Duty Ka Ba? Komiks

Duty Ka Ba? #1

by Tepai Pascual

"Hahanap na lang ako ng cardiologist para alagaan niya ang puso ko."

Pero, hala, pagkakita mo pa lang sa kanya, tumaas na ang heart rate mo, nag-init ang mukha na parang lalagnatin sa kilig. Paglapat ng stethoscope sa dibdib mo, biglang lumapad ang blood vessels sa pisngi mo. Ang capillaries mo, oh no! Namumula ka, mars, mukha kang kamatis!

Gising, nasa check-up ka pa lang, girl! Imagination mo lang 'yan. Or is it?

Marupok! Maharot! Malandi!

Ito ang mga kuwento ng hindi mapigilang mga hugot mula sa kaibuturan ng hypothalamus gland.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Romance, Comics, Graphic Novels Comics

216 pages, Paperback

Published September 21, 2022

Reviews

[Justine from Novels and Panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just found out that this is now a book on GoodReads. I love this! AAAAAHHHH, excited to get physical copies of the other books!

[Miel Salva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so where to start other than "I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS KOMIKS"?
Because I do.
And not because I'm in the healthcare profession.

Mas nagustuhan ko ang komiks na ito hindi lang dahil pinapakita nito ang buhay ng mga nagtatrabaho sa ospital, kundi kahit hindi ako doctor or nurse, naintindihan ko yung mga sitwasyon na naipakita ng artist and writer.

Sobrang distinct ng pagkakagawa sa mga characters, lalo na si Melba na isang pasyenteng labas-pasok sa ospital at nahuhumaling sa mga good-looking healthcare professionals. Yung kaibigan mong makapal ang mukha at walang filter ang bibig para landiin kahit mga doktor HAHAHAH. And in an endearing and not annoying way at all. I found myself rooting for her and for her lovelife all the way!

Siyempre bet ko rin si very pogi, softie, at workaholic na si Doc El because I'm a sucker for megane (eyeglasses) characters, pati yung savage hirit ni Ate Pharmacist. Gayundin si Nurse G (baka sampalin niya ako kapag di ko siya sinama lol)!

Akala ko compilation lang ito ng mga funny and/or usual scenarios pati mga pick-up lines related to the profession. Pero pagkatapos kang patawanin, mahu-hook ka naman sa subplot that ties them all together. Kaya natapos ko siyang basahin in one sitting!

This comics also give us perspective on how it is to be in a relationship with people in the healthcare profession, lalo na ang mga doctor na laging on-call. That being with them means understanding that their patients come first before the relationship most of the time.

Na-appreciate ko rin yung mga short explanations ng mga sakit and acronyms at kung paano sila ipinaliwanag para sa karaniwang tao hehe. 'Di ko kinailangang mag-Google XD

Excited akong mabasa yung mga susunod na volumes hoping na may spotlight/kwento rin yung ibang characters.

I think meron nang English version nito na nakarating pa sa katatapos na Frankfurt Bookfair :)

[Glaiza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when we thought emergency rooms are typical places of life-and-death scenarios, Tepai Pascual was able to provide us a totally-different way of seeing those places. Her book proves that Pinoy humor is indeed one of a kind, and that one can find humor even in the busiest and most complicated places. The way she created the character of Doc El will enable readers to see doctors in a different light -- not only they are serious professionals, but they could be crushworthy individuals in uniform too!

[Kimberly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I particularly love the story arc of Melba and Doc El.

Love the very Pinoy humor and the fact that my med intern/future doctor sister can very much relate.

Awaiting the next volume of this amazing comics gem!

[Mitchie Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my to-go-pick-up book! Especially during hospital/clinic duties! You know it's that good when you can squeeze a quick read during toxic moments! 🥰 Thank you for making us healthcare workers seen and appreciated 🥰🥰🥰

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tepai Pascual casually encouraging my daddy issues I guess lmao

[jess]

DOC EL 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Bibliophilic Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 / 5

[C.L. Balagoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ang cute! must read kung gusto mo magbanlaw sa kadiliman ng mundo!

[trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love romanticising the living hell out of medicine.

this tickled all my kilig spots!

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

2026 mood (thanks to melba): delulu is the solulu

[Sai theengineerisreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

ang ginawa after ko tapusin ang volume 1, nagcheckout ng volume 2 (funny and relatable, tbh this is the first time i got soooo kilig over a graphic novel couple zhshdjfn)

[Len · Rating 5 out of 5]

What begins as a series of seemingly unconnected strips filled with flirty intercations towards medical staff -- amidst medical slang and apt explanations of medical terms in Tagalog -- becomes a surprisingly touching love story. Get your inner mawkish on and put on the suggested playlist when reading because as far as "Duty Ka Ba?" is concerned, romantic love is not dead!

"Eh ano kung hindi naging kami? Ang mahalaga ay nagkakilala kami at napatibok niya ang puso ko kahit sandali."

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel about healthcare workers. 💕 So many relatable moments and I find myself laughing and crying and even swooning over this. Thank you Ms. Tepai Pascual for creating this masterpiece and seeing our story. It uplifts our spirit during this time of pandemic.

Love,

Nurse Bea ❤️