Safari de Avarice

Alamat ng Gubat, translated as the Legend of the Forest in English, is the fourth book published in 2003 by Bob Ong, a
Filipino contemporary author noted for using conversational Filipino to create humorous and reflective depictions of life
as a Filipino. The story is about a little crab named "Tong", searching for the “puso ng saging” or banana heart to cure
his father from sickness. In the journey of finding this object, he encountered other animal characters, each
representing people in our society. Alamat ng Gubat is notable for its allegorical references to Philippine society,
reflecting its current society and culture as Filipinos in his literary pieces. The author used the animals to portray the
current context of the Philippines. He used the insects to represent the masses, who are always oppressed, and the
animals as the superior elites in the country. The book talks about the inefficiencies of the Philippine government and
the politicians, their lack of action, and lack of concern towards the real cause of the problems which served as deep
reasons of why the Philippines continue to struggle.

During Tong’s search for the heart of the banana, intending to help his sick father, he first met Buwaya. Buwaya was
claiming authority, in fact, he was asking for pearls as payment for entertaining Tong’s inquiries. In traditional Filipino
politics, buwaya can be compared to a corrupt politician, someone who is greedy for money and power. In addition to
that, he also represents those who wants payment in exchange for helping or doing someone a favor.

Another animal that he met was Bibe. Bibe was a mirror of Filipinos who had high visions of themselves and are
certainly proud. They look at themselves as someone who is beautiful, wealthy, and intelligent enough to step on one’s
dignity. On the other side, Palaka represents the Filipinos who were still hypnotized by post-colonialism, Filipinos who
tried so hard just to equalize their social status with western people through speaking “carabao english”. Palaka was
also a mirror of how Filipinos regard the rich and wealthy in the society with power and authority. However, he was just
looked up by Bibe as king because he had lot of pearls that he acquired through stealing. Bibe sticks with Palaka
because of his wealth. This relationship then can be associated with parasitism wherein someone sticks to a person just
because he or she gets benefits from them, just like parasites who sticks to its host because they get something from
them. The treatment of the society depends on the benefits that they can get from that person.

The next animal that Tong met was Leon. Leon seemed to be someone who has morals and good intention but then he
turned out be one of the cruellest. Like Buwaya, we can also compare him to a politician whom at first was nice and
kind but when time passes by, we can actually see his true motives. To elaborate, an example for this is when a
politician doesn’t keep his words during campaign periods, a politician whom we put our trusts but eventually
disappoint us in the long run. Nonetheless, both of them were liars who used Tong in order to figure out where the rest
of the animals are hiding. This reflects people who can be referred to as having “balat ng sibuyas” or two-faced person
because their real personalities tend to be hidden and are fronted with an act to cover up their true colors. The fourth
animal that Tong met was Daga. Daga was Leon’s sidekick. Although he knew that Leon is doing wrong things to his
fellow animals, he still persisted to stay by his side because he knew that Leon is powerful and that he is feared in the
land. Daga, just like Bibe, represents those who are blinded to perfect obedience. That even though they know that it is
a wrong thing to do, they still do it anyways just to look faithful and keep the loyalty they intend to show, and also
because they are benefitted from doing so.

Leon was a cruel and unkind character that everybody else are against him, in fact Tipaklong who was a member of the
insects, planned a revolutionary organization against them for no apparent reasons. Tipaklong’s character was also
symbolic. He represents Filipinos who are pretentious. Pretentious as if they know about what’s happening yet really
clueless of what they are fighting for. These people are those who have no stand in life. Simply put, Tipaklong
symbolized the Filipinos who are ready to fight but do not have an exact goal and do not know what they are fighting
for. Contradiction to Tipaklong’s character was Langgam. This insect has something in his life, something that he is
standing and fighting for- his business. Langgam was a businessman who strongly believed that revolutions are not the
answer to their problems, but it’s in how someone exerts effort in raising his or her social bar. On the other hand,
Langaw, represents the “tsimoso and tsimosa” and “sawsawero and sawsawera” in our society and people who can be
paid for their actions – in elections. A couple of Langam were also present which reflect the majority of Filipinos who
love to hear gossips and love to enter into conversations. They were also voting for the one who give something they
could eat or consume the same with numerous Filipinos who during elections sell their votes for a 500-peso bill just for
a temporary remedy of hungry stomachs caused primarily by poverty. Paruparo and Ipis represents the standard of
beauty in the society. Paruparo reflects those Filipinos who tends to forget their roots due to overwhelming spotlights
of achievements. Ipis was also there who served as a comparison to Paruparo when speaking of beauty and color of
wings. The character of Ipis deemed to be those who cannot adhere to the set standards of society.

Tong also met Ulang. Ulang was a lobster who mirrored lazy Filipinos. Ulang had no dreams or ambitions in life. Tong
also met Manok, a hen, a mother who cares and give importance to her children. Pagong, the slow but careful kind of
Filipino and is also generous and unselfish to anyone. Pagong was one of the animals who helped him. He represents
Filipinos that’s still kind and helpful; he is also liked by many because of his character. Aso in the novel represents
Filipinos who firmly believes in “sabi-sabi”. He was also a character that exudes animalistic and primitive character. Aso
however represents the opposite because he symbolizes people who are selfish. Tong’s brother, Katang embodies
people who are willing to do anything for revenge and jealousy.. Tong’s brother named Katang also played an important
role which mirrored usual “Filipino teleseryes” sibling-related issues. Katang was an envious, selfish, and jealous brother
who always brings down his own sibling for a certain apparent reason that is part of their history. On the latter part of
the story, Tong met Matsing. Matsing made Tong realized what the real problem is and what his true purpose in the
society. Matsing helped Tong to think and become aware of the things happening around him. It was the part of the
novel where Tong realized what his purpose really is in that forest wherein he should encourage the others,
symbolically the Filipinos, to aim for change, be enlightened to the truth, and do something about what is happening in
the community.

The “forest” coined in the story refers to Philippines. The book shows the reality on what is happening in the society
today. It shows different aspects in the government, different individuals and their beliefs, and people’s behavior and
mentality on how they handle their personal life. The books also balanced the aspect of being humorous and virtuous. It
discussed that of the Philippine society, culture and politics. It talks about how the Filipino society in particular, on how
most of the time they go numb towards the known problems existing in the society. On how despite the fact that one
can do something for change but still choose to otherwise which is not to act, finding comfort in our the world without
taking time to notice what’s happening around. The same cycle happens every time that is why progress and
development seems lacking and unattainable overtime.

Despite being a short read, the book gave enough depth to its characters. The book is unique on its own. The author’s
unconventional approach in taking serious matters in presenting it in a way that’s not that intimidating to read. Even
though the main topic of the story is a serious issue, Bob Ong still managed to make it fun for the readers because of
the inside jokes and illustrations on most of the pages. The readers will not be easily bored in reading the book because
of the graphical contents and how entertaining it was. The plot was presented very clear and well understood. The
author used basic words and terms in Tagalog language so that Filipino readers can easily comprehend.

Bob Ong used animals and insects in the forests to represent the people in the society and how an individual affects
someone’s life based on their decisions and action. The book tackles the issue of “Who is the true ruler?” The book
shows the conflicts of who will govern the society. It also tells us the inconsistencies of the government and politicians,
causing chaos in the communities. An analogy between the “ruler animals” and insects can also be analysed wherein
the “ruler animals” can depict those who are powerful (capitalists and politicians), and the insects can represent those
who are oppressed and powerless. Also, the book illustrated social issues regarding on the capability of some people
when it comes to power or what they want , there was a part were the characters were helping each other to get
something from a high place, then they climb up upon each other’s back to help them reach it easier. But instead of
helping the other get near to the object, the ones on the bottom reluctantly rush to the top to get it by themselves
because the object was said to be powerful. The author incorporated social and cultural aspects of society into his work
so that Filipinos will be knowledgeable enough to know what kind of people and system we are encountering every day.
There are symbols hidden in every character, situation and conversation to serve not just an eye opener but also a heart
opener as the book gave life lessons, and values that can be applied to real life. Readers will enjoy reading it and at the
same time they will critically think of the deeper meaning of the story, and make them question certain things that
underlies within their own surrounding. To wrap it all up, people can learn and realize something from reading it. It
challenges the readers to be heroes in their own way whatever the situation, or forest, that they are in, and that they
should not be afraid to challenge the system. It aims to make the people act in putting an end into pretending to be
blind, and deaf towards the pleads and the challenges present in the community.