with how Ricky Lee worked and written it, but at the same time it somehow gets confusing and overwhelming.
I intend to read the book again, I know I missed something there. I missed something right in front of my eyes. The book is entertaining and engaging, I know rereading it would not be hard for me.
This is one of those few books that I like so much, but when you ask me why, I can't exactly explain the reason. I finished and put down the book with so much joy in my head, thinking "I've read another masterpiece." But then, masterpiece in what way?
Amapola, sa 65 na Kabanata is about a homosexual who happened to be a "mananangal" in a monstrous-literal way, and was tasked to save the country from any possible proverbial destruction. Amapola as the lead character, when he's not a monster, is a modern gay character, with all the gay lingo and characteristics you can think of.
Ricky Lee's Para Kay B is one of the books that I really LOVE (imagine a wide-eyed grin with it) and I can explain profoundly why I adore the book, but with Amapola? Uhmnnn...well, the only that puts doubt in my "liking" the book was the fact that after finishing the book, I was asking myself, "what did it try to teach me?" and all I did was answer my own question with, "I'll ponder on it, give me more time." I tried to come up with a blanket answer, but I really had to go through each pointers to see and further understand my own choice.
Amapola sent me laughing on my desk as I read it on our break time. I even missed my destination while on a jeepney as I read Amapola's insane adventures. The book was endearing. The characters were marvelous. I love how I was able to shift my emotions in every shift of each characters perspective. I love the way I felt sad for Zaldy, for Amapola, for Giselle and for every characters told in the story. Well, it's Ricky Lee who wrote it, and I was not dissappointed with how meaty and colorful each characters are.
The lead character, being a gay one, depicts how the gays are at this day and age. The way they talk, the way they act, the way they are typecast, and treated in still stereotype manner. Amapola tells us the story of his life, in a vibrant manner, despite of the bitter truth in every words and actions in the story. For a day or two I felt like I'm one of the homosexuals, singing, performing in those comedy bars in Tomas Morato. I saw myself in their story, though I am a real woman.
I felt Amapola's struggle with his other personalities, and I felt each personalities dilemma. I found myself in Giselle's situation, trying to find acceptance and eventually realizing that people uses people, and in the end, you can only rely on yourself.
The political dilemma is understandable, I know how dirty each politicians can be, with all of those masks they wear when in front of the voting public. How each politician had to pay back all their supporters, eventually forgetting about their political will. Politics nowadays are one of the dirtiest scheme one could think of.
Amapola showed us how we can be destructive with our own but different personality through Montero's existence. It showed us how we can try to live a clean slate, and still find ourselves being engulfed with the dark side of ourselves, that in order to get rid of that dark side, we had to fight for it. We have to focus and understand where each dark side is coming from. Amapola and Montero mirrored Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde's story, but in a different approach.
I guess, I like the book because I found myself in it, in its every character, and it's one of the things that really made me like a book - when I don't feel detached from the storyline and each characters. Somehow, Lola Sepa's existence blurred my vision for the book, and I cannot take a full a grasp on her character's purpose. I can tell that she's bound to teach us something greater than Amapola's but I found myself lost in tracking her message. In missing that piece of story made me question why I like the book.
Also, I had this feeling that it tried to force all the nagging issues of the society right into my throat, that I somehow found myself confused on what issue I should dwell into. I was busy thinking about the so-called tragedies of being judged by the society as homosexual, then after turning a page I am now struggling to move forward from the sinking sand of politics. It was good that I can relate on each character with how Ricky Lee worked and written it, but at the same time it somehow gets confusing and overwhelming.
I intend to read the book again, I know I missed something there. I missed something right in front of my eyes. The book is entertaining and engaging, I know rereading it would not be hard for me.
July 29, 2013
I EMBARKED on Ricky Lee's second novel, Si Amapola Sa 65 Na Kabanata, about a year ago, when I was bent on patronizing Philippine literature—contemporary or otherwise. Caught up with too much work, I set the book aside and was only able to finish it last Saturday, thanks to the cold and the rain and the awesome Rehab weekend.
The protagonist is a transvestite named Amapola who works as an impersonator in Timog and Tomas Morato. Clearly it's next to impossible to put down a novel that begins this way:
Sa labas, habang ang mga kababayan ko ay hindi pa nakaka-recover sa sunod-sunod na bagyong pinasimulan ng Ondoy, ako, sa loob ng High Notes sa kanto ng Timog at Morato, ay naka-split sa stage, ini-impersonate si Beyoncé, kinakanta ang If I Were A Boy, theme song ng mga tomboy.
Amapola, we later learn, is an aswang of the manananggal variety. At night her body is cut in half. Wings grow out of her back, and she flies up in the air, searching for food: human flesh and blood. We discover that there are two kinds of manananggal—the good kind only feeds on animals, the bad ones (tunggab) are hell-bent on devouring human beings, particularly unborn children inside their mothers' uteri. Amapola, the protagonist, belongs to the former.
The richness of Amapola's character doesn't end there: he has a multiple character disorder. Amapola is often found talking all by himself, when he is merely conversing with the other two persons inside her head: the shy, English-speaking Zaldy; and the testosterone-overloaded Isaac. Imagine what happens when one character takes over all the others.
Amapola is destined to save the Philippines from apocalyptic destruction brought about by the onslaught of the tunggab and the impending reign of the newly elected president Trono. This messianic calling comes to him through Lola Sepa who emerges from—where else?—the toilet bowl. The old lady is Amapola's great-great-grandmother, once a manananggal, too, who fought the Spanish alongside the Katipuneros.
He, too, has an object of love: Homer, a widower, who has a son named Truman whom Amapola is particularly fond of. How will Homer react when he discovers that Amapola (or "Ate Amy", as Truman would call him) is an aswang? Ricky Lee never pushes this too far, and we get the impression that this is a love that can never be.
Ricky Lee employs a humor that's distinctly Filipino: Noranians who will do anything to bring Nora Aunor back to the country and see her perform one last time; bar club impersonators with the names Bev Without An S and Churvah Alilih; a manananggal named Stuterrer who always stutters; and the familiar, inspiring mother who will accept her children for whoever and whatever he may be.
Being accepted for who a person is forms the core theme of the book, but Ricky Lee also highlights the importance of nationalism, love for country and others, sacrifice, friendship, and the value of a good laughter.
His writing is excellent, debunking the age-old notion that to write in Filipino, one must write as if one were filling out a formal theme notebook (I remember that the notebook I owned was a cheap Aspen, with spiral binding, the one with Manilyn Reynes as the cover. I didn't have a choice. It was the only item available at the canteen).
