You must be wondering where I've been off to. I've been reading a book by Bob Ong the last couple of days. "Bob who?", you might say. Bob Ong was one of those authors who must've had a hard time getting his material published in traditional media. He was talented, but he didn't get the backing of a publisher. So, he regularly published his material online through his website www.bobongpinoy.com. The internet was just starting to gain popularity back then and in due time bobongpinoy.com
developed a loyal following from equally-deprived writers, aspiring writers and wannabe writers (my circle of friends). I found his website a couple of years ago I've been a fan eversince.

When the site went bust, the laughs stopped. I wasn't aware he went into writing books. Well, last week an officemate brought a copy and I ask if I could borrow it for a few days. The book is aptly titled, "A B N K K B S N P L A Ko?! - Mga Kuwentong Chalk ni Bob Ong."

Its a great book! It talks about life as a student, life as a teacher and life teaching us a thing or two about living. Had a lot of laughs while I was reading it! I'm considering buying it as a gift for a couple of friends (one of whom I haven't seen or heard of in a few years). The book just brought back a lot of memories, good and bad. Drawing parallels with my own life was unavoidable. It was so well written that I could relate to most of what he was saying.

Anyway, buy the book from the nearest National Bookstore. It's only Php 150.00. Cheap, considering the laughs you'll get out of it. If you're based in North America, a fellow fan (of Bob Ong) sells his books. Check out BobOngBooks.com. They even have autographed copies (not available in the Philippines). You can also check the resurrected (kung pang-ilang resurrection na ne'to, eh hindi ko alam) bobongpinoy.com. There are times that the site won't be there, but check every once and a while and you'll get a few funny surprises.