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Ang Larong Nagwakas Sa Atin
Mula pagkabata, buhay na ni Dennis Manansala ang paglaro ng chess. Dito lang siya siguradong magaling siya. Nang ilipat siya sa St. Louise de Marillac Academy o LdMA para sa high school, akala niya natukdukan na ito. Pero isang panibagong laro ang magsisimula nang makilala niya ang babaeng magpapaintindi sa kanya sa kahalagahan ng pamilya, pagkakaibigan, at pangarap.
Kinder pa lang, planado na ang buong buhay ni Esther Pamintuan. Para makapasok sa panagarap niyang university, mangunguna siya sa klase at magiging aktiba sa pahayagan ng LdMA. Ngunit nang hindi inaasahan, mapapasali siya sa laro ng chess at makikilala ang lalaki na magpapabago ng takbo ng mga plano niya.
Isang oras. Tigtatlumpung minuto sa orasan. Sa isang huling laro nakasalalay ang apat na taon ng pagsasamahan nina Dennis at Esther. Isa lang sa kanila ang magwawagi, gagawaran ng scholarship, at hihiranging Chess Player of the Year.
Sundan sina Dennis at Esther magbaliktanaw kung paano sila nagkatagpo, nagkalapit, at nagkaibigan.
Kinder pa lang, planado na ang buong buhay ni Esther Pamintuan. Para makapasok sa panagarap niyang university, mangunguna siya sa klase at magiging aktiba sa pahayagan ng LdMA. Ngunit nang hindi inaasahan, mapapasali siya sa laro ng chess at makikilala ang lalaki na magpapabago ng takbo ng mga plano niya.
Isang oras. Tigtatlumpung minuto sa orasan. Sa isang huling laro nakasalalay ang apat na taon ng pagsasamahan nina Dennis at Esther. Isa lang sa kanila ang magwawagi, gagawaran ng scholarship, at hihiranging Chess Player of the Year.
Sundan sina Dennis at Esther magbaliktanaw kung paano sila nagkatagpo, nagkalapit, at nagkaibigan.
- GenresYoung Adult
344 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
8 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Fe Esperanza Trampe
2 books7 followersFe Esperanza Trampe is a fiction writer in Filipino and English. Her award-winning debut novel, Ang Larong Nagwakas Sa Atin, was published in 2018, while its official English translation, The Game That Ended Us, was released in 2022. She was a writing fellow for the 1st KABANATA Young Adult Writers' Workshop, the 31st Cornelio Faigao Memorial Annual Writers' Workshop, the 10th Palihang Rogelio Sicat, the 22nd Iyas La Salle National Writers' Workshop, and the 2023 UST National Writers' Workshop. She is now a lawyer working with an environment-focused NGO in the province of Palawan.
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April 11, 2019
Thank you to the author, Ms. Fe Esperanza Trampe and Bookworms Unite PH / Inah of The Bibliophile Confessions for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review as part of the #LaroTour.
Ang Larong Nagwakas Sa Atin ay tungkol sa dalawang high school Chess players na sina Dennis Manansala at Esther Pamintuan.
Simula pagkabata hilig na ni Dennis maglaro ng Chess at tinitingala niya ang kanyang ama dahil siya nagturo sa kanya kung paano laruin ito. Balang araw, gusto niya maging isa sa mga pinakamagaling na Chess player. Sumasali siya sa mga kompetisyon para maensayo at nakakakuha siya ng mga parangal. Bagong estudyante siya sa St. Louise de Marillac Academy at dito niya nakilala si Esther.
Si Esther ay isang masipag, masunurin at matalinong estudyante. Lubos akong humanga dahil napagsasabay niya ang kanyang pag-aaral at pagsali niya sa mga aktibidades ng paaralan nila kagaya ng paglalaro ng Chess (na hindi niya inaasahang magugustuhan niya ang larong ito) at sa opisyal na pahayagan. Alam niya kung ano ang gusto niyang tahakin sa buhay pero di maiiwasang magbago ang kanyang tadhana nung nagharap sila ni Dennis sa isang paliksahan sa huling taon nila bilang high school students. Ang mananalo sa kompetisyon ay makakakuha ng titulong Chess Player of the Year at scholarship na makakatulong sa kanila sa kolehiyo.
Habang binabasa ko ang nobelang ito, hindi ko maipagkakaila namiss ko ang buhay high school. Yung Intrams, Foundation Day, Retreat, Field trips, JS Prom, yung mga magandang alaala kasama ang mga kaklase ko at ang mga gurong na walang sawa na pagtuturo sa amin. Lahat yun bumalik dahil sa storya nina Dennis at Esther.
