56 by Bob Ong (2018)



TL;DR: Bob Ong writes in his unique style about stages of a typical Filipino man; One part How-to book; one part book of Advice, two parts Culture and Maturity. To put it this way; If the Filipiniana section of a bookstore had a space for Self-Help, and this book were in that shelf, it would not be out-of-place. 



(I still don't quite get the significance of the number 56. My guess is it is BO's age. And it feels odd writing this in English.)


The sections are split into PAL, Registered Voter, Laborer, Housemate, Alipin, Historian, and a chapter on what looks like a collection of notes.



"PAL" here is used as an abbreviation to "Palamunin". In a universe where a Filipino Urban Dictionary exists, this term relates to an individual doing no work and is waiting for support from a parent; typically, the youth in all its angst and coming-of-age impatience. BO then talks about friends, Internal Dialogues in a kid's brain; How to read a book, Netiquettes and the stuff we do in Social Media.



The day after a kids' 18th birthday. He/She could legally be a "Registered Voter". And you know what they say about great power, and responsibilities? Pedro Parker would need to be aware of his Civic Duties and Politics. BO argues on how to pick the right candidate, learning to parse bad advice/arguments on and about politicians, and the Logical Fallacies we are all susceptible to if we're not careful. Pedro Parker could also now get a driver's license. BO writes his tips on how to renew or apply for a driver's license and basic  Etiquette as a driver in the road. This is also an age of social work. BO includes a questionnaire on donating blood, and the wrong ways to give aid and help. (Yes, that was an eye-opening topic to me, as I was not aware that there is a wrong way to give help.)



Career being the focus, a "Laborer" begins. BO squeezes in a section on Financial Literacy. He also comments on Sex and Relationships as the human being traverses this stage up to which he then becomes a "Housemate". In this, BO talks about Love, Marriage and Tips on finding a House but not before spending some time alone by moving out of his parents' house and dependence.


"Alipin" is Filipino for Slave. BO keeps it witty and lighthearted on Raising Kids and Building a Family. He pens a version of Kids say the Darndest Things, Different types of moms and some Parenting tips. Then you essentially become a "Historian" when you talk of the past fondly. A Nostalgia.

Chapter 7x8 is a collection of random notes, comments and his personal stories. There doesn't seem to be a connective tissue throughout all of them except what BO thinks we would all be better at if he we spend a little more time getting to know. (But that would be generalizing too much.)


Bob Ong is definitely one of the voices this generation has grown into listening. His voice is so distinct it attracts its own imitators carrying "Bob Ong" for memes, love-torn posts and political agendas. Some of these fan pages spills out messages from the far-end of the political spectrum that the author may not ascribe to. Which comes to this book's takeaway: to learn to think critically, learn to stand on your own and not be swept by others.

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