If you want a good laugh, do yourself a favor and get a copy of this novel.
September 15, 2025
3 ⭐️ - I like Amapola as the main character. However, while we did see his/her interesting adventures (promise, there were a lot!), the other characters didn't make an impact.
Read
January 1, 2012Mabilisang pag-tingin: Maraming konsepto rito ang nangangailangan ng medyo malalimang pag-iisip (gaya na lamang ng mitolohiyang Pinoy, pulitika, multiple personality disorder, kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, Pinoy mentality, etc.), at mas magandang medyo pamilyar ka sa ang lugar ng Morato para talagang manamnam mo ang kwento. Hindi 'ata ito librong pwedeng basahin nang pahapyaw lamang, sapagkat maraming tema rito ang, bagaman sa unang tingin ay parang simple lamang, totoong malalim ang pinag-ugatan.
[Dahil sa aspetong ito, tuwang-tuwa ako sa pagbabasa ng librong ito. Akalain mo yun, may elemento ng komedya, drama, aksyon, kababalaghan (talagang parang nanonood ka ng sine!), marami ka pang matututunan, at marami kang maaaring mapagtanto.]
Siya nga pala, habang binabasa ko ito, naiisip ko agad ang Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah at Kapitan Sino.
---
Mga ibang punto:
- Winner! talaga si Amapola. Bentang-benta sa'kin ang kanyang pagiging persona! Paano ba naman kasi, hindi niya kinahihiya ang kanyang pagiging gay; binabalandra pa nga niya ito, hindi lamang sa damit, kung hindi pati sa pananalita.
- Nag-iiba ang perspektiba habang umusad ang kwento; i.e. nag-sisimula man ito kay Amapola, lumilipat din ito sa ibang gumagalaw sa kwentong ito.
- May parteng nag-hahalo ang katotohanan / kasaysayan at kathang-isip / "kasalukuyan".
- Naramdaman ko rito na, kahit mukhang napakasaklam ng ibang tauhan dito, lahat sila'y tao lamang, at may kanya-kanyang kadahilanan para sa ginagawa nila - kahit alam nila na kapag ginawa nila ang ganitong bagay, sila na ang ituturing na pinakamasamang tao sa mundo.
[Ipapagpatuloy.]
[Dahil sa aspetong ito, tuwang-tuwa ako sa pagbabasa ng librong ito. Akalain mo yun, may elemento ng komedya, drama, aksyon, kababalaghan (talagang parang nanonood ka ng sine!), marami ka pang matututunan, at marami kang maaaring mapagtanto.]
Siya nga pala, habang binabasa ko ito, naiisip ko agad ang Ang Kagilagilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah at Kapitan Sino.
---
Mga ibang punto:
- Winner! talaga si Amapola. Bentang-benta sa'kin ang kanyang pagiging persona! Paano ba naman kasi, hindi niya kinahihiya ang kanyang pagiging gay; binabalandra pa nga niya ito, hindi lamang sa damit, kung hindi pati sa pananalita.
- Nag-iiba ang perspektiba habang umusad ang kwento; i.e. nag-sisimula man ito kay Amapola, lumilipat din ito sa ibang gumagalaw sa kwentong ito.
- May parteng nag-hahalo ang katotohanan / kasaysayan at kathang-isip / "kasalukuyan".
- Naramdaman ko rito na, kahit mukhang napakasaklam ng ibang tauhan dito, lahat sila'y tao lamang, at may kanya-kanyang kadahilanan para sa ginagawa nila - kahit alam nila na kapag ginawa nila ang ganitong bagay, sila na ang ituturing na pinakamasamang tao sa mundo.
[Ipapagpatuloy.]
September 26, 2023
I bought this book during the Manila International Book Fair years ago. I cannot even remember the exact year but I am sure it was before the pandemic. And I know, it’s a shame that I am only reading this book now despite enjoying Para Kay B. Well to be honest, I am quite intimidated by this book. I myself can’t pinpoint the reason why. Maybe because of how dense it is (and it’s my mistake that I read some reviews before I started reading this book and majority of the complaints is its length) or because I enjoyed Para Kay B so much that I am afraid I won’t enjoy this book. Gladly, I gave in and started reading it because I really did enjoy this book. I found myself not being able to put it down and I actually finished it in just 2 days. A feat for a slow reader like me. I felt like watching a telenovela with touches of some historical, political, psychological, and fantasy themes.
The book is a satirical novel that follows the story of Amapola, a gay stage performer in a club who is a manananggal and who was prophesied to become the “savoir” of the Philippines. We follow the adventures of Amapola as he tries to navigate his personal life after knowing what was prophesied of him, a budding love life, her past and family history that haunts her and also at the same time dealing with her two alter personalities (he was clinically diagnosed with having multiple personality disorder) and a political turmoil brewing in the background of the story. There are also a lot of side characters, a lot of backstories, and a lot of pop culture references. It’s easy to get lost because there’s a lot of going on in this book (which I thought I will be) but the flow and the short chapters of the book helped me get through it. And it also helped that the book is really hilarious in most parts.
More than the laughs that this book gave me, this book became a social and political commentary about the situation of the country. It did not shy away from giving a slap as to how we choose our leaders and how naive we are as citizens of the country. While reading this book, I came to realize that it became a coincidence to be reading this one just months after the last election. The results of the last election just fits the commentary in this book about how we vote for our leaders.
Despite that, the book is not any way preachy or the author pushing you his beliefs and ideals. It will make you think of your actions and your decisions. It indirectly offers solutions and it’s up to the readers to think of it their way.
My Thoughts About Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by Ricky Lee (Book Review #147)
I bought this book during the Manila International Book Fair years ago. I cannot even remember the exact year but I am sure it was before the pandemic. And I know, it’s a shame that I am only reading this book now despite enjoying Para Kay B. Well to be honest, I am quite intimidated by this book. I myself can’t pinpoint the reason why. Maybe because of how dense it is (and it’s my mistake that I read some reviews before I started reading this book and majority of the complaints is its length) or because I enjoyed Para Kay B so much that I am afraid I won’t enjoy this book. Gladly, I gave in and started reading it because I really did enjoy this book. I found myself not being able to put it down and I actually finished it in just 2 days. A feat for a slow reader like me. I felt like watching a telenovela with touches of some historical, political, psychological, and fantasy themes.
