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A review by namakurhea
Insurrecto by Gina Apostol
4.0
The book introduces us to 2 characters: Magsalin, a Filipina translator, and Chiara, a white filmmaker. Chiara wanted to make a film on a massacre that happened back in 1901 in Balangiga, Samar. It started with a group of Filipino who killed 48 US soldiers... in which the US army retaliated by killing 2,000 to 50,000 Filipinos (numbers vary depending who you ask).
The disagreement between Magsalin and Chiara. "They were revolutionaries," Magsalin says. It was not an insurrection. Chiara ignores her. Thus begins the main plotline of Insurrecto: a battlenof perspectives.
The whole book is an entertaining exercise on understanding history using different glasses. To the US soldiers, these Filipino guerilla fighters are insurgents/rebels. But to the Filipinos themselves, they are their beloved bayani. The Battle of Balangiga itself is a real event that is equal parts chilling and brilliant. While the American soldies were enjoying their breakfast, Filipino revolutionaries rang at the tolling of the church bells. According to some account, the men infiltrated the plaza while wearing baro't saya and pretending to be women.
History are written by winners, they say. But at this day and age, with a generation that is more woke. It is important to write our own version of history. And this is why, despite the confusing pacing at first, I love love love this book. The first chapter, numbered 20, threw me off the balance right from the start. Even had to ask @whatnenareads who has read the book to make sense of it. But then, as if on cue, Apostol writes "A reader does not need to know everything."
Aside from that, the humor of this book is just...top notch. I cackled at Apostol describing William McKinley as an "excellent husband to his wife, Ida". WERK. IT. GORL (p.s if u dont get it, McKinley is the 25th US President). Also, the fact that the ending of the book features a karoke scene is so typical #Filipino the same way a group dance number as last scene is typical #Bollywood movie.
I spent 8 years of my life in the Philippines... So Apostol's writing of Cubao, Manila, tricycle drivers...ahhh really brought back some memories. The book cover is also illustrated by Ben Cab, a National Artist. THE Ben Cab. I am holding a piece of artwork with this @soho_press copy. THANKS SO MUCH @transitsanta who posted about it and still have a copy of this amazing book. 11/10 wud recommend
The disagreement between Magsalin and Chiara. "They were revolutionaries," Magsalin says. It was not an insurrection. Chiara ignores her. Thus begins the main plotline of Insurrecto: a battlenof perspectives.
The whole book is an entertaining exercise on understanding history using different glasses. To the US soldiers, these Filipino guerilla fighters are insurgents/rebels. But to the Filipinos themselves, they are their beloved bayani. The Battle of Balangiga itself is a real event that is equal parts chilling and brilliant. While the American soldies were enjoying their breakfast, Filipino revolutionaries rang at the tolling of the church bells. According to some account, the men infiltrated the plaza while wearing baro't saya and pretending to be women.
History are written by winners, they say. But at this day and age, with a generation that is more woke. It is important to write our own version of history. And this is why, despite the confusing pacing at first, I love love love this book. The first chapter, numbered 20, threw me off the balance right from the start. Even had to ask @whatnenareads who has read the book to make sense of it. But then, as if on cue, Apostol writes "A reader does not need to know everything."
Aside from that, the humor of this book is just...top notch. I cackled at Apostol describing William McKinley as an "excellent husband to his wife, Ida". WERK. IT. GORL (p.s if u dont get it, McKinley is the 25th US President). Also, the fact that the ending of the book features a karoke scene is so typical #Filipino the same way a group dance number as last scene is typical #Bollywood movie.
I spent 8 years of my life in the Philippines... So Apostol's writing of Cubao, Manila, tricycle drivers...ahhh really brought back some memories. The book cover is also illustrated by Ben Cab, a National Artist. THE Ben Cab. I am holding a piece of artwork with this @soho_press copy. THANKS SO MUCH @transitsanta who posted about it and still have a copy of this amazing book. 11/10 wud recommend