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Martial Law Babies
Award-winning graphic novelist Arnold Arre takes us on a nostalgic trip through some of the Philippines' most colorful and compelling eras - from the rigidness of pre-EDSA Manila to the dizzying, commercially-intoxicated world of the new millenium.
Allan and his friends are Martial Law Babies: born during the Marcos regime, raised by TV, and shaped by 80s music. Their ambitions may be dampened by third world realities and malcontention but they also proudly belong to a generation of dreamers who fight for their voices to be heard. They are among the so-called "Bagong Lipunan" children, trying their best to live up to their name. But over the years, as Allan watches his friends leave one by one and feels his sense of idealism wane, he starts to wonder where they are all headed.
(from http://martiallawbabies.com/)
Allan and his friends are Martial Law Babies: born during the Marcos regime, raised by TV, and shaped by 80s music. Their ambitions may be dampened by third world realities and malcontention but they also proudly belong to a generation of dreamers who fight for their voices to be heard. They are among the so-called "Bagong Lipunan" children, trying their best to live up to their name. But over the years, as Allan watches his friends leave one by one and feels his sense of idealism wane, he starts to wonder where they are all headed.
(from http://martiallawbabies.com/)
286 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
205 people want to read
About the author
Arnold Arre
39 books167 followersArnold Arre (born September 2, 1971 in Metro Manila, Philippines) is a Filipino comic book writer, artist and self-taught animator best known for his graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999) and Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006).
Arnold Arre has won National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle for his graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999), a four-part action-adventure miniseries and Trip to Tagaytay (2000), a one-shot future fiction short story. The Mythology Class, which has been described as "genre-breaking", has the distinction of being the first graphic novel to win in the Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards Comic Books category.
Arre's other titles include the romantic comedy After Eden (2002), Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006), and "Martial Law Babies" (2008).
Aside from his comics work, Arre did numerous design and illustration jobs for various clients such as the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines. He also took part in local and international group exhibits and has had a one-man fantasy-themed show, Mythos in 2000.
In 2007, producer Tony Gloria of Unitel Productions optioned the film rights to Arre's novel Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. Arre has mentioned in an April 2014 interview that the project is still under development.
In 2011, Arre studied the art of animation and made a 4-minute short film titled Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye based on the main character in his book Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. In November 2011 he was commissioned by Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to make an animated music video for Kaninong Anino in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Jose Rizal. The following year, he was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the NHCP to make an animated music video for Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine National Anthem which was broadcast on national television on June 12, 2012, Independence Day (Philippines).[9] In September 2012, he did a series of educational animated videos titled Tandaan. Kalayaan. Alagaan. to mark the 40th anniversary of the Philippines' freedom from Martial Law. The series was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the National Youth Commission (Philippines).
In July 2013, Arre finished his first 20-minute animated short film titled Milkyboy. The film went on to win awards at the 25th Gawad CCP Para Sa Alternatibong Pelikula in November 2013, the 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) in November 2013, and the 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) in May 2014 where Arre was awarded the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, presented to a short film that demonstrates innovative and original use of cinematic language and vision.
Arre is based in Quezon City and is married to graphic designer Cynthia Bauzon.
(from http://wikipedia.com)
Arnold Arre has won National Book Awards from the Manila Critics Circle for his graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999), a four-part action-adventure miniseries and Trip to Tagaytay (2000), a one-shot future fiction short story. The Mythology Class, which has been described as "genre-breaking", has the distinction of being the first graphic novel to win in the Manila Critics Circle National Book Awards Comic Books category.
Arre's other titles include the romantic comedy After Eden (2002), Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006), and "Martial Law Babies" (2008).
Aside from his comics work, Arre did numerous design and illustration jobs for various clients such as the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts and Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines. He also took part in local and international group exhibits and has had a one-man fantasy-themed show, Mythos in 2000.
In 2007, producer Tony Gloria of Unitel Productions optioned the film rights to Arre's novel Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. Arre has mentioned in an April 2014 interview that the project is still under development.