Maganda ang relasyon nina Esther at Dennis. Nagsimula sa pagkakaibigan hanggang sa nagustuhan nila ang isa't isa. Magkakampi or magkalaban, nandoon ang respeto nila sa bawat isa. Hindi sila nagsisiraan sapagkat sila'y nagtutulungan. Magandang ehemplo sila sa mga kabataan dahil kahit may mga problema sila sa pamilya o kung saan man, hindi nawawala ang kanilang determinasyon upang makamit ang kanilang pangarap.
Bihira ako makabasa ng sports romance na may Chess. Marunong akong maglaro nito ngunit hindi ako kasing galing ng tatay ko. (Siya yung nagturo sa akin at lagi akong talo pag naglalaro kami. Haha!) Maganda yung pagkakasulat nito. Sobrang detalye, pero wag kayong mag-alala hindi siya nakakalito kasi may litrato ng chessboard kasama ang mga piyesa. Kaya bawat tira nila, masusundan mo.
Pinaka nagustuhan ko sa librong ito ay ang mensahe ng kwento. Hindi sa lahat ng oras panalo ka sa laro ng buhay. May mga pagkakataon di mo inaasahang mabibigo at masasaktan ka. Mabigat man sa kalooban, kailangan mo itong taggapin at tumayo sa sarili mong mga paa para makabangon ka muli. Tuloy lang ang buhay dahil sa bawat pagsubok, may matutunan ka at meron itong kapalit na biyaya.
Sana may susunod na kabanata pa para kay Dennis at Esther. Gusto kong mabasa yung buhay kolehiyo nila.
Final rating: 4.5 / 5 stars
Ang Larong Nagwakas Sa Atin ay tungkol sa dalawang high school Chess players na sina Dennis Manansala at Esther Pamintuan.
Simula pagkabata hilig na ni Dennis maglaro ng Chess at tinitingala niya ang kanyang ama dahil siya nagturo sa kanya kung paano laruin ito. Balang araw, gusto niya maging isa sa mga pinakamagaling na Chess player. Sumasali siya sa mga kompetisyon para maensayo at nakakakuha siya ng mga parangal. Bagong estudyante siya sa St. Louise de Marillac Academy at dito niya nakilala si Esther.
Si Esther ay isang masipag, masunurin at matalinong estudyante. Lubos akong humanga dahil napagsasabay niya ang kanyang pag-aaral at pagsali niya sa mga aktibidades ng paaralan nila kagaya ng paglalaro ng Chess (na hindi niya inaasahang magugustuhan niya ang larong ito) at sa opisyal na pahayagan. Alam niya kung ano ang gusto niyang tahakin sa buhay pero di maiiwasang magbago ang kanyang tadhana nung nagharap sila ni Dennis sa isang paliksahan sa huling taon nila bilang high school students. Ang mananalo sa kompetisyon ay makakakuha ng titulong Chess Player of the Year at scholarship na makakatulong sa kanila sa kolehiyo.
Habang binabasa ko ang nobelang ito, hindi ko maipagkakaila namiss ko ang buhay high school. Yung Intrams, Foundation Day, Retreat, Field trips, JS Prom, yung mga magandang alaala kasama ang mga kaklase ko at ang mga gurong na walang sawa na pagtuturo sa amin. Lahat yun bumalik dahil sa storya nina Dennis at Esther.
Maganda ang relasyon nina Esther at Dennis. Nagsimula sa pagkakaibigan hanggang sa nagustuhan nila ang isa't isa. Magkakampi or magkalaban, nandoon ang respeto nila sa bawat isa. Hindi sila nagsisiraan sapagkat sila'y nagtutulungan. Magandang ehemplo sila sa mga kabataan dahil kahit may mga problema sila sa pamilya o kung saan man, hindi nawawala ang kanilang determinasyon upang makamit ang kanilang pangarap.
Bihira ako makabasa ng sports romance na may Chess. Marunong akong maglaro nito ngunit hindi ako kasing galing ng tatay ko. (Siya yung nagturo sa akin at lagi akong talo pag naglalaro kami. Haha!) Maganda yung pagkakasulat nito. Sobrang detalye, pero wag kayong mag-alala hindi siya nakakalito kasi may litrato ng chessboard kasama ang mga piyesa. Kaya bawat tira nila, masusundan mo.
