Copy-pasting UP EDSOC’s support statement here instead. I think it speaks for itself of how deserving Iris is.

Iris Charmaine Olaso for USC Councilor

IRIS CHARMAINE OLASO
2nd year BS Computer Engineering

Few would have the courage to step up to the challenge of true student leadership. Even fewer would chose to step up early in their college lives. Iris Charmaine Olaso may only be a sophomore in the university but her accomplishments have made her more than just your average underclassman.

As a freshman in the College of Education , Iris stood out as one of the most active and promising students in her batch, serving as the Finance Officer of the UP College of Education Student Council (UP CESC) Freshman Committee and as a member of the UP CESC Volcorps. Freshies 07-08 were the first to be hit by the Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI) of 2006. Though disheartening at first, this was one of the factors that paved the way for Iris to become even more involved with causes that truly catered to the interests of Iskos and Iskas. She, along with many dedicated volunteers, actively participated in the current CRSRS Referendum Committee and in UMAKSYON as the UP Education Society (UP EDSOC) Representative.

The UP Education Society immediately saw Iris’ potential, not only because she was a talented individual, as shown by her winning the Ms. Eduk title her freshman year and joining the UP Kontemporaryong Gamelang Pilipino (KONTRAGAPI), but also because she showed, through her active participation in various community service activities, her willingness to work and serve the people. Keeping in line with UP EDSOC’s objective to be of service to others in whatever manner or way, season or day, Iris has taken her level of service beyond Education by becoming the Basic Masses Integration Officer of the Center for Nationalist Studies, UP College of Education Chapter. Though very much at home in the College of Education, Iris decided that she didn’t have to stay at the college to continue to be of service to others. Her move to the College of Engineering to pursue her dreams of becoming a Computer Engineer marked the beginning not only of another chapter in her UP life but also the start of her greater desire to be of service to more than just her college community.

The opportunity to run for USC Councillor could have been easily turned down and passed on to older and seemingly more experienced candidates. But experience can only count for so much. As a member of UP EDSOC, Iris knew that to be of service meant more than having a few years’ advantage. To be of service meant reaching out and lending a hand not only to those in need but also to causes that could institute much needed social change. To be of service meant stepping up to become a student leader who would put the interests of every Isko and Iska first. To be of service meant starting now, continuing the fight for quality education and not settling for anything less. To be of service means SERVING THE PEOPLE!

I won’t campaign for STAND-UP as a whole, although it would be very cool to say, “Don’t slouch! STAND-UP straight!”. I would want you to consider it though. But then, I’ve never ever voted straight for any party anyway, so I’m the one to speak, hahaha.

Let it be known that I don’t vote for anyone just because he or she is a friend or a relative. Just ask the people close to me but I didn’t vote for in the past. However, I trust in Iris, and I believe in her. I hope you’re willing to trust and believe in her enough to give her a space in your ballot.

(Pic from Bikoy)

My favorite uncle (in-law). The one who always had the kind smile and encouraging words for me even when the others seemed unable to look past my mistakes. The one who always supported me through thick and thin. If someone could make me believe in angels, that person would be him. Because he was one. He is one now.

You could tell by the many people milling about outside the hospital room, how much of a good person he was, how much loved he was by his friends and family. He was one of the most compassionate people I’ve ever known. He was one of those people you could sing praises to and never come out as a hypocrite, because that’s how kindhearted he was during his 75 years on earth.

At least he got to celebrate Christmas and New Year with us. And he got to celebrate his last birthday — just exactly 2 weeks ago, in fact. And he held on for me and the others until we’re done telling him the things we wanted to say. He must have known I was aching to tell him something from the bottom of my heart, since the day I learned that he was the reason I’m alive. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have a family. I probably wouldn’t even be here. And it kills me that I never appreciated my life enough when he’s was the one who gave me a chance to live it.

My closest cousin and I held hands the whole morning. We gave each other strength. We accepted the fact that he would leave us, but still hopeful that maybe not today. I told her I wanted to talk with him for the last time, to say how grateful I am of him for making my life worth living. She nudged me forward, and I relented. I didn’t care anymore that we had an audience. I couldn’t stop the sobs wracking through my body as enclosed his frail hands on my own, especially when I saw how my words affected his eldest daughter (she talked with me about it before we left). I didn’t know how to express myself, and I cried and cried and cried the whole 10 minutes of my speech.

But I got my point across: Thank you, Tito Ador. And with that, I felt less heavy-hearted. I realized that I had finally done my part — letting go. Because even though he had no BP and his heart was failing, I knew, I knew he heard me and understood what I was trying to express through my jumbled words. He left us just before noon, after a few emotional minutes with his brothers and sisters, who were last to arrive. He waited, you know? And he died with a smile on his face. I was a little stunned when I saw his lifeless body, because that pretty smile upon his lips were the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Because I never really expected that the “dying with a smile on his face” bit was actually possible.

A couple of hours later, I locked myself up in a bathroom stall in the hospital and called my mom, told her I got the chance to say thanks to him for the both of us. And just when I thought there were no tears left to cry, the waterworks began again, and my mom, who’s away on a seminar, began crying, too. We consoled each other even via phone, but I was certain she was happy that I was able to talk with him for a few minutes.

Tito Ador suffers no more, and that’s all that matters. We’ve all learned to let go. We will continue to grieve for a couple more days. Continue to reminisce good times with tears on the corners of our eyes.

But we will eventually learn how to talk about him with a fond smile and a light heart.

On a sidenote, I was appalled when I checked my blog and found the entry about giving people funerals I wrote last week, scheduled to be posted today. I completely forgot all about it. Life’s such a b*tch for that. And this day is horribly, horribly ironic.

That said, I want to share this Valentine’s Day gift idea to all.

Valentine's Day Gift Idea: Funeral

Any takers?

Stargirl — Susan Julia Caraway — is different. She’s mysterious yet very upfront. She’s unconventional. A nonconformist. Her most trusted companion is Cinnamon, a rat who goes everywhere she goes. She breaks the monotonous school life at Mica Area High School in Arizona on her arrival, donning her outrageous wardrobe, a ukulele strapped on her back. She serenades birthday celebrants with the song “Happy Birthday.” She cheers for the other team when they score. She dances in the rain. She drops loose change on the sidewalk to be picked up by anyone. She selflessly gives something of herself to others without asking for anything in return. She’s…awesome, someone I would love to be friends with.

Cover of Stargirl (left) and Love, Stargirl (right) by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is written from the point of view of Leo Borlock, a 16-year-old eleventh-grader who collects porcupine neckties for a hobby. The world of high school turns upside down when previously homeschooled Stargirl begins to attend the high school. He becomes fascinated by her unique personality. He watches as the school gets used to Stargirl’s eccentricity, her soar to popularity, and her eventual downfall. Stargirl doesn’t seem to care about being shunned by the whole school.

Leo and Stargirl become close. They frequently visit a common friend, Archie Brubaker and talk with his 30-foot cactus, Señor Saguaro. He falls in love with her, and her with him. She shows him her happy wagon with seventeen pebbles, that becomes eighteen after she shows him, that becomes twenty after they kiss. He’s so entrapped in his love for her that he doesn’t realize at first that MAHS rejects the couple. When he does, he convinces her that the only way for her to be accepted by their peers is to change and become Susan again. Still, the shunning continues, even when Susan comes home from the State public speaking competition victorious. She is bitterly disappointed when her homecoming party is attended by only two teachers and her friend Dori Dilson. She goes home, and returns the next week as Stargirl.

Leo’s still confused: “Whose affection do you value more, hers or the others?” He doesn’t ask her to Ocotillo Dance, doesn’t go, but Stargirl does. She gives the school a night to remember as she starts a bunny hop dance, wrapping her finger around the school for the last time. And that’s the last everyone sees of her again.

Love, Stargirl picks up from where Stargirl left off, this time done on Stargirl’s point of view in the form of a diary/letter. New people come to shape her life once again — the overenthusiastic six-year-old Dootsie Pringle who becomes her best friend, the tomboyish eleven-year-old Alvina Klecko who beats up guys, the middle-aged Betty Lou Fern who suffers from agoraphobia, and the mysterious thief Perry Delloplane who has a harem of girls that Stargirl tries not to be a part of.

Throughout the year, she patiently builds a solar calendar in her very own Enchanted Hill, waking up before the sun rises every Thursday to mark the spot where the sun first peeks. She aims to do this until December 21st, the Winter Solstice. Her plan is to invite people to a Winter Solstice party and bask in the magical feeling of the sun rising. She starts sending Leo a message in the wind, eyes closed, every time she’s done marking: “Will we ever meet again?” At the end of the novel, Archie gives her a letter from Leo with only one word written on it: “YES”

Fans of the first book should not expect the sequel to be anything similar to the first. The second is noticeably less impressive, and Stargirl’s character has lost its mystery. She’s not quite as unique as she is in Stargirl. However, I find both novels equally endearing and very moving. While the first is better in many aspects, we get to see how Stargirl’s mind operates on the second, “humanizing” her character by showing us her emotional struggles in moving forward. I found myself looking for the original Stargirl, but I ended up still loving her all the same. Stargirl and Love, Stargirl are poignant. The first’s message of nonconformism and individuality, and the second’s, a celebration of change and moving forward, are very powerful. Every now and then my mom would catch me tearing up, sniffing like a baby girl, during the more simple yet emotional scenes in the books.

What was that phrase used to describe Stargirl’s impromptu speech in the competition?

Ahh, yes. Mysteriously touching. That’s what Stargirl and Love, Stargirl are.

(I WANT ANOTHER SEQUEL!!!)

Cover of The Best You'll Ever Have: What Every Woman Should Know About Getting and Giving Knock-Your-Socks-Off Sex by Shannon Mullen and Valerie Frankel

I miss sex talks on my blog, and reading a good book certainly puts me in the mood for it. Although this time around, I want to share some points found on the book I’ve just read, The Best You’ll Ever Have: What Every Woman Should Know About Getting and Giving Knock-Your-Socks-Off Sex, written by Safina founder Shannon Mullen with author Valerie Frankel. (So I took notes, so what? ) It’s a must-read, especially for women who have no idea about their own bodies and their own sexuality. Little pussy-footing involved, and full of practical tips to a pleasure-filled sex life. Cleverly written and very informative, this book is certainly a keeper!

Clitoris

• The American Paradox: people are obsessed with sex, yet introduction to and discussion about it are always done with embarrassment and confusion.
• Ancient Greeks understood the clitoris’ role for female pleasure. In early 1900s, medical experts agreed with Sigmund Freud that women should get pleasure from intercourse, not clitoris. By early 20th century, the cure for main female illness — called “hysteria” — was to stimulate clitoris manually or with vibratory devices. During the 60s and 70s, doctors diagnosed women who didn’t orgasm on missionary position sex with “frigidity.”
• The clitoris is a small organ that functions very much like the penis. Actually, clitoris is more fun since it has absolutely no practical purpose other than pleasure. Hell, women’s bodies are built for pleasure.
• Around 10 clitoral contact techniques were given, some of them named Spinning, Three-Legged Race, Rub-a-Dub, To The Left, and The Squeeze. Interesting names, and more interesting directions.

G-spot

• In 1950, Ernst Gräfenberg disagreed with Freud’s claim and tests the theory that women have nerves on the anterior vaginal wall, hence, “discovering” the G-spot.
• There are a lot of reasons why the G-spot is still shrouded in mystery: women don’t talk about it because it’s “private,” it’s hard to find no thanks to misinformation, and the sensation it brings if often misunderstood (no, you don’t need to pee, you’ve just hit the G-spot).
• The G-spot is part of a band of erectile tissue filled with nerve endings, a dense patch of ridgy texture. The G-spot is directly behind the pubic bone, beyond the tight ring of muscles at the vaginal entrance. You won’t find it unless you’re already aroused. Lubrication is the key.
• Missionary style will get you nowhere near your G-spot; do it doggie style (ask your dogs for a live show) or topside (woman on top, yeah!). Slide, don’t bounce.
• Women can ejaculate too, and the fluid release of the G-spot triggered ejaculation is called “prostatic fluid.” They can come in spurts, or they just leak during sex.

Orgasm

• The biggest reason why women don’t have orgasm with their partners is fear. Learn how to have one, not fake one. Your orgasm matters too. Great orgasms, open communication, mutual satisfaction, and deeper connection.
• You don’t have to have a partner — go solo! It takes the pressure off relationships, and you don’t get dependent on someone to give you pleasure. Relax, explore, and enjoy the expedition.
• In 1966, Doctors Masters and Johnson divided sexual response into four distinct phases: excitement (fantasies, urges, sensations), plateau (sexual tension, “sex flush”), orgasm, and resolution. On the average, women need eight minutes of direct clitoral stimulation to reach orgasm and are capable of having multiple orgasms.
• When you feel your orgasm start to build, keep breathing so you won’t divert blood flow back to the brain (keep the blood in your genitals!). Ride through it. It helps achieve more than one orgasm.
• Orgasms can help you sleep better, feel less stress, boost your immune system, reduce depression and anxiety, strengthen your heart, maintain good sexual health, and live longer. HA! Excuse me while I look for my toy….

P-spot

• The prostate is the key to male ejaculation. In fact, during World War II, American military medics would give prostate massages to service men to release, erhm, “pelvic congestion.” The P-spot is right below the bladder, behind the pubic bone, above the perineum, and just in front of the — yes — rectum.
• Never fear, because P-spot stimulation can be achieved externally. You don’t really have to push a finger up your lover’s ass. Oh, are those sighs of relief I hear? Just rub the perineum (the band of flesh from the scrotum to the anus) and press upward. Combine this “external P-spotting” with a hand job or blow job and you’ll make a “friend for life.”
• If you’re adventurous enough, go inside. The prostate is very near the rectal wall, not inside the rectum. Just two or three inches in. Combine this “internal P-spotting” with a hand job or blow job and you’ll make a “slave for life.”
• Guys, if you like it, it doesn’t mean you’re gay, okay? It’s even good for you. Prostate massage can maintain a healthy prostate and cure an inflamed one.
• Multiple orgasms for men are possible, but hardly easy. Men can have muscle spams without ejaculation. Practice makes perfect.

Anal Sex

• Anal sex is 100% pain-free when done right, slowly, and with lots of lubrication.
• The anus has a full load of nerve endings and it does get excited. It pumps intensely during orgasm.
• Don’t have anal sex if you’re drunk, or you’ll wake up with a literal pain in the ass.

The last few chapters are about lubricants (water-based and silicone-based) and sex toys (dildos, vibrators, anal beads) that Safina is selling. There are loads of information in the book, and I really really really enjoyed reading it — no malice! The book really has only one important point to sum up what you need for pleasure: communication. I mean, really, if you don’t communicate your needs with your partner, if you don’t listen to what he says, how the hell would you be able to pleasure each other?

The Best You’ll Ever Have is an upbeat take on anything that involves sex without being crass about it. The no-nonsense yet conversational tone will put the women at ease and make them open up their pleasure pores. Leave this in the bathroom where the men will surely read it.

* Note: Some of the passages are copied verbatim.

Cover of The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga

Fifteen-year-old social outcast Fanboy wants three things more than anything in this world. First is a copy of Giant-Size X-Men #1…in mint condition. Of course, he can never afford it; Mint copies start at $800 on eBay. Next is a humming new computer, preferably a Mac — multiprocessor, wireless everything, the works. Anything would be better than the ancient white box he has, so he can use Photoshop or Illustrator for 10 minutes without crashing. The third? Well, he will never tell.

He adores and fantasizes about Dina Jurgens, the Senior Goddess. He hates Jerk Jocks — except for his best friend Cal Willingham, but then he’s not a jerk anyway — because they always get the better of him, pushing him around, turning him into a punching bag. He finds comfort in a bullet he keeps on his pocket. And The List, a compilation of people who pissed him off one way or another. And Schemata, his comic book graphic novel in the works. He’s convinced that by pimping Schemata to his idol Brian Michael Bendis, he will get his ticket out of his miserable life, made more miserable by his pregnant mother and the step-fascist.

Fanboy meets Goth Girl, Kyra Sellers, a rebellious, cranky, cynical girl who seem to have an intense hatred for the jerks more than he does. She sees him getting beat up by Mitchell Frampton, but regards him as an Indian warrior for standing up and taking it, without letting on that he hurts like hell. They hit it off. Fanboy tells Goth Girl everything and shows her Schemata, Goth Girl loves it but has her own secrets, blah blah blah, and the rest is history.

The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga is a novel that perhaps even the comic book geeks can enjoy. They’ll meet “a kindred spirit” in Donnie, who’s as earnest about comics as he is in his studies. I love the characterization in this book. Effective characters, smart dialogues, and nice plot theme and insight to the teen world. We witness how the Fanboy gains confidence in going for what he wants, how his mind suddenly opens up to the people around him. So I don’t know jack squat about comic books, and I can’t understand the comic book references, but those facts don’t take away the fun. I mean, really, who cares? It’s still a very good read.

Lately though, Evanovich seems to be struggling to get back the mojo after disappointing longtime fans with some of her newer releases. Fearless Fourteen falls flat on the awesome scale, and her other holiday Novellas are none the better. Still, many of us loyal fans stick to her series, hoping for her to redeem herself and come up with something good. Our patience pays off with one of the author’s better efforts since To The Nines.

Cover of Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum, a lingerie buyer turned bounty hunter (and expert car destroyer), with the help of her plus size sidekick Lula, sets out to apprehend another wacky batch of FTAs for her cousin’s bail bonds agency. Armed with her usual mix of good and bad “ju ju,” she is forced to babysit a Finger-happy monkey named Carl while doing it. As this is a BTN, Diesel, the sexy supernatural bounty hunter, makes his appearance again, hot on the trail of another Unmentionable, Gerwulf Grimoire, who turns out to be his cousin and a Dracula reincarnate.

Wulf partners with young genius Martin Munch, one of Stephanie’s bail jumpers, in an elaborate plan to take over the world with a weapon of global destruction. Stephanie, Lula, and Diesel try to stop them, but not without a lot of misadventures on the way.

What I dislike most about Plum Spooky is that there are too many fart jokes, monkeys, and flipping finger scenes to be called amusing. I should probably reread this soon and count how many times Carl flashed the Bird to someone. It seems as if they’re only there to thicken the book, and the story sounds a little repetitive because of them. Thank goodness Grandma Mazur’s scenes are kept to a minimum. And why is Stephanie always being hounded by all the sexy ones? Most of all, the character development. Or lack of it, really. Stephanie is the same old, same old. I want to see her grow and learn from her stupidity mistakes.

However, I still find a few good things about the book, aside from it being hilarious. Most giddy-worthy is the more visible character of Ranger. Although I don’t know if it’s a pro or a con, since he pretty much distracted me while I was reading. The first time I caught a glimpse of his name, I grinned like silly. I almost melted and my knees went weak when he spoke in that unbelievably sexy voice, “Babe.” I used to resent the fact that the BTN novels don’t have enough Ranger. He’s probably the only guy who has ever really turned me on, the star of my erotic dreams, and he’s not even real! Thank goodness he’s more than a wallflower in Plum Spooky! I was so damn kilig when Ranger hugged Stephanie tightly after the latter escaped from her kidnappers and whispered, “I had to see for myself.” Godammit, I squealed! I read that particular scene 5 times before moving on. Hahaha!

Anyway, you didn’t need to know that. Suffice it to say that this is the best BTN book in the series, in my opinion. While still lacking on substance and Evanovich’s old wit, Plum Spooky is a very entertaining read that provides a mindless escape. It’s not believable, it’s not a good mystery, and it’s definitely not great literature. It’s…Stephanie Plum.

I am hopeful that the 15th book will at least have some hint of magic that the older Plum books have. I am hopeful that Evanovich hasn’t really lost her touch. I won’t beg nor force her to continue writing more books for the series if she’s tired of it, but I want the series to end as gracefully and amazingly as it started.

Front cover of Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

As I was browsing through the shelves of a bookstore with 7 on-sale paperbacks on hand, my mom texted me not to buy any more books since the house is already cluttered with them.

I’m glad I didn’t “heed her words.”

Kitty and The Midnight Hour is first in the successful urban fantasy series of novels written by Carrie Vaughn. Kitty is Katherine Norville, a bored midnight-shift DJ who suddenly becomes an overnight celebrity when she begins a topic about the supernatural realm. Before she knows it, calls come one after another, and she becomes demoted to vampire-slash-werewolf shrink in the span of, erhm, a couple of minutes.

She knows where her callers are coming from. After all, Kitty is a werewolf. (Oh, the irony of the name. But as our protagonist points out later in the book, the name came first. )

The novel starts out quite slowly while still holding interest. And already we see a growth in Kitty’s character. This shows in what I find most interesting theme in the book: the pack dynamics — wolves run in packs and werewolves aren’t much different. They are headed by an alpha male and an alpha female. Kitty, at first, is an omega: the lowest, weakest, always-has-to-be-saved cub in the pack. Submissive and cowardly (which I realize is needed for her to survive), she has always bowed in defeat until she tasted freedom and pride in her successful radio show, something that her superiors and the vampire faction frown upon. To put it bluntly, she’s quite annoying, especially when she whines. However, she eventually learns how to fend for herself and deal with her wolf half, almost taking the alpha female’s place. She becomes strong, assertive, and brave. She finally becomes — hallelujah! — a heroine.

I’ve grown to like the secondary characters. I adore TJ, Kitty’s all-around friend and protector, and mourned at his completely unexpected death at the end of the book (Carrie, why did you kill him?! I shed a tear, seriously! ). He’s, like, Ranger Manoso from the Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. If that’s not good enough, there’s also a Joe Morelli: Cormac, an assassin who kills werewolves when he’s not hunting vampires. There’s a reference to an attraction between him and Kitty, but it’s not played out (yet). The old vampire Rick is very much likable, too, even if he only shows up on idle moments.

Kitty and The Midnight Hour isn’t primarily a novel that tackles about the supernatural beings, although it does that. It’s a murder mystery, with a few and short gore and blood, and fewer sexual references. Vaughn delivers an effective paranormal atmosphere without going overboard. And I love the humor in the book. No laugh-out-loud moments, but a lot of chuckle-out-loud ones. Thoroughly entertaining in spite of the few loopholes (like, why do the humans seem detached, as if they just shrugged off the existence of vampires and werewolves?) and unresolved plot points. It captivated me from the first page up to the last.

Now I have to go through the pains of looking for the rest of book in the series. This is where the not-fun and frustration start.

PS: You can enjoy it more if you listen to the “soundtrack” of the novel. On Vaughn’s foreword, she lists 15 songs that she listened to while working on the book. I had the playlist on loop while reading. Makes for a very fun read.

According to Coalition for the Deserving Spokesperson Atty. Perfecto Yasay Jr., there are three criteria in determining a deserving candidate. He must be

• inspiring — he must have the ability to motivate people to take action;
• trustworthy — he must be pure and incorruptible; and,
• compassionate — he must know how to love his people.

The panelists from the Coalition for the Deserving

Coalition for the Deserving attempts to bring about a new system of choosing the next leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, by selecting and supporting the ones who passed its measurable standards and examining his fitness to govern the country. Gone (hopefully) are the days when a candidate is chosen only because of his “winability” factor — that is, he is charming, rich, can sing and dance, good-looking, and other abilities that are very irrelevant to the position he’s seeking.

Early this afternoon, members of the four political parties comprising the coalition — Aksyon Demokratiko, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, Bigkis Pinoy, and Partido Para sa Demokratikong Reporma — convened at the Manila Hotel Centennial Hall to formally launch the Coalition to the press. Yasay delivered a quite notable opening speech that is reminiscent of US President Barack Obama’s inaugural address.

[...] the COALITION FOR THE DESERVING implies two basic levels of worth, value or merit: First, deserving means that the people who choose our leaders have the right to expect the rewards of good governance, that they are the sole legitimate beneficiaries of dedicated and selfless leadership. Second, that the leaders the Coalition will select and support on the basis of measurable standards that will be applied in determining their fitness to govern, will be deserving of the confidence and unqualified support of our people.

The Coalition will have an “interactive relationship” with the candidates: they will conduct background checks and research on experiences of the candidates, and have them undergo screening qualification. The chosen “deserving” candidate will be supported in many ways (includes funding, of course). The Coalition will also have public awareness programs and support groups to effectively disseminate information to the Filipinos. (Admittedly, though, I have reservations about the overall system and goal of the Coalition.)

Yasay kept on stressing that action must be taken now. I wanted badly to ask the only question that was bothering me. As a member of the youth sector in the country, I am sick of the same word that strikes me the strongest every time a speaker wants to motivate his audience: NOW.

I mean, why now? Why not then? Why wait now, when a lot of people have become accustomed to this kind of system in the country? Why wait now, when the youth have become jaded with the way things have been going? Why wait now, when a long time ago could’ve been great, and could’ve even made a difference? The 2007 midterm elections would’ve been good. Heck, 2004 would’ve been better (and very much appreciated, thankyouverymuch).

Why now?

Restoring the hope — and faith — of the people is a hard thing to do. For so long we’ve led our lives the way we know how, without sparing politics any thought because we’ve become hopeless. We think that they’re all the same anyway, these politicians, very trapo and orocan plastic, very much the devils in the society.

The Philippine presidential elections will be held again in a little over a year, and already, a lot of “potential” candidates for the president-vice president positions are being sounded off. How do we really know which one of them is deserving, when politics is all about wooing the people…putting one’s best foot forward? How do we distinguish the “savior” from the pool of orocans in the government? (And then there’s one man who said that “takot sa diyos” is very important. What an ass.)

Can we finally be brave enough, confident enough, knowledgeable enough, take the first step towards a good change and better future, and not a worsening one?

So, not surprisingly, I was in the mood for another good book to absorb. I took Para Kay B (o kung paano dinevastate ng pag-ibig ang 4 out of 5 sa atin), the first novel ever written by veteran writer Ricky Lee, from my bedside shelf (really though, it’s just an overflowing box of unread books) and softly traced the author’s signature with my fingers. I hid a goofy smile and proceeded to turn to the first page to drown myself in his amazing work.

First of all, I have to come clean. It took me 10 minutes to get past the first page. I had to read and reread every word to get them to stick to my mind. The transition from reading an English novel to reading a novel written in Filipino left me feeling a little disoriented. I once had this idea that to completely understand the latter, you’d have to have a completely different mindset. Vince’s Life: The Next Chapter - Getting Over Andrea by Vince Teves was the one that finally trashed that thought.

Cover of Para Kay B, Ricky Lee's first novel

Para Kay B puts into “reality” a theory: love has a quota; out of five people in love, only one would end up being happy. A flawed theory, to be sure, but the way the master writer seamlessly weaves five stories together to make his point almost had me thinking, “Hmm. Maybe it’s true.”

This is a romance novel unlike any other. Short and easy read despite some of the big Filipino words used. Ricky Lee does not kid when he says he wrote the book for everybody. It is a book for everybody, meant to be read anywhere. I’d hate to spoil anything so I won’t disclose even a summary, but allow me to say these:

• First Story: Irene - Bittersweet, cute, awww
• Second Story: Sandra - Unexpected, [insert Plurk emoticon woot here], wink wink
• Third Story: Erica - A little dragging, amusing, wonderful, distressing
• Fourth Story: Ester - Ohoho, slightly ho-hum, haha
• Fifth Story: Bessie - Pekpek, pakpak, pokpok (seriously though — @%#&@%$*^@!!!!! Hot damn! *dabs tears* Ahem!)

I don’t know if it’s because I’m a hardcore mystery reader, but as I read the 2nd and 5th stories, I figured out what was going on already, and I knew what was going to happen next. And I had to laugh, because Ricky Lee is so damn brilliant. He captures a reader’s full attention with his wit and humor, and his unquestionable skill to charm even the most reluctant reader.

When I finished the book, I had to whisper to myself, “Shit. Astig.”

What I liked most about Para Kay B is its character-driven stories, with a touch of real socio-political issues. Every character is so real that they can easily be someone you may know personally. Every emotion is there, and is felt. The novel is funny and entertaining, almost perfect, even. Lee’s writing style is anything but traditional, and it bloody works!

However, I have a few gripes with the book. While it’s certainly good to use Taglish for the story to be more “accessible” and “natural,” I think that some sentences tend to read awkward, even slightly forced, with them. And the absence of quotation marks is not comfortable for me at all. I know these are very minor technical stuff and do not in any way affect the simply splendid story, but I felt that they kind of took away a little enjoyment on my part.

And the last chapter. Le sigh. It is fun, and it is there for a reason, and it is written to drive home very good points, and maybe it’s even necessary…but…wow. Chaos? I know it’s supposed to be humorous, but I found some parts quite unfunny, albeit certainly witty. It demonstrates how your characters can suddenly turn against you…for a lot of reasons. Such is every writer’s curse, I guess.

Truth be told, since I’m a sucker for tragic, what-the-hell-happens-next kind of love stories, I would’ve preferred the book to have ended right after the fifth story. Just imagine, no closure, forever wondering who’s the lucky one included in the quota, prompting you to make up your own “happy” ending — that would’ve been awesome. But that’s just me.

I never give marks or ratings for books. It’s either I like them or I don’t. Para Kay B? I love it! Overall a very worthwhile book to read. Plot is strong, tension is tight, and characters are remarkable. You can find several gems of quotable quotes about love. And since Lee perfectly mixes reality and creativity, I guarantee you will spend several minutes, maybe even hours, thinking about what the book is all about and, perhaps, how you can relate to it (or how it affects you). It’s just…it’s so powerful that it stays with you, whether you’re in love or not.

May quota ang pag-ibig. Sa limang taong umiibig, isa lang ang magiging masaya. Yung apat, makaka-relate ng husto sa libro.