Ministry of Information Approves Sale of KA in KSA

This appeared in "Kabayan Corner" of Saudi Gazette 17th of November 2008.

JEDDAH - Kung mahilig kang mag-browse ng internet, malamang natagpuan mo ang blog ng Sawali, isang online na pahayagang Pinoy ni Manny Garcia.

Ngayon, hindi na lang sa internet ninyo mababasa si Garcia kundi pati na rin sa libro.

Kamakailang, inaprubahan ng Ministry of Information ng Saudi Arabia ang kanyang librong Kapeng Arabo.

Ibig sabihin nito, hindi na lang mabibili ang libro sa National Bookstore sa Pinas kung saan una itong inilunsad, kundi pati na rin sa Jarir Bookstore, ang pinaka-malaking tindahan ng aklat sa Kaharian ng iba pang Gulf countries.

Ang Kapeng Arabo ay hango sa mga kwentong Pinoy sa Saudi Arabia. Hinabi ni Garcia ang mga sanaysay mula sa sariling karanasan at sa kanyang pang-araw-araw na pakikisalamuha sa mga Pinoy sa Saudi.

Sinulat ito sa sariling wika na may panakanakanng English na naging bahagi na nang karaniwang pananalita ng mga Pinoy. Malakas ng humor ng libro at may mga quips at expressions ng mga bagets, pero walang expression ng mga forgets.

Isa sa mga tinalakay ni Garcia ay ang kalungkutang dinaranas ng halos lahat ng Pinoy na napadpad sa bangsang may kakaibang kultura at milya-milya ang layo sa kinagisnang bayan, at kung paanno nila -o natin- nilalabanan ang lungkot kapalit sa pangarap na mapapaalwan ang buhay ng mga mahal sa buhay kung hindi man para lang sa sarili.

Sinasalamin din ng aklat kung paano nababago ang pagkatao ng karamihan sa mga OFW's.

Kung nalulungkot ka, mapapangit kaa sa humor ng libro, imbes na pagmasdan ang kawalan na naaninag sa kisame ng kwartong inuuupahan, kung nag-iisa ka.

Sa pananaw ng may akda, ang Kapeng Arabo ay isa ring hamon sa kakayana ng mga Pinoy.

"Parang isa rin itong test sa kakayanan nating mga Pinoy. Kung kaya natin magsama-sama para maiangat ang lahi natin at kung kaya nating magka-isa para suportahan ang magagandang adhikain," sabi ni Garcia sa isang panayam.

"Sinasalamin ng libro ang mga gawain ng tipikal na Pinoy overseas worker, na lingid sa kanya'y unti-unting humuhubog ng kanayan pananaw tungkol sa sarili at pati na rin sa bayan natin," dugtong pa nya.

Ang Kapeng Arabo ay pinaghalong social satire sa konsepto ng Pinoy ukol sa yamang material, nkakakatuwang kwento tulad halimbawa ng pagkalagas ng buhok hindi lang ng mga Saudi kundi pati mga expats sa Kaharian, ilang aspetong pulitikal (bakit tinatalikuran ng Pinoy ang sariling bayan) at kaalaman sa pag-aabroad na kapupulutan ng aral hindi lang ng mga Pinoy na napadpad sa Gitnang Silangan kundi ng iba pang nagtatrabaho at namumuhay sa labas ng Pilipinas.

"Inaasahan kong magsisimula ang pagbebenta ng libro sa lahat ng Jarir outlets sa susunod na buwan. Sana'y suportahan ninyo ang aking humble undertaking,' paanyaya ni Garcia.

"At dahol sa ang Kapeng Arabo ang siyang kauna-unahang (non-fiction at non-religious) book na sinulat sa wikang Pilipino sa Middle East, maaring magbukas at magbigay daan ito sa susunod na attempts ng iba pa nating mga kababayan," aniya.

Mr. Harvey Keh on Kapeng Arabo

I just received this today from my publicist. I am so overwhelmed with this that I literally run-out of words to say. Imagine, Mr. Harvey Keh of AdeMU, si Idol! with a favorable comment on my book.

I actually quoted him (page 97 of the book). But I never thought he'd actually read it. Wooh! Grabe! Ibang level na ito!

"Kapeng Arabo is a good book for Filipinos who are aspiring to find better lives abroad and also for their families who will be supporting them in the problems that they will face.

The book is easy to read and understand while at the same time very candid in presenting the realities of Filipinos living in a foreign country.

This book is important since Filipinos should learn important things about living and working abroad before they decide to take the big leap of exploring new life outside the Philippines.

I personally congratulate the author for taking time out to share his experiences to every Filipino in the hope of helping our countrymen find a better life abroad."

Harvey S. Keh
Director for Youth Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship
Ateneo de Manila University-School of Government
http://twitter.com/harveykeh
http://filipinochangemaker.blogspot.com
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KA on Manila Bulletin

This appeared in the 10th of November issue in the Business Agenda corner of the Manila Bulletin. In full-colors (sosyal!)

Kapeng Arabo, a book by OFW for OFWs, off the press

(This is the press released from that appeared on People's Journal On-line edition.)

Kapeng Arabo, a book written by an overseas Filipino worker for overseas Filipino workers and their relatives was finally launched in a simple gathering at the Temple Bar in Greenbelt 2 Makati on Thursday.

Manny Garcia, who flew in from Saudi Arabia for the grand launch said the book is now available in any National Book Store and Powerbooks. He said orders have started coming from some parts of the world.

In a mini press briefing after the launch, Garcia said the book, which he said is a product of years of experiences in Saudi Arabia, chronicles his personal experiences and observations on the life of Filipino workers in Saudi.

He said an OFW or his or here family could relate to the stories that were written in Filipino.“Actually, this book mirrors the aspiration, longing, frustration, happiness of an OFW and how he copes up in every given situation,” he said.

The book, he said is an honest to goodness portrayal of what really goes on in Saudi, “something that has never been told in any conversation.”The book, he said, does not delve on the dramatic and traumatic experiences of Filipino workers that have been depicted in tear-jerking tele-novelas and movies.

“There are many more things that have not been told in some discussions. I intend to tell the readers some things that are new to them like how the Marimar phenomenon, stories about the gym, the giant network war among others,” he said.He said the book deals mostly on the life of a Filipino who finds himself in a completely different world where he came from, “but more on the fun side.”

“I see this as an escape from boredom and the daily trials faced by an OFW,” he said.

Asked why the title, he said Kapeng Arabo, as the title suggests “is a coffe table book written in Saudi Arabia by a Filipino.”“It is full of symbolism, I took it from the Filipino’s penchant for coffee while having friendly chat. It normally happens any time of the day. Often, the subjects of discussion are one’s experiences and how he was able to come out unscathed in a very difficult fix,” he said.

“Kapeng Arabo is kwentuhang Arab; mga kwentong Saudi,” he said.

(Here's the link: http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-10-23&sec=4&aid=76139)

The Cover

I am happy to announce the revised cover of the book. Presenting "Night & Day Arabian Alley" by Mr. Dexter Soy.

The book is now available in National Bookstore.

Please do grab a copy.
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KA..a glimpse on Pinoys' Saudi way of life

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For most OFWs, we find it difficult to explain to our loved ones back at home how we manage things abroad.

In fact, whenever we take a month-long vacation in the country hoping to spend precious time with our family and friends, we hardly talk of work, or stir conversations about our struggles and nostalgic moments of living away from home.

This is because we feel that a month of break is such a short period to waste it with topics such as momentary depressions, seemingly endless coping mechanisms and struggles for survival.

Instead we try to create happy times by holding constant inuman sessions, attend gatherings, shop around with kids or malling. We opt for those happy moments thinking that we’d rather have something new to cherish when it’s time to go back to the country of work.

Hardly have we gone beyond that superficial kumustahan and tales of funny anecdotes of our encounters in the foreign land. We never really go deep into details of how living abroad is indeed a no joking matter.

I had this in mind when I was writing the book Kapeng Arabo. I was on a personal mission to tell my family and friends how we Filipinos cope in a place where restriction seems to be the rule rather than exception.

Even though I was not intending to make a tell-all type revelation, I was thinking somehow, I just had to let them take a peak. They need to have at least a glimpse of how hard we juggle budget in order to send enough money, what do we do when we’re homesick-stricken, how stressed we get by the smallest detail of a problem back home, and how sad we become by a slightest bad news about the country

Moreover, I had this creeping suspicion that OFWs (at least in this part of the world) are forming set of behaviours out of the ordinary routines that are slowly affecting their personality.

Oh yes, the seemingly mundane and customary practices are creating patterns and issues that inadvertedly affect our character, and eventually, our outlook towards the country.

In a country denied of means for self-expression, the desire to ease loneliness and the finding of ways to keep one’s sanity weigh more prominence that we tend to compromise our goals.

While I subscribe to the idea that Overseas Filipinos is a potent force in bringing about changes in our society, yet only until we become aware of our own follies, and be awakened from our cycle of self-created madness, then, that is the only time we may see that full potential of our capacity.

Kapeng Arabo is now available at National Bookstores.

KA on tabloids

(People's Journal, People's Tonight & Taliba - August 31)

Here's the release that appeared in August 31 edition of People's Journal Group.

We thank Mr.Nixon Canlapan for willingly accomodated this ad as well as Mr. Manny Bueta.

Mabruk!

Let me categorically state our appreciation.

But only to clear out confusion, the first paragraph inadvertedly tagged the book as Kapeng Barako, instead of Arabo.
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