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Falling Into The Manhole: A Memoir
"This book is a collection of personal narratives, memoirs, tales about growing up, about initiation, and the lessons and insights I have learned along the way, both as a person who has experienced them, and a writer who writes about them. I have explored the interrelationship of race, class, and gender, not as abstract issues but as actual encounters and episodes, providing me with a "voice". Varied as the narrative may be, they are told by the same voice--that of a wounded but surviving writer and academic. So perhaps the story that all the narratives tell is one of self-preservation. Memoirs, after all, become the literary representation of memory."
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
140 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
9 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
John Jack G. Wigley
9 books75 followersJohn Jack G. Wigley became deputy director of the UST Publishing House in June 2010, where he previously served as officer-in-charge and assistant to the director. He has co-authored two books on Philippine literature and presented papers on cultural and literary studies in national and international conferences and fora. He currently teaches literature and film at the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Letters at UST. He is also the author of Falling Into the Manhole: A Memoir (2012)
He has an A.B. in English from Holy Angel University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Literature at the University of Santo Tomas.
He has an A.B. in English from Holy Angel University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Literature at the University of Santo Tomas.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 10, 2017
A million thanks to my fellow teacher for this book. She decided to give it away to me as a gift since she saw how my eyes popped out of their sockets in excitement upon seeing it displayed on her book shelf. It was just as well that she read it already. I hope the people I am acquainted with will do the same way. (laughs)
This was one of the local books I promised myself to buy , no matter how hard up I was, when I stumbled upon how the galaxy of our contemporary local writers including the writers I consider part of the Super Novas of the Philippine literature such as F. Sionil Jose, Gilda Cordero - Fernando, Jessica Hagedorn, Miguel Syjuco, Lualhati Bautista, Ricky Lee, Bob Ong, Jessica Zafra ,Felisa Batacan, Genevive L. Asenjo, Merlinda Bobis, Danton Remoto,Bebang Siy, not to mention the promising ones : Genaro R. Gojo Cruz and Edgar Calabia Samar, the apples of my eyes, turned out to be stellar, heavenly , and dazzling. Coming to this realization, I found its price affordable and reasonable. However, I was between the lever of a teeter-totter whether it should be on my list since I could spend 220 pesos on the other books more famous than this, which writer I had never heard of. Sorry po, Professor Wigley. It just happened that I was not aware of your literary stardom. Doggone it! I must have been ambivalent about what local book I should have first read. I was surrounded by books I have never read yet, let alone that I was a "pooritang" reader unable to buy astronomical books, especially the best-sellers on the market. No wonder I was exhilarated upon receiving this book as a gift.
John Jack G. Wigley's memoir Falling into the Manhole is a collection of his how’s before he became a successful writer and professor , as to how he took to watching movies at movie theaters and was gorgonized by his mother's being die-hard Noranian ; how he was born and lived the dilemma of being Amerasian ; how his family and he lived as nomads moving from one house to different houses in a year ; how he became an avid fan of Madonna who was the instrument for understanding his sexual orientation; how he fell in love with his best friend- the story that I blinked my tears away because I know what it feels like; how he became a "butterfingered" fast-food chain crew ; how he was proud to be Lea Salonga fan who was the reason why he fell into the manhole; how he became a theatre actor and had the good chance to stage at CCP; how he fell in love with Meryl Streep's acting style; how he had the opportunity to go to America on tour and find his American father, the missing link; how he became a teacher who can be a blooper despite that he is supposed to be superior and infallible; how he survived Ondoy trauma; how he became one of the best and respected UST professors; and finally, how he took care of his mother passionately. All of his anecdotes have inspiring lessons you should learn.
Personally speaking, the book is intended for homosexuals and for those who are inspired to be a successful professor and writer. As a member of the confederation, I experienced to be an avid fan of beauty pageants. In fact, although I didn't live in the 1980's, I want to blow my horn and beat others to it that I know how Chat Silayan represented the prestigious pageant and presented herself gorgeously. Thanks to YouTube. Like him, I would also wait for its live telecast and take notes of the petite delegates in the semifinals. In fact, I could almost memorize all the yearly winners by heart. It was one of my passionate hobbies in my teen-age life.( laughs)
His memoir reminded me of children's book writer Genaro Gojo Cruz's Connecting the Dots because both their memoirs bear little resemblance to how they became successful in life. Like Wigley, Genaro also persevered to get out of poverty. He was so determined not to get dumped by his abject miseries in life. In fact, both writers lived in a broken family with this desire to be complete by reminiscing of their fathers . Both of their memoirs also suggest their intellectual humility; they must never imply that they are gifted writers. Genaro admits that he never excelled in school whereas Wigley knows his limitation upon academic excellence.
Laying it aside with the other books on my reading table,my spirit that has been bogged down in muddy despair has been sloughed off. I have learned now how to be a writer more, how humanity works, and how I should love and be passionate about my work as a teacher.Boo-ya!
This was one of the local books I promised myself to buy , no matter how hard up I was, when I stumbled upon how the galaxy of our contemporary local writers including the writers I consider part of the Super Novas of the Philippine literature such as F. Sionil Jose, Gilda Cordero - Fernando, Jessica Hagedorn, Miguel Syjuco, Lualhati Bautista, Ricky Lee, Bob Ong, Jessica Zafra ,Felisa Batacan, Genevive L. Asenjo, Merlinda Bobis, Danton Remoto,Bebang Siy, not to mention the promising ones : Genaro R. Gojo Cruz and Edgar Calabia Samar, the apples of my eyes, turned out to be stellar, heavenly , and dazzling. Coming to this realization, I found its price affordable and reasonable. However, I was between the lever of a teeter-totter whether it should be on my list since I could spend 220 pesos on the other books more famous than this, which writer I had never heard of. Sorry po, Professor Wigley. It just happened that I was not aware of your literary stardom. Doggone it! I must have been ambivalent about what local book I should have first read. I was surrounded by books I have never read yet, let alone that I was a "pooritang" reader unable to buy astronomical books, especially the best-sellers on the market. No wonder I was exhilarated upon receiving this book as a gift.
John Jack G. Wigley's memoir Falling into the Manhole is a collection of his how’s before he became a successful writer and professor , as to how he took to watching movies at movie theaters and was gorgonized by his mother's being die-hard Noranian ; how he was born and lived the dilemma of being Amerasian ; how his family and he lived as nomads moving from one house to different houses in a year ; how he became an avid fan of Madonna who was the instrument for understanding his sexual orientation; how he fell in love with his best friend- the story that I blinked my tears away because I know what it feels like; how he became a "butterfingered" fast-food chain crew ; how he was proud to be Lea Salonga fan who was the reason why he fell into the manhole; how he became a theatre actor and had the good chance to stage at CCP; how he fell in love with Meryl Streep's acting style; how he had the opportunity to go to America on tour and find his American father, the missing link; how he became a teacher who can be a blooper despite that he is supposed to be superior and infallible; how he survived Ondoy trauma; how he became one of the best and respected UST professors; and finally, how he took care of his mother passionately. All of his anecdotes have inspiring lessons you should learn.
Personally speaking, the book is intended for homosexuals and for those who are inspired to be a successful professor and writer. As a member of the confederation, I experienced to be an avid fan of beauty pageants. In fact, although I didn't live in the 1980's, I want to blow my horn and beat others to it that I know how Chat Silayan represented the prestigious pageant and presented herself gorgeously. Thanks to YouTube. Like him, I would also wait for its live telecast and take notes of the petite delegates in the semifinals. In fact, I could almost memorize all the yearly winners by heart. It was one of my passionate hobbies in my teen-age life.( laughs)
His memoir reminded me of children's book writer Genaro Gojo Cruz's Connecting the Dots because both their memoirs bear little resemblance to how they became successful in life. Like Wigley, Genaro also persevered to get out of poverty. He was so determined not to get dumped by his abject miseries in life. In fact, both writers lived in a broken family with this desire to be complete by reminiscing of their fathers . Both of their memoirs also suggest their intellectual humility; they must never imply that they are gifted writers. Genaro admits that he never excelled in school whereas Wigley knows his limitation upon academic excellence.
Laying it aside with the other books on my reading table,my spirit that has been bogged down in muddy despair has been sloughed off. I have learned now how to be a writer more, how humanity works, and how I should love and be passionate about my work as a teacher.Boo-ya!
October 8, 2014
I will start this review with my own snippet of a memoir. Let me phrase the title to “Wigley, Wigley, Wigley, Yeah!”
“Wigley, Wigley, Wigley, Yeah!”
(A short story on how I came across this author)
It was my third year in college as I was taking up BA Comm Arts. Every year, all Comm Arts students were tasked to lead, manage and execute the annual Faculty show of the Arts and letters college faculty of the University. Wow, talk about pressure with no choice of resistance – right? Normally, I don’t pursue being active with such events because I was always busy with my extra-curricular activities outside of school (think Owl City and concerts) however something must have pushed me to step up and join the production team.
In and out of school, I was always into ‘showbiz,’ it was no wonder that I ended up handling the talents for the whole show. The talents for the Faculty show were, well, the Faculty members. Most of the professors were from our own building and some were professors from other faculties that occasionally taught at AB (Arts and Letters Faculty). I coordinated with most of the professors and linked them up with their respective teams for their own production numbers. Then I texted this Professor named John Jack Wigley, apparently he was going to be with our team together for a ‘Madonna’ segment of the whole show. Interesting name but I have never had the chance to be under his subjects so I have no idea who he is, turns out that he is from the College of Fine Arts who teaches several subjects in AB from time to time.
When I met sir Jack Wigley, I knew that I would love him. He was very happy, funny and he donned the biggest smile in the whole faculty. He was very proactive in the production of their Madonna segment, he often gave comments and suggestions on what to do and what to improve. Among all of the teams, I was over the top excited for sir Jack and Mam Eloisa’s (Both were the stars for the Madonna segment). From what I heard, Sir Jack Wigley is a strict professor but working with him for the Faculty show really made it impossible for me to picture him being all strict. I was more involved in the show than I could get and to think I could have not done this in the first place. I was gladly spending overtime hours just to help our team deliver a spectacular show.
Lia C. for the photo!
The show was a great success, the Madonna number was spectacular and I had to say goodbye to sir Jack. That was my last personal encounter with him until I read over Facebook that sir Jack published his first creative non-fiction under the Ust Publishing House.
It was just this year that I finally got a copy for myself when I attended the MIBF 2014 for the sole purpose of purchasing sir Jack’s book and having it signed by him. I never thought I’d get to know him more through pages and stories personally narrated from the humble life of sir Jack.
The book, in its entirety, is a gift – from the author (whom we will assume that I don’t personally know just so you are convinced that I am totally being unbiased right now.) It is an open book diary of a man that is richly immersed in the diversity, in conflict and acceptance, of race, gender and poverty. Sir Jack bluntly says the central theme of the memoir in the first few pages of the book – he is gay, he is half american and half asian and he was poor. The honesty and sincerity of delivery caught me in mid-air. I never took memoirs lightly because for all I know it takes a chunk of courage to share your REAL stories to the world – with no cloaks of fiction at bay. Truly, this book asserted its place.
The whole book is written in chronological order – from sir Jack’s youth to the present. It tells us a narrative of how he grew up in the Philippines – being AmerAsian, poor and gay – and the bittersweet implications of life as it is. It shares stories that I once thought were only seen in MMK’s (Maalala Mo Kaya) and considered rare in real life.
The stories were very entertaining as much as they were very personal. Every story was emotionally charged – you share the pain, you cry the tears, you laugh at the jokes and you triumph over success. No doubt that the overall tone and delivery were tastefully done. You get to have the privilege of seeing the author deliver his stories upfront, standing straight with a grin on his face knowing that underneath it all is a sincere and genuine human being who is not afraid to let the world know who he is and what he has become.
Now, the question is – would you really a memoir? Why would you want to read about somebody else’s life when you have your own set of stories yourself? I for one could easily compete with sir Jack’s story about Ondoy. But I don’t think I have the right words, the correct attitude and the perfect amount of courage to face the world and tell them who I am. For me, reading a memoir is like taking snippets of life from the author and learning from them. I truly feel privileged to have had the honor of learning from sir Jack.
The book is a gem, a treasure that needs to be shared. This book does not simple outsmart but it also outshines. A happy, easy and meaningful read. With this, it’s safe to say that I am eagerly anticipating the release of his second book out this December 2014.
Sir Wigley – 3 years after, it is my greatest pleasure to say that my hat will always be off to you.
“Wigley, Wigley, Wigley, Yeah!”
(A short story on how I came across this author)
It was my third year in college as I was taking up BA Comm Arts. Every year, all Comm Arts students were tasked to lead, manage and execute the annual Faculty show of the Arts and letters college faculty of the University. Wow, talk about pressure with no choice of resistance – right? Normally, I don’t pursue being active with such events because I was always busy with my extra-curricular activities outside of school (think Owl City and concerts) however something must have pushed me to step up and join the production team.
In and out of school, I was always into ‘showbiz,’ it was no wonder that I ended up handling the talents for the whole show. The talents for the Faculty show were, well, the Faculty members. Most of the professors were from our own building and some were professors from other faculties that occasionally taught at AB (Arts and Letters Faculty). I coordinated with most of the professors and linked them up with their respective teams for their own production numbers. Then I texted this Professor named John Jack Wigley, apparently he was going to be with our team together for a ‘Madonna’ segment of the whole show. Interesting name but I have never had the chance to be under his subjects so I have no idea who he is, turns out that he is from the College of Fine Arts who teaches several subjects in AB from time to time.
When I met sir Jack Wigley, I knew that I would love him. He was very happy, funny and he donned the biggest smile in the whole faculty. He was very proactive in the production of their Madonna segment, he often gave comments and suggestions on what to do and what to improve. Among all of the teams, I was over the top excited for sir Jack and Mam Eloisa’s (Both were the stars for the Madonna segment). From what I heard, Sir Jack Wigley is a strict professor but working with him for the Faculty show really made it impossible for me to picture him being all strict. I was more involved in the show than I could get and to think I could have not done this in the first place. I was gladly spending overtime hours just to help our team deliver a spectacular show.
Lia C. for the photo!
The show was a great success, the Madonna number was spectacular and I had to say goodbye to sir Jack. That was my last personal encounter with him until I read over Facebook that sir Jack published his first creative non-fiction under the Ust Publishing House.
It was just this year that I finally got a copy for myself when I attended the MIBF 2014 for the sole purpose of purchasing sir Jack’s book and having it signed by him. I never thought I’d get to know him more through pages and stories personally narrated from the humble life of sir Jack.
The book, in its entirety, is a gift – from the author (whom we will assume that I don’t personally know just so you are convinced that I am totally being unbiased right now.) It is an open book diary of a man that is richly immersed in the diversity, in conflict and acceptance, of race, gender and poverty. Sir Jack bluntly says the central theme of the memoir in the first few pages of the book – he is gay, he is half american and half asian and he was poor. The honesty and sincerity of delivery caught me in mid-air. I never took memoirs lightly because for all I know it takes a chunk of courage to share your REAL stories to the world – with no cloaks of fiction at bay. Truly, this book asserted its place.
The whole book is written in chronological order – from sir Jack’s youth to the present. It tells us a narrative of how he grew up in the Philippines – being AmerAsian, poor and gay – and the bittersweet implications of life as it is. It shares stories that I once thought were only seen in MMK’s (Maalala Mo Kaya) and considered rare in real life.
The stories were very entertaining as much as they were very personal. Every story was emotionally charged – you share the pain, you cry the tears, you laugh at the jokes and you triumph over success. No doubt that the overall tone and delivery were tastefully done. You get to have the privilege of seeing the author deliver his stories upfront, standing straight with a grin on his face knowing that underneath it all is a sincere and genuine human being who is not afraid to let the world know who he is and what he has become.
Now, the question is – would you really a memoir? Why would you want to read about somebody else’s life when you have your own set of stories yourself? I for one could easily compete with sir Jack’s story about Ondoy. But I don’t think I have the right words, the correct attitude and the perfect amount of courage to face the world and tell them who I am. For me, reading a memoir is like taking snippets of life from the author and learning from them. I truly feel privileged to have had the honor of learning from sir Jack.
The book is a gem, a treasure that needs to be shared. This book does not simple outsmart but it also outshines. A happy, easy and meaningful read. With this, it’s safe to say that I am eagerly anticipating the release of his second book out this December 2014.
Sir Wigley – 3 years after, it is my greatest pleasure to say that my hat will always be off to you.
August 3, 2014
Perhaps memoirs are works that can either isolate a reader or provide an anchor to understand someone's life, yet the delicate, private lives that one reads in these pages are proven to be effective in pulling the reader in. In the case of Falling Into The Manhole: A Memoir (2012) by John Jack Wigley, the consistent wittiness along with a poignant recollection of his struggle with issues of class, race, and gender seem like a story for the movies but because of its simple narration, comprehending the layers in the memoir came naturally.
My personal favorites are the ones on "Home" and "Mother." The fact that these two subjects are universally understood made it quite easy to empathize with the narrator and his family, in their struggle to occupy a space that they can call home. While the image of the hardworking mother has been insitutionalized in our society because of pop culture and other media forms, it is the reality that most Filipino women face due to various issues. For Sir Jack, the years that his mother spent on providing them what they need have caught up with her and it's his turn to do the same for his mother.
While unfamiliar readers would have a second mind in picking up the book, I enjoyed laughing while reading the book, and some of the narratives in the book have started out as conversation starters and breathers inside the classroom, which I also remembered laughing heavily when Sir Jack re-enacts the situation. Both memoir and my professor carry the same, distinct humor that most people love him for.
My personal favorites are the ones on "Home" and "Mother." The fact that these two subjects are universally understood made it quite easy to empathize with the narrator and his family, in their struggle to occupy a space that they can call home. While the image of the hardworking mother has been insitutionalized in our society because of pop culture and other media forms, it is the reality that most Filipino women face due to various issues. For Sir Jack, the years that his mother spent on providing them what they need have caught up with her and it's his turn to do the same for his mother.
While unfamiliar readers would have a second mind in picking up the book, I enjoyed laughing while reading the book, and some of the narratives in the book have started out as conversation starters and breathers inside the classroom, which I also remembered laughing heavily when Sir Jack re-enacts the situation. Both memoir and my professor carry the same, distinct humor that most people love him for.
October 28, 2014
Talk about a book with heart. Falling Into The Manhole made me laugh out loud and cry unapologetically. This collection of personal essays is as honest as they come. Sir John Jack Wigley uses language that is very easy to appreciate. His wit and killer sense of humor, and his ability to translate anecdotes from his life into beautiful, well-written prose on paper make this book a must-have for readers who want to read something devoid of pretensions and intellectual hoity-toityness. The author's candor is a welcome change. I am no expert but, as it is with good wine and good food: I don't need no expert to tell me if it's good or not. My tongue will do the judging. This book can definitely be likened to fine wine. It is a joy to read.
April 27, 2025
such an interesting read really, i like the times where there is discussion about families, being gay, and growing up without a father and still despite all that, there is sort of a beautiful recovery from such realities. that was the highlight of this book for me plus the humor and sarcasm in other pieces genuinely made me laugh 😭 HAHA.
faves are bui doi in the city of angel and the princess and the trap 🙂↕️
faves are bui doi in the city of angel and the princess and the trap 🙂↕️
December 23, 2012
Funny, honest and smart. Sir wigley really knows to make the readers laugh despite how tragic the situation is. And surprisingly sad but true. A short yet remarkable in its simplest and Hopeful way. I hope sir wigley writes more about his life. He impress and inspire readers like me to look at a life ive never ever experienced before. I hope yet that i can ride again to the adventures and mishaps of my professor who inspired me to write -- and try and hope for the best in all encounters of life.
December 30, 2014
The Madonna chapter... Oh god...
November 28, 2013
THIS BOOK IS SO FUN! REVIEW LATER
July 8, 2018
Funny, realistic and inspiring in simple but special ways. A must-read book especially to those who are aspiring to become someone "more". Truly heart-warming anecdotes and I'm very fortunate to hear some stories in person during my classes with him.
December 17, 2022
Nauna kong nabasa ang Home of the Ashfall na nagustuhan ko rin. Ito ayos din. Masaya at madaling basahin. Gusto ko ang humor at wit ng mga akda ni John Jack Wigley. Siguro kung may mga kaibigan akong gustong bumalik sa pagbabasa o gustong mahilig sa pagbabasa, isa ito sa mga librong isa-suggest ko.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews