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earlapvaldez's review against another edition
5.0
What I greatly appreciate in this compilation is the wide variety of stories that tell us about the struggles of a Filipino in search of his roots: concerning love, transience, life, and death. And as a student of theology, this I have to say about the book: may we recover our pre-Christian origins in order to appreciate more what our faith has done to bring out the values that we have treasured since time immemorial
tregina's review against another edition
4.0
I am always a fan of stories based on myths and folklore, especially folklore that has been little explored in recent fiction like that of the Philippines. When I was eighteen years old I lived on Mindanao for a year, which was when I first encountered some of the original tales a few of these stories were based on, making them especially interesting to me. The anthology was at its best, I think, in the more modern retellings and adaptations, but there really wasn't a dud in the bunch.
donfoolery's review against another edition
4.0
In his introduction, editor Paolo Chikiamco spells out the payoff and the problems involved in putting together an anthology of remixed Filipino myths. "We are a nation of many indigenous cultures--numbering anywhere from sixty to over a hundred, depending on who you ask--with distinct oral traditions." There are resources and strategies aimed at sussing all this out (see the appendices at the end of the book); guideposts to avenues of research in which even some Filipino scholars fear to tread. In the end though, the most meaningful way to relate to these myths (or those of any culture's, for that matter) is through story.
Some stories were weaker than others, as can be expected, but even these had something to offer--one in particular that I thought might've been the weakest might have had the best writing. These stories seemed to share a similar overall flaw IMO: the focus on the inscrutability and strangeness of the supernatural characters who didn't seem to be too bothered by it one way or the other. (An attitude that seems distinctly un-Filipino).
The anthology really picks up steam in its latter half, though. The better stories weren't just simple retellings, but remixings and straight mash-ups of various myths, time periods, genres, and even modes of storytelling. One of my favorite pieces has an ending which cleverly hinges on the blending of Christianity and folk belief for which the Philippines is famous.
All in all, an easy 4 stars for me.
Some stories were weaker than others, as can be expected, but even these had something to offer--one in particular that I thought might've been the weakest might have had the best writing. These stories seemed to share a similar overall flaw IMO: the focus on the inscrutability and strangeness of the supernatural characters who didn't seem to be too bothered by it one way or the other. (An attitude that seems distinctly un-Filipino).
The anthology really picks up steam in its latter half, though. The better stories weren't just simple retellings, but remixings and straight mash-ups of various myths, time periods, genres, and even modes of storytelling. One of my favorite pieces has an ending which cleverly hinges on the blending of Christianity and folk belief for which the Philippines is famous.
All in all, an easy 4 stars for me.
literaryjunarin's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Maria Makiling is mentioned everywhere. On one story she's a businesswoman, on one story she's a fairy that seduces men, and on another one, she's a tree-planting volunteer. It's kinda funny. The story about Lady Sinukuan who acts like a detective (fairy?) is interesting because a lot of mythical beings like kapre, tikbalang and manananggal were mentioned.
pamalalala_'s review against another edition
5.0
I love love all of the tales here.
Update:
My favorites are:
Ana's Little Pawnshop on Makiling St - a great starter for the book! I love that it portrays our own deities at a different perspective than what we are used too. As usual, Eliza Victoria's words flow smoothly, you forget you are even reading.
The Last Full Show - This makes me want to pick up Trese, if this is what I am getting into, haul me now.
Conquering Makiling
Update:
My favorites are:
Ana's Little Pawnshop on Makiling St - a great starter for the book! I love that it portrays our own deities at a different perspective than what we are used too. As usual, Eliza Victoria's words flow smoothly, you forget you are even reading.
The Last Full Show - This makes me want to pick up Trese, if this is what I am getting into, haul me now.
Conquering Makiling
mariaellabetos's review
3.0
It's like embarking on a journey doing anthropological pursuit. I remember listening to the legends and stories of the Old. Cool.
ryuutchi's review
4.0
I managed to find a library in WASHINGTON that had an ebook copy of this anthology I could borrow. Was it worth the legwork? Yep.
I continue to be heartbroken that the publisher went out of business earlier this year. Just goes to show-- get good books before they disappear forever.
I continue to be heartbroken that the publisher went out of business earlier this year. Just goes to show-- get good books before they disappear forever.
mousegoddess's review
4.0
I snagged this because I read a story by Chikiamco in The Sea Is Ours and it grabbed me. This was such an interesting read for me, as my knowledge of the myth and folklore of the Philippines is basically nonexistent. Could it have used an extra eye on the proofreading? A little, but it wasn't too bad. Was it a mesmerizing read for me? Uh, YEAH. I made that classic anthology blunder "It's a bunch of short stories so I'll just read one or two..." LOL. Yeah, done in a matter of hours. It was an engaging read and I felt like each story was such a perfect length (since sometimes I read anthologies and I'm like "You could have ended that two pages ago" or "You're ending THERE?!?"). Recommend.
tregina's review
4.0
I am always a fan of stories based on myths and folklore, especially folklore that has been little explored in recent fiction like that of the Philippines. When I was eighteen years old I lived on Mindanao for a year, which was when I first encountered some of the original tales a few of these stories were based on, making them especially interesting to me. The anthology was at its best, I think, in the more modern retellings and adaptations, but there really wasn't a dud in the bunch.
jetamors's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this collection! I think my favorite story was “Balat, Buwan, Ngalan” by David Hontiveros.