What do you think?
Rate this book
Kadenang Bahaghari
Mahirap matagpuan ang sarili sa mundong puno ng paghusga at diskriminasyon. At kapag nakita mo na ang sarili mo, mas mahirap pa palang tanggapin ito. Sa nobelang ito matutunghayan ang mga sanga-sangang buhay nina Willie, Renan, Ed, at Chris–apat na tauhang magkakaiba ang tinahak na landas dahil sa isang malagim na insidente na nagpabago ng kanya-kanyang buhay. Pero sa pagkakaibang iyon, kanya-kanyang buhay. Pero sa pagkakaibang iyon, napatunayan nila na pare-pareho rin sila ng hinahanap.
Para sa naghahanap. Para sa naghihintay. Para sa umaasa. Para sa pagtanggap.
Para sa naghahanap. Para sa naghihintay. Para sa umaasa. Para sa pagtanggap.
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 3, 2019
About the author
John Jack G. Wigley
9 books79 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 7, 2022
Kota na ako sa queer trauma mula sa librong 'to. Isusunod ko sana yung Beijing Comrades pagkatapos nito pero ika nga ni Jessa Zaragoza, "Parang di ko yata kaya."
May mga bagay akong gusto malaman, gaya ng reaksiyon ng mga magulang ni Renee nung naglayas siya. Hinanap ba siya? Anong iniisip nila ng mga panahong iyon? Sumagi ba sa isip nila na napakalaki ng kasalanan nila kay Renee? O sinisisi pa rin nila si Renee sa mga nangyari?
Anong nangyari kay Renee pagkatapos niyang maglayas? Ano ang naging buhay niya sa Amerika sa mga unang taon niya roon? Paano niya kinontak ulit si Chris? Ano ang naging takbo ng usapan nila? Anong nagbago sa dynamics ng friendship nila?
I would have rated this 4 stars kung nasagot sana ang mga tanong kong 'to.
May mga bagay akong gusto malaman, gaya ng reaksiyon ng mga magulang ni Renee nung naglayas siya. Hinanap ba siya? Anong iniisip nila ng mga panahong iyon? Sumagi ba sa isip nila na napakalaki ng kasalanan nila kay Renee? O sinisisi pa rin nila si Renee sa mga nangyari?
Anong nangyari kay Renee pagkatapos niyang maglayas? Ano ang naging buhay niya sa Amerika sa mga unang taon niya roon? Paano niya kinontak ulit si Chris? Ano ang naging takbo ng usapan nila? Anong nagbago sa dynamics ng friendship nila?
I would have rated this 4 stars kung nasagot sana ang mga tanong kong 'to.
November 1, 2021
It definitely was traumatizing and a hell of a roller-coaster ride.
Not only did it cross the boundaries of a teacher-student relationship, but it also made me believe (for a short period of time syempre, whilst I was reading the book) that relationships based on 'utang na loob' and 'pity' are viable and relevant enough as endings.
As a pessimist myself, I would assume a bad ending. But the writing style and the intricate method of sharing everyone's P.O.V. was definitely what made my rating a tad bit higher.
Follow Book_Latter21 on IG (つ≧▽≦)つ
Not only did it cross the boundaries of a teacher-student relationship, but it also made me believe (for a short period of time syempre, whilst I was reading the book) that relationships based on 'utang na loob' and 'pity' are viable and relevant enough as endings.
As a pessimist myself, I would assume a bad ending. But the writing style and the intricate method of sharing everyone's P.O.V. was definitely what made my rating a tad bit higher.
Follow Book_Latter21 on IG (つ≧▽≦)つ
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
Waitt… i have questions…
At yun ginawa ni Renan kay Chris sa start ng story nila… dudeeeeeee!!
So, Bakit na-interchange ang gay and trans? Not until nag-US si Renee dun sya na trans pala? Eh tapos, Ed is gay pero trans female ang naging jowa? Paki-explain…
At yun ginawa ni Renan kay Chris sa start ng story nila… dudeeeeeee!!
So, Bakit na-interchange ang gay and trans? Not until nag-US si Renee dun sya na trans pala? Eh tapos, Ed is gay pero trans female ang naging jowa? Paki-explain…
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2026
the effect of finishing this alone warrants a five star for me. it's engrossing, scandalous, and it really felt like i've been part of the four main characters' lives. the way it was written was too old filipino, and yet, it didn't affect me negatively, and found myself reading it smoothly all throughout. the characters are well-thought out, the multiple POV chapters added more nuance and flavor to the scenes, and the emotions are there. it really felt like a masterpiece already.
however, five stars for me, are those pieces that left a huge impact (which it did) AND only a few flaws. this one has several. and the first item carried on from early up to the end, which is the insta-love. i am not a fan of insta-love. and i can easily spot it in a book, despite them wondering whether they're in love already. no, girl, you're not. why could i tell? because Willie and Renan only had a few interactions before they declared their love for each other. imagine: acquaintance party. that's like 3-4 weeks after the class starts and you're telling me they're already heads over heels for each other? i don't buy it. if only it added more scenes and a little more build up, i would have bought it. but no.
and then there are those early chapters where it would go ahead and mention a bunch of stuff during that time period. about 4-5 paragraphs that could just be cut to 1 or 2. the antagonists also are too over-the-top. way dramatic. and just plainly bad people. i wish Renan's father could have been grayed out a little. or maybe we learn a little about why he's like that.
Chris is somewhat well-written. there's a nuance to his character. and i could already tell from a mile away why he is the way he is, long before we got to his POV. that's why the reveal in the end didn't feel like a plot twist to me, but it landed good still, because the breadcrumbs are there.
Renan is relatable, Ed is lovable, and Willie is heartrending—you just want to hold him and tell him it's going to be okay. it was good how the book was able to intertwine their lives and had a good arc for each of them. the story makes you feel for them, pity them, want to hug them, and also be hopeful. those are all the things i was looking for from a queer story and i was glad to have found it in here.
however, five stars for me, are those pieces that left a huge impact (which it did) AND only a few flaws. this one has several. and the first item carried on from early up to the end, which is the insta-love. i am not a fan of insta-love. and i can easily spot it in a book, despite them wondering whether they're in love already. no, girl, you're not. why could i tell? because Willie and Renan only had a few interactions before they declared their love for each other. imagine: acquaintance party. that's like 3-4 weeks after the class starts and you're telling me they're already heads over heels for each other? i don't buy it. if only it added more scenes and a little more build up, i would have bought it. but no.
and then there are those early chapters where it would go ahead and mention a bunch of stuff during that time period. about 4-5 paragraphs that could just be cut to 1 or 2. the antagonists also are too over-the-top. way dramatic. and just plainly bad people. i wish Renan's father could have been grayed out a little. or maybe we learn a little about why he's like that.
Chris is somewhat well-written. there's a nuance to his character. and i could already tell from a mile away why he is the way he is, long before we got to his POV. that's why the reveal in the end didn't feel like a plot twist to me, but it landed good still, because the breadcrumbs are there.
Renan is relatable, Ed is lovable, and Willie is heartrending—you just want to hold him and tell him it's going to be okay. it was good how the book was able to intertwine their lives and had a good arc for each of them. the story makes you feel for them, pity them, want to hug them, and also be hopeful. those are all the things i was looking for from a queer story and i was glad to have found it in here.
January 13, 2023
*This review is written in Taglish (Tagalog-English)*
If you’re looking for some Pinoy BL books to read, I recommend you to read this masterpiece of John Jack Wigley's “Kadenang Bahaghari.”
Tumatakbo ang kwento tungkol nina Willie, Renan, Ed, at Chris—apat na tauhan na iba-iba ang tinatahak na landas pero konektado lamang ang kanilang kwento sa mga pangyayari.
Walang pinagkaiba ito sa mga BL stories na nababasa o napapanuod natin on screen dahil pinapakita ng nobelang ito ang diskriminasyon at hatred sa pagiging miyembro ng LGBT, especially pagdating sa pamilya na ayaw maging bakla ang kanilang anak, at ang hindi pa rin pagtanggap ng lipunan sa ikatlong kasarian.
Naka-focus ang nobelang sa apat na character, sabi ko nga. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may kani-kanilang kwento kung bakit nangyari ang main conflict. Yon nga lang, medyo umuulit ang bawat eksena sa bawat tauhan na pinapakita. Kaya makakaramdam ka ng pagkabagot minsan sa pagbabasa nito.
Pagdating naman sa plot, maayos na isinulat ng author ang pagkaka-konekta ng bawat eksena kaya maiintindihan mo talaga ang mga nangyayari sa kwento.
May minsan ding magagalit ka sa character ni Chris, lalo na sa ama ni Renan, dahil ang dalawang karakter na ito ang magsisilbing antagonista ng kwento. In the end, bawat tauhan ay may character building. At iyon mismo ang nagustuhan ko sa nobelang ito.
Yong ending, medyo nabitin ako—na sa tingin ko naman ay napakagandang atake iyon ng author upang pag-isipan ng mambabasa kung ano yong susunod na mangyayari pagkatapos matapos ang kwento. I hope may book 2 ito.😍
This book review is based on my views only as a reader. Pero nasa inyo na ang huling paghatol kung magugustuhan niyo ito. I think 4 over 5 stars is enough. Di ko pa rin masasabi na perfect ito kasi may hinahanap pa akong kasagutan na wala sa libro: iyon ay ang kasunod ng ending.
If you’re looking for some Pinoy BL books to read, I recommend you to read this masterpiece of John Jack Wigley's “Kadenang Bahaghari.”
Tumatakbo ang kwento tungkol nina Willie, Renan, Ed, at Chris—apat na tauhan na iba-iba ang tinatahak na landas pero konektado lamang ang kanilang kwento sa mga pangyayari.
Walang pinagkaiba ito sa mga BL stories na nababasa o napapanuod natin on screen dahil pinapakita ng nobelang ito ang diskriminasyon at hatred sa pagiging miyembro ng LGBT, especially pagdating sa pamilya na ayaw maging bakla ang kanilang anak, at ang hindi pa rin pagtanggap ng lipunan sa ikatlong kasarian.
Naka-focus ang nobelang sa apat na character, sabi ko nga. Bawat isa sa kanila ay may kani-kanilang kwento kung bakit nangyari ang main conflict. Yon nga lang, medyo umuulit ang bawat eksena sa bawat tauhan na pinapakita. Kaya makakaramdam ka ng pagkabagot minsan sa pagbabasa nito.
Pagdating naman sa plot, maayos na isinulat ng author ang pagkaka-konekta ng bawat eksena kaya maiintindihan mo talaga ang mga nangyayari sa kwento.
May minsan ding magagalit ka sa character ni Chris, lalo na sa ama ni Renan, dahil ang dalawang karakter na ito ang magsisilbing antagonista ng kwento. In the end, bawat tauhan ay may character building. At iyon mismo ang nagustuhan ko sa nobelang ito.
Yong ending, medyo nabitin ako—na sa tingin ko naman ay napakagandang atake iyon ng author upang pag-isipan ng mambabasa kung ano yong susunod na mangyayari pagkatapos matapos ang kwento. I hope may book 2 ito.😍
This book review is based on my views only as a reader. Pero nasa inyo na ang huling paghatol kung magugustuhan niyo ito. I think 4 over 5 stars is enough. Di ko pa rin masasabi na perfect ito kasi may hinahanap pa akong kasagutan na wala sa libro: iyon ay ang kasunod ng ending.
July 17, 2019
Mabagal ang simula, but the stories inside are well worth the read.
>
>
>
here come the spoilers
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Mabagal ang simula, but the stories inside are well worth the read.
>
>
>
here come the spoilers
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
ang lungkot isipin na parang napipilitan lang si Rene sa kanyang kano dahil 'marami na syang utang dito'.
nakakalungkot na maaring maging si Will at si Chris dahil kaaawaan niya ang adik na `di nya pinapansin noon.
sabagay, mukhang na turnoff si Will nang makita ang bagong Rene - na obviously ay sinasadya talaga nya para di na sila magkabalikan pa ni Will na mahal pa rin niya sa huli, pero ayun nga, malaki na ang utang nya kay kano.
Pero ang pinaka malungkot para sa akin, eh kung matuloy silang magpakasal ni Chris para lang 'maisalba' niya ito, which, by the way, ay gagawin lang ni Rene para sa kanyang guilty conscience, at sa totoo lang, ay maari pang mauwi sa false hopes ni Chris.
Well, good luck kung makapasa sya sa embasy, pabalik-balik pa naman sya sa rehab.
sa totoo lang, dapat patahimikin na lang ni Rene ang lahat, magpakasaya na sila ni kano, they both deserve it. Kailangan na rin ni Will ng katahimikan, at after nilang mag-usap ni Chris, sana nga ay makamit nilang pareho ang katahimikan at pagpapatawad na hinahanap nila.
.
.
.
dang, I was so looking forward for when Chris will give Will his letter... tapos nakita ko na isang pahina na lang pala ang natira!!! O_O
>
>
>
here come the spoilers
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Mabagal ang simula, but the stories inside are well worth the read.
>
>
>
here come the spoilers
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
ang lungkot isipin na parang napipilitan lang si Rene sa kanyang kano dahil 'marami na syang utang dito'.
nakakalungkot na maaring maging si Will at si Chris dahil kaaawaan niya ang adik na `di nya pinapansin noon.
sabagay, mukhang na turnoff si Will nang makita ang bagong Rene - na obviously ay sinasadya talaga nya para di na sila magkabalikan pa ni Will na mahal pa rin niya sa huli, pero ayun nga, malaki na ang utang nya kay kano.
Pero ang pinaka malungkot para sa akin, eh kung matuloy silang magpakasal ni Chris para lang 'maisalba' niya ito, which, by the way, ay gagawin lang ni Rene para sa kanyang guilty conscience, at sa totoo lang, ay maari pang mauwi sa false hopes ni Chris.
Well, good luck kung makapasa sya sa embasy, pabalik-balik pa naman sya sa rehab.
sa totoo lang, dapat patahimikin na lang ni Rene ang lahat, magpakasaya na sila ni kano, they both deserve it. Kailangan na rin ni Will ng katahimikan, at after nilang mag-usap ni Chris, sana nga ay makamit nilang pareho ang katahimikan at pagpapatawad na hinahanap nila.
.
.
.
dang, I was so looking forward for when Chris will give Will his letter... tapos nakita ko na isang pahina na lang pala ang natira!!! O_O
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews