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Kulang na Silya at Iba pang Kuwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing
137 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2020
49 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Ricky Lee
48 books623 followersFilipino screenwriter, journalist, novelist, and playwright.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
He has written more than 150 film screenplays since 1973, earning him more than 50 trophies from various award-giving bodies, including a 2003 Natatanging Gawad Urian Lifetime Achievement Award from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). As a screenwriter, he has worked with many Filipino film directors, most notably with Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal. Many of his films have been screened in the international film festival circuit in Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 28, 2021
Ang sarap basahin. Parang gusto ko na tuloy maging manunulat char. Pero seriously, ang gaan sa pakiramdam ng librong 'to.
April 16, 2021
Very inspiring. Ricky Lee is a genius in playing with your emotions. He knows your fears. He anticipates your dreams. He makes you hold on to hope even at this bleakest period in our lives.
I picked up this book because I saw and liked his movies. Several years ago, he also granted an interview request of our book club. We met his at his Xavierville residence. Hearing and reading this book are almost the same. He mouths and writes what you want to hear. His stories are not only the obstacles that he surmounted to be who he is now - a popular scriptwriter, a known author, a well-loved person who has rooms full of books. His stories include the everyday stuff that we tend to ignore like our pets or memories like when we were growing up in the province including our frequent visits to the town's library because no one was visiting it except us. And here is where he is at his best. With his use of Taglish narration he makes his writing easy to chew and digest but he described the experience like you have never been had the same.
Meaning, the problem here is that his stories are his. Even if we share the same experiences that he had, we did not use the same lens that he had. That's where I felt alienated. That made his stories different from mine even if we experienced the same. His life then becomes a rarity as if he is the chosen one. We are fooled to see that we can be him. No, we cannot be. For he is a genius. He is not like us mortals who can manage to write a decent review once in a while or talk about something with wit but we cannot write and be like him with his hundreds of scripts that movie moguls turned into movies or TV series.
As I closed this book after reading it in a couple of days. I said it was nice. But what's next? Nothing, it is just a sweet book.
I picked up this book because I saw and liked his movies. Several years ago, he also granted an interview request of our book club. We met his at his Xavierville residence. Hearing and reading this book are almost the same. He mouths and writes what you want to hear. His stories are not only the obstacles that he surmounted to be who he is now - a popular scriptwriter, a known author, a well-loved person who has rooms full of books. His stories include the everyday stuff that we tend to ignore like our pets or memories like when we were growing up in the province including our frequent visits to the town's library because no one was visiting it except us. And here is where he is at his best. With his use of Taglish narration he makes his writing easy to chew and digest but he described the experience like you have never been had the same.
Meaning, the problem here is that his stories are his. Even if we share the same experiences that he had, we did not use the same lens that he had. That's where I felt alienated. That made his stories different from mine even if we experienced the same. His life then becomes a rarity as if he is the chosen one. We are fooled to see that we can be him. No, we cannot be. For he is a genius. He is not like us mortals who can manage to write a decent review once in a while or talk about something with wit but we cannot write and be like him with his hundreds of scripts that movie moguls turned into movies or TV series.
As I closed this book after reading it in a couple of days. I said it was nice. But what's next? Nothing, it is just a sweet book.
March 9, 2023
I very much enjoyed this, stumbled upon Ricky Lee through his PUP speech on youtube and I have been interested in him ever since. As a struggling creative who is also shy with an inferiority complex this gave me so much hope and wisdom ;)). I want to read more ricky leeeeee
August 12, 2024
Ricky Lee’s Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing is a collection of autobiographical texts from the National Artist. The subtitle goes “Life and Writing”, because one will find inside the book that Lee sees the two things as very intertwined. The author’s belief is that the Lee living life is the same Lee that is in vocation. He’s not stingy with the title of writer: he believes that people who act for progress and impact their community positively are also a type of writer. Hence, the personal growth of a person is not separate from their growth as a writer. Considering the Western image of a writer being immature, shut-in and cynical losers, I liked that Kulang na Silya posits the opposite, that to succeed in writing, one must first attempt to look inward and extend outwards, to be a reflexive, adaptable person in order to create compelling characters.
Because of this, Kulang na Silya goes beyond being a reference for film/TV careerists. Anyone can pick up this book and resonate with Lee’s reflections.
Maybe because I’m also from Bicol, also spent my childhood with extended family, also read at the quaint public school library, and also dreamed of being a writer that I feel invested with Lee’s life story. I'm also a former college activist, and a UP student. Seeing yourself in another person, yet whose similar dreams are a lived reality, evokes a visceral reaction. I gave up on my author-dreams a long time ago, but Ricky Lee’s Kulang na Silya is telling me maybe, juuuuuust maybe, I still can get back up on that horse.
Noteworthy Technical Aspects
Ricky Lee is a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, is the most-awarded scriptwriter in the Philippines, has written 180 film produced scripts, and has dabbled in writing novels, essays and plays. That Kulang na Silya would be excellently written is obvious. But it really gets to me how it’s good in a way that’s in a league of its own, so Kulang na Silya’s highlights are enumerated below.
• The essays are thematically interconnected, while tackling distinct topics on their own.
• It uses conversational Taglish and doesn’t follow the tradition of italicizing English or Tagalog, as if to separate the two with a typographic barrier. It’s a small choice, but a really powerful assertion on the validity of Taglish in PH literature.
• Introductions are designed to maximize engagement with the reader. It pulls you in with a humorous anecdote, or a prettily written scene, which makes the reader put their guard down. It follows through with nuance discussion, and tackling the difficult but beautiful things in the rest of the article.
• The writing voice itself is an extension of Ricky Lee’s enthusiasm for getting more people into writing. There’s no membrane of pretentiousness, no airs, no grandiose loftiness that one thinks to expect from the text of a National Artist. Kulang na Silya is accessible, and damn it—in this country where 7 in 10 people think books aren't a luxury, we should give more flowers to everything that tries to get to those other 3, and Kulang na Silya is accessible without sacrificing its content.
The Crucible of Experience
Ricky Lee is the most decorated scriptwriter in the Philippines. But before that, he was an orphan, working student, political prisoner, Martial Law activist, and college dropout. His life has so many ups and downs it's worthy of its own film. It’s nice to read about someone who isn’t a nepo-baby get into the film industry and succeed.
It’s not all rosy at the top, though. Challenges still persist even in the peak of his career because of the lower view of Philippine culture on the arts, and even amongst cultural workers, writers are not given due respect. He still faces tribulations such as: when the UP Department that studied his short stories rejected his application to be a professor there, or when Himala, a script he tried to get picked up for SIX YEARS, didn’t put his name on the movie poster.
The challenges he shares are communicated with vulnerability and optimism. A balancing act of tone. It never gets too exaggerated about the downside to be out-of-touch, but also it’s never preachy. Heck, in Sulat Para sa Mga Gustong Magsulat, the advice for writers is written in a catchy list with two-sentence items, a format of the lame self-help book. But it’s not self-help because unlike the reassured self-help author, Lee owns up to his flaws throughout, doesn’t deny still having weaknesses, even laughs at himself when he deserves it.
Mr. De Mesa and the Lesson of Empathy
Ricky Lee, as he writes in Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing, gives the impression that he is more of an optimist than not. In the opening essay, Kung Paano Ako Niligtas ng Pagsusulat Ngayong Pandemic, he frames the pandemic as a hindrance to human connection, and its persistence through it all is testimony of the Filipino spirit’s strength. He even says that it is not just writing that saved him,
In the Commencement speech Kulang na Silya, which he gave at PUP and is also the book's titular essay, he ended the speech by thanking people who helped him become a writer. In Bubog, he talks about the darkest material in the collection: the frightening experience of detainment in Fort Santiago during Martial Law. Even in the midst of recounting trauma that stays with him till this day, he remembered the kindness of the two low-ranking soldiers dispatched with him when he was sent to the hospital.
We find out why he has a humanistic disposition in the essay Strangers in My Life. This essay is about various strangers that helped him, and how he eventually started to help others to pay their kindness forward.
He tells us stories from his life’s turning points. It has three elements: a young Ricardo with faraway dreams but fiery determination, an opportunity at arm’s length but difficult to get with his limited resources, and a stranger who helped him. (Not me getting emotional as I write this) He wants us to understand the direct hand that these people had in his success, that he is proof of the lengths acts of kindness can reach.
I liked the emphasis on these people being Strangers. First, it is objectively correct to call them that, because Lee wasn’t able to get their names. Secondly, it added emotional depth. Ricky Lee feels more grateful to them the older he gets but it simultaneously adds fire to the regret, and he chastises himself for not remembering to ask. But finally, it asserts maybe we can still find honest-to-goodness kindness in humanity. That people unknown to Ricky can be so pivotal underscores the idea that acts of kindness can exist independently of personal relationships or expectations of reciprocity. We are more likely to be helpful than to be hurtful, and not everything is a quid pro quo.
Needless to say, this essay is my favorite from Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing . It made me cry near the end.
Final Thoughts
Great book, new favorite from this year. I endorse this book to everyone and if I had more money, I’d buy everyone I know and love a copy of this book. You should read this, and you will be able to make time to because it’s concise, witty, funny, sincere. It’s entertaining and deeply intelligent, and if that’s not enough, finishing this book will enable you to say “I’ve read a book by a National Artist.”
”We can all be writers, writing and rewriting our lives and the lives of other people… Binabago nila ang mga kuwento sa ating paligid. Tinatanggal nila ang mga screen at ginagawa nila uling tao ang mga tao. Na siyang tungkulin ng bawat kuwentong sinusulat nating mga manunulat.
—Kung Paano Ako Niligtas ng Pagsusulat Ngayong Pandemic
Because of this, Kulang na Silya goes beyond being a reference for film/TV careerists. Anyone can pick up this book and resonate with Lee’s reflections.
Maybe because I’m also from Bicol, also spent my childhood with extended family, also read at the quaint public school library, and also dreamed of being a writer that I feel invested with Lee’s life story. I'm also a former college activist, and a UP student. Seeing yourself in another person, yet whose similar dreams are a lived reality, evokes a visceral reaction. I gave up on my author-dreams a long time ago, but Ricky Lee’s Kulang na Silya is telling me maybe, juuuuuust maybe, I still can get back up on that horse.
Noteworthy Technical Aspects
Ricky Lee is a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, is the most-awarded scriptwriter in the Philippines, has written 180 film produced scripts, and has dabbled in writing novels, essays and plays. That Kulang na Silya would be excellently written is obvious. But it really gets to me how it’s good in a way that’s in a league of its own, so Kulang na Silya’s highlights are enumerated below.
• The essays are thematically interconnected, while tackling distinct topics on their own.
• It uses conversational Taglish and doesn’t follow the tradition of italicizing English or Tagalog, as if to separate the two with a typographic barrier. It’s a small choice, but a really powerful assertion on the validity of Taglish in PH literature.
• Introductions are designed to maximize engagement with the reader. It pulls you in with a humorous anecdote, or a prettily written scene, which makes the reader put their guard down. It follows through with nuance discussion, and tackling the difficult but beautiful things in the rest of the article.
• The writing voice itself is an extension of Ricky Lee’s enthusiasm for getting more people into writing. There’s no membrane of pretentiousness, no airs, no grandiose loftiness that one thinks to expect from the text of a National Artist. Kulang na Silya is accessible, and damn it—in this country where 7 in 10 people think books aren't a luxury, we should give more flowers to everything that tries to get to those other 3, and Kulang na Silya is accessible without sacrificing its content.
The Crucible of Experience
”Ang tunay na emotional truth ay nagsisimula sa emotional truth ng manunulat. Dito ka humuhugot, para komonekta ka sa emotional truths din ng audience mo.
—Bubog
Ricky Lee is the most decorated scriptwriter in the Philippines. But before that, he was an orphan, working student, political prisoner, Martial Law activist, and college dropout. His life has so many ups and downs it's worthy of its own film. It’s nice to read about someone who isn’t a nepo-baby get into the film industry and succeed.
It’s not all rosy at the top, though. Challenges still persist even in the peak of his career because of the lower view of Philippine culture on the arts, and even amongst cultural workers, writers are not given due respect. He still faces tribulations such as: when the UP Department that studied his short stories rejected his application to be a professor there, or when Himala, a script he tried to get picked up for SIX YEARS, didn’t put his name on the movie poster.
The challenges he shares are communicated with vulnerability and optimism. A balancing act of tone. It never gets too exaggerated about the downside to be out-of-touch, but also it’s never preachy. Heck, in Sulat Para sa Mga Gustong Magsulat, the advice for writers is written in a catchy list with two-sentence items, a format of the lame self-help book. But it’s not self-help because unlike the reassured self-help author, Lee owns up to his flaws throughout, doesn’t deny still having weaknesses, even laughs at himself when he deserves it.
Mr. De Mesa and the Lesson of Empathy
Ricky Lee, as he writes in Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing, gives the impression that he is more of an optimist than not. In the opening essay, Kung Paano Ako Niligtas ng Pagsusulat Ngayong Pandemic, he frames the pandemic as a hindrance to human connection, and its persistence through it all is testimony of the Filipino spirit’s strength. He even says that it is not just writing that saved him,
”more than that, other people’s stories saved me.”
—Kung Paano Ako Niligtas ng Pagsusulat Ngayong Pandemic
In the Commencement speech Kulang na Silya, which he gave at PUP and is also the book's titular essay, he ended the speech by thanking people who helped him become a writer. In Bubog, he talks about the darkest material in the collection: the frightening experience of detainment in Fort Santiago during Martial Law. Even in the midst of recounting trauma that stays with him till this day, he remembered the kindness of the two low-ranking soldiers dispatched with him when he was sent to the hospital.
We find out why he has a humanistic disposition in the essay Strangers in My Life. This essay is about various strangers that helped him, and how he eventually started to help others to pay their kindness forward.
He tells us stories from his life’s turning points. It has three elements: a young Ricardo with faraway dreams but fiery determination, an opportunity at arm’s length but difficult to get with his limited resources, and a stranger who helped him. (Not me getting emotional as I write this) He wants us to understand the direct hand that these people had in his success, that he is proof of the lengths acts of kindness can reach.
I liked the emphasis on these people being Strangers. First, it is objectively correct to call them that, because Lee wasn’t able to get their names. Secondly, it added emotional depth. Ricky Lee feels more grateful to them the older he gets but it simultaneously adds fire to the regret, and he chastises himself for not remembering to ask. But finally, it asserts maybe we can still find honest-to-goodness kindness in humanity. That people unknown to Ricky can be so pivotal underscores the idea that acts of kindness can exist independently of personal relationships or expectations of reciprocity. We are more likely to be helpful than to be hurtful, and not everything is a quid pro quo.
"Kung naging mahusay man akong writer ngayon, sa kanya iyon lahat nagsimula. Hanggang ngayon ay sinisisi ko pa rin ang sarili ko kung bakit hindi ko kailanman inalam ang pangalan nya, at nang makapunta ako ng Maynila ay nakalimutan ko na siya."
—Strangers in My Life
Needless to say, this essay is my favorite from Kulang na Silya at Iba Pang Kwentong Buhay: Essays on Life and Writing . It made me cry near the end.
Final Thoughts
Great book, new favorite from this year. I endorse this book to everyone and if I had more money, I’d buy everyone I know and love a copy of this book. You should read this, and you will be able to make time to because it’s concise, witty, funny, sincere. It’s entertaining and deeply intelligent, and if that’s not enough, finishing this book will enable you to say “I’ve read a book by a National Artist.”
August 11, 2025
I've been a fan of Ricky Lee ever since reading "Para kay B". This is the first set of essays I've read from him, and I'm glad I finally had the chance to. It made me admire him even more because I got to know him better. I would say that he was very vulnerable and raw in this book, and that's what makes it great.
I will talk about it more in detail at The Paper Reels!
I will talk about it more in detail at The Paper Reels!
March 27, 2025
“Hindi nakaabang ang mundo para ibigay sa’yo ang lahat ng kailangan mo. Hindi ka entitled. You have to be resourceful. You have to work hard. Kailangan mong pagtrabahuhan ang kulang na silya.”
What a masterpiece. Short but sweet. But then again, did I expect anything less from Ricky Lee? I just feel honored to be learning a lot from his works.
What a masterpiece. Short but sweet. But then again, did I expect anything less from Ricky Lee? I just feel honored to be learning a lot from his works.
September 25, 2024
“𝑴𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒂 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒃𝒐𝒈, 𝒍𝒂𝒍𝒐 𝒏𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕. 𝑵𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒂 𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒄𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒈𝒊 𝒏𝒂 𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉. 𝑨𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒍𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒏𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕. 𝑫𝒊𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒂 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒖𝒉𝒖𝒈𝒐𝒕, 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒌𝒐𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒌𝒕𝒂 𝒌𝒂 𝒔𝒂 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒏 𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐. 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒎𝒐 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂 𝒎𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒕𝒂 𝒌𝒂. 𝑲𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒂𝒌𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒖𝒍𝒊����-𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒕. 𝑨𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒕 𝒎𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒂𝒈𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒎 𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒈𝒂 𝒔𝒖𝒈𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒃𝒂.”
I've been a fan of Ricky Lee ever since I've read Para Kay B when I was in college. Since then, I slowly started collecting his books kahit hindi ko pa agad mababasa bilang hindi na bago sa ating readers ang napakahabang TBR list. 😆
I got my copy of this from #MIBF2024. I started reading it the next day and finished it in just a few hours as it's a very short book. I love how raw he was in this book which makes me feel like I got to know him a little more. I also liked how this book played with my emotions: It made me laugh and shed a few tears. Other times, it pinched at my heart especially those parts and stories where he talked about his experiences during the martial law. Lagi at lagi talaga akong masasaktan para sa mga victims ng martial law; lagi at lagi rin akong magagalit sa historical revisionism na kasalukuyang nangyayari. It's unforgivable.
But what I love most about this book is that it made me feel like I'm not alone—that whatever it is that I am feeling or going through, someone out there understands. Sa totoo lang ay wala akong masabi kundi napakaganda ng akdang ito—as expected naman kay sir Ricky. This reminded me of why I am a big fan of him in the first place.
I've been a fan of Ricky Lee ever since I've read Para Kay B when I was in college. Since then, I slowly started collecting his books kahit hindi ko pa agad mababasa bilang hindi na bago sa ating readers ang napakahabang TBR list. 😆
I got my copy of this from #MIBF2024. I started reading it the next day and finished it in just a few hours as it's a very short book. I love how raw he was in this book which makes me feel like I got to know him a little more. I also liked how this book played with my emotions: It made me laugh and shed a few tears. Other times, it pinched at my heart especially those parts and stories where he talked about his experiences during the martial law. Lagi at lagi talaga akong masasaktan para sa mga victims ng martial law; lagi at lagi rin akong magagalit sa historical revisionism na kasalukuyang nangyayari. It's unforgivable.
But what I love most about this book is that it made me feel like I'm not alone—that whatever it is that I am feeling or going through, someone out there understands. Sa totoo lang ay wala akong masabi kundi napakaganda ng akdang ito—as expected naman kay sir Ricky. This reminded me of why I am a big fan of him in the first place.
November 9, 2025
“Kailangan masugatan ang mga mata mo para mas makakita ka.”
June 2, 2022
as that quote from the pixar movie, inside out, says: do you ever look at someone and wonder, what is going on inside their head?
kulang na silya is a deep dive into ricky lee’s heart, mind, and soul. this collection of essays and life stories was written in a way that feels conversational. there is a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if you’re talking to him while smoking a cigarette. it is the perfect mix of anecdotes, his humor, fiction, and life lessons. it reminded me of how my own grandmother tells me stories— you observe their reflections and realizations as they indulge in retrospection. see, a lot of the life lessons here are things you most likely already know, but it’s the way ricky lee writes that makes it all the more memorable. i highly recommend this book to people who are going through changes in their life, people who are feeling lost, and really just anyone. there is unquantifiable amounts of wisdom in this collection as ricky lee is excellent at showing emotional connection with every single line.
p.s. i’m a slow reader but i literally finished the last 70-80 pages in 4 hours because i was so invested :)
kulang na silya is a deep dive into ricky lee’s heart, mind, and soul. this collection of essays and life stories was written in a way that feels conversational. there is a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, as if you’re talking to him while smoking a cigarette. it is the perfect mix of anecdotes, his humor, fiction, and life lessons. it reminded me of how my own grandmother tells me stories— you observe their reflections and realizations as they indulge in retrospection. see, a lot of the life lessons here are things you most likely already know, but it’s the way ricky lee writes that makes it all the more memorable. i highly recommend this book to people who are going through changes in their life, people who are feeling lost, and really just anyone. there is unquantifiable amounts of wisdom in this collection as ricky lee is excellent at showing emotional connection with every single line.
p.s. i’m a slow reader but i literally finished the last 70-80 pages in 4 hours because i was so invested :)
November 12, 2024
Just when we thought na nabása na natin sa Trip to Quiapo ang lahat ng pinakamagandang life-changing lessons sa pagsusulat ni Ricky Lee, heto't may bago na naman siyang libro tungkol sa búhay at pagsusulat.
Matagal ko nang binabása si Ricky Lee, pero ngayon ko lang na-realize na siya ang pinakapaborito kong postmodern fictionist. Effective pati ang postmodern typography ng librong ’to.
Ang perfection daw ay hindi kung kailan wala nang dapat idagdag kundi kung kailan wala nang dapat ibawas. At pinakikita ng maliit na librong ’to ang art of brevity.
Hindi puwedeng basahin ang librong ’to nang walang lapis dahil ang daming quotables. Instant classic ang librong ’to at easy constant reread para sa mga manunulat na gaya ko ay nagsusumikap pa ring makarating sa Quiapo.
Una pa lang ang librong ’to sa book series tungkol sa búhay manunulat na planong i-publish ni Ricky Lee. Deserve ni Ricky Lee ng buong biography bílang pinakapremyadong manunulat na Filipino.
Matagal ko nang binabása si Ricky Lee, pero ngayon ko lang na-realize na siya ang pinakapaborito kong postmodern fictionist. Effective pati ang postmodern typography ng librong ’to.
Ang perfection daw ay hindi kung kailan wala nang dapat idagdag kundi kung kailan wala nang dapat ibawas. At pinakikita ng maliit na librong ’to ang art of brevity.
Hindi puwedeng basahin ang librong ’to nang walang lapis dahil ang daming quotables. Instant classic ang librong ’to at easy constant reread para sa mga manunulat na gaya ko ay nagsusumikap pa ring makarating sa Quiapo.
Una pa lang ang librong ’to sa book series tungkol sa búhay manunulat na planong i-publish ni Ricky Lee. Deserve ni Ricky Lee ng buong biography bílang pinakapremyadong manunulat na Filipino.
August 5, 2022
Ang gaang basahin. Ang daling makakonekta ng mambabasa. Ang mga sanaysay sa antolohiya ay umiinog sa pagiging manunulat ni Ricky Lee. Maraming maimumungkahi ang aklat sa mga nagpapatalas ng kanilang panulat.
Maraming quotable na linya sa libro. Marahil, dahil scriptwriter si Lee, at lumilitaw ang kanyang gawi sa pagsulat ng iskrip. Pinakagusto ko ang dalawang siping ito na magkaugnay ang sinasabi:
"Huwag kang padadala sa mga tagumpay. Ang mga papuri, mga award at parangal, pasasayahin ka sa labas pero sisirain ka sa loob. Kaya mag-ingat ka."
"Pero mahirap ang fame. It affects the brain, and you get used to it. Naghahanap ka na lagi ng validation by being recognized by others. Nahihigop na ng pangalan mo ang buo mong pagkatao. Hindi na ikaw ikaw."
Maraming quotable na linya sa libro. Marahil, dahil scriptwriter si Lee, at lumilitaw ang kanyang gawi sa pagsulat ng iskrip. Pinakagusto ko ang dalawang siping ito na magkaugnay ang sinasabi:
"Huwag kang padadala sa mga tagumpay. Ang mga papuri, mga award at parangal, pasasayahin ka sa labas pero sisirain ka sa loob. Kaya mag-ingat ka."
"Pero mahirap ang fame. It affects the brain, and you get used to it. Naghahanap ka na lagi ng validation by being recognized by others. Nahihigop na ng pangalan mo ang buo mong pagkatao. Hindi na ikaw ikaw."
May 24, 2021
Ang gaan sa pakiramdam na basahin 'yung ganitong libro na para kayong nagkukwentuhan sa kanto na may hawak na kape. Dami kong nakuhang tips, ano, self, sulat na!
April 22, 2023
Na-enjoy kong basahin lahat ng mga sanaysay sa librong ito. Gaya ng mga nasabi na ng iba sa reviews nila, ang gaan niyang basahin. Refreshing.
Natuwa akong mas makilala pa si Ricky Lee sa akdang ito. Pinakapaborito ko siguro ang sanaysay na "Opening the Wrong Door," kung saan ibinahagi ni Ricky na makakalimutin siya at palaging ang maling kotse ang nabubuksan niya dahil hindi niya matandaan ang sarili niyang kotse.
"Sabi nila, kapag namatay ka, magpa-flash sa harap mo ang common images ng naging buhay mo. Sa kaso ko, isa sa mga magpa-flash na image ay ang mukha ng taong nagulat sa loob ng kotse." But he turns this around after a few pages by saying, "...looking back, I realized that my weakness was a blessing after all. Dahil if you want to be a writer, dapat ay hindi ka sigurista. Dapat ay willing ka to open that door, maski na monster o bangin o dilim ang nasa loob. I was open to entering any door dahil di ko naman sure kung alin ang tamang door. Kaya early on in my writing, hindi na ako natakot sumubok ng maski anong genre o form, hindi ako natakot na hindi sumunod sa rules, na magbukas ng maski anong pintuan."
Nakakatuwa rin 'yong iba pang mga na-share niya tungkol sa buhay at mga karanasan niya sa ibang mga sanaysay. Sa sobrang pagkawili ko sa pagbabasa, natapos ko itong basahin in under four hours.
Natuwa akong mas makilala pa si Ricky Lee sa akdang ito. Pinakapaborito ko siguro ang sanaysay na "Opening the Wrong Door," kung saan ibinahagi ni Ricky na makakalimutin siya at palaging ang maling kotse ang nabubuksan niya dahil hindi niya matandaan ang sarili niyang kotse.
"Sabi nila, kapag namatay ka, magpa-flash sa harap mo ang common images ng naging buhay mo. Sa kaso ko, isa sa mga magpa-flash na image ay ang mukha ng taong nagulat sa loob ng kotse." But he turns this around after a few pages by saying, "...looking back, I realized that my weakness was a blessing after all. Dahil if you want to be a writer, dapat ay hindi ka sigurista. Dapat ay willing ka to open that door, maski na monster o bangin o dilim ang nasa loob. I was open to entering any door dahil di ko naman sure kung alin ang tamang door. Kaya early on in my writing, hindi na ako natakot sumubok ng maski anong genre o form, hindi ako natakot na hindi sumunod sa rules, na magbukas ng maski anong pintuan."
Nakakatuwa rin 'yong iba pang mga na-share niya tungkol sa buhay at mga karanasan niya sa ibang mga sanaysay. Sa sobrang pagkawili ko sa pagbabasa, natapos ko itong basahin in under four hours.
April 20, 2025
Kung naghahanap ka ng inspirasyon para magsulat o kahit naghahanap ka lang ng kausap, damputin mo ang librong ito. Sa bawat pahina, parang nakikikipagkwentuhan at/o nagkukuwento lang dito si Ricky Lee. Punong-puno ito ng danas at wisdom na naipon niya sa mahabang panahon ng pagsusulat.
Ang iba dito, una kong narinig sa mga talk ni Sir Ricky sa writing workshop niya. Pero, parang may bagong dagdag pa rin noong nabasa ko ulit. Sa totoo lang, masarap makinig kay Sir Ricky. Kaya siguro masarap din siyang basahin. Magaan pero may bigat palagi ang mga naratibo niya.
Paborito kong part nito ay iyong panaginip niyang tinatanong siya ni San Pedro kung anong pangalan niya. Reminds me of a chapter from Dekada ‘70 ni Lualhati Bautista kung saan tinatanong si Amanda kung anong pangalan niya. Malinaw ang tinig at mensahe.
Kaya naman sa mga nagsisimulang magsulat (o kahit hindi nagsisimula), magandang mabasa si Ricky Lee. Ang mga kuwento niya ay inspirasyon at tulak para higit tayong maging masigasig.
Ang iba dito, una kong narinig sa mga talk ni Sir Ricky sa writing workshop niya. Pero, parang may bagong dagdag pa rin noong nabasa ko ulit. Sa totoo lang, masarap makinig kay Sir Ricky. Kaya siguro masarap din siyang basahin. Magaan pero may bigat palagi ang mga naratibo niya.
Paborito kong part nito ay iyong panaginip niyang tinatanong siya ni San Pedro kung anong pangalan niya. Reminds me of a chapter from Dekada ‘70 ni Lualhati Bautista kung saan tinatanong si Amanda kung anong pangalan niya. Malinaw ang tinig at mensahe.
Kaya naman sa mga nagsisimulang magsulat (o kahit hindi nagsisimula), magandang mabasa si Ricky Lee. Ang mga kuwento niya ay inspirasyon at tulak para higit tayong maging masigasig.
May 4, 2021
Lessons from his life and a sprinkling of his humor! So enjoyable.
Sorry naman, guilty po ako sa mga nakiki Sir Ricky! Pa picture naman! So if you're going to ask me what i do with that picture, it makes me remember your gracious nature. And the many more times i just stood by and let you pass and be a private person.
Now, how to finally join your workshop...🤔
########
Dahil nakita mo ang ibaba, mas naiintindihan mo ang itaas. Dahil nanggaling ka sa dilim, mas natatanggap mo na ang buhay ay hindi puro liwanag.
Sorry naman, guilty po ako sa mga nakiki Sir Ricky! Pa picture naman! So if you're going to ask me what i do with that picture, it makes me remember your gracious nature. And the many more times i just stood by and let you pass and be a private person.
Now, how to finally join your workshop...🤔
########
Dahil nakita mo ang ibaba, mas naiintindihan mo ang itaas. Dahil nanggaling ka sa dilim, mas natatanggap mo na ang buhay ay hindi puro liwanag.
September 7, 2022
3.75
Matamis magkuwento si Sir Ricky. Sa kasamaang palad, habang hinihintay na maipadala sa akin ang librong ito, nanuod na ako ng ilang recent interviews niya lalo na ang mula sa Akdang Buhay ng UP Open University channel sa YouTube. May ilang detalye lamang na nadagdag at nabawas. Parang transcript lang ito ng panayam, at mas gusto ko pang manggaling sa mismong bibig niya ang mga kuwento.
Pero at least, nahahawakan ko ang mga salita niya!
Nang matapos kong basahin ito, nakulangan ako. Pakiramdam ko ay kinwentuhan lang ako ng isang matagumpay na kaibigan.
Matamis magkuwento si Sir Ricky. Sa kasamaang palad, habang hinihintay na maipadala sa akin ang librong ito, nanuod na ako ng ilang recent interviews niya lalo na ang mula sa Akdang Buhay ng UP Open University channel sa YouTube. May ilang detalye lamang na nadagdag at nabawas. Parang transcript lang ito ng panayam, at mas gusto ko pang manggaling sa mismong bibig niya ang mga kuwento.
Pero at least, nahahawakan ko ang mga salita niya!
Nang matapos kong basahin ito, nakulangan ako. Pakiramdam ko ay kinwentuhan lang ako ng isang matagumpay na kaibigan.
March 25, 2023
PAGKALIPAS NG MAHIGIT NA APAT NA DEKADANG PAGSUSULAT SA PELIKULA, ANO ANG MAIPAPAYO KO SA MGA GUSTONG MAGSULAT?
Mahalaga na maging mahusay kang manunulat pero mas mahalagang maging mabuti kang tao. Your heart has to be big dahil dapat magkasya dito lahat ng tao mula sa pinakamabuti hanggang sa pinakamasama.
I like this little book of essays!
These maybe written in bilingual, but the simple prose and vocabulary makes it understandable to the high school students who really want to take the hard profession of creative writing. When you read these works orally, the cadence is easy-going and alluring to the listeners. I tried reading it in front of the mirror, and I cannot help but in awe to the wisdom that he has put in the pages. Reading the stories are reminiscient of my attendance to the PRPB book discussions with him as we interviewed him about the two books, Para kay B and Lahat ng B.
I guess the one star deduction is the feeling that I got ripped off of my money, because the collection is somehow already been received in form of an oral tale, or by watching a youtube, or a recycled messaging from his social media account. It may also be my impression of the pricing — like I paid ~Php60 for a repeat performance, when the first-time I saw or heard it was only for free.
In a way, it looks like that payment is a pay-forward to those young writers who take him as an inspiration to creatively write, with no inhibitions and hesitations, regardless if you start small or in a simple form. The verbosity and the creativity in writing will develop if you keep writing. And that's his legacy to them and to me, as I aspire to keep that vision— that in less than 20 years, I should be able to build my own writing collection, as long as I keep writing and improving my creative pursuit.
After all, we write because we do not only keep it for posterity, but we also need to record our truths.
September 1, 2023
“lyon ang nangyari sa akin noon. Nasaktan ako pero sa paglipas ng panahon ay unti-unti ko siyang kinilala at niyakap. Nagsimula akong ikuwento sa ibang tao ang nangyari at unti-unti, I started to own the incident. Nang gawin ko siyang kuwento ay naging peklat na lang siya.”
May 15, 2025
Hindi ko akalain na malalim pala ang tagos nito.
March 12, 2021
Collection of essays that all ruminates life. An inspiring read. Feels like I’m listening to a life coach.
December 29, 2023
You are an inspiration, Ricky Lee 🫶🏼
January 5, 2021
Ricky Lee reinforces the age-old adages 'slow and steady wins the race' and 'no man is an island' in this short yet immensely engaging collection of personal anecdotes and essays on life. Written in a fascinating mix of Tagalog and English, this book perfectly captures the raw intensity of someone who has 'lived to tell his story', a phrase that can be taken literally in the author's case.
Relatable. Inspiring. Thought-provoking. Kulang na Silya just hits differently when you are going through some sort of an existential crisis and have a whole graduate thesis manuscript waiting to be written in this chaotic and demotivating time. After reading, I heeded the author's advice; I opened my thesis Word file after two weeks of pretending it didn't exist and started typing away like I had no care in this world.
I'm especially touched by Ricky's commencement speech in PUP last 2019—ingeniously placed at the end like a footnote when it's actually the climax of the book. As someone who is second-guessing how I should put to use my degree in the future, it definitely helped to be told, 'Yang hawak mong diploma, para 'yan sa iba, hindi para sa'yo'.
I believe the story behind the title will remain with me for a long time. It is a simple yet heartwarming metaphor, a realization born decades ago but whose meaning never ceased to be important. A gentle reminder that it is in giving that we receive. Kulang na Silya is a must-read especially during these politically and socially troubling times when one should not only live for themselves alone.
P.S. I have a signed copy, so I wonder what Ricky must have been thinking while scribbling his signature. (Inside joke) 😅
Relatable. Inspiring. Thought-provoking. Kulang na Silya just hits differently when you are going through some sort of an existential crisis and have a whole graduate thesis manuscript waiting to be written in this chaotic and demotivating time. After reading, I heeded the author's advice; I opened my thesis Word file after two weeks of pretending it didn't exist and started typing away like I had no care in this world.
I'm especially touched by Ricky's commencement speech in PUP last 2019—ingeniously placed at the end like a footnote when it's actually the climax of the book. As someone who is second-guessing how I should put to use my degree in the future, it definitely helped to be told, 'Yang hawak mong diploma, para 'yan sa iba, hindi para sa'yo'.
I believe the story behind the title will remain with me for a long time. It is a simple yet heartwarming metaphor, a realization born decades ago but whose meaning never ceased to be important. A gentle reminder that it is in giving that we receive. Kulang na Silya is a must-read especially during these politically and socially troubling times when one should not only live for themselves alone.
P.S. I have a signed copy, so I wonder what Ricky must have been thinking while scribbling his signature. (Inside joke) 😅
July 7, 2025
The last three (or four?) essays in the book I liked the most. Ricky Lee’s speech on “Kulang na Silya” (included as the final chapter of this book) still made me tear up today even after having read it so many times since 2019 haha!
Sharing here some excerpts from one of my favorite essays, ‘Bubog’:
Sharing here some excerpts from one of my favorite essays, ‘Bubog’:
April 10, 2025
Lupon ng mga sanaysay na may kinalaman sa may-akda (Ricky Lee). Nilalaman ng mga sanaysay ang mga kwentong buhay ng may-akda mula sa kaniyang karanasan noong pandemya, kaniyang buhay bilang isang manunulat, at iba pa.
Isang munting silip ang akda sa buhay ng premyadong manunulat at ang kaniyang pagiging 'tao'. Magaan basahin at kapupulutan ng aral.
Swak para sa mga naghahanap ng inspirasyon para sa mga nagbabalak magsulat, nagsusulat, at sa mga hindi.
Natapos basahin 1:15 ng madaling araw ng ika-7 ng Abril taong 2025.
Isang munting silip ang akda sa buhay ng premyadong manunulat at ang kaniyang pagiging 'tao'. Magaan basahin at kapupulutan ng aral.
Swak para sa mga naghahanap ng inspirasyon para sa mga nagbabalak magsulat, nagsusulat, at sa mga hindi.
Natapos basahin 1:15 ng madaling araw ng ika-7 ng Abril taong 2025.
August 9, 2022
NAGBABAGO AT PATULOY NA BABAGUHIN ng librong ito ang aking pananaw sa buhay bilang manunulat, estudyante, anak, kapatid, at syempre, tao. Nahanap ko ang haraya mula sa mga kwentong buhay ni Ricky Lee.
Baguhang manunulat ako at muling umilaw ang diwa kong ipagpatuloy ang mga nais kong gawin sa buhay nang matapos ang libro. Sa gitna ng aking pagbabasa, parang binabasa ni Ricky Lee ang aking utak. Kilala niya kung sino ako; papunta sa mga sikreto, hinanakit, at problema. Hindi niya na kailangang magtanong bagkus saulado niya na kung sino ako at maaaring, lahat tayo.
Mananatiling inspirasyon si Ricky Lee sa mga manunulat. At kahit ilang beses ko man nang narinig ang kwento ng kanyang kamusmusan sa Daet at ang transpormasyon niya bilang isang matagumpay na manunulat, kailanman, hindi ako magsasawa.
Baguhang manunulat ako at muling umilaw ang diwa kong ipagpatuloy ang mga nais kong gawin sa buhay nang matapos ang libro. Sa gitna ng aking pagbabasa, parang binabasa ni Ricky Lee ang aking utak. Kilala niya kung sino ako; papunta sa mga sikreto, hinanakit, at problema. Hindi niya na kailangang magtanong bagkus saulado niya na kung sino ako at maaaring, lahat tayo.
Mananatiling inspirasyon si Ricky Lee sa mga manunulat. At kahit ilang beses ko man nang narinig ang kwento ng kanyang kamusmusan sa Daet at ang transpormasyon niya bilang isang matagumpay na manunulat, kailanman, hindi ako magsasawa.
February 22, 2021
Maraming salamat sa librong ito, Ricky Lee! Ito ang ikalawang aklat niya na nabasa ko (una ay ang Para kay B) at sigurado ako na hindi ito ang huli. Bilang isang manunulat at fresh graduate ng unibersidad, malaking tulong ito sa akin dahil katulad noon ni Ricky ay iniisip ko na sa napakalaking mundong ito ay saan ba ako dadalhin nito? Ano ba ang lugar ko sa buhay na ito? Gusto kong matupad ang mga pangarap ko katulad ni Ricky Lee, nais kong maging isang manunulat at isalaysay ang mga kwentong bumabagabag sa aking isipan at ginigising ako sa gabi. Ang librong ito ay magsisilbing isang inspirasyon sa akin. Hindi ko man maaalala ang lahat ng nakasulat dito ngunit dalawang bagay lamang ang maalala ko: ang mangarap at huwag matakot magkamali.
September 12, 2024
nabili ko ito kahapon sa mibf at nakapagpapirma na rin kay sir ricky. ang ganda ng pagkakasulat, para akong nagbabasa ng journal entries sa sobrang vulnerable ng pagkukuwento ni rikili. pinakana-appreciate ko yung Strangers in my life na kuwento, ang dami ngang tumutulong sa'tin in one way or another. nakaka-inspire rin ang pag-process ni ricky sa buhay niya.
November 10, 2025
It feels like having a friendly kwentuhan with Sir Ricky Lee himself reading this book.
I bought this book during the Philippine Book Festival, where I also had a chance to meet Sir Ricky Lee in person and had my copy signed. I was supposed to buy Trip to Quiapo because I've always wanted to learn about scriptwriting, but I only had a little money left after buying other books. Still, I'm very happy because this is the first book I own that was signed by its author!
This book is Sir Ricky Lee's life written in a very honest and introspective manner that makes one delve into his or her journey. His stories gave me deeper meaning into how to write a character with emotion and authenticity. He also tells the story of a dreamer, a kid from the province who goes to Manila to reach the stars. Through his words, I realized it isn't easy being a writer, most especially if you come from the ranks and struggle with finance issues. Writing is a passion seen as rather impractical; this book reminds me it can be an effective means of truth and resilience.
This book made me appreciate storytelling even more. Film-making has become my way of expressing my ideas and emotions because government and politics will always be my first love. I dream big, or so I've been always told: become a lawyer, writer, director, producer, actor, historian, teacher, psychologist, archaeologist. By the end, film-making and law always seem to collide. But being a lawyer will always be the number one priority since it leads me to serving people better, maybe as a politician someday.
Even though writing wasn't something I loved from the beginning, as I used to like acting and directing, it was the need for a script which pushed me to write. And later on, I liked it. I even taught myself using youtube videos how to write a screenplay and became one of the few in school who could do that properly. Writing is not at all easy; up until now, I am still struggling with how to start a story or end it, build the characters, and give good strong dialogue. Even after winning prizes for my scripts, I often feel I could do better in structure and dialogue.
What I truly appreciated about Ricky Lee is that he admits his writing process can be magulo or disorganized, full of scattered ideas, and far from perfect. It made me feel seen and understood because I was also that way. Sometimes my screenplays appear messy and all over the place, since my mind tends to scramble ideas and lose focus. But through his openness, I learned that being magulo is not something to be ashamed of; it is part of the process. This realization helped me have more confidence in my writing-to embrace the chaos and trust that something beautiful can still come out of it.
This is the book wherein Ricky Lee taught me to use my "peklat," my scars and imperfections, as inspiration for my stories. It was he who made me realize that our pain, struggles, and even messiness could be some of the greatest sources of strength. His essays on life and writing further inspired me to get better and to write more truthfully, embracing my journey as a storyteller and a dreamer. Altogether, this book isn't about writing; it's about living, failing, hoping, and finding meaning in every story we tell.
I bought this book during the Philippine Book Festival, where I also had a chance to meet Sir Ricky Lee in person and had my copy signed. I was supposed to buy Trip to Quiapo because I've always wanted to learn about scriptwriting, but I only had a little money left after buying other books. Still, I'm very happy because this is the first book I own that was signed by its author!
This book is Sir Ricky Lee's life written in a very honest and introspective manner that makes one delve into his or her journey. His stories gave me deeper meaning into how to write a character with emotion and authenticity. He also tells the story of a dreamer, a kid from the province who goes to Manila to reach the stars. Through his words, I realized it isn't easy being a writer, most especially if you come from the ranks and struggle with finance issues. Writing is a passion seen as rather impractical; this book reminds me it can be an effective means of truth and resilience.
This book made me appreciate storytelling even more. Film-making has become my way of expressing my ideas and emotions because government and politics will always be my first love. I dream big, or so I've been always told: become a lawyer, writer, director, producer, actor, historian, teacher, psychologist, archaeologist. By the end, film-making and law always seem to collide. But being a lawyer will always be the number one priority since it leads me to serving people better, maybe as a politician someday.
Even though writing wasn't something I loved from the beginning, as I used to like acting and directing, it was the need for a script which pushed me to write. And later on, I liked it. I even taught myself using youtube videos how to write a screenplay and became one of the few in school who could do that properly. Writing is not at all easy; up until now, I am still struggling with how to start a story or end it, build the characters, and give good strong dialogue. Even after winning prizes for my scripts, I often feel I could do better in structure and dialogue.
What I truly appreciated about Ricky Lee is that he admits his writing process can be magulo or disorganized, full of scattered ideas, and far from perfect. It made me feel seen and understood because I was also that way. Sometimes my screenplays appear messy and all over the place, since my mind tends to scramble ideas and lose focus. But through his openness, I learned that being magulo is not something to be ashamed of; it is part of the process. This realization helped me have more confidence in my writing-to embrace the chaos and trust that something beautiful can still come out of it.
This is the book wherein Ricky Lee taught me to use my "peklat," my scars and imperfections, as inspiration for my stories. It was he who made me realize that our pain, struggles, and even messiness could be some of the greatest sources of strength. His essays on life and writing further inspired me to get better and to write more truthfully, embracing my journey as a storyteller and a dreamer. Altogether, this book isn't about writing; it's about living, failing, hoping, and finding meaning in every story we tell.
August 30, 2025
I often hear the phrase: "Kung wala kang kwento, wala kang kwenta," and I never liked it. It feels demanding and condescending. It shifts the dynamics to the listener, not the storyteller. Why would you mock someone who would not want to share their story with you? Perhaps you are not the right audience.
And perhaps some stories need to be told in another light, through the lens of a writer. A writer is someone whose soul remains restless until the need to write words and stories is satisfied. A reader does not make a writer. A writer writes out of necessity, emotional truth, and out of the overflow of ideas.
I often ask myself: Are writers born or made? Sa librong ito, napag-alaman kong si Ricky Lee ay isang likas na manunulat. A born writer who made himself a writer.
I love the tone of this book. It's written in conversational Taglish. It reveals Ricky Lee's humility. He looks back with gratitude to the people who shaped him. He makes himself accessible and relatable to writers.
The whole tone of the book is consistent with Ricky Lee's intent and values---he wants to teach and share his knowledge, skill, and his writing without expecting anything in return. He inspires without trying to sound impressive. He encourages with concern and sincerity. Sabi nga niya, "Makisangkot ka. Ang buhay na hindi inilaan sa kapakanan ng iba ay parang lantang gulay o bilasang isda na walang nakinabang." He intends to make writers out of those who find the need to write.
I was teary-eyed while reading this book na para bang I felt that a part of my story has been told---the part that feels that constant need to write, to probe questions, and to tell stories born from the wells of myself. In short, I felt inspired and encouraged. Salamat, Sir Ricky Lee.
There are other aspects I love about this book:
- The book layout has plenty of white and empty spaces. It remains consistent with Ricky Lee's values of intent, consideration, and thoughtfulness for the reader.
- Ricky Lee's bio, where he writes: "Ako si Ricky Lee, matagal nang nagsusulat, at matagal pang magsusulat."
What an inspiring read. What a talent that is Ricky Lee.
And perhaps some stories need to be told in another light, through the lens of a writer. A writer is someone whose soul remains restless until the need to write words and stories is satisfied. A reader does not make a writer. A writer writes out of necessity, emotional truth, and out of the overflow of ideas.
I often ask myself: Are writers born or made? Sa librong ito, napag-alaman kong si Ricky Lee ay isang likas na manunulat. A born writer who made himself a writer.
I love the tone of this book. It's written in conversational Taglish. It reveals Ricky Lee's humility. He looks back with gratitude to the people who shaped him. He makes himself accessible and relatable to writers.
The whole tone of the book is consistent with Ricky Lee's intent and values---he wants to teach and share his knowledge, skill, and his writing without expecting anything in return. He inspires without trying to sound impressive. He encourages with concern and sincerity. Sabi nga niya, "Makisangkot ka. Ang buhay na hindi inilaan sa kapakanan ng iba ay parang lantang gulay o bilasang isda na walang nakinabang." He intends to make writers out of those who find the need to write.
I was teary-eyed while reading this book na para bang I felt that a part of my story has been told---the part that feels that constant need to write, to probe questions, and to tell stories born from the wells of myself. In short, I felt inspired and encouraged. Salamat, Sir Ricky Lee.
There are other aspects I love about this book:
- The book layout has plenty of white and empty spaces. It remains consistent with Ricky Lee's values of intent, consideration, and thoughtfulness for the reader.
- Ricky Lee's bio, where he writes: "Ako si Ricky Lee, matagal nang nagsusulat, at matagal pang magsusulat."
What an inspiring read. What a talent that is Ricky Lee.
December 27, 2025
“Sa buhay na ito ay laging hindi kompleto ang silya. Hindi nakaabang ang mundo para ibigay sa’yo ang lahat ng kailangan mo. Kailangan mong pagtrabahuhan ang kulang na silya.” - Ricky Lee
Isa lang ‘yan sa mga paborito kong linya mula sa “Kulang na Silya at iba pang Kuwentong Buhay” ni Ricky Lee. Sobrang dami kong natutunan. Ang laking inspirasyon nito para magpatuloy ako na abutin ang mga pangarap ko. Dahil dito, mas ginanahan akong patuloy na lumikha ng mga kwento. Siguro nga, destined na nabili ko ‘to sa MIBF at natapos ko pa ngayong birthday ko. Parang nahila ako ng librong ito.
“Bilang writer ay kailangang lagi kang may inaabot na hindi mo maabot. Tuwing umaabot tayo sa di maabot, we stretch our souls, we expand our hearts, we enrich our beings and we reach out to eternity.” - Ricky Lee
I’m 21 now. (Natapos ko 'to sa mismong birthday ko). Natatakot ako sa future. I have so many doubts. Kakayanin ko ba? Magiging successful ba ako? Makakapublish ba ako ng maraming libro? Magkakaroon ba ako ng maayos na trabaho? Maligalig din ako, paiba-iba ng desisyon, paalis-alis sa mga sinasalihan, and I fear this is my weakness. But one of the things I learned sa libro na ‘to ay to turn my weaknesses into strengths. Na mas kilalanin ang sarili ko. Na gamitin ang mga kahinaan at pagkakamali upang matuto at mas kuminang.
Kaya pupunan ko ang kulang na silya sa tulong na rin ng iba. Lilikha di lang para sa sarili pero para rin sa iba. Patuloy lang na mangangarap. Patuloy lang na kikilos kahit paulit-ulit na mabigo.
Isa lang ‘yan sa mga paborito kong linya mula sa “Kulang na Silya at iba pang Kuwentong Buhay” ni Ricky Lee. Sobrang dami kong natutunan. Ang laking inspirasyon nito para magpatuloy ako na abutin ang mga pangarap ko. Dahil dito, mas ginanahan akong patuloy na lumikha ng mga kwento. Siguro nga, destined na nabili ko ‘to sa MIBF at natapos ko pa ngayong birthday ko. Parang nahila ako ng librong ito.
“Bilang writer ay kailangang lagi kang may inaabot na hindi mo maabot. Tuwing umaabot tayo sa di maabot, we stretch our souls, we expand our hearts, we enrich our beings and we reach out to eternity.” - Ricky Lee
I’m 21 now. (Natapos ko 'to sa mismong birthday ko). Natatakot ako sa future. I have so many doubts. Kakayanin ko ba? Magiging successful ba ako? Makakapublish ba ako ng maraming libro? Magkakaroon ba ako ng maayos na trabaho? Maligalig din ako, paiba-iba ng desisyon, paalis-alis sa mga sinasalihan, and I fear this is my weakness. But one of the things I learned sa libro na ‘to ay to turn my weaknesses into strengths. Na mas kilalanin ang sarili ko. Na gamitin ang mga kahinaan at pagkakamali upang matuto at mas kuminang.
Kaya pupunan ko ang kulang na silya sa tulong na rin ng iba. Lilikha di lang para sa sarili pero para rin sa iba. Patuloy lang na mangangarap. Patuloy lang na kikilos kahit paulit-ulit na mabigo.
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