Dead Balagtas Tomo 1: Sayaw ng mga Dagat at Lupa

by Emiliana Kampilan

Ang Dead Balagtas ang unang komiks tungkol sa mahaba at makulay na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. na gumagamit ng alternatibo at malikhaing pamamaraan upang ilahad ang kasaysayan ng bansa.

Sa unang tomong ito, isasalaysay ng isang maalam na babaylan ang pagsilang ng santinakpan mula sa mainit na pagmamahalan ni Tungkung Langit at Laon Sina. At saksihan ang pagbangon ng mga kontinente, ang bangaan ng mga karagatan, ang pag-iibigan ng dagat at lupa; mga puwersang bumuo at patuloy na humuhulma sa ating tahanan at bayan: ang Pilipinas.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, LGBT, History, Queer, Asian Literature, Mythology

134 pages, Paperback

First published December 16, 2017

Reviews

[Jedi JC Daquis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Balagtas: Sayaw ng mga Dagat at Lupa is another triumphant addition to contemporary Filipino graphic literature. Written and illustrated by Emiliana Kampilan, Dead Balagtas is a collection of four stories, including a tried and tested pair of love stories and their struggles toward better welfare, and social acceptance that touches on LGBT, religious and political themes. These stories are interspersed with the pre-historic events of Philippine history, creating some of the most unique panels I have seen.

Emiliana Kampilan is a master artist. The first few pages of this volume are absolutely stunning to look at. I might not have a deep background with traditional and ethnic Filipino culture but I am very much certain that the pages are packed to the brim with them.



Dead Balagtas is a must-read for everybody. You can also follow Emiliana Kampilan's Dead Balagtas comic strips (the content in the book is different, so don't worry for possible spoilers) in different social media platforms.

[Neil Franz · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOBRANG GANDA AAAHHHHHHHHK

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believe the hype.

[H. Bentham]

The social relevance of this amazing graphic novel is as multi-layered as its storytelling so I'll just mention the ones that spoke to me personally.⁣
•⁣
The first is obviously the queerness of it. The book is subdivided into four distinct stories, two of which revolve around non-het couples and these parts take up majority of the book's content. We've got the MM couple that begins in a meet-disaster and becomes a unique friendship, and then a romantic relationship. I loved the part with a passage from the Quran, bec I rarely see gay Pinoy Muslim rep. ⁣
⁣
Then there's the FF relationship between a collegiala activist and a blue-collar worker. I absolutely loved that the story was allowed to run longer than the rest of the stories here. We got to see Anais's and Dylan's stories develop from their personal struggles separately, as well as them as a couple. This is the story that really made me love the whole book. ⁣
•⁣
Next is the non-exploitative representation of the poor an lower class. It is presented as it is in real-life, not glossed over, but also not cruel to the characters. They're living their lives and are allowed to find happiness and joy, and a hopeful future.⁣
•⁣
And lastly, I loved the geographic prehistory of the country juxtaposed in the contemporary stories. The Folkloric beginnings and the modern parallels matched the comic book's amazing artwork. I'm so glad it's in full-color too! I'm sharing select pages in random to avoid spoilers if you haven't read it yet. :)⁣
•
Thank u, bes @chachicsbooknook for letting me borrow! ❤️❤️❤️

*This review also appears as a bookstagram on my IG: @bentchbites

[Don Jaucian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobrang ganda. Naluha ako ng ilang beses. Di ko alam pano i-describe yung kaligayahan at excitement na nadama ko habang binabasa ko 'to. Sana basahin ng bawat Pilipino, gawing required reading sa eskwela, sa opisina, sa bahay, kahit saang may Pilipino.

[Led · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Hoy, Marietta, tumigil ka. Akin si Romnick [Sarmenta]!”

Somewhat got this graphic novel on impulse at a local book fair because of a display copy. What sold me on it were its superb illustrations that are recognizably set in the country, and its print quality. It is in Filipino language with baybayin, pre-colonial Philippine script, scattered as onomatopoeic words in the comics. Whatever the synopsis gushes about, I set it aside for later.

Came the reading. The visuals were undeniably mesmerizing. Only the narration would spew analogies between romance and geological events (with footnotes) that distracted me. Oddoyyy! One subject is intimate, a human experience, and the other inanimate, impersonal. Until I finished the whole of it and went back to the author’s description to grasp what I had just read. I had to do a second reading another day to take it in with full awareness. That proved beneficial.

The opinion that had not changed, though, was the romance stories. One was subtle it was edifying—Ramon & Rhaman’s—others so-so to cringey, the last one like from a beaten plot in a Filipino teleserye. I cracked up when an island rises to the ocean surface to depict the emotion of the scene:

“Pang-factory, pang-katulong lang ako! Bobo ako! Totoo naman, e. Wala akong narating sa buhay! Hindi ako kagaya mo!”
“Anais, bangon! Anais, buong buhay mo nilalaan mo sa pag-aalaga sa ibang tao. Bayaan mo namang alagaan kita.”
[illustrated: *halikan. tumaas ang paa ng isa sa kilig*]
*PALAWAN UPLIFT*

[Maria Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing to hate about this book. A game changer, indeed, the komiks is the most creative vehicle to tell our history - with science and mythology and human nature included in the equation. Most remarkable snippet of the art is Rahman's life story and the reveleation of Q'uran --- I am a Christian, and yet the words that were written from the holy scripture speak to me.

The book not only teaches about the history, but also keeps the readers to be #woke on the societal events, be aware of the equal rights, and be respectful to all people - straight or no straight. LGBT peeps not only deserve to be known, but also deserve to be respected, and most especially, loved. lol my kuya is gay and I am proud of his contributions to our pamilee and to the society at large, labyu kuya!

Perhaps there are lots of readers and aficionados of Dead Balagtas that raves about this book. And perhaps these words are not enough. Basta sobrang ganda nito!

[Chingwang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 5.0/5.0

Best Filipino graphic novel I have ever read! All the stories had me super invested and the illustrations were amazing.

[Apol Sta Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ang ganda ng komiks na Dead Balagtas Tomo 1 Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa, likha ni Emiliana Kampilan at ng Sambayanang Filipino. Hinahanap ko ang tamang pakiramdam matapos basahin ang komiks na ito. At hindi maalis sa isip ko ang ideya ng “Pinoy Pride” kahit alam ko na ang ibig sabihin nito sa karamihan ay international praise o exposure ng kapwa Pilipino. Sa pagbuklat mo pa lang ng komiks na ito at makita kung sino ang gumawa, mapapaisip ka agad kung karapat-dapat ka bang mabilang sa Sambayanang Filipino na bumuo ng obrang ito.

Natulungan ako ng isang kaibigan sa pag articulate ng bagay na ito, sabi nya ay “Sa Dead Balagtas, yung Pinoy Pride ay hindi nagiging Personal is the National, kundi National is the Personal.” Paulit-ulit ko binasa yan hanggang sa naintindihan ko ang naramdaman ko. Nagawa nitong i-redefine para sa akin ang ibig dapat sabihin ng Pinoy Pride. Ito ay ang pagbahagi ng kaalaman at kasaysayan upang pagyamanin ang karunungan ng bawat isa sa pamamagitan ng boses na mapagkaisa — at ito ay pag-ibig.

Dadalhin ka ni Emiliana sa pinakaprimitibong lugar ng pagtangkilik sa isang magandang bagay, kung saan mararamdaman mo ang mga cliche na “Atin ‘to!” /“Kababayan ko yan!”/“Mabuhay ang Noypi!”/ (at grabe ang drawing at design, na kinakailangan ring pagusapan pa nang hiwalay sa ibang pagkakataon. Halimbawa - maganda pala ang luntian, kung alam mo paano sya gamitin!) Lahat ng ito subalit mas makabuluhan, mas makatotohanan at walang kailangang patunayan. At parang madami na akong nasabi pero sa totoo lang ay ilan lang ‘yan sa marami pa na mapupulot sa komiks na ito. Usapang kasarian, kasaysayan at karapatang pantao ang mga napakita nang malalim pero malinaw at… sobrang ganda (mawawalan ka talaga ng salita). Hindi pa ako nakakita ng ganitong uri ng art at extra special (ube, sorbetes at leche flan sa halo-halo) sa puso ko ito dahil isa pa syang komiks.

Nasabi ko ba na komiks ang Dead Balagtas?

Salamat, Emiliana.

[Hope Ong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has set the bar for Komiks.

Mabuhay ka, Dead Balagtas!

[Lui · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE DEAD BALAGTAS AND EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK I HAD SO MANY EMOTIONS

[Sha Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isang mahusay na katha ng isang dakilang manhahabi. Napagniniig ni Kampilan ang tingkad ng salaysay sa tinis ng panahong pinadadaloy niya sa mga ugat nito. Natatangi ang katas ng bawat guhit at rubdob ng bawat kulay. Tunay ngang hiyas ito ng kasalukuyang panahon.

[Caryssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANG GANDAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just incredibly divine to read, to see, to experience. 12/10, I was emotional until the very last page.

[Gab of Green Gables · Rating 5 out of 5]

This comic book is one of the greatest I have read. It's overflowing with symbolism and emotions that paved the way in the formation of the Philippine islands done in the most creative way possible.

[Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isang maganda't malupit na libro.

Magical realism combined with contemporary queer issues, beautifully rendered by one of the best Filipino komikeros of our time.

[Elenore Mercurio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hanga ako sa kung paano nabuo at naipresenta ang konsepto na nilalaman ng libro sa paraan na madaling intindihin at masyang basahin.

Nae-excite akong mabasa ang mga kasunod pa!

[Cheenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an exciting book to read during this pandemic! Highly relevant, highly relatable. Kilig + critical :)

[Kat Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

❝At patuloy na nakikibaka, at patuloy na nakikisabay sa tinikling ng daigdig. Itong mga perlas na hinumog ng galit at lambing. Itong lupang hinirang.❞ — Kabanata 4: Lupang Hinirang

Tama nga ang sabi nila. Ang lahat ng bagay ay matatagpuan mo sa takdang panahon... 'yung "perfect timing" sa ingles 'ika nga nila. Dahil nang simulan ko ang librong ito, sa kalagitnaan ng tulirong isipan at mabigat na damdamin, hindi ko lubos akalain na tuturuan ako nitong kumalma, huminga, at isipin na ang buhay ay hindi perpekto ngunit ito'y maganda.

Ang Dead Balagtas (Tomo 1: Mga Sayaw ng Dagat at Lupa) ay koleksyon ng apat na kwento sa pamamagitan ng mga ilustrasyon. Ito ay magsisimula sa pinakaunang pagkabuo ng daigdig hanggang sa unti-unting pagkakawatak-watak nito. Ito ay salaysay ng iba't ibang uri ng pag-ibig na banayad at mahiwaga, makasarili at mapanakit, o pinagsama-sama ng mga ito. Ito ay maaaring tungkol sa'yo, sa'kin, sa ating kapwa, o maging sa bansang Pilipinas.

Hindi ko inasahan ang kagandahan ng bawat pahina ng librong ito — mula sa malikhaing sining hanggang sa lirikong istilo ng pagkakasulat ng teksto. Idagdag pa dito ay ang matalinong pagkakaugnay ng iba't ibang teorya ng daigdig sa buhay at emosyon ng mga tauhan ng kwento.

Sa kabuuan, hinihikayat kitang basahin at namnamin ang komiks na ito. Dahil tulad nga ng sinabi ng awtor sa kanyang tala, ito ay pinagsama-samang kontribusyon ng mga manghahabi at alagad ng sining mula pa noong nakaraan.

[Mark Anthony Salvador · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ang daming hinihimay ng graphic novel na ito: usapin ng tunggalian ng uri, red-tagging, gender-equality, pagsasamantala sa kababaihan, halaga ng paggigiit ng karapatan atbp.

Ang bawat kabanata ng "Dead Balagtas" ay gumagamit ng heolohiya (geology) para ipaliwanag ang relasyon natin sa ating kapwa. May mga taong magkasama, ngunit nagkakahiwalay sa pagdaan ng panahon, gaya ng kalupaan sa daigdig na kalaunan ay pinaghihiwalay ng tubig. May mga estranghero sa isa't isa ngunit nagiging magkatuwang, gaya ng mga lupang nagkakabuklod sa pagdaan ng milyong taon.

[Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

ANG GANDA!

I was left in awe with every illustrations (especially the 1st chapter). It is also amazing how it is able to connect magical realism, history, Philippine society and love stories. I wanted to slow down my reading so I can marvel at every panel but it is such a page turner that I was able to finish it quickly.

Sobrang nakakaproud na nakakagawa ang mga Pinoy artists natin ng ganintong klaseng libro. I will surely await for the next in this series.

[Cecille · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I can’t recommend this book enough! A masterful mix of science, Philippine mythology, and culture, with powerful commentaries on societal issues, such as the LGBT community and the working class, and also touches on religion and family. One of my best reads for the year. You owe it to yourself to get a copy (available at Fully Booked)!

[Pia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book. I bought this as soon as I found it at the UPTC Fully Booked. The artwork is superb, technically amazing while also being the artist's own style.

Symbolism, hyperbole and metaphor being visually presented is common thing for comics to do, but I think Emiliana Kampilan's way of doing is elevated, with the lines (heh) blurring as the diegetic representation of the events adds non diegetic elements at important and emotional moments.

It's so brilliantly Filipino in so many ways. I feel like so much 'Filipino' art these days has Western sensibilities and just slaps Filipino imagery on top. But in Dead Balagtas I, there's a deep, real, comprehensive understanding of Filipino society that runs through the entire thing. There's the nuances in behaviors of each character as informed by their economic class, the small but accurate snapshots of UP graduations, the bowl of sabaw with the rice meal, the red-tagging, the better career opportunities of some Big 4 schools compared to others, the work misogyny, the realistic headlines that played on the TV, the BPO . The sprinkles of baybayin don't feel superficial because the story earns it. The character designs are varied and feature the various Filipino features. The backgrounds might as well be photos.

As I say that, I also appreciate that the book doesn't do a systematic, all encompassing look at Philippine society as it's overt story. A lot of National Democratic literature resemble political treatises more than human stories, even when they're trying not to be. Instead, this is a story of three couples as they live the human experience, and the author explains this and that about the world they move in because of her political education. Most of the story's characters don't even encounter ND movement through their sections of the book.

Personally, as a short-haired former-activist feminist-person from UP struggling to find a job, Dylan's story is way too real. She was definitely my favorite character in this story because of her emotional journey was all too familiar. The panels of her raging as a volcano personification are my favorite panels...ever. There's so much dynamic paneling and amazing illustrations in this entire book that could earn that title just as easily. But the emotional catharsis of seeing a woman explode as literal fire stayed with me for months, and there's no beating emotional impact. We don't get enough of justified female rage.

I also enjoyed the fact that the queer relationships in this story grapple not just with the struggles of being queer in a macho-fuedal society (which is still important, of course). They also struggle with conventional romantic misunderstandings. The pairings also come from different socio-economic backgrounds and have to navigate that as well.

If I was president, this would be required reading for everyone past the Grade 7.

[Mang Kimok · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars dapat, pero may isang isyung bumagabag sa akin. Actually, laging bumabagabag sa akin sa tuwing bibili ako ng libro, o mas actually, sa tuwing bibili ako ng anumang bagay. Sabihin ko mamaya.

Pero una sa lahat, sobrang panalo talaga itong komiks na ito. Nasabi na lahat ng reviewers dito lahat ng mga akmang papuri na gusto ko sabihin at himayin. Grabeng danas sa akin habang nagbabasa, simulang mga pahina pa lang (na paborito kong bahagi, yung babaylan na nag-intro, ta's yung transition sa dalawang bathala, ninamnam ko talaga ang pagtamasa sa 'kin ng mga imahe--yung artistic depiction ng salaysay, paneling, yung designs at motif, yung mga kulay na ginamit, grabe talaga... Nasabi ko na lang: "Ito siguro pinakamagandang komiks na mababasa ko since Andong Agimat (2008)."

So 'yun nga, solid! Muli, nasabi na ng iba ang mga gusto ko sabihin dito, kaya 'yung bumabagabag na lang sa 'kin ang idadagdag ko:

As a printed book, ang laki at ang mahal niya!
550 pesos.
Pero sa totoo lang, mura na 'yon para sa ganito kalaking libro (8 x 12 inches), at kung ikukumpara sa pagpepresyo sa imported books. Ang kaso, mabigat ang 550 pesos para sa mga taong gusto ko makabasa nito: ang uring manggagawa. Ang masa.
Since tampok rin sila sa istorya sa komiks na ito, karapat-dapat silang makabasa nito, di ba? Kung kaya ko lang bilhan bawat isa sa mga kilala kong nasa ganitong social strata, kaso olats, may pagka-lumpen din kasi ako, minsa'y sinuswerte lang makabili ng mga libro dahil wala pa naman akong pasaning pamilya o kamag-anak.
Ang mungkahi ko sana, maglimbag sana ng edition na abot-kaya ng mga gaya nina Ramon at Anais. Paliitin nang kalahati ang laki, bumaba ang presyo sa 100-200 pesos, kahit maging monochromatic o b&w halos ang karamihan sa pages, ang mahalaga'y mabasa ang content at substance. Kung tutuusin, ang mga nakaluluwag na kayang maglaan ng 550 pesos, karamihan sa kanila, aware na sa mga isyu/diskurso ni Emiliana na gusto niyang mabigyan halaga at pansin, tipong mga gaya nina Rahman at Dylan na gagabay sa mga naaarabiyado sa lipunan, mga naeetsapwera, buhat nga ng kakulangan sa kaalaman at pera, na mareremedyuhan sana kung magkakaroon ng pag-unawa at kamalayan sa kanilang potensyal at karapatan, na may mga nagpapahalaga sa kanila sa kabila ng kanilang mga kalbaryo, na may solusyon sa mga ito, halimbawa nga'y kung matutuhan nila ito mula sa pagbabasa ng mga ganitong uri ng akda, at maging mulat rin sa mga masisining na bagay na hindi makukuha sa mala-junk food na hinahain ng telebisyon at radyo--mga karaniwang accessible na media sa kanila na detrimental naman.

'Yun po. Sana mabigyang pansin.
Pero talagang hands-down sa obrang ito, Emiliana. Salamat sa paglikha nito! Salamat rin sa mga taong involved para matapos ito at mailimbag! Sa Anino comics, sobrang saludo sa inyo sa paglabas ng ganito! Isang malaking (pun bitterly intended) ambag sa panitikan, sining at bayan. Sobrang salamat sa inyo!

[Emmzxiee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not OA BUT YOU MUST READ THIS SPECTACULAR WORK OF ART."

From its graphics up to its message in every episode - S T U N N I N G !!!! Walang tapon sa likha ni Emiliana Kampilan. She is one of my standards in terms of graphic novels.

According sa Synopsis: Ang unang tomong ito ay dadalhin ka sa santinakpan, kasama kang magiging saksi sa pagbangon ng mga kontinente , ang banggan ng ga karagatan, ang pag iibigan ng dagat at lupa at ang mga pwersang bumuo at patuloy na humulma sa sa ating tahanan at bayan- ang Filipinas,

Narito ang mga punto at rason kung bakit dapat mong Bilhin at Basahin ang Dead Balagtas ni Emiliana Kampilan.

💀Dadalhin ka ng manunulat sa iba't ibang panahon ngunit isa ang tumbok. - mga mensaheng umuukit at lumililok ng pagkatao ng isang PIlipino.
💀Pinaghalo ang mitolohiya at modernong konsepto na rason kung bakit napapanahon ang kanyang likhang sining. Naka baon at sentro ang bawat pahina sa kahalagahan ng kasaysayan at edukasyon.
💀Hindi naging limitado sa mga makukulay na ilustrasyon ang gawa ni Kampilan. Katulad ng sinabi ng manunulat, pinagsanib ang akdang ito ng pwersa at representasyon ng mga geologist, historian, babaylan, manghahabi at komikero.
💀Mga plottwist na sobrang mapanakit at kumukurot, tumatagos sa puso at sa emosyon ng mga mambabasa.
💀Isa ang pinakamalinaw sa mga pahina ng Dead Balagtas,"It brings an eye opener to it's reader- social awareness". Hindi naging takot na magsalita ang author at nagmistulang tagapagsalita ng mga hindi naririnig.

Walang doubt na maraming natanggap na parangal ang akdang ito.
💀Naging 2018 Madrigal Gonzez best First Book.
💀National Book Award for Graphic Literatue and Best Book Design

Kaya naman kung naghahanap ka ng Graphic Novel na gawang Pinoy- isa ito sa highly recommended ko na libro

Solid na 5 Stars!!!

[val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous art and layouts. I love how geography is used is a theme that’s visually and thematically consistent across all the stories. I didn’t expect the volume to be about love; I used to read the comics on Tumblr and expected purely history strips. I actually thought this would be a compilation of past comics, but this was a pleasant surprise.

I have mixed feelings about the last story, about Dylan and Anais. Like Dylan, I’m from UP and grew used to everything being entrenched in politics (because everything is political). However, when I’m reading something for enjoyment, I prioritize the storytelling and how the author weaves in their message. Unfortunately, the themes in this story are spelled out explicitly to the point I felt I was being sermoned. I do agree with the message, however, I felt the author was overzealous with inserting it into the narrative.

Even so, there was one bit in the story that I liked, which was surprisingly subtle: the savior complex. I think this and the ending saved the entire story for me so that I’d think it’s alright rather than overbearing.

Despite my criticism though, I think it’s a fantastic graphic novel. We have so much local talent that we really ought to support, who are on par and even better than those abroad. Highly recommended, even just for the art!

[Zarah Gagatiga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of course I picked up Dead Balagtas because of the hype.

My verdict: it is a trope I have read before.

Geography and the changes brought by natural phenomena affect and define our identity. Babaylans are historical figures and it’s not surprising to find her or him in the opening pages of the novel. The use of folklore and legend to frame the role of women and to foreshadow conflicting views on gender roles and expectations is deliberate done. I have seen and read these ideas and concepts before. The graphic novel did not open up wonders nor rekindled memories, either painful or precious.

I did not find Emiliana Kampilan’s agenda new nor fresh, especially her gimmick of wearing a bayong with a smiley. I wonder if she has ever done comprehensive research on the history of the Makapili, the founders of this group and its leaders who, according to historians, have all but impeccable integrity. To dedicate the book to the nation while looking at her photo wearing a bayong to hide her face sends the wrong message, at least, to me.

One good thing I can say about Dead Balagtas is its timely message on relationships. Love wins. It’s about time readers, young and old like me, get to read and see more LGBT represented in Philippine literature.

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nahilo na ko sa sobrang daming eye rolls na naperform ko habang binabasa ito. I see the potential of this komik (babasahin ko pa rin siguro ang Tomo 2 paglabas), especially yung passion ni Kampilan sa mga themes na tinackle niya, pero overall yung execution niya ay nag-fall flat at medyo dry ang pagsusulat niya. May certain dettachment effect din yung paandar niya with the geography lesson, imbis na maimmerse ako dun sa kwento, eh nadistract lang ako. At sa totoo lang, di yun masyado nakadagdag ng value. Yung mga panels though, super gorgeous. I also can't say that I came out empty handed after finishing this book dahil may natutunan pa din naman ako. Although medyo disjointed, at tsaka magaan lang yung pagkakadiscuss niya and it didn't 'stir the pot' for me.

[Raan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sobrang ganda!

I expected this to have beautiful art. I didn't expect to also be greeted with a unique method of storytelling. The first volume focused on the creation of the Philippine islands. It started with the creation of the universe, then moved on to plate tectonics. You would think that it would all be scientific. But instead of just stating hard facts, the science is told through a bit of mythology and a lot of heart warming storytelling mixed with personal growth, LGBT representation, religion, social commentary, and current events. All of these meshing with the beautiful artwork to produce an enjoyable reading experience.

Did I mention that the art is BEAUTIFUL? I cannot wait for the second volume.

[Edwin Del Rosario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punong-puno ng puso.

Hinabi ni Emiliana Kampilan ang mayamang naratibo ng mitolohiyang Pilipino, siyensiya, kasaysayan, at isyung panlipunan at iniangkla ang mga ito sa mga kwento ng pag-ibig at pakikibaka.

Maganda, hitik sa konteksto ng sinauna at kontemporaryong Pilipinas; interseksyon ng politikal, kultural, panrelihiyon, at panlipunang diskurso; nakabubusog sa mata na aspektong biswal.

Salamat sa karanasang ito, Dead Balagtas.