Orosa-Nakpil, Malate

Orosa-Nakpil, Malate
Book cover illustrated by Francis Gayon
Author(s)	Louie Mar Gangcuangco
Illustrator	Francis P. Gayon
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino, Taglish
Genre(s)	Romance
Publisher	Louie Mar's Publications
Publication date	2006
Media type	Print (Paperback)
ISBN	9719349409

Orosa-Nakpil, Malate is a self-published novel by a student named Louie Mar Gangcuangco in 2006. The story revolves around Dave, a young medical student who frequently goes to Malate. In Barn, a bar that houses a dark room, he meets the men who entangle him in a web of love, vengeance, and sex.

The information that Gangcuangco presents in this novel regarding the Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV-AIDS) offers an entirely fresh approach to presenting factual, consistent and most recent scientific data, woven into a plot of romance, vengeance, mercy and forgiveness. In his narrative, Gangcuangco reiterates relevant issues about HIV-AIDS, especially men having sex with men, sustaining the interest of the reader in an erotic yet amusing and witty manner. Fallacies about the virus and advisories about safe sex are consistently reaffirmed amidst the compelling dialogues and discourses emanating from the many colorful and controversial characters of the novel. ^[1]

Synopsis

Orosa-Nakpil Malate is a gay themed story that revolves around a University of the Philippines, Manila Intarmed freshman by the name of John David “Dave” de Jesus who looked for fun but found love and life in the liberated world of Orosa-Nakpil streets in Malate, Manila. Dana, his Intarmed classmate and his best friend, served as his “fairy godmother” while he goes on his sexcapades in Malate. She kept him strong at and stayed at his side during his toughest times at school and in love and turned him from an innocent rural gay into an outgoing urban gay hottie.

In Orosa-Nakpil, Malate, he met not only the men who spent steamy nights with him in the dark room on the second floor of Barn bar, but also the men who changed his life forever. The complexity of the story started from a high school rivalry between Dave and Michael that turned into a bitter revenge against the former. He fell in love with a guy, who turned out to be part of the big plan against him and broke his heart - big time. Another guy, who he thought he could trust, destroyed his dignity in the dark premises of a campus comfort room and was framed as the sinner - the unfaithful cock sucker.

Then he met Ross, the guy who made him fall in love like he never did. He never felt more special. But then, a painful event took them apart. Ross gave him a stethoscope before he bid goodbye. Dave then, slowly and surely but not completely, moved on and became successful in his studies. He graduated with flying colors and became a doctor. Then an unexpected encounter presented shocking revelations to Dave that made everything clear to him. Why he was raped, why Ross left, why a hundred crumpled fliers containing libelous information flew towards Dave at the Barn bar 6 years ago, why Ross did something Dave never thought he could. He knew why - he knew that it was because of revenge, HIV-AIDS, and Ross’ incomparable love for Dave.

Orosa-Nakpil Malate, is a story of love, hate and hope; of family, friendship and rivalry, sending great awareness about HIV-AIDS, how brutal and merciless but life-changing it is, and most especially, how to prevent yourself from being infected. ^[2]

History of the Book

The author narrates in his Friendster account how he had come up the story of the book. He states in his account:

I wrote the story two years ago, when I was just seventeen. What inspired me to write the novel? It's a monosyllabic word many people fail to understand- love.

This is a tough confession. At sixteen, I have been splurging my extra cash inside Malate's premiere gay places. For more than half a year, I have had whirlwind love affairs that most lasted for barely two weeks. But things changed when I met him.

We met at Bath. Ooh... I still remember how gorgeous he was. His eyes were hazelbrown. The way he looked at me was tempting. His physique was really sexy. But what hit me was his personality. His was unique. His was matchless wit. Best of all... He knows how to speