The Peninsula School, Inc.

PBR Housing Compound, Alangan,

Limay, Bataan

Collas, Jensen Myles M. November 04, 2019

STEM – 12 Ms. Mila Roxas

Book Review
I. Introduction
Bob Ong’s “Kapitan Sino” is a superhero book but not whimsical, it is not an
ordinary superhero book. It was happened on the town of Pelaez during 80s. Somehow,
though it was fantasy, the whole series was made with the usual scenario in a town and
seemed to be realistic except that the hero had a power which cannot happen to anyone.
Rogelio himself was trying to motivate Pelaez to a change and the government officials
free from greed, corruption, anomaly and guilt. In the end, Kapitan Sino saved Pelaez
from the monster-killer, used his blood to cure the people from epidemic virus and the
people learned to have unity in the development of their community yet the politicians
were still deceived by money, power and wealth.

II. Background of the Author

Bob Ong is a mysterious Filipino author that never reveal his true identity. He had
a website in the past: BOBONG PINOY, that was where he got his pen name Bob Ong.
His biography was written in his first book ABNKKBSNPLAKO?! (2001) though are as
follows: Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng libro ang mga Pilipino? (2002), Ang Paboritong
Libro ni Hudas (20013), Alamat ng Gubat (2003), Stainless Longganisa (2005),
Macarthur (2007), Kapitan Sino (2009), Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama (2010), Lumayo ka
nga sa Akin (2011). He is known for using conversational writing technique to create
humorous and reflective depictions of Philippine life.

III. Theme of the Story

The story has several themes such as love, responsibility and sacrifices. But the
most dominant in the story was the responsibility and sacrifices because in order to do
 that responsibility, there are things that should’ve sacrificed. In the story, sacrifices and
responsibility was demonstrate when Rogelio take the responsibility for the safety of the
whole town. Even to the end, he sacrificed his own life and blood for the people and for
the good of town.

IV. Significant Human Experience

Every chapter reflects images of daily life including: poverty, struggles, street
descriptions, politics, etc. Bob Ong is obviously talented in capturing the essence of the
Filipino culture and conveys it in the most entertaining way possible. From gossiping
neighbors, stupid law enforcement, corruption, and political propagandas on the streets.

V. Realization
Being a hero is not just about the name, the costume, the popularity and the
intention to help people out of danger but to let the people do an action to help
themselves to stop crimes and corruption. It enlightened my mind thus, an eye-opener to
see the present condition of our country and its government. I liked this book because it
could make the readers laugh and in between laughs, made us to ponder the intricacies
and implications of being a hero. Hence, it is Bob Ong’s patriotic way in expressing his
ideas and opinions as a writer. This book is a depiction on what he aims in bringing his
message to everybody especially to the Philippine government. Topics from poverty to
politics to corruption are tackled but in a comedic way. There were a lot of painful truths
in the story which some might find offensive but as they say, the truth hurts. I recommend
it to Filipinos hoping that they would learn to help in simple ways even without
recognition, take the words from the book to heart and put them into action in our own
lives.