The book is a satirical novel that follows the story of Amapola, a gay stage performer in a club who is a manananggal and who was prophesied to become the “savoir” of the Philippines. We follow the adventures of Amapola as he tries to navigate his personal life after knowing what was prophesied of him, a budding love life, her past and family history that haunts her and also at the same time dealing with her two alter personalities (he was clinically diagnosed with having multiple personality disorder) and a political turmoil brewing in the background of the story. There are also a lot of side characters, a lot of backstories, and a lot of pop culture references. It’s easy to get lost because there’s a lot of going on in this book (which I thought I will be) but the flow and the short chapters of the book helped me get through it. And it also helped that the book is really hilarious in most parts.
More than the laughs that this book gave me, this book became a social and political commentary about the situation of the country. It did not shy away from giving a slap as to how we choose our leaders and how naive we are as citizens of the country. While reading this book, I came to realize that it became a coincidence to be reading this one just months after the last election. The results of the last election just fits the commentary in this book about how we vote for our leaders.
Despite that, the book is not any way preachy or the author pushing you his beliefs and ideals. It will make you think of your actions and your decisions. It indirectly offers solutions and it’s up to the readers to think of it their way.
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Finally finishing it, I understand that this book is not for everyone. It definitely touches sensitive topics that we Filipinos tend to veer away. Topics like homosexuality, activism, and politics. It’s unforgiving in discussing these topics and I like it for being that. Well for me, reading this book, reiterated the answer to the question of why we Filipinos are stuck in this dire situation that we can’t seem to escape and what brought us here, why, despite the fact that we are hardworking people, there seems to be a problem with us progressing. The answer is, US. We are the reason. It’s because the choices and actions that we make. The choices and actions that we make defines our individual future and the future of our country. We tend to become insensitive of our actions and become selfish in a way. We focus on the short term gains that we can get rather than long term yields. This is a sad realization that really cannot be resolved overnight. Though I am still hopeful that that day will soon come. This book is also about that, hope.
The ending is open ended but it suits me well. I kind of relate it’s being open-ended with the future of our country, being our ending is not yet decided. We still have a chance of changing our course. We can still get out of this old system that is like a quicksand where we are stuck, a system that we know is not working but we still choose to be bound by that system.
Overall, this book is well-written. This book made me more confident to read more Ricky Lee books. Indeed a clever and out of this world imagination!
4 Stars out of 5.
Book review originally appeared on: bongbongbooks.wordpress.com
The book is a satirical novel that follows the story of Amapola, a gay stage performer in a club who is a manananggal and who was prophesied to become the “savoir” of the Philippines. We follow the adventures of Amapola as he tries to navigate his personal life after knowing what was prophesied of him, a budding love life, her past and family history that haunts her and also at the same time dealing with her two alter personalities (he was clinically diagnosed with having multiple personality disorder) and a political turmoil brewing in the background of the story. There are also a lot of side characters, a lot of backstories, and a lot of pop culture references. It’s easy to get lost because there’s a lot of going on in this book (which I thought I will be) but the flow and the short chapters of the book helped me get through it. And it also helped that the book is really hilarious in most parts.
More than the laughs that this book gave me, this book became a social and political commentary about the situation of the country. It did not shy away from giving a slap as to how we choose our leaders and how naive we are as citizens of the country. While reading this book, I came to realize that it became a coincidence to be reading this one just months after the last election. The results of the last election just fits the commentary in this book about how we vote for our leaders.
Despite that, the book is not any way preachy or the author pushing you his beliefs and ideals. It will make you think of your actions and your decisions. It indirectly offers solutions and it’s up to the readers to think of it their way.
My Thoughts About Si Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata by Ricky Lee (Book Review #147)
I bought this book during the Manila International Book Fair years ago. I cannot even remember the exact year but I am sure it was before the pandemic. And I know, it’s a shame that I am only reading this book now despite enjoying Para Kay B. Well to be honest, I am quite intimidated by this book. I myself can’t pinpoint the reason why. Maybe because of how dense it is (and it’s my mistake that I read some reviews before I started reading this book and majority of the complaints is its length) or because I enjoyed Para Kay B so much that I am afraid I won’t enjoy this book. Gladly, I gave in and started reading it because I really did enjoy this book. I found myself not being able to put it down and I actually finished it in just 2 days. A feat for a slow reader like me. I felt like watching a telenovela with touches of some historical, political, psychological, and fantasy themes.
The book is a satirical novel that follows the story of Amapola, a gay stage performer in a club who is a manananggal and who was prophesied to become the “savoir” of the Philippines. We follow the adventures of Amapola as he tries to navigate his personal life after knowing what was prophesied of him, a budding love life, her past and family history that haunts her and also at the same time dealing with her two alter personalities (he was clinically diagnosed with having multiple personality disorder) and a political turmoil brewing in the background of the story. There are also a lot of side characters, a lot of backstories, and a lot of pop culture references. It’s easy to get lost because there’s a lot of going on in this book (which I thought I will be) but the flow and the short chapters of the book helped me get through it. And it also helped that the book is really hilarious in most parts.
More than the laughs that this book gave me, this book became a social and political commentary about the situation of the country. It did not shy away from giving a slap as to how we choose our leaders and how naive we are as citizens of the country. While reading this book, I came to realize that it became a coincidence to be reading this one just months after the last election. The results of the last election just fits the commentary in this book about how we vote for our leaders.
Despite that, the book is not any way preachy or the author pushing you his beliefs and ideals. It will make you think of your actions and your decisions. It indirectly offers solutions and it’s up to the readers to think of it their way.
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Report this ad
Finally finishing it, I understand that this book is not for everyone. It definitely touches sensitive topics that we Filipinos tend to veer away. Topics like homosexuality, activism, and politics. It’s unforgiving in discussing these topics and I like it for being that. Well for me, reading this book, reiterated the answer to the question of why we Filipinos are stuck in this dire situation that we can’t seem to escape and what brought us here, why, despite the fact that we are hardworking people, there seems to be a problem with us progressing. The answer is, US. We are the reason. It’s because the choices and actions that we make. The choices and actions that we make defines our individual future and the future of our country. We tend to become insensitive of our actions and become selfish in a way. We focus on the short term gains that we can get rather than long term yields. This is a sad realization that really cannot be resolved overnight. Though I am still hopeful that that day will soon come. This book is also about that, hope.
The ending is open ended but it suits me well. I kind of relate it’s being open-ended with the future of our country, being our ending is not yet decided. We still have a chance of changing our course. We can still get out of this old system that is like a quicksand where we are stuck, a system that we know is not working but we still choose to be bound by that system.
Overall, this book is well-written. This book made me more confident to read more Ricky Lee books. Indeed a clever and out of this world imagination!