Pinaka nagustuhan ko sa librong ito ay ang mensahe ng kwento. Hindi sa lahat ng oras panalo ka sa laro ng buhay. May mga pagkakataon di mo inaasahang mabibigo at masasaktan ka. Mabigat man sa kalooban, kailangan mo itong taggapin at tumayo sa sarili mong mga paa para makabangon ka muli. Tuloy lang ang buhay dahil sa bawat pagsubok, may matutunan ka at meron itong kapalit na biyaya.
Sana may susunod na kabanata pa para kay Dennis at Esther. Gusto kong mabasa yung buhay kolehiyo nila.
Final rating: 4.5 / 5 stars
November 10, 2020
There will always be stories where you will find pieces of your soul within its pages, and I found mine in "Ang Larong Nagwakas Sa Atin."
Perhaps one part that endeared me to this book was its focus on chess as the center of the narrative. Like these two characters, chess was a huge part of my elementary to high school years. I was sickly and asthmatic so physical activities and sports were out of the question for me so my father--who like Dennis' father and Coach Michael was an avid aficionado of the sport--filled my days with chess training and we would even buy books on chess strategies on the weekends together with my younger sister. Like Esther, I was forced to participate in chess tournaments in my primary school and sports events in high school because I was "smart". Chess made me happy I was trying out a sport, and I was comforted by the wooden chess pieces and the black-and-white squares on a 150 pesos-chess set my father gave me and my sister to practice with.
Like chess, the choices we make in life always influence the endgame and nothing will ever go according to plan, no matter how carefully you map out your whole life. This was a recurring theme between the two characters: Dennis and Esther, throughout the whole book and reflected in the many struggles that they have faced in the book. In particular, I struck a chord with Esther because of the many parallels I shared with her: former honor student who is pressured to maintain grades to feel "validated" by parents, joining school paper as plus points for extracurriculars to make up for the fact I can't participate in other physically-taxing activities, and using chess as a sport and a means to temporarily escape. Unlike her though, I wasn't part of the varsity team (my little sister was the more talented one).
The book also explored the many struggles and worries of a high-school student: the impending arrival of college and making decisions that would help decide your future. It's grueling, tough work and as someone whose been down that road, it's terrifying. However, with the struggles also come the treasured moments of joy in between--kilig moments when a classmate gets serenaded with a group of guitar-strumming fellas, tears and confessions exchaged during a retreat in your last year, and the one magical night of prom where everybody is transformed and poised to dance to the night. This book was a whole nostalgia trip for me considering I also started my high school years around the same time Dennis and Esther did in the book.
The romance in this book was also bittersweet and cute, like most high school love stories go. I especially loved how organic Dennis and Esther's relationship developed, and the sweet moments they shared. But most importantly, I was invested in how other external conditions (such as college applications, scholarships, family problems) influenced their dynamics with each other. I personally found the ending of the story very satisfying and well-wrapped up, despite the ache that it left my heart.
All in all, I loved this book so, so much. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would, but alas we don't have this in Goodreads. Highly, highly recommended!
Perhaps one part that endeared me to this book was its focus on chess as the center of the narrative. Like these two characters, chess was a huge part of my elementary to high school years. I was sickly and asthmatic so physical activities and sports were out of the question for me so my father--who like Dennis' father and Coach Michael was an avid aficionado of the sport--filled my days with chess training and we would even buy books on chess strategies on the weekends together with my younger sister. Like Esther, I was forced to participate in chess tournaments in my primary school and sports events in high school because I was "smart". Chess made me happy I was trying out a sport, and I was comforted by the wooden chess pieces and the black-and-white squares on a 150 pesos-chess set my father gave me and my sister to practice with.
Like chess, the choices we make in life always influence the endgame and nothing will ever go according to plan, no matter how carefully you map out your whole life. This was a recurring theme between the two characters: Dennis and Esther, throughout the whole book and reflected in the many struggles that they have faced in the book. In particular, I struck a chord with Esther because of the many parallels I shared with her: former honor student who is pressured to maintain grades to feel "validated" by parents, joining school paper as plus points for extracurriculars to make up for the fact I can't participate in other physically-taxing activities, and using chess as a sport and a means to temporarily escape. Unlike her though, I wasn't part of the varsity team (my little sister was the more talented one).
The book also explored the many struggles and worries of a high-school student: the impending arrival of college and making decisions that would help decide your future. It's grueling, tough work and as someone whose been down that road, it's terrifying. However, with the struggles also come the treasured moments of joy in between--kilig moments when a classmate gets serenaded with a group of guitar-strumming fellas, tears and confessions exchaged during a retreat in your last year, and the one magical night of prom where everybody is transformed and poised to dance to the night. This book was a whole nostalgia trip for me considering I also started my high school years around the same time Dennis and Esther did in the book.
The romance in this book was also bittersweet and cute, like most high school love stories go. I especially loved how organic Dennis and Esther's relationship developed, and the sweet moments they shared. But most importantly, I was invested in how other external conditions (such as college applications, scholarships, family problems) influenced their dynamics with each other. I personally found the ending of the story very satisfying and well-wrapped up, despite the ache that it left my heart.
All in all, I loved this book so, so much. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would, but alas we don't have this in Goodreads. Highly, highly recommended!
September 26, 2019
Refreshing and enjoyable read! I do not usually read Filipino literature, but I could not drop this book until I finished it.
I especially loved Esther's character. She knows what she wants and just goes for it despite unprecedented outcomes. These high school kids sure accomplished a lot more than I did back in high school. As a working adult, it was nice to see life through their young eyes. No matter how young kids or teenagers seem, they go through a lot and endure.
The story is a nice reminder that although life will most certainly not go as planned, you can always enjoy the ride with a little help from friends.
I especially loved Esther's character. She knows what she wants and just goes for it despite unprecedented outcomes. These high school kids sure accomplished a lot more than I did back in high school. As a working adult, it was nice to see life through their young eyes. No matter how young kids or teenagers seem, they go through a lot and endure.
The story is a nice reminder that although life will most certainly not go as planned, you can always enjoy the ride with a little help from friends.
June 7, 2020
“Dalawang beses nakikipagkamay ang isang chess player sa isang laro. Una, bago ito magsimula. Pangalawa, pagkatapos nito.” ♟
What a perfect ending for this novel. Congrats to Ms. Trampe for writing this and kinikilig ako habang binabasa siya! 😂😍
What a perfect ending for this novel. Congrats to Ms. Trampe for writing this and kinikilig ako habang binabasa siya! 😂😍
March 26, 2020
Natagalan akong basahin, patigil-tigil kasi ang dami kong feelings at kailangang huminga. Haha. Galing, Ate Fe!
August 31, 2023
nakakaaliw namang basahin ang munting nobela na ito, at kahit na hindi ako masyadong mahilig sa ‘romantic YA novels’ ay binasa ko pa rin ang libro.
naiintindihan ko naman na isinulat ang akda para sa mga mas batang mambabasa, o mga ‘teenager’ ika nga, pero ganunpaman may mga parte lang ng libro na medyo hindi pulido ang unti-unting pagbuo ng mga katangian o persona ng mga pangunahing tauhan. may punto rin sa ibang laro na isinigit na medyo mahirap itugma (gaya nang hindi nakita ni Dennis ang mate in 2 sa isang laro kahit buong buhay niya na siyang naglalaro ng chess, o kahit nung natalo siya sa ganuong paraan kay Esther sa huling laban na ni hindi man lang nakakuha ng kahit katiting na lamang kahit saang parte ng laro, gaya nung ‘opening’).
‘cliché’ man ang banghay ng nobela na ito, mahusay naman ang pagkakasulat, gusto ko iyong salitan ng salaysay ng nakaraan at ng kasalukuyang laro, pati ang paglarawan ng buong chess board sa libro, na parang isang chess book. mas maganda lang sana kung may parte ng nobela na naglalayong mas ma-promote pa ang laro na chess, gaya ng paglarawan kung paano laruin ito para sa mga ilang mambabasa na hindi pa kilala ang laro.
naiintindihan ko naman na isinulat ang akda para sa mga mas batang mambabasa, o mga ‘teenager’ ika nga, pero ganunpaman may mga parte lang ng libro na medyo hindi pulido ang unti-unting pagbuo ng mga katangian o persona ng mga pangunahing tauhan. may punto rin sa ibang laro na isinigit na medyo mahirap itugma (gaya nang hindi nakita ni Dennis ang mate in 2 sa isang laro kahit buong buhay niya na siyang naglalaro ng chess, o kahit nung natalo siya sa ganuong paraan kay Esther sa huling laban na ni hindi man lang nakakuha ng kahit katiting na lamang kahit saang parte ng laro, gaya nung ‘opening’).
‘cliché’ man ang banghay ng nobela na ito, mahusay naman ang pagkakasulat, gusto ko iyong salitan ng salaysay ng nakaraan at ng kasalukuyang laro, pati ang paglarawan ng buong chess board sa libro, na parang isang chess book. mas maganda lang sana kung may parte ng nobela na naglalayong mas ma-promote pa ang laro na chess, gaya ng paglarawan kung paano laruin ito para sa mga ilang mambabasa na hindi pa kilala ang laro.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2022
I rate this book 5 stars, very recommendable kahit di mahilig sa chess yung reader (like me hehe). Read this book for a week hahaha went through so many emotions, hanggang ngayon iniisip ko bakit ganun yung ending huhu pero grabe din naman yung kilig. The way how the whole book was narrated is praiseworthy, kudos to Ms. Fe for writing such a masterpiece.
