Detective Boys of Masangkay: Ang Mangkukulam

Detective Boys of Masangkay #1

by Bernalyn Hapin Sastrillo, Borg Sinaban (Illustrator)

Nawawala ang alagang pusa ni Ate Lotlot at ang alagang tuta ni Junjun.
Ninakaw ang mga sinampay ni Aling Cora.
Pinatay ang mga panabong na manok ni Mang Jimmy.
Na-kidnap ang sikat na Shino Kid.

May isang mangkukulam.
May isang dalagitang bagong lipat.
May tatlong binatilyong fans ni Detective Conan.

Sila ang lulutas sa lahat ng misteryong bumabalot sa Barangay Masangkay.

Genres: Middle Grade, Novels, Young Adult, Adventure, Childrens

207 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2016

About the author

Si Bernalyn Hapin Sastrillo ay isang manunulat, mandudula, at minsa’y nakagawa na rin siya ng maiikling pelikula. Naging writing fellow siya sa IYAS National Writer’s Workshop (2015), Virgin Labfest Writing Fellowship (2014), at Kabanata Young Adult Writers’ Workshop (2014).

Ang Detective Boys of Masangkay: Ang Mangkukulam ay ang una niyang nobela. Ito’y nabuo mula sa pira-pirasong alaala niya bilang batang '90s, na hinubog upang maging ganap na akda sa tulong ng Kabanata Workshop.

Reviews

[Neil Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ang ganda.
Ang nostalgic.
Ang lakas makabata.
RTC

[Teri P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taong 2012 ng ako ay magsimulang magaral ng Tagalog. Ngayon (sawakas!), nakakabasa na ako ng libro na pang edad 8-12.

Gustong-gusto ko ang libro na ito! Nakakatawa at hindi nakakainip. Sinubukan kong hulaan ang mga solusyon hanggang dulo. Makatotohanan ang mga solusyun (siguro, karamihan). Nasiyahan ako hanggang sa huli.

Sobrang makatotohan at kagiliw-giliw ang mga karakter ng istorya. Tunay ang mga problema nila. Gaya ng hidwaan at interaksyon ng mga anak tungo sa kanilang magulang na naghahangad ng respeto
Siguro, mas mabuti kung 10 taong gulang keysa 12 ang mga batang lalaki. Dahil sa sa kanilang interes at aksyon. Ngunit, nagustuhan at minahal ko itong libro.

[Bomalabs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ugh, I loved this book. Maybe I'm a bit biased towards Adarna picks, but I commonly associate a well designed book with good content. It reflects good taste. A company wouldn't spend so much time in a Book's look if it didn't have impeccable content. (At least that's what I'd like to think.) The splash of Turquoise Blue in every Chapter, the textured, atypical illustration, it's so eye-catching!

Now back to the story. Okay, having watched Stranger Things recently, this is the closest thing I could compare the feel of the book to. But Filipino. I know we shop stop labeling things as "____ of the Philippines", but its very similar. You have a barkada of young boys solving something, a girl comes along and causes a fight within the group, bicycles, a village setting, Nostalgia Trip for Batang 90s/00s. But you have very Filipino elements in it, like the Chimosang Manangs and the Sabungero Manongs, Detective Conan, Genius Kids in Powdered Milk Commercials. All these seamlessly integrated into the plot was just fun to read and experience. As someone who has probably read too much mystery novels you'll probably know where the story is going, but its always a little ego boost to have your conjectures confirmed, which is probably the fun part in reading Mystery novels anyway. Despite this, there's still enough tension in the book that would make you turn the page until the end. I can't wait for the next installment.

(Favorite Quote from Junior, I wanted to hug the character after he said this: "Ang panget niyo mag-wrestling! Walang kalatoy-latoy ang laban, mga 'tol." Ang cute lang hihi)

[Sai theengineerisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

March pick for my 2023 goal of reading (at least) one book from a Filipino author & published by a Filipino publisher

Ang Detective Boys of Masangkay ay oda para sa mga batang 90s at 2000s (gaya ko) na lumaki sa kalsada kasama ang mga kababatang mahilig sa adventure, panonood ng anime na pinapalabas sa free TV (ang paborito ko ay Dragon Ball Z, Ueki, at Ghost Fighter), at pagtuklas sa totoong kahulugan ng pagkakaibigan.

Mabilis kong natapos ang DBM dahil maayos at malinis ang pagkakalahad ng istorya. Kumbaga, sa umpisa pa lang, alam mo kung ano ang maaaring patunguhan ng kwento ngunit may halo pa ring misteryo sa kung ano talaga ang kalalabasan ng paglalakbay ng Detective Boys of Masangkay.

Para sa'kin, ito ay middle grade at rekomendado ko ito kung mahilig ka sa small town mystery at mga kwentong kapupulutan mo ng aral.

Pinakanagustuhan ko ang mensaheng dapat kilalanin natin ang kakayahan at kapasidad ng mga bata bilang miyembro ng komunidad. Dahil minsan, malay mo, nasa kanila pala ang sagot na hinahanap natin.

RATING: 5stars

[Percival Buncab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isa sa pinakapinagsisisihan ko sa buhay eh hindi ako lumaking nagbabasa. High school na 'ko nu’ng magsimulang magbasa-basa; college na nu’ng talagang naging bibliophile. Ang unang libro at series na nasubaybayan ko ay ang Diary of a Wimpy Kid. ‘Yun ang pinagkaka-utangan ko ng loob kung bakit ako na-in love sa pagbabasa. Mula ro’n, nahilig na ‘kong magbasa ng children’s novels. Mahilig ako sa mga realistic fiction na sa school ang setting. Feeling ko kasi nare-redeem ko ‘yung mga scholastic book fair na sinayang ko noong elementary. Pero karamihan ng children’s novels na nabasa ko ay foreign. Kakaunti lang kasi ang local children’s novels sa Pilipnas, kumpara sa local children’s short stories. ‘Yun ang dahilan kung ba’t may special space sa literary heart ko ang Detective Boys of Masangkay.

Matinding nostalgia ang inabot ko sa nobelang ‘to. Bida ang 90s kids; mula sa pagkaka-crush sa kalaro mo at iba pang batang lansangan nostalgia. Kuwento ito ng tipikal na tropahan ng magkakaibigang idol si Detective Conan, at kung paano nila niligtas ang buong baranggay nila mula sa isang “mangkukulam.”

May pagkakapareho sa Apple Summer's Origin ni Erikson Isaga, pero magkaiba sila ng atake. Buong summer ang setting ng Detective Boys of Masangkay: Ang Mangkukulam, isang araw ng klase naman ang Apple Summer's Origin (talk about irony! Erikson, paki-explain!)

Isa ang Detective Boys of Masangkay sa mga nag-inspire sa ‘kin na sumulat din ng children’s novel. Hindi ako nahilig sa anime kahit pinilit ko ang sarili ko. Tuwing naggagala nga kami sa mall, kasama ang dalawang childhood bestfriends kong sina Reggie at Jonas, lagi silang pumupunta sa Comic Alley, ta’s yamot akong maghihintay sa labas. Naniniwala akong maganda ang anime at manga, pero talagang ‘di ko lang trip personally. Mas trip ko ‘yung mga kuwentong kalye. At sa DOM, mababasa ang isang kuwentong kalyeng may anime reference. Isang children’s show lang ang pinakakina-adikan ko mula pagkabata: ang Power Rangers. At ‘yun ang gusto kong gawing reference kung magsusulat man ako ng children’s novel series gaya ng Detective Boy's of Masangkay at Apple Summer.

[Khare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kung batang 90’s ka ma eenjoy mo ang libro na ito. Kung kasama ka sa mga kabataan ngayon marahil manghihinayang ka at wala na sa panahon ninyo ito. Ito lang masasabi ko eh (sorry for my term) “SHIT!!!! Ginawa ko din yan hahaha”. Sa may akda na si Ms. Bernalyn. Kudos! Salamat dahil kahit sa libro lang ay naibalik ang mga alaalang napakasaya at masasabi ko talaga na “naks may childhood ako”.

[Avy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nostalgia. Napaisip ako na bakit ba iilan na lang ang mga bata na naglalaro sa labas ng kani-kanilang bahay gaya na lamang ng mga bata sa nobelang ito. Masyado na ba silang nilamon ng teknolohiya? Nakakamiss ang panahon na ganto at nakakalungkot na sana maibalik.

Pero gusto kong komentohan ang galing ng manunulat sa pagpasok ng komedya, aksyon, horror, suspense, at drama. Nakakatuwa din na nagbibigay ito ng aral. Madali mang hulaan ang mga susunod na mangyayari, nakakatuwa pa rin ang nobelang ito. Sana'y mas marami pangmakabasa nito kahit di bata. Mabuhayang literaturang Pilipino!

[Mac Dubista Keso The Bibliobibuli v(=∩_∩=) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Binasa ko ng isang upuan lamang. Napakaganda ng pagkakasulat. Gustong gusto ko ang istorya. At nakakarelate ako sa mga ginamit na termino. Batang nayntis. 😊

[Miguel Angelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lakas makathrowback ng DBM nakakatuwa though na talagang pambata yung book na ito naeexcite pa rin ako kahit papano. minsan comedy, suspense, excitement and adventure. Napasaya niyo ko Junior- sobrang cool pa ka ng kuya sa dalawa mong kaibigan na sina Uno at Thirdy tuloy mo lang yan at naging proud din sayo ang tatay mo na si chief at sana maging mahusay kang pulis.
Uno - Talino mong bata at adeventurer nakikita ko sarili ko sayo kasi masiyado kang laging nacucurious like you always seek for adventure.
Thirday- okay lang yan puppy love lang yung kay Me-ann aral ka muna. wag kang brutal minsan sana maging artista ka in the future.
Me-ann - Youre extra ordinary girl and i love you kasi even though na youre strong outside but then everyone has a weakness and thats your family. Youre also a smart girl sana makakita ako ng katulad mo na mahilig sa adventure na walang arte sa katawan like Margo Roth Spiegleman.
Aling Binang- Wala naawa talaga ako sayo sobrang bait niyo po.
Aling Cora - Annoying ka badtrip.
DBM boys sana maging katropa ko kayo sobrang hilig ko din sa mysteries naalala ko pa noong bata ako na nagfeeling kami na we have the powers like we're not ordinary people that we see things. Lol naaalala ko yung espada ng dragon i wont forget that. Batang 90's is the best.

Very stranger things lang. pero filipino settings but i know you change things. i love the quote na. "Ang panget niyo mag-wrestling mga tol. walang ka latoy-latoy" hahaha. Also I wont forget yung nagkipagbakbakan sila sa bridge over the bullies para makita si Melvin. Also, I wont forget din yung sa tatawid na sila at muntikan ng malaglag si Thirdy para makatawid lang sobrang feel ko yung nakatulog sila at gabi na nagising. at best part din yung pilit nila tinutulak yung sirang van at sabay sabay silang tinutulak to na kahit kailan walang iwanan at kahit may sumuko napatawad pa rin. i like the illustrations and very catchy every chapter. basta I love this book napakasaya lang balikan kung gaano kasaya maging bata.

[chimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breath of fresh air ang DBM para sa akin, sa dami ba naman ng anomalya ng mga kapulisan sa panahon ngayon. Fictional characters man sina Uno, Thirdy, at Junior, hindi ko mapigilang sumambit ng hiling na sana, ang mga kabataang nangangarap maging pulis ay maging katulad nila -- bukal ang puso at totoo ang pagnanais na tumulong sa kapwa.

Mabalik sa totoong review, very home-y para sa akin ng DBM, para akong naging bata ulit sa katauhan nina Uno, Thirdy, Junior, at Me-ann. Na-miss kong maging marungis na bata haha!

Madaling basahin, tapos maganda pa yung illustrations ng bawat chapter. Nakakaaliw yung pagkakaibigan nilang tatlo, dagdag pa si Me-ann. Ang babata pa pero halo-halong comedy, romance, action, drama, at mystery na ang buhay nila. Sana all, joke!

4 stars dahil 1) hindi masyadong detalyado ang tungkol sa naging buhay ng papa ni Me-ann (worried pa rin ako sa kaligtasan ng pamilya nila sa dulo ng nobela haha at medyo na-sepanx ako sa thought na pinalilipat ulit sila ng tirahan?) at 2) nalungkot akong walang recognition si Me-ann sa huling kabanata (given, honorary member siya ng DBM, pero sana naging Junior Detective din siya since tumulong din naman siya at siya naman naka-solve ng isang kaso?)

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sasamahan natin sa nobelang ito ang 12-taong gulang magkakaibigang sina Uno, Junior at Thirdy na tiga Barangay Masangkay kung saan may mga misteryosong pangyayaring nagaganap. Prime Suspect: si Aling Binang o mas kilala bilang "mangkukulam." Ang magkakaibigan ay parte ng DBM o ang 'Detective Boys of Masangkay' at sila ang tutulong upang mapaliwanag ang mga pangyayari sa barangay. Masosolve kaya nila ang mga misteryo? Char.

Ang saya lang basahin nito. Para kasing dinadala ulit ako sa panahong bata pa ako at pinabalik ang mga alaala ko nung mga panahong iyon. Hindi man 'sing tulad ng kabataan ko (kasi hindi ako pinapayagang lumabas ng bahay nuon), pero nakarelate padin ako sa maraming bagay. Yung mga karakter din ay maihahambing sa mga naging kaklase/kaibigan ko nuon. Napakahusay at kapanipaniwala ang mga karakter at pangyayari na likha ni Ms. Berna Sastrillo. Irerekumenda ko parin ito miski sa kahit anong edad dahil isa itong paraan para masilip ang panahong 90s sa mata ng mga batang Pilipino. Kwela ang kulitan, asaran, pikunan ng mga magkakaibigan at iba pang mga karakter. Ang mga may hilig sa Detective or Adventure genre ay lalong matutuwa rin! Basahin mo na!

[Bookbed · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Author Bernalyn Hapin Sastrillo claims to be a 90’s kid and that was definitely evident in this book that waxes nostalgic for all things 90’s. What I originally thought to be a young adult book was actually targeting old millennials such as myself, who may want to take a trip down memory lane.

Despite this, the book can still be kid-friendly because of the simple yet exciting mystery and relatable characters. The only question to ask now is if there will be another case for the Detective Boys to solve that will be published in a sequel. I’m sure I’m not the only one crossing her fingers." Continue reading our review here.

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[Abel Mallari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, straightforward and adorable, Detective Boys of Masangkay may very well be modern middle-grade YA Filipiniana's answer to Nancy Drew. It is an all-out tribute to the youthful memories of the author -- references to Ghost Fighter and of course Detective Conan -- pervade the story. As someone who grew up within the same pop culture, I enjoyed the nostalgic throwbacks. There is much potential where the series (if this is going to be one) can go. I like how not all was crammed into this volume, like how the boys met and, intriguingly, why Thirdy lives with his aunt -- all possible points where the succeeding stories can jump from. I really hope this gets more installments.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on my blog: bongbongbooks.wordpress.com

Nostalgic. That for me is the best description that best suits this Filipino book that I picked up during this year’s Manila International Book Fair. Detective Boys of Masangkay is one of the new books published by Adarna Publishing House this year and it created quite a buzz in the reading community and so when I saw a copy I immediately grabbed it without any hesitations. And I am very glad I did pick it up despite reminding me of how old I am now.

[Erika Managbanag · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will remind you of your childhood. Nakakaaliw! Hindi lang mga bata ang matutuwa dito

[sparrowhawk dualcast · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read. Kids will enjoy, I think. Lei, actually was afraid of the story and decided not to continue with it so I took it and yeah, It is fun story, at the least.

[rhosynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based solely on my experience, children in Philippine literature are sorted into one of two categories: the angelic child (the victim of bullying, the forgiving one, the one who says "tama na po!" whenever their parent does something wrong, the mouthpiece for the author's values, etc.) or the bully (the salbahe, the spoiled brat, the one who has to learn humility to prove a point to the audience).

I'm not saying this book is a pioneer that breaks this mold, but I do find it refreshing how well it captured how fun it is to be a kid. The antics that the main trio got up to were funny, their petty fights and asaran were entertaining, and the dialogue style immediately reminded me of how my friends and I used to speak when we were younger.

And I don't know how to properly articulate this but language played a huge part in why I loved this book. Middle grade fiction written in Filipino was borderline nonexistent or purely inaccessible when I was younger, so most of the kids my age had to consume Western books written for our demographic. And yes, Dork Diaries and the like kept us entertained but it didn't... fulfill us, you know? There was always that barrier in language, not because we couldn't understand English but because we as Filipinos were invisible in the literature we consumed. No wonder locally published pocketbooks became so popular all those years ago. No wonder some of my classmates didn't bother reading at all.

So to summarize everything I want to say: I wish this book existed when I was younger. More than that, I wish there were more books like this in libraries across the country. I want kids to feel what I felt when I read this, to feel truly connected to what they're reading because it mirrors their reality as children--not just in language but in humor, in worldview, in heart.

[ps.stillreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really enjoyed about the book was the nostalgia factor. If your childhood was at a time when cellphones were only for rich adults, then you will relate. This book has kids riding their bikes, going to each other’s houses, and of course claiming an abandoned building as their headquarters. The freedom of saying goodbye to your parents and promising to return home by dinner time, being out on the streets all day, getting into all sorts of mischief, and racing home by sunset. Nakakamiss! Tapos syempre, may mga first crush rin na nangyayari. As an adult, this part was fun to read, lalo na the clumsy attempts of getting them to notice you 😅

The mysteries were good too, the clues were there. Didn’t try to solve it though because that’s not my style, I’m just along for the ride. The stakes were high enough to give me a good adrenaline rush while still being at an appropriate level for the intended age group.

And while this is a middle-grade book full of exciting (mis)adventures, there are also some serious themes that affect the boys’ lives. If you’re reading this with a young person in your life, I suggest you offer them guidance. But even if you’re an adult like me picking this up for the vibes, I know you’ll have a good time because I did. There’s a bunch of things here that would fly over kids’ heads, and some pop culture references they wouldn’t know so if you don’t mind feeling your age sometimes, give this book a go!

[John Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely fun read. The main characters are funny, and totally reminded me of kids at the edge of adolescence: trying to assert some form of independence, juvenile sense of humor, etc. There were several mysteries the boys were trying to solve, but most were red herrings. As a mystery fan I was trying to solve some of the mysteries with them, and was proud of myself when I figured out a clue before the boys (and girl) did (then again I have 20+ years of mystery reading experience and I'm not really the target audience so I guess I shouldn't be TOO proud lol). There's also a social commentary thrown in which is also a good lesson for young people to learn.

I think this book is perfect for young boys and girls who are fans of Detective Conan (the cartoon or comic) and loves mysteries. I think I'll pass these books on to my niece after I'm done reading them.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Finished this book in one sitting, partly because of its fast pacing and partly because of its engaging plot. This is about three boys and one girl who are solving mysteries (dead chickens, missing pets, 'stolen' clothes, missing child prodigy) in a small town full of stock characters (the strict police chief, the town chismosa, a woman living alone mistaken as a witch). This will remind you of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys but with less complications and more charm.

The plot is already good but what really made me like this book is the nostalgia of childhood, a time of endless possibilities and adventures which unfortunately we could never get back. I am already looking forward to the next installments of this book.

Nakaka-miss maging bata.

[ignoranj · Rating 4 out of 5]

kakatapos ko lang at ilang buwan ko ring pinilit ang sarili at oras kong makapagbasa na ko ulit. gusto ko na agad basahin 'yung Closed Door Mystery, ang galing. maganda ang pagkakagawa sa tatlong bida at lalo na kay me ann. binili ko 'to kasi gusto kong magbasa ng mas maraming babaeng manunulat—lalo na mga pinay na manunulat—kaya sobrang nakakataba ng puso na may bida na babaeng magaling, matalino, maganda, mabait, at kayang gawin (at minsan ay higitan pa) ang kayang gawin ng mga karakter na lalaki. nabuhay nito ang interes ko sa crime media, baka magrewatch ako ng detective conan from teh beginning hehehe MABUHAY ANG PANITIKANG BABAE!

[Alexa Calape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ang Gandaaaa, nostalgic yung feeling para akong bumabalik dun sa days na ang dungis dungis ko pa tapos laro lang iniisip at lumalabas pa ko ng bahay.

Kahit ang easy lang ng mga case (admit it kayang kayang masolve to) pero if andun ka sa POV nila ang hirap lutasin kasi hindi mo nakikita lahat ng pangyayari at hindi mo alam lahat hindi katulad ng nagbabasa.

So ayun sa school library ko lang to nakita and wala yung susunod na book kainis

(BTW 14 palang ako pero yung childhood ko naging uninteresting after mag 10 haha buti pa sila 12 yo may childhood pa)

[Kyle Apelado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 stars.

Adarna House never fail to amaze me with their books. I can't believe I managed to finish this book in one sitting and the kids reminds me of Nancy Drew or Stranger Things. This is a must-read for middle grade students because the language is easy to understand. it's simple, it's the straightforward and kids will surely learn a lot of lessons here. From valuing friendships, learning not to judge anyone on the outside are relevant things that one must instill. I can't wait to purchase the next book! The ending was a cliffhanger.

[jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a physical copy of this book yesterday on National Book Store's Warehouse sale. I read it immediately and finished within today.

I love how it's making me reminisce about my childhood. The plot is very simple yet full of the author's imagination. Kudos!

I'd love to read the Closed-door mystery!

[Diane C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ang saya ng aklat na to. Lakas maka batang 90s.

[Mark Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

[Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great mystery book for kids.

[Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love na love na love nila ang Detective Conan HAHAHA. FUN READ!!! Para akong kasama sa mga investigation nila hahahaha

[selina · Rating 2 out of 5]

me-ann deserved an award!!!! she’s also a DBM!!!!!

[elsewhere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nakakatawa. Ang sarap basahin. Aliw na aliw ako. Ang ganda ng drawings per chapter.