In 2011, Arre studied the art of animation and made a 4-minute short film titled Andong Agimat: Kanya ang Kalye based on the main character in his book Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat. In November 2011 he was commissioned by Gang Badoy of Rock Ed Philippines and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to make an animated music video for Kaninong Anino in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Filipino hero Jose Rizal. The following year, he was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the NHCP to make an animated music video for Lupang Hinirang, the Philippine National Anthem which was broadcast on national television on June 12, 2012, Independence Day (Philippines).[9] In September 2012, he did a series of educational animated videos titled Tandaan. Kalayaan. Alagaan. to mark the 40th anniversary of the Philippines' freedom from Martial Law. The series was commissioned by Rock Ed Philippines and the National Youth Commission (Philippines).
In July 2013, Arre finished his first 20-minute animated short film titled Milkyboy. The film went on to win awards at the 25th Gawad CCP Para Sa Alternatibong Pelikula in November 2013, the 7th Animahenasyon (Philippine Animation Festival) in November 2013, and the 30th Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) in May 2014 where Arre was awarded the Linda Mabalot New Directors/New Visions Award, presented to a short film that demonstrates innovative and original use of cinematic language and vision.
Arre is based in Quezon City and is married to graphic designer Cynthia Bauzon.
(from http://wikipedia.com)
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 16, 2013
This book almost brought me to a TV-interview at GMA7 a couple of weeks back. I could not believe my luck but after I had my haircut and wore my best smart yet casual attire, two hours before the interview, it was cancelled. Hah, not yet my time to be on a television show, I guess.
My eldest brother was the first to have read, a few years ago, this graphic novel. Not my copy though. I think her friend convinced him to read this by lending him her copy. This book, according to that friend of his, brought back memories of the Martial Law (1972-1981) under the government of the then President Ferdinand Marcos. Maybe she was here in Manila during some parts of those years. Maybe she grew up in a provincial city which had many political activities that made her feel and see the changes in her surroundings due to Martial Law. She was there in the midst of all the political rallies, demonstrations, water truncheons dispersing the crowd, soldier donning gears and brandishing guns, militant students shouting slogans against the governments, some of them could disappear after the rally, some of them could be found lying on the street pavements, dead and cold after the rally was dispersed.
I was 7 years old when Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972. I still remember that day. There were no classes in school and my parents were glued on our small transistor. I did not know anything and did not care about the ensuing changes mostly in school: we began singing songs like Bagong Lipunan, we were asked to plant vegetables in front of our house and a tree every year. I think this was due to the Plant Revolution project by the then First Lady Imelda Marcos. Oh there was curfew too but who would be on the streets when it began to get dark in an island without electricy? Naturally, people would go inside their houses at least there were alcohol lamps that one could use to read komiks or the young students to read their lessons in school.
That is how I remember Martial Law and my brother who was contacted by GMA7 reasoned to them that if their researchers were looking for an interviewee who was "untouched" by Martial Law, it was me. The reason was that he was part of the First Quarter Storm because he attended college here in Manila and he participated in some of the demonstrations when he was taking Law at the University of the Philippines. I, on the other hand, finished my first college degree at Saint Louis University in Baguio City. That city was part of Marcos' bailiwick - the Solid North so students were not a militant and critical to the Marcos administration.
Now, why I am rating this book with just two stars (that in Goodreads mean It was okay?) It's because the book has nothing about those things I described above: the demonstrations, rally, militant protests, etc. This book is about a bunch of rich kids who are there in their own sheltered world while students like my brother and his friend were holding placards, braving the water truncheons or fasting for days and days. The characters in this book are the cunos who speak English and selfishly mind their own materialistic lives and puppy loves. There is a what-will-I-do-with-my-life moments in the book but it feels like quite depressing for me who is already in the second half of my life here on earth. However, there are many other written works of art who have posed this question in the past, notably Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day or Julian Barnes with his award-winning novel The Sense of an Ending. I'd rather stick with those works because at least the characters there are more relatable for me than these rich and self-centered cuno kids.
But still the book is okay. GMA7 says that they will contact me again in November maybe when they have a feature regarding books and book clubs as part of the National Book Week.
Who knows?
My eldest brother was the first to have read, a few years ago, this graphic novel. Not my copy though. I think her friend convinced him to read this by lending him her copy. This book, according to that friend of his, brought back memories of the Martial Law (1972-1981) under the government of the then President Ferdinand Marcos. Maybe she was here in Manila during some parts of those years. Maybe she grew up in a provincial city which had many political activities that made her feel and see the changes in her surroundings due to Martial Law. She was there in the midst of all the political rallies, demonstrations, water truncheons dispersing the crowd, soldier donning gears and brandishing guns, militant students shouting slogans against the governments, some of them could disappear after the rally, some of them could be found lying on the street pavements, dead and cold after the rally was dispersed.
I was 7 years old when Martial Law was declared on September 21, 1972. I still remember that day. There were no classes in school and my parents were glued on our small transistor. I did not know anything and did not care about the ensuing changes mostly in school: we began singing songs like Bagong Lipunan, we were asked to plant vegetables in front of our house and a tree every year. I think this was due to the Plant Revolution project by the then First Lady Imelda Marcos. Oh there was curfew too but who would be on the streets when it began to get dark in an island without electricy? Naturally, people would go inside their houses at least there were alcohol lamps that one could use to read komiks or the young students to read their lessons in school.
That is how I remember Martial Law and my brother who was contacted by GMA7 reasoned to them that if their researchers were looking for an interviewee who was "untouched" by Martial Law, it was me. The reason was that he was part of the First Quarter Storm because he attended college here in Manila and he participated in some of the demonstrations when he was taking Law at the University of the Philippines. I, on the other hand, finished my first college degree at Saint Louis University in Baguio City. That city was part of Marcos' bailiwick - the Solid North so students were not a militant and critical to the Marcos administration.
Now, why I am rating this book with just two stars (that in Goodreads mean It was okay?) It's because the book has nothing about those things I described above: the demonstrations, rally, militant protests, etc. This book is about a bunch of rich kids who are there in their own sheltered world while students like my brother and his friend were holding placards, braving the water truncheons or fasting for days and days. The characters in this book are the cunos who speak English and selfishly mind their own materialistic lives and puppy loves. There is a what-will-I-do-with-my-life moments in the book but it feels like quite depressing for me who is already in the second half of my life here on earth. However, there are many other written works of art who have posed this question in the past, notably Kazuo Ishiguro's Remains of the Day or Julian Barnes with his award-winning novel The Sense of an Ending. I'd rather stick with those works because at least the characters there are more relatable for me than these rich and self-centered cuno kids.
But still the book is okay. GMA7 says that they will contact me again in November maybe when they have a feature regarding books and book clubs as part of the National Book Week.
Who knows?
June 13, 2012
A graphic novel that's coincidentally a fitting read while the nation celebrates the Day of Independence. Another enjoyable and rewarding read from the genuis of Arnold Arre! Do yourself a favor and read this. It made me think of and reflect upon points in my life, and despite the book's generation gap, I easily related to the protagonists' dilemmas.
July 12, 2010
I dare say that I am not a Martial Law Baby, having been born after the Marcos era. It does not deter me, however, from enjoying this work.
This book is beautiful, and almost reminiscent of After Eden for style, at the very least. I enjoyed the art, as well as the pacing of the story. There are also bits and pieces of interesting information-- from events and happenings during the Martial Law times, to viewpoints and opinions on the issues that most probably spiced up conversations in those days. The different personalities, movements, sights and sounds (yes, I did say sounds) all meld up together to depict a wonderful story about friendship, love and finding home.
This book is beautiful, and almost reminiscent of After Eden for style, at the very least. I enjoyed the art, as well as the pacing of the story. There are also bits and pieces of interesting information-- from events and happenings during the Martial Law times, to viewpoints and opinions on the issues that most probably spiced up conversations in those days. The different personalities, movements, sights and sounds (yes, I did say sounds) all meld up together to depict a wonderful story about friendship, love and finding home.
May 25, 2010
A graphic novel, written by a Filipino, which begins with the protagonists (classmates and friends) as children during the time of the Marcos martial law regime, onwards to their adolescent years and young adulthood. A friend, about my age (she was about 12 when martial law was declared) briefly lent me this book as she said she had a "shock of recognition" while reading it.
I didn't have any. When martial law was declared, my family was already residing in a small island town in Quezon Province where there was no electricity, no TV, movies or newspapers. We had no direct experience of martial law. I finished my high school there and didn't have the experience also, like that illustrated in this book, of having rich classmates, the "Inggleseras" and the "burgis". I also didn't get into the dilemma of whether to leave the country or not; and of pining after a campus beauty (like the principal protagonist in this novel named Allan).
I didn't have any. When martial law was declared, my family was already residing in a small island town in Quezon Province where there was no electricity, no TV, movies or newspapers. We had no direct experience of martial law. I finished my high school there and didn't have the experience also, like that illustrated in this book, of having rich classmates, the "Inggleseras" and the "burgis". I also didn't get into the dilemma of whether to leave the country or not; and of pining after a campus beauty (like the principal protagonist in this novel named Allan).
July 11, 2012
Martial Law Babies recounts the lives of children who grew up during the martial law period of the Marcos regime. The story unfolds in a retrospect of two struggling protagonists, Rebecca and Allan, who with their friends have their own snippets of life to tell. Arnold Arre's work is a multi thematic graphic novel which scans through (but has never gone deep enough) a wide variety of themes: the idea of home, degredation of popular culture, loving and letting go, Filipino diaspora and others, making the stories of Martial Law Babies as realistic as it could be, albeit being cheesy in some parts.
November 6, 2016
It may not be as mournful as Russel Molina's 12:01, but this book is equally as touching. At such a chaotic time, this title chose to show a little less turmoil and a little more tenderness.
Martial Law Babies circle around Allan and his friends who were born during Martial Law. As a reader, Arnold Arre took me into a ride as I see how they grow up into men and women. It's probably nostalgic for those who were born on the same year as the characters were. But for me who only knew of what that period was from the history books, I guess it's safe to assume that it wasn't all bad. That somehow somewhere, even when the whole nation was in an anarchy, the kids - in their innocence had the chance to be kids. Ultimately, it's a tale of growing up, really. A story of love, lost, friendship, and coming of age.
Having that signature Arnold Arre art style as a companion to a reminiscent story makes it a little more grounded. It's quite an entertaining book and an irresistible one for that matter. It's Bagets but with a little more detail. It's both fun and delicate. Pick it up.
Martial Law Babies circle around Allan and his friends who were born during Martial Law. As a reader, Arnold Arre took me into a ride as I see how they grow up into men and women. It's probably nostalgic for those who were born on the same year as the characters were. But for me who only knew of what that period was from the history books, I guess it's safe to assume that it wasn't all bad. That somehow somewhere, even when the whole nation was in an anarchy, the kids - in their innocence had the chance to be kids. Ultimately, it's a tale of growing up, really. A story of love, lost, friendship, and coming of age.
Having that signature Arnold Arre art style as a companion to a reminiscent story makes it a little more grounded. It's quite an entertaining book and an irresistible one for that matter. It's Bagets but with a little more detail. It's both fun and delicate. Pick it up.
January 19, 2011
This well-observed, sometimes piercingly nostalgic, and occasionally infuriating -- it's sometimes reminiscent of the same fascinatingly insular and sheltered world examined in Miguel Syjuco's Ilustrado -- graphic novel is a labor of love. Arre takes his readers through the disappearance of Voltes V from Philippine TV screens, UP Diliman hijinks, and the lovelorn protagonist's frustrations in the advertising world. It may devolve into St. Elmo's Fire-type melodrama towards the end, but its honesty and clarity of vision as it follows a barkada through the decades is worth the read.
November 30, 2015
Lukewarm feeling, just like how he described his generation, born in the middle of martial law, so he was too young to understand the human condition. He became a yuppie post-EDSA revolution, so he was too old to rant on the societal condition.
I guess the character and I are both the same - in my case, of all Arre's works, this is where I find myself not raving about his creation.
I guess the character and I are both the same - in my case, of all Arre's works, this is where I find myself not raving about his creation.
February 18, 2019
Found this graphic novel while looking for books for the South East Asian Reading Challenge and since I haven’t read a graphic novel for the SEA Reading Challenge before, I figured this would be fun.
Martial Law Babies follows a group of friends who were born during the Marcos regime. There were quite a few of them, but I’ll be brutally honest and say that I only remembered three of them: Allan, his best friend Rebecca, his crush Marissa, and their friend Carol. There were a few more but for some reason, they didn’t make much of an impression. Martial Law Babies follows the friends as they grow up, starting when Rebecca is about to leave the Philippines for America, prompting Allan and Rebecca to reminisce about the past. The constant is that Allan had one interaction with Marissa on the Uncle Bobby Show when they were kids and fell in love with her. Now, she’s very popular and doesn’t remember their one interaction.
The kids may have been born during the Marcos era and that shapes their growing up and their experiences. None of them ever espouse any political views about it either way (except for the fact that they’re unhappy that their favourite show was taken off the air), but it was fascinating to see how something like that could impact their entire lives.
The most memorable character, for me, is actually Carol. My first impression of her wasn’t very good, as she came across like a spoilt brat, but as the years go by, it’s clear that she’s pretty awkward and really wants to belong. She made some bad choices, but it’s heartwarming to see that there were still people there for her.
I've gotta admit, the drawing style wasn’t really what I was used too. I read a lot more manga and this feels quite rough in comparison. But once I got used to the style, I found that I really enjoyed the story.
There’s quite a bit of Tagalog in the story, but you can still get the main gist without knowing it. It’ll definitely help if you did (I got help with a few pages because I really wanted to find out what they said), but it’s possible to muddle through with just the English – one of the great things about the graphic novel medium.
Overall, if you’re a fan of graphic novels and want to try something new, I think this would be a great choice. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something by a South East Asian author and you’re a bit intimidated by the novels, this is something to consider too.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
Martial Law Babies follows a group of friends who were born during the Marcos regime. There were quite a few of them, but I’ll be brutally honest and say that I only remembered three of them: Allan, his best friend Rebecca, his crush Marissa, and their friend Carol. There were a few more but for some reason, they didn’t make much of an impression. Martial Law Babies follows the friends as they grow up, starting when Rebecca is about to leave the Philippines for America, prompting Allan and Rebecca to reminisce about the past. The constant is that Allan had one interaction with Marissa on the Uncle Bobby Show when they were kids and fell in love with her. Now, she’s very popular and doesn’t remember their one interaction.
The kids may have been born during the Marcos era and that shapes their growing up and their experiences. None of them ever espouse any political views about it either way (except for the fact that they’re unhappy that their favourite show was taken off the air), but it was fascinating to see how something like that could impact their entire lives.
The most memorable character, for me, is actually Carol. My first impression of her wasn’t very good, as she came across like a spoilt brat, but as the years go by, it’s clear that she’s pretty awkward and really wants to belong. She made some bad choices, but it’s heartwarming to see that there were still people there for her.
I've gotta admit, the drawing style wasn’t really what I was used too. I read a lot more manga and this feels quite rough in comparison. But once I got used to the style, I found that I really enjoyed the story.
There’s quite a bit of Tagalog in the story, but you can still get the main gist without knowing it. It’ll definitely help if you did (I got help with a few pages because I really wanted to find out what they said), but it’s possible to muddle through with just the English – one of the great things about the graphic novel medium.
Overall, if you’re a fan of graphic novels and want to try something new, I think this would be a great choice. Alternatively, if you’re looking for something by a South East Asian author and you’re a bit intimidated by the novels, this is something to consider too.
This review was first posted at Eustea Reads
October 8, 2017
The good thing about this book is it enable us to get a glimpse about what did the 80's generation see and how did they live their lives according to their own era. I think, one of the great capabilities of artists is they can serve as a mirror to society for us to understand better ourselves. We grew up in different eras and we are influenced on how does the media and technology affect our lives. Political situation and leaders of the country also plays a great role on how they implement rules in the country that can shape the way we live. (Think on how do people live during the times of Ferdinand Marcos when he imposed his so called "discipline" in the country with the Martial Law and think also on how does this moronic war on drugs imposed by Rodrigo Duterte, where every one can be a suspect without getting appropriate due process, and on how did we become divided about his ruling where we become so abbrasive to our behaviors thru the internet where it is a fashion to bash others with hellish words that even your parents will not expect from you to say to a person you haven't met.) The trends on each era creates the image who we are and how did we become different to our parents or kids. If you will be like those traditional parents who always tell you that their generation is better because of this and that and that the generation next to them are so lazy, conceited or foolish, you will only prove that your upbringing was already very different to your kids' time. Better to understand their own situation and accept that time is changing and so are people. :)
(I will look forward to the next Arnold Arre who will reflect the lives of 90's children like me. Hehehehe.)
(I will look forward to the next Arnold Arre who will reflect the lives of 90's children like me. Hehehehe.)
January 2, 2022
I expected too much. I thought it would be something like Molina’s 12:01 and Bautista’s Dekada ‘70 but it’s not.
It’s not that bad though. It made me realize: our country is nice, our culture, the people. It is HOME but there is a very little chance of growth and opportunity here. You may have all the knowledge, skills and talents but you need to have money and connections to be ‘successful’ successful.
A lot of Filipinos are dreaming of leaving and are willing to sacrifice everything to get a decent and well-paying job abroad. I know you know the answer to my “WHY”.
The country seriously needs some change.
It’s not that bad though. It made me realize: our country is nice, our culture, the people. It is HOME but there is a very little chance of growth and opportunity here. You may have all the knowledge, skills and talents but you need to have money and connections to be ‘successful’ successful.
A lot of Filipinos are dreaming of leaving and are willing to sacrifice everything to get a decent and well-paying job abroad. I know you know the answer to my “WHY”.
The country seriously needs some change.
March 16, 2016
I feel sad about this book.
And I guess that's okay.
This book is not exactly as poignant as Molina's 12:01, as this book is in a different timeline. Our timeline.
Backlog:
I've been seeing Arnold Arre's work since elementary school. And now that I'm a fresh grad trying to prove myself to the world, 0nly now had I been able to have the (hard earned) money to buy the books I couldn't when I was younger. Thank God for events like Komikon and Komiket, I was able to find Mr Arre's books. (Too bad on After Eden, I won't be able to get the first edition print anymore. But yay for new edition!)
Just finished reading feels:
Right on from page 1, the graphic novel had this air or shall I call it aura, that is relatable to millenials like me. Reading Martial Law Babies feels like having those stay-up-until-4am-talks with your buddies.
Okay, I may not be a Martial Law Baby, but all the realities shown in this book hit me like a truck. Well, not really. More like moments I said out loud, "BANANA*, deja vu!". It's because me and my friends also had the same moments - ups and downs, all the hopes and dreams we had, like we knew our future, as if we had a clue what was really going on out there in the real world. I'm not even surprised that Allan is in the advertising field (this makes the story a lot more relatable to me, as this is my field as well).
I'm in the same place as the characters are. And its so unreal that Mr. Arre could write something so real, and so relatable --- even at this present time. Note: MLB was published 2008. Can you believe that? 8 years ago, and this book contains the same problems this generation is facing now (I'm writing this on 2016)! How do you even do that as a writer? How do you combine slice of life, social issues, friendship, romance, sadness, and even nostalgia in the FIlipino context in a graphic novel? I still find my self dazed for this. Hands down to you, sir!
I will go straightforward wiht my words for this graphic novel's art style. The illustration has its inconsistencies and I understand that. Every artist is growing. Yet, those inconsistencies actually help out the story telling. But I must admit that sometimes its hard to tell characters apart with Mr Arre's drawing style. But nonetheless, I appreciate all the hard work he has put onto this book. I have no questions to why this book bagged its awards.
[Side note for publishing: binding's not good enough. I barely spread my book open yet I hear slight ripping at other parts of the book. No matter, my copy is still in good condition.]
Well, I do really feel sad about this book. Or more like, sad about the message of this book. Why? Because it tells me that my generation has no leads about our future. The idea does scare me, but who isn't scared?
But at the same time, this book now gives me hope. That I'm not alone. I'm not the only Fiilipino millenial hoping for happy endings, "forever", greener pasture, or a better government here. And maybe that's where we can all start--- making our land into our home. I sure hope Millenials like me go beyond knowing themselves, and know their country more. It's our only home. Who else will handle it?
Thank you for a marvelous book, Mr. Arnold Arre. I sure hope this book will take us all home.
PS
Please do listen to Itchyworms' Buwan while at pages 241-243! Having music enhances the reading experience. And if some blessed director does want to make this graphic novel into a movie, don't forget to include the track as background music on the scene! Thanks!
And I guess that's okay.
This book is not exactly as poignant as Molina's 12:01, as this book is in a different timeline. Our timeline.
Backlog:
I've been seeing Arnold Arre's work since elementary school. And now that I'm a fresh grad trying to prove myself to the world, 0nly now had I been able to have the (hard earned) money to buy the books I couldn't when I was younger. Thank God for events like Komikon and Komiket, I was able to find Mr Arre's books. (Too bad on After Eden, I won't be able to get the first edition print anymore. But yay for new edition!)
Just finished reading feels:
Right on from page 1, the graphic novel had this air or shall I call it aura, that is relatable to millenials like me. Reading Martial Law Babies feels like having those stay-up-until-4am-talks with your buddies.
Okay, I may not be a Martial Law Baby, but all the realities shown in this book hit me like a truck. Well, not really. More like moments I said out loud, "BANANA*, deja vu!". It's because me and my friends also had the same moments - ups and downs, all the hopes and dreams we had, like we knew our future, as if we had a clue what was really going on out there in the real world. I'm not even surprised that Allan is in the advertising field (this makes the story a lot more relatable to me, as this is my field as well).
I'm in the same place as the characters are. And its so unreal that Mr. Arre could write something so real, and so relatable --- even at this present time. Note: MLB was published 2008. Can you believe that? 8 years ago, and this book contains the same problems this generation is facing now (I'm writing this on 2016)! How do you even do that as a writer? How do you combine slice of life, social issues, friendship, romance, sadness, and even nostalgia in the FIlipino context in a graphic novel? I still find my self dazed for this. Hands down to you, sir!
I will go straightforward wiht my words for this graphic novel's art style. The illustration has its inconsistencies and I understand that. Every artist is growing. Yet, those inconsistencies actually help out the story telling. But I must admit that sometimes its hard to tell characters apart with Mr Arre's drawing style. But nonetheless, I appreciate all the hard work he has put onto this book. I have no questions to why this book bagged its awards.
[Side note for publishing: binding's not good enough. I barely spread my book open yet I hear slight ripping at other parts of the book. No matter, my copy is still in good condition.]
Well, I do really feel sad about this book. Or more like, sad about the message of this book. Why? Because it tells me that my generation has no leads about our future. The idea does scare me, but who isn't scared?
But at the same time, this book now gives me hope. That I'm not alone. I'm not the only Fiilipino millenial hoping for happy endings, "forever", greener pasture, or a better government here. And maybe that's where we can all start--- making our land into our home. I sure hope Millenials like me go beyond knowing themselves, and know their country more. It's our only home. Who else will handle it?
Thank you for a marvelous book, Mr. Arnold Arre. I sure hope this book will take us all home.
PS
Please do listen to Itchyworms' Buwan while at pages 241-243! Having music enhances the reading experience. And if some blessed director does want to make this graphic novel into a movie, don't forget to include the track as background music on the scene! Thanks!
July 4, 2016
The was my second of Arre's graphic novels, and after spending weeks trying to track it down, I was not disappointed!
The book starts off a bit slow, and I was having trouble keeping some of the characters straight (they weren't introduced and some of their names weren't spoken for quite awhile, I ended up having to go back and reread the beginning once I knew who everyone was). That said, I loved the story! It was thoughtful and interesting. It was a good mix of what life was like specifically for Filipinos growing up during the 80s, as well as what life is like for all young people trying to find their way in the world.
I really appreciated how much Arre wove into his story how living/working overseas impacts all Filipinos. Saying goodbye, deciding whether to go or stay, figuring out what it means to love your country and care about its future vs find a future for yourself. I was moved to tears multiple times. I was really struck by the idea of hard goodbyes. There are dozens of blogs that talk about the struggles of the expat life (particularly, saying good bye and leaving or being left behind). I have lived in an expat community within the Philippines for a long time - a community where people constantly complain about this difficulty. The irony is, all the Filipinos around us are facing the same struggle - often even more heart wrenching and devastating. They say goodbye to mothers, fathers, children, siblings, best friends. They question whether they should leave - or stay - for how long, for what reasons. The expat struggle pales in comparison to the difficulties nationals face because of diaspora. We, as expats, could learn a lot from our national friends about saying goodbye well and transitioning in a healthy way. And, hopefully, we can reciprocate for them!
This novel was funny and clever, moving and thoughtful. A true delight!
The book starts off a bit slow, and I was having trouble keeping some of the characters straight (they weren't introduced and some of their names weren't spoken for quite awhile, I ended up having to go back and reread the beginning once I knew who everyone was). That said, I loved the story! It was thoughtful and interesting. It was a good mix of what life was like specifically for Filipinos growing up during the 80s, as well as what life is like for all young people trying to find their way in the world.
I really appreciated how much Arre wove into his story how living/working overseas impacts all Filipinos. Saying goodbye, deciding whether to go or stay, figuring out what it means to love your country and care about its future vs find a future for yourself. I was moved to tears multiple times. I was really struck by the idea of hard goodbyes. There are dozens of blogs that talk about the struggles of the expat life (particularly, saying good bye and leaving or being left behind). I have lived in an expat community within the Philippines for a long time - a community where people constantly complain about this difficulty. The irony is, all the Filipinos around us are facing the same struggle - often even more heart wrenching and devastating. They say goodbye to mothers, fathers, children, siblings, best friends. They question whether they should leave - or stay - for how long, for what reasons. The expat struggle pales in comparison to the difficulties nationals face because of diaspora. We, as expats, could learn a lot from our national friends about saying goodbye well and transitioning in a healthy way. And, hopefully, we can reciprocate for them!
This novel was funny and clever, moving and thoughtful. A true delight!
August 5, 2012
"good read"
I'm a big fan of love stories, so I was A LITTLE disappointed that the ending kept me hanging. I'm not really into open endings, actually. (But that's another story).
I like the message of the graphic novel. But maybe another title would be more apt than Martial Law Babies. Something lighter, maybe. Since it was a fairly easy reading.
It's like a looong essay. Or a super-short novel. Something you could read in a newspaper.
Funny how you're blessed with national pride only when you're thousands of miles away from this place, while everyone else I know living here would take the first plane out if they had the chance.
September 8, 2012
One of those books that leave you lying on your bed, staring at the ceiling and silently asking yourself, "What now?". It makes you ponder on your own generation (I belong to generation Y) and ask if there is something you're collectively fighting for; even on a microscopic, personal level, you wonder: What do I really want out of life?
Trying to be too funny in some parts, but maybe that's just characteristic of that period. But overall, it's a good read. I wish I or someone could and would make this into a film.
Trying to be too funny in some parts, but maybe that's just characteristic of that period. But overall, it's a good read. I wish I or someone could and would make this into a film.
November 23, 2014
I loved how solid Allan's group was and how Arre was able to tell a poignant story revolving quite a number of characters. There were some moments when I felt disjointed with the little short extras in between the main story. I kinda felt like the story was a bit too long, but I liked how Arre was able to tie things up in the end. And even if this graphic novel paid homage to the 70s, I was still able to relate a lot to it, even if I'm an 80s kid. :)
February 21, 2015
I wish I could have stolen this from the school library.
Got me feeling emotional in the end. I cut class so I can finish reading it inside the library because the librarian won't let me take it home because it's finals.
Got me feeling emotional in the end. I cut class so I can finish reading it inside the library because the librarian won't let me take it home because it's finals.
September 24, 2023
Actual rating: 2.5
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