Sampung oras ang ibinigay na balita online bago bumagsak ang isang malaking bulalakaw. Marami ang nag-panic kaya agad agad nabuwal ang buong sistema ng mga tao. Nagkaroon ng worldwide panic. Natatakot ang lahat. Bukod sa mga kagaya ni Martin. Para sa kanya, nabuhay na sya nang matagal at nagawa niya na ang mga dapat magawa. May mga konting pagsisisi pero sapat na ‘yun para sa kanya. Sa katunayan, naging mas malinaw sa kanya ang mga bagay na mas mahalaga. Gusto niya na lang magkape sa isang ‘di kilalang coffee shop para sa katahimikan ng magulong mundo. Hanggang pumasok sa coffee shop si Elya. Hindi nila inaasahan na sa huling oras, magkakaroon sila ng koneksyon at magiging magkabahagi sa huling araw ng buhay nila. Haharapin nila ang pagsubok sa paghahanap ng kapayapaan sa lalo pang gumulong mundo. Kasama si Greg, ang barista ng coffee shop, isa isang lilitaw ang buhay at alaala nila. Kasama ng mga kwento sa ilalim ng bulalakaw na tatapos sa ating lahat, lalabas ang tunay na mahalaga:
Pakikipagkapwa tao, pagpapahalaga sa natitirang oras, pamilya, relasyon, higit sa lahat — pagmamahal.
Arnold Subastil is an award winning author and also a professional web developer.
Grand Winner of the Lampara Prize 2025, Young Adult Category, he believes that stories significantly impact everyone's life and will always be essential to our progress. Before creating inspirational essays online, he had already written technical blogs that support the IT field for important information in programming languages, specifically for web development.
Arnold Subastil's literary journey culminated in the publication of his debut novel, “Anong Nangyari kay Wallace?” followed by “Ako, Ikaw at Isang Apocalyptic na Bulalakaw.” Both these works delve into the profound themes of time and the interconnectedness of our lives, offering a unique perspective on the journey we all undertake.
Arnold's writing usually focuses on hope and restoration from brokenness to a life worth telling - a life worth reading.
Love, forgiveness, existensialism, and what comes after death.
Saw this book during Manila book fair but didn't buy it then saw it again during MIBF and finally did. When I first read the synopsis I was already hooked and upon reading I knew it was worth the money.
Di ko inexpect na maiyak sa side stories especially sa amusement park one, kanila Leon at Teresa, at sa batang tatay si Superman. This book will make you think about it you're life was lived to the fullest and how you can try to do it with the time you have left. Napaisip din ako kung anong gagawin ko sa final moments ko bago magunaw ang mundo. Baka same din kami ni Martin na aamin kay Elya since wala namang mawawala.
Mapapaisip ka rin talaga if meron bang afterlife. I'm not that religious pero na-enjoy kung basahin ang moments nila Evan, Carlo, at Wallace. Mapapaisip ka talaga kung tama ba ang religion na napili mo ngayong malapit na ang katapusan.
Masaya ako sa ending na nasa langit sila. Malulungkot siguro ako kung inner monologue lang ni Martin ang mababasa ko as an ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Eto yung akala mo small talk lang, pero may deep talks pala in between. Pinaguusapan ang mga bagay na hindi mo maiisip sa normal na araw kung busy ka sa lahat ng ganap mo as a person. Very chill and fun read, pero will also make you reflect. Basahin mo to kung may reading slump ka — sure ako cured agad yan.
A relatable and eye-opening book. It made me realize that I have been in survival mode, not truly living in the moment. It's far from boring, thanks to the characters' sense of humor. Fun to read, with great lessons throughout. Highly recommended. 🤙