After two months, I finally finished reading Bob Ong’s seventh work of genius.

Kapitan Sino is Ong’s another fiction novel about Rogelio Manglicmot, a drop-out
college student who works as an electrician in the small barrio of Pelaez. He lives
with his ill father and his mother who washes laundry for a living. His life was
simple until he learned the extra ordinary things he can do out of his ordinary
body. In every adventure, true friends Bok-Bok and Tessa stand beside him but sweet
beginnings lead to breath-taking tragedies.

Bob Ong’s style is very vivid. The story is descriptive and humor is inserted once
in a while. Composed of strong and profound words, Bob Ong followers will surely
get another dose of quotable quotes from him.

In this book, Bob Ong created a story to inculcate into the minds of his readers
the true essence of being a hero. It suggests that being a hero is not just saving
a cat from a tree or chasing the bad guys and enjoying all the glory afterwards.
Being a hero is finding a reason why you do these heroic deeds and acquiring noble
qualities. It is said that: “A soldier fights not because he hates the people in
front of him but because he loves the people behind him.” Kapitan Sino saves the
day not because he wanted to show off his powers but because he loves the people
around him. In the end, we will learn that no one can truly save us but ourselves.
Each of us possesses a distinguishable courage and ability. Change begins in us
alone.

Below is one of my favorite excerpt from the book. You will probably get a glimpse
of the story flow once you read this:

“Sana hindi umulan.”

“Hindi uulan.”

“Ba’t mo alam?”

“May buwan.”

“Talaga?” ngiting-ngiti si Tessa, parang paslit na ngayon lang nakalabas ng bahay.

“Maganda ba?”

“Oo.”
“Maliwanag?”
“Oo.”
“May mga bituin sa langit?”
“Oo.”
“Konti lang ang ulap?”
“Oo.”
“Nagsisinungaling ka?”
“Ba’t alam mo?!”
“Hindi ka sa langit nakatingin.”

Kayumanggi si Rogelio, pero namula siya nung mga sandaling yon, habang tinatanggal
ang pagkakatitig kay Tessa.