4 Stars out of 5.
Book review originally appeared on: bongbongbooks.wordpress.com
May 2, 2019
Nakakaentertain ang librong 'to, yes! Pero naguluhan ako. Hindi ko sure kung dahil ba 'to sa kakulangan ng kapasidad ng utak kong intindihin ang mga gustong ipahiwatig ng manunulat or talagang magulo.
Naloka ako kung ang gusto bang ipakita ni Sir Ricky, ito ba ay ang nakakatawang pakikipagsapalaran ng isang baklang aswang bilang tagapagligtas ng Pilipinas o itago sa nakakatawang istoryang ito ang mga political views at problema ng mga pilipino at ng bansa.
Para itong pancit canton na hindi maayos ang pagkakahalo kaya may parteng matabang at may parteng malasa. Para sa akin, mas magiging maayos ang reading experience ko kung nahalo ng maayos ang dalawang sangkap na gusto niyang iparating which are yung comedy with political and social keme. Pero parang magkahiwalay sila... hindi iisa. Kaya magulo. Nakakalito. Nawindang ang utak ko!
On the good note (tama ba ang inggles ko?) Gustong-gusto ko ang mga karakter sa storyang ito because they are fleshed out. I can really identify them. Interesting din ang karakter ni Amapola, napakacomplex, napakamakulay! Favorite character ko si Nanay Angie.
Pero yun na nga, pangalawa na 'to sa nababasa kong akda ni Ricky Lee at masasabi kong, hindi yata para sa akin ang mga akda niya. Hindi ata kaya ng utak kong iproseso ang mga sining na pinoproduce niya sa papel. Nakakalungkot pero, ayern!
I will end this by saying na nakakalungkot, Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata is an amazing book kung nahalo lang sana ng maayos ang pancit canton.
Naloka ako kung ang gusto bang ipakita ni Sir Ricky, ito ba ay ang nakakatawang pakikipagsapalaran ng isang baklang aswang bilang tagapagligtas ng Pilipinas o itago sa nakakatawang istoryang ito ang mga political views at problema ng mga pilipino at ng bansa.
Para itong pancit canton na hindi maayos ang pagkakahalo kaya may parteng matabang at may parteng malasa. Para sa akin, mas magiging maayos ang reading experience ko kung nahalo ng maayos ang dalawang sangkap na gusto niyang iparating which are yung comedy with political and social keme. Pero parang magkahiwalay sila... hindi iisa. Kaya magulo. Nakakalito. Nawindang ang utak ko!
On the good note (tama ba ang inggles ko?) Gustong-gusto ko ang mga karakter sa storyang ito because they are fleshed out. I can really identify them. Interesting din ang karakter ni Amapola, napakacomplex, napakamakulay! Favorite character ko si Nanay Angie.
Pero yun na nga, pangalawa na 'to sa nababasa kong akda ni Ricky Lee at masasabi kong, hindi yata para sa akin ang mga akda niya. Hindi ata kaya ng utak kong iproseso ang mga sining na pinoproduce niya sa papel. Nakakalungkot pero, ayern!
I will end this by saying na nakakalungkot, Amapola sa 65 na Kabanata is an amazing book kung nahalo lang sana ng maayos ang pancit canton.
Currently Reading
June 5, 2012Couldn't even finish this book.
I think that I'm just looking for a better story
than Mr. Ricky Lee's first book "Para kay B".
That book was magic.
I think that I'm just looking for a better story
than Mr. Ricky Lee's first book "Para kay B".
That book was magic.
April 7, 2013
Hindi ko alam kung anong dapat na review dito. Medyo speechless pa ako.
Post-Pilipinas "kailan ba tayo aayos" feels.
Post-Pilipinas "kailan ba tayo aayos" feels.
November 13, 2012
i cant wait for ....to infinity and beyond
September 26, 2026
A lot of people wouldn’t understand this novel. It is unconventional. Weird. Chaotic. I know because, somehow, I am one of them. But if you’re willing to sit with the book, to look beyond its absurdity and actually analyze it, you’ll realize how insane it is—in the best way. It holds so many metaphors that you have to decode them one by one.
For me, the book can be understood through two major themes: identity and the political system of the Philippines. And in both, Lola Sepa somehow becomes an integral character.
Identity is the most visible layer. Amapola has many identities. He is part of the rainbow community, and he carries multiple alters within him. Yet, throughout the story, the people around him constantly attempt to erase, suppress, or even destroy those identities. Lola Sepa, in particular, seems to mock and reject the parts of Amapola that do not fit what she considers acceptable. She literally removes his alters, as if having many identities is something absurd, burdensome, or something that needs to be fixed.
And isn’t that reflective of how society often treats people who exist outside the identities it considers “normal”? Members of the LGBT community are often pressured to suppress parts of themselves just to become more acceptable to others. Even mental health can be treated similarly, as something inconvenient, shameful, or burdensome rather than something that deserves understanding and care.
And maybe this is also why Ricky Lee chooses to tell the story through something as mystical as a manananggal. Why make Amapola a creature that literally separates itself? Perhaps because the supernatural gives form to something that is actually very real. We often treat people who do not fit our conventional ideas of identity as if they are other — as if they are strange, frightening, unnatural, or something that needs to be separated from the rest of society. Pinandidirihan. Kinakatakutan.
Second, if you follow Lola Sepa throughout the book, you cannot miss her fixation on the idea of the “tagapagligtas”—the savior. And this is where I think the novel becomes political.
Lola Sepa seems to constantly look for someone who can save them, someone who can bring order, someone who can finally solve everything. And isn’t that also something we see reflected in Philippine politics? There is often a longing for the politician who will become the tagapagligtas, the hero who will rescue the country, fix its problems, and somehow make everything better.
We crave the figure who can promise salvation because salvation is easier to imagine than the slow, difficult work of changing a system.
And then there is the ending.
I’ll admit, when I first reached it, I thought, “Bakit gano’n lang?” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that perhaps the ending was the point.
Lola Sepa was wrong about her prophecy. She was wrong about who the tagapagligtas would be. But maybe the bigger mistake was believing that there was a savior to begin with.
As Sir Gervencio said, there is no such thing as a tagapagligtas.
And perhaps that is Ricky Lee’s warning: no matter whom we place at the top and call our savior, nothing will truly change if the people and the system remain the same. The book literally shows, mga Pilipino at kapwa Pilipino rin ang naglalaban sa huli. Lola Sepa was so focused on fulfilling the prophecy and finding the tagapagligtas that she failed to confront the root causes of the system itself. Basta masunod ang prophecy, basta mahanap ang magliligtas.
And what happened? Namayapa siya ulit.
As the fictional Bonifacio says, “Sila ang gagawa ng kasaysayan.” Not the prophecy. Not the savior.
The people.
————
And perhaps that is another layer of the novel’s absurdity: the book feels bizarre because we keep expecting it to be conventional. We expect the plot to follow rules, the characters to fit neatly into categories, and the story to eventually give us one clear answer. But Amapola refuses to do that. The more we insist that it behave like a conventional novel, the stranger it becomes. Perhaps the absurdity is not something we are supposed to overcome, it is the very language through which the novel speaks.
For me, the book can be understood through two major themes: identity and the political system of the Philippines. And in both, Lola Sepa somehow becomes an integral character.
Identity is the most visible layer. Amapola has many identities. He is part of the rainbow community, and he carries multiple alters within him. Yet, throughout the story, the people around him constantly attempt to erase, suppress, or even destroy those identities. Lola Sepa, in particular, seems to mock and reject the parts of Amapola that do not fit what she considers acceptable. She literally removes his alters, as if having many identities is something absurd, burdensome, or something that needs to be fixed.
And isn’t that reflective of how society often treats people who exist outside the identities it considers “normal”? Members of the LGBT community are often pressured to suppress parts of themselves just to become more acceptable to others. Even mental health can be treated similarly, as something inconvenient, shameful, or burdensome rather than something that deserves understanding and care.
And maybe this is also why Ricky Lee chooses to tell the story through something as mystical as a manananggal. Why make Amapola a creature that literally separates itself? Perhaps because the supernatural gives form to something that is actually very real. We often treat people who do not fit our conventional ideas of identity as if they are other — as if they are strange, frightening, unnatural, or something that needs to be separated from the rest of society. Pinandidirihan. Kinakatakutan.
Second, if you follow Lola Sepa throughout the book, you cannot miss her fixation on the idea of the “tagapagligtas”—the savior. And this is where I think the novel becomes political.
Lola Sepa seems to constantly look for someone who can save them, someone who can bring order, someone who can finally solve everything. And isn’t that also something we see reflected in Philippine politics? There is often a longing for the politician who will become the tagapagligtas, the hero who will rescue the country, fix its problems, and somehow make everything better.
We crave the figure who can promise salvation because salvation is easier to imagine than the slow, difficult work of changing a system.
And then there is the ending.
I’ll admit, when I first reached it, I thought, “Bakit gano’n lang?” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that perhaps the ending was the point.
Lola Sepa was wrong about her prophecy. She was wrong about who the tagapagligtas would be. But maybe the bigger mistake was believing that there was a savior to begin with.
As Sir Gervencio said, there is no such thing as a tagapagligtas.
And perhaps that is Ricky Lee’s warning: no matter whom we place at the top and call our savior, nothing will truly change if the people and the system remain the same. The book literally shows, mga Pilipino at kapwa Pilipino rin ang naglalaban sa huli. Lola Sepa was so focused on fulfilling the prophecy and finding the tagapagligtas that she failed to confront the root causes of the system itself. Basta masunod ang prophecy, basta mahanap ang magliligtas.
And what happened? Namayapa siya ulit.
As the fictional Bonifacio says, “Sila ang gagawa ng kasaysayan.” Not the prophecy. Not the savior.
The people.
————
And perhaps that is another layer of the novel’s absurdity: the book feels bizarre because we keep expecting it to be conventional. We expect the plot to follow rules, the characters to fit neatly into categories, and the story to eventually give us one clear answer. But Amapola refuses to do that. The more we insist that it behave like a conventional novel, the stranger it becomes. Perhaps the absurdity is not something we are supposed to overcome, it is the very language through which the novel speaks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2023
This is one of those books that is hard to write a review about simply because it's layered in humor and tragedies that almost shocks me from how rapidly it goes from each other. That's why it's difficult to understand the intent of th author. Is it to spark a conversation about our obsession with heroes, the futility of dissent, lives lived in halves, and the importance of little moments and relationships in our lives that although imperfect gives joy nonetheless? Or to just depict a flawed and realistic view fashioned in an incoherent, messy narrative layered in humor as an automatic self defense mechanism that mirrors life?
I have no previous context of Ricky Lee's work prior to reading this book. So my reaction from the comical delivery of the events to the nature of the events in question (Giselle's csa, anorexia and experience with domestic violence for example) was so strong I almost dropped the book. But there's a certain enjoyment I have with these books because I only typically encounter them in Filipino literature (especially if written in tagalog) or more specifically in art written by LGBT+ writers. I want to finish this book because I experience a specific catharsis with these writings.
There are stuff I enjoy in this book. The humor, the vivid descriptions of the setting that truly felt like Quezon City I grew up in, the flawed and the interesting colorful characters and how they bonded together despite the cracks in their relationships and I would like to give a special shoutout to the designer of the cover because it was really artistic. I love the map and the bookmark as well. I also like how I didn't anticipate that Montero would be his alter as well despite it being hinted already in the beginning. And also shout out to my queen Giselle you made me wanna go thru this month long reading!
But the stuff I don't particularly enjoy made reading this book long and difficult. For context I needed a month to finish this book. That's because of these things (1) the lack of quotation marks for the dialogue (2) the lack of clarity with the themes (3) the lack of character growth from the titular protagonist herself (4) killing of Isaac and Zaldy too soon and too recklessly (5) the ending
(1) The writing itself is fun but the lack of quotation marks just doesn't add anything for the novel. I thought it was to highlight how we don't know who's really talking between Amapola and her alters but it didn't really go into that direction.
(4) I was genuinely surprised how easily Isaac and Zaldy's character got killed because I thought they would serve more purpose to the plot. I imagine them helping Amy along in her hero act: Zaldy the brains, Isaac the braun. You know? But it didn't go anywhere. I felt like, aside from Isaac's influence on Giselle's villainy at the end they didn't have lasting impact to a story that I thought would feature them more. I mean, I get it. Amy and Nanay Angie felt remorseful and grived about it but it just felt like they got thrown away by the narrative. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
(3) so let's talk themes because this is my main critique. 1 & 4 can be categorized as nitpicks but this one is truly what stayed in my mind until now. So I mentioned how this book is hard to write a review about because it's difficult to understand the author's intentions and that's partly because of points 3&5. I genuinely think Ricky Lee is trying to tie this book into these relatable and important themes and not just wanted to give a depiction of the mess of a society we live in. But the way these themes are resolved is the issue.
Theme 1: is there really a hero of the prophecy? The answer is left vaguely. Ser Gervancio's views felt like what Ricky Lee was going for but then made Sepa, in her dying moments, believe the true chosen one was actually baby Mira, Giselle's baby or Truman. You see, I don't like it when authors flip flop between views because it dims the message it's going for. Now, because of their defeat after Trono's aggressive measures it now feels like Sepa IS right and waiting for the new chosen one is the only way out. (5) Amapola struggling to fly despite knowing she'll die at the end was trying to be hopeful but because of this new knowledge that the true chosen one is one of those babies it's difficult to feel that way because it's like all of what they're fighting for went to waste.
Theme 2: What does it mean to live your life half-lived? This theme is reinforced by the three identifies of Amapola: being gay, being a manananggal, and having alters. But it feels sodelined or forgotten as the plot progresses and became more plot focused (theme 1). Amapola's character isn't good (3) I know it's harsh to say Amy didn't have character growth but when her moments of realizations and empathy is almost spoonfed and given when she doesn't have a choice anymore is a little too telling. Amy didn't realize she isn't the chosen one all by herself, didn't cherish Isaac's parting words to take care of Giselle, killed off Issac and Zaldy despite treating them as siblings, feeling remorseful about Nanay Angie's grief of the death of her children but at the end of the day she doesn't do anything about it. She was mean to everyone and unlikable because of her lack of responsiveness and selfishness. The lack of character growth from her, no I don't mean the outside forces that made her do all the decision I actually like, made her so boring and unable to relate to. The theme of her living life burdened by her alters wasn't explored because Amapola's character was half-baked. Her character didn't go anywhere and was almost just reacting to these larger themes she has to embody: being the chosen one, having alters and the fate of the country. I just think I need a stronger character writing for her enough to make me feel like she deserve to be at the title. The only storyline that was resolve was her boring feelings for her boring man Homer which is the most boring stale bread of a character whose only saving grace is him killing off his wife which was foreshadowed earlier. Her character feels unresolved because the important themes were left vaguely.
Theme 3: the futility of dissent and solution to this country that is so creative at finding problems for themselves. This theme is contradictory to the "enioy the small moments/relationships you make" because it's essentially doomerism vs hope. The reason why I think this is the conclusion of the book is because of that awful ending. It's always been a frustration of us to think that there's no hope for this country (and society at large) and it was shown through the characters themselves when they make selfish decisions but what I don't understand is the shakiness between these two contradictory themes. Despite trying to tell a story about hope and being the savior of your own life and country it all ends in a tragedy where hope is crushed by strength, greed and corruption. It wanted to tell a story about hope but didn't offer a concrete solution towards it, sidelines characters that are more adept to bringing it just for a main character that didn't really offer much and was confused throughout, and undid it just 1 chapter.
If I were to summarize my conclusion to one sentence it would be: It feels like a Filipino teleserye in all it's glory: fun, true to the Filipino experience, humourous and doesn't take itself too seriously but without the justifications on why it would go bad. Rather than a cohesive plot it's built on unresolved emotional setups to give the impression that it's worth tuning into but the ending is the final crack that would show all of the wishy-washiness of the themes, the weak character building of the main character, and would make you go "does it really need to be this long?" It makes me feel like if this was a teleserye it would work better because it can be excused.
I have no previous context of Ricky Lee's work prior to reading this book. So my reaction from the comical delivery of the events to the nature of the events in question (Giselle's csa, anorexia and experience with domestic violence for example) was so strong I almost dropped the book. But there's a certain enjoyment I have with these books because I only typically encounter them in Filipino literature (especially if written in tagalog) or more specifically in art written by LGBT+ writers. I want to finish this book because I experience a specific catharsis with these writings.
There are stuff I enjoy in this book. The humor, the vivid descriptions of the setting that truly felt like Quezon City I grew up in, the flawed and the interesting colorful characters and how they bonded together despite the cracks in their relationships and I would like to give a special shoutout to the designer of the cover because it was really artistic. I love the map and the bookmark as well. I also like how I didn't anticipate that Montero would be his alter as well despite it being hinted already in the beginning. And also shout out to my queen Giselle you made me wanna go thru this month long reading!
But the stuff I don't particularly enjoy made reading this book long and difficult. For context I needed a month to finish this book. That's because of these things (1) the lack of quotation marks for the dialogue (2) the lack of clarity with the themes (3) the lack of character growth from the titular protagonist herself (4) killing of Isaac and Zaldy too soon and too recklessly (5) the ending
(1) The writing itself is fun but the lack of quotation marks just doesn't add anything for the novel. I thought it was to highlight how we don't know who's really talking between Amapola and her alters but it didn't really go into that direction.
(4) I was genuinely surprised how easily Isaac and Zaldy's character got killed because I thought they would serve more purpose to the plot. I imagine them helping Amy along in her hero act: Zaldy the brains, Isaac the braun. You know? But it didn't go anywhere. I felt like, aside from Isaac's influence on Giselle's villainy at the end they didn't have lasting impact to a story that I thought would feature them more. I mean, I get it. Amy and Nanay Angie felt remorseful and grived about it but it just felt like they got thrown away by the narrative. It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
(3) so let's talk themes because this is my main critique. 1 & 4 can be categorized as nitpicks but this one is truly what stayed in my mind until now. So I mentioned how this book is hard to write a review about because it's difficult to understand the author's intentions and that's partly because of points 3&5. I genuinely think Ricky Lee is trying to tie this book into these relatable and important themes and not just wanted to give a depiction of the mess of a society we live in. But the way these themes are resolved is the issue.
Theme 1: is there really a hero of the prophecy? The answer is left vaguely. Ser Gervancio's views felt like what Ricky Lee was going for but then made Sepa, in her dying moments, believe the true chosen one was actually baby Mira, Giselle's baby or Truman. You see, I don't like it when authors flip flop between views because it dims the message it's going for. Now, because of their defeat after Trono's aggressive measures it now feels like Sepa IS right and waiting for the new chosen one is the only way out. (5) Amapola struggling to fly despite knowing she'll die at the end was trying to be hopeful but because of this new knowledge that the true chosen one is one of those babies it's difficult to feel that way because it's like all of what they're fighting for went to waste.
Theme 2: What does it mean to live your life half-lived? This theme is reinforced by the three identifies of Amapola: being gay, being a manananggal, and having alters. But it feels sodelined or forgotten as the plot progresses and became more plot focused (theme 1). Amapola's character isn't good (3) I know it's harsh to say Amy didn't have character growth but when her moments of realizations and empathy is almost spoonfed and given when she doesn't have a choice anymore is a little too telling. Amy didn't realize she isn't the chosen one all by herself, didn't cherish Isaac's parting words to take care of Giselle, killed off Issac and Zaldy despite treating them as siblings, feeling remorseful about Nanay Angie's grief of the death of her children but at the end of the day she doesn't do anything about it. She was mean to everyone and unlikable because of her lack of responsiveness and selfishness. The lack of character growth from her, no I don't mean the outside forces that made her do all the decision I actually like, made her so boring and unable to relate to. The theme of her living life burdened by her alters wasn't explored because Amapola's character was half-baked. Her character didn't go anywhere and was almost just reacting to these larger themes she has to embody: being the chosen one, having alters and the fate of the country. I just think I need a stronger character writing for her enough to make me feel like she deserve to be at the title. The only storyline that was resolve was her boring feelings for her boring man Homer which is the most boring stale bread of a character whose only saving grace is him killing off his wife which was foreshadowed earlier. Her character feels unresolved because the important themes were left vaguely.
Theme 3: the futility of dissent and solution to this country that is so creative at finding problems for themselves. This theme is contradictory to the "enioy the small moments/relationships you make" because it's essentially doomerism vs hope. The reason why I think this is the conclusion of the book is because of that awful ending. It's always been a frustration of us to think that there's no hope for this country (and society at large) and it was shown through the characters themselves when they make selfish decisions but what I don't understand is the shakiness between these two contradictory themes. Despite trying to tell a story about hope and being the savior of your own life and country it all ends in a tragedy where hope is crushed by strength, greed and corruption. It wanted to tell a story about hope but didn't offer a concrete solution towards it, sidelines characters that are more adept to bringing it just for a main character that didn't really offer much and was confused throughout, and undid it just 1 chapter.
If I were to summarize my conclusion to one sentence it would be: It feels like a Filipino teleserye in all it's glory: fun, true to the Filipino experience, humourous and doesn't take itself too seriously but without the justifications on why it would go bad. Rather than a cohesive plot it's built on unresolved emotional setups to give the impression that it's worth tuning into but the ending is the final crack that would show all of the wishy-washiness of the themes, the weak character building of the main character, and would make you go "does it really need to be this long?" It makes me feel like if this was a teleserye it would work better because it can be excused.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
3.5 stars.
i read this for buwan ng wika. pangalawang libro ko na 'to mula kay ricky lee, una yung kalahating bahaghari. ang gaan basahin ng mga libro niya kahit ang bigat ng mga paksa, parang ang fluid (?) lang lagi ng transfer kada paragraph. di mo namamalayan naka ilang chapter ka na. and the way he articulates heavy topics using parallelism, may mga moments talaga ko while reading na napapatigil ako kasi dinadamdam ko yung bigat ng binasa ko tapos sa susunod na paragraph, umiiral na naman bekimon ni amapola at mapapatawa nalang ako. i love it!
pinakatumatak sakin yung characterization. sobrang fleshed out at parang totoong mga tao talaga bawat character, kahit kalsada nagawa niyang character talaga. throughout the book hindi nawawala yung humor ni amapola kahit ang hirap na ng pinagdadaanan niya. buhay na buhay ang bawat aspect ng libro rin dahil dito. i feel like there were a lot of things left unsaid with some characters like sir gervacio and nanay angie pero hindi na kailangang sabihin pa nang deretsahan dahil gets na and i think isa rin 'tong rason kung bakit gustong gusto ko yung pagkakasulat ng characters sa librong 'to.
may mga ilan lang akong di magets kasi para sakin ang random lang. una yung character ni giselle. di ko maintindihan parang ang random lang na bigla siyang naging evil at pinatay si emil? before that kasi ang dating sakin ng character niya ay heartbroken dahil sa pagkamatay ni isaac pero hindi naman to the point na sasaktan o papatayin niya sina emil dahil alam niya namang importante sila kay isaac (dahil kay amapola).
tapos si baby mira. usually ang smooth ng storytelling pero ang random na biglang dumating si baby mira? and wala naman nangyari sa kanya sa dulo, napaginipan lang siya ni lola sepa. idk if thats the book's way of explaining na nagkamali lang si lola sepa, kala niya si mira ang itinakda yun pala si baby mira but i feel like merong smoother way of saying that. random lang na binigay yung baby sa kanila like bigla lang dumating si leni in the middle of the chaos.
nung una, hindi ako na-satisfy sa ending kasi feel ko parang putol but now that i think about it, it makes sense. hindi kailangan ng hard ending kung saan mareresolba ang lahat kasi nga si amapola sa 65 na kabanata lang ito. kumbaga parang patikim lang ito sa buhay ni amapola at dahil hindi naman talaga siya ang itinakda, hindi talaga magkakaroon ng happy ending (or traditional ending at all) kasi para na iyon sa susunod na henerasyon na magtutuloy ng lalaban (truman/baby mira/dylan). ang witty lang!
i read this for buwan ng wika. pangalawang libro ko na 'to mula kay ricky lee, una yung kalahating bahaghari. ang gaan basahin ng mga libro niya kahit ang bigat ng mga paksa, parang ang fluid (?) lang lagi ng transfer kada paragraph. di mo namamalayan naka ilang chapter ka na. and the way he articulates heavy topics using parallelism, may mga moments talaga ko while reading na napapatigil ako kasi dinadamdam ko yung bigat ng binasa ko tapos sa susunod na paragraph, umiiral na naman bekimon ni amapola at mapapatawa nalang ako. i love it!
pinakatumatak sakin yung characterization. sobrang fleshed out at parang totoong mga tao talaga bawat character, kahit kalsada nagawa niyang character talaga. throughout the book hindi nawawala yung humor ni amapola kahit ang hirap na ng pinagdadaanan niya. buhay na buhay ang bawat aspect ng libro rin dahil dito. i feel like there were a lot of things left unsaid with some characters like sir gervacio and nanay angie pero hindi na kailangang sabihin pa nang deretsahan dahil gets na and i think isa rin 'tong rason kung bakit gustong gusto ko yung pagkakasulat ng characters sa librong 'to.
may mga ilan lang akong di magets kasi para sakin ang random lang. una yung character ni giselle. di ko maintindihan parang ang random lang na bigla siyang naging evil at pinatay si emil? before that kasi ang dating sakin ng character niya ay heartbroken dahil sa pagkamatay ni isaac pero hindi naman to the point na sasaktan o papatayin niya sina emil dahil alam niya namang importante sila kay isaac (dahil kay amapola).
tapos si baby mira. usually ang smooth ng storytelling pero ang random na biglang dumating si baby mira? and wala naman nangyari sa kanya sa dulo, napaginipan lang siya ni lola sepa. idk if thats the book's way of explaining na nagkamali lang si lola sepa, kala niya si mira ang itinakda yun pala si baby mira but i feel like merong smoother way of saying that. random lang na binigay yung baby sa kanila like bigla lang dumating si leni in the middle of the chaos.
nung una, hindi ako na-satisfy sa ending kasi feel ko parang putol but now that i think about it, it makes sense. hindi kailangan ng hard ending kung saan mareresolba ang lahat kasi nga si amapola sa 65 na kabanata lang ito. kumbaga parang patikim lang ito sa buhay ni amapola at dahil hindi naman talaga siya ang itinakda, hindi talaga magkakaroon ng happy ending (or traditional ending at all) kasi para na iyon sa susunod na henerasyon na magtutuloy ng lalaban (truman/baby mira/dylan). ang witty lang!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2026
Unang libro ni Ricky Lee na natapos ko :)
Unang narinig ko ang libro na ito ay mula sa kaibigan, ngunit ang tunay na nakapag-udyok sa ‘kin na basahin ‘to ay isang twitter au para sa kpop boy group na The Boyz, kung saan tikbalang ang isang bida at albularyo naman ang isa. Nagustuhan ko nang sobra ang au na yun at nang ito ay madiscontinue kinailangan ko talaga ng papalit at syang magququench sa uhaw kong dulot ng di alam kung ano ang sunod na nangyari sa kwento—at ano pa nga ba ang pinaka ideal na solusyon kung hindi basahin ang nobelang nag-inspire doon?
Cue: entrance ng librong ito. Sa totoo lang hindi ko na nabasa ang synopsis at premise ng nobela kasi nga masyado na kong excited na basahin ang storya. Ang alam ko lang: Aswang si Amapola at mayroong 65 na kabanata. Kaya, masasabi talagang wala akong gaanong expectation sa kung ano ang mangyayari at ano ang dapat ko paghandaan whatsoever.
Initial reaction ko: ang funny pala ni Ricky Lee? para kong nagbabasa ng screen play ng isang Wenn V. Deramas directed film turned into a novel sa dami nang punchline. Kaya give ko na yun na ang funny at witty ng linyahan sa buong istorya. Siguro ang favorite ko ay yung spiel kung saan may isang up professor na aswang ang lola tas para icure ay binitin nila patiwarik tas hinampashampas hanggang sa may lumabas na sisiw sa bibig na need itaoon sa apoy kaso bumalik ulit sa bibig ng lola so hinampas nila ulit hanggang lumabas mga nakalimang pabalik balik daw yung sisiw sa bibig before successfully nasunog sa apoy. hindi na nga raw aswang yung lola pero namatay naman sa bugbog.
Nakakaenjoy basahin ang storya, for something na naisulat noong 2011 (at bilang wala sa taong gulang during that time) ang mga temang tinalakay (transexuality, queerness, discrimimation, politics) some of it were very ahead of its time. Madali lang din mahalin ang mga karakter, at sa isang punto alam kong hindi lang ako at si Nanay Angie ang nalungkot sa pagkawala nila Zaldy at Isaac, pati na rin si Montero siguro. Sa pagbabasa siguro ng istorya ay para ko na ring maging anak si Amapola at mga katauhan nya. Feeling so maternal towards them. Lalo na kay Truman! ang aking favorite.
Siguro isa lang sa hindi maalis sa sistema ko ay kung bakit ganun na lang ito natapos. Marahil bilang engraved na sa katauhan ko ang maging sucker for happy endings. Kung saan nanalo ang kabutihan at mayroong kahihinatnan ang nagharing kasamaan. Siguro nga’y ganoon lang talaga ang realidad. Ang si Amapola sa 65 na kabanta ay isang alegorya at repleksyon ng sistema ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas. Sa attempt at efforts ng mamamayan, kabataan, at ng masa, hindi lang ganun ganun matatapos ng laban.
Unang narinig ko ang libro na ito ay mula sa kaibigan, ngunit ang tunay na nakapag-udyok sa ‘kin na basahin ‘to ay isang twitter au para sa kpop boy group na The Boyz, kung saan tikbalang ang isang bida at albularyo naman ang isa. Nagustuhan ko nang sobra ang au na yun at nang ito ay madiscontinue kinailangan ko talaga ng papalit at syang magququench sa uhaw kong dulot ng di alam kung ano ang sunod na nangyari sa kwento—at ano pa nga ba ang pinaka ideal na solusyon kung hindi basahin ang nobelang nag-inspire doon?
Cue: entrance ng librong ito. Sa totoo lang hindi ko na nabasa ang synopsis at premise ng nobela kasi nga masyado na kong excited na basahin ang storya. Ang alam ko lang: Aswang si Amapola at mayroong 65 na kabanata. Kaya, masasabi talagang wala akong gaanong expectation sa kung ano ang mangyayari at ano ang dapat ko paghandaan whatsoever.
Initial reaction ko: ang funny pala ni Ricky Lee? para kong nagbabasa ng screen play ng isang Wenn V. Deramas directed film turned into a novel sa dami nang punchline. Kaya give ko na yun na ang funny at witty ng linyahan sa buong istorya. Siguro ang favorite ko ay yung spiel kung saan may isang up professor na aswang ang lola tas para icure ay binitin nila patiwarik tas hinampashampas hanggang sa may lumabas na sisiw sa bibig na need itaoon sa apoy kaso bumalik ulit sa bibig ng lola so hinampas nila ulit hanggang lumabas mga nakalimang pabalik balik daw yung sisiw sa bibig before successfully nasunog sa apoy. hindi na nga raw aswang yung lola pero namatay naman sa bugbog.
Nakakaenjoy basahin ang storya, for something na naisulat noong 2011 (at bilang wala sa taong gulang during that time) ang mga temang tinalakay (transexuality, queerness, discrimimation, politics) some of it were very ahead of its time. Madali lang din mahalin ang mga karakter, at sa isang punto alam kong hindi lang ako at si Nanay Angie ang nalungkot sa pagkawala nila Zaldy at Isaac, pati na rin si Montero siguro. Sa pagbabasa siguro ng istorya ay para ko na ring maging anak si Amapola at mga katauhan nya. Feeling so maternal towards them. Lalo na kay Truman! ang aking favorite.
Siguro isa lang sa hindi maalis sa sistema ko ay kung bakit ganun na lang ito natapos. Marahil bilang engraved na sa katauhan ko ang maging sucker for happy endings. Kung saan nanalo ang kabutihan at mayroong kahihinatnan ang nagharing kasamaan. Siguro nga’y ganoon lang talaga ang realidad. Ang si Amapola sa 65 na kabanta ay isang alegorya at repleksyon ng sistema ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas. Sa attempt at efforts ng mamamayan, kabataan, at ng masa, hindi lang ganun ganun matatapos ng laban.
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