Anthology: Wakasang Wasak

Story by: Carlos "Siege" Malvar

VISPRINT

(4.14/5 ★★★★☆)

(Cover by Kit Lapeña)

"What is the hiwaga that is in the dako paroon?

Created by the balintataw or of, like, OA na imagination?

I mean, what the fuck is a balintataw, anyway?

Here are three tales of wild,

wonderful women in wicked situations.

Why are men dying to be on The Kama ni Stella?

Why does Dindin have a bad feeling about

Ang Mutya ng San Isidro?

And who's the DJ in the place Where Angels Fear to Dance?

What are you waiting for?

Yes, you, holding this book at the bookstore?

Buy this now.

Ang magsoli nito sa shelf...

MAMAMATAY."

The Good:

Siege Malvar provides us with more than 3 stories in this anthology. He gave us around 7 short stories whose main characters were mostly women. From the story of the poor mother in the introduction up to the hilariously written vampire slaying witch at the post credit scenes, it has been a fun, hilarious and enjoyable ride reading Wakasang Wasak.

The best story, excluding the one in the introduction and the post credit scenes, was the Ang Kama Ni Stella story. For the Post Credit Scenes, the best one among the three was Sparkle, Bitch!

All the three main stories were written to entertain most of us and to penetrate the social awareness in some of us. These three stories that circulate around the lives of these three women imply different current social issues. The first story dwells on the prevalence and even the current accepted norm of casual sex. On the other hand, the second story leans more on the topic of the RH Bill (which has already been passed and is now a Law). The third story mixes a bit of the two underlying themes to give a story about unwanted pregnancy.

The cover of this anthology represents well the different stories enveloped in the book. The portrayal of the dark society that we live in, especially to women.

The Bad:

Other readers may be discouraged from finishing this anthology once they reach the second story. The usage of words and countless curses thrown everywhere may raise the eyebrow and be the cause of the return of this book back by "conservative" and "religious" readers.

If the only reason why you had picked up this anthology is because of the cover, due to the hint that it implies that the book is a horror story, rest assured that it would really disappoint you. But it has a nice surprise to those who are open-minded enough to realize the underlying themes that was written on it.

There are also some things in here that the editor and/or author has failed to notice which could get the attention of grammar nazis.

The Verdict:

A warning for Mature Readers would have been better if it was placed on the cover of this excellent work by Siege Malvar.

Stories full of H.P. Lovecraft's works, sorcery and the current young adult novel themes, Wakasang Wasak would have been fun to see if it was given its own movie adaptation to the likes of the Shake, Rattle and Roll movie franchise.

This has been a great first read of Malvar's books. It was overwhelming as Siege Malvar ended this book hilariously with Sparkle, Bitch!

"... what makes us monsters is our need to be saints."

More of the creator's works can be seen at:

Twitter: @whatsiegesaid

* Breakdown of Rating:

★☆☆☆☆ - 

★★☆☆☆ - 

★★★☆☆ - Where Angels Fear to Dance; The Other Woman's New Affair (Post Credit Scenes)

★★★★☆ - Ang Mutya ng San Isidro;  Run, Barbie, Run (Post Credit Scenes)

★★★★★ - Intro Story; Ang Kama Ni Stella; Sparkle, Bitch (Post Credit Scenes)