February 7, 2025
the last few chapters of this were so ?????? MY TEARS JUST KEPT ON FALLING i love u esther and dennis, u have my heart
February 5, 2024
Dalawang beses nakikipagkamay ang isang chess player sa isang laro. Una, bago ito magsimula. Pangalawa, pagkatapos nito.
Sino’ng chess player ang hindi makukuha ang atensiyon sa isang nobelang tampok ang paborito niyang laro at nasa wikang Filipino pa ang gamit? Kayâ naman, dali-dali akong umorder ng kopya ko kahit na hindi ko masyadong hilig ang romance genre. Bukod sa unang dalawang librong natapos ko dahil sa kaiksian ng mga ito, ang nobelang ito ang pinagkaabalahan ko sa buong semestral break. Masasabi kong naibuhos ko sa magandang bagay ang panahong ito.
Kina Dennis Manansala at Esther Pamintuan umikot ang kuwento. Ang pagkatao nila ay ibang-iba sa isa’t-isa: (1) mayaman si Esther samantalang mahirap si Dennis, (2) academic achiever si Esther samantalang pasang-awa si Dennis, at (3) One Direction fan si girl tapos Eheads naman si boy. Ngunit kahit na ganito, napagbuklod sila ng isang gawain: ang paglalaro ng chess. Nagawa pa rin nilang paunlarin ang kani-kanilang sarili sa pamamagitan ng interaction nila. Matagal nang marunong si Dennis samantalang napilitan lang si Esther bílang pambatô. Dito na magsisimula ang istorya.
Hindi ko alam kung ano ang tumpak na katawagan sa style ng pagkuwento ni Ms. Fe Esperanza Trampe pero nagustuhan ko ito. Nagsimula sa kaganapang pangkasalukuyan na may tandâng naka-bold ito. Tapos, ilalahad ang nakaraan mula umpisa. Kumbaga sa pag-agos ng istorya, ganoon din isisingit ang hulíng laro ng dalawa. Nag-meet ang pagsasalaysay ng nakaraan nila at ang hulí nilang laro sa pagtatapos ng nobela. Ayos!
Bukod sa mga nabanggit ko sa unahan, mapapansing supportive sa maliliit na bagay ang pamilya ni Dennis samantalang kahit ano’ng tagumpay ni Esther, hindi ito ma-appreciate ng tatay niya. Hahanap nang hahanap ng butas para may masabi lang. Nakakainis! Buti na lang talaga at supportive ang driver at yaya niya. Pagdating sa supporting characters, the best si Ben sa pagtulong eh. Sana lang may iba pang spotlight para sa iba pa nilang friends at sa mga kouhai nila sa club.
Sa kabilang banda, may mga napunâ ako sa aking pagbabasa:
(1) May ilang typographical errors. May mga nababaligtad na titik, nadodobleng salita, at iba pa. Ilan sa mga ito ay matatagpuan sa pahina 109, 226, at 295. May isang kabanata ring maraming errors pero nakalimutan ko na.
(2) Nakakailáng ang paggamit ng “na na” sa pagsulat. Ilang beses may ganito eh. Hindi maiwasan siguro. Ang tungkulin ng unang na ay pang-abay, kung saan pampasigla ng sinasabi, samantalang ang ikalawa ay pang-angkop. Mungkahi lang na gawing nang kapag may dalawang “na” na magkasunod. Tama iyong sa pahina 154 na “Ginawa nang (na + na) queen ni Dennis ang pawn.”
Pero kahit na ganoon, nakadama pa rin ako ng iba’t ibang emosyon sa pagbabasa nito. Kilig na mapapa-sana all ka na lang, lungkot, selos (kay Ryan), at inis lalo na sa papa ni Esther. Maraming salamat sa akdang ito!
October 17, 2023
An absolutely fantastic book that had me replaying my high school memories. Definitely something to pick up if you need a romance that will make you smile and giggle but also think. Think hard. As lovely as the characters were, there was a depth to them that really shined due to the way the book was written. This book took me on a roller coaster ride with many, many emotions ranging from highest of highs to lowest of lows. A must read for anyone who wishes to feel a bit of nostalgia or anyone who has yet to move on from their adventures and dreams in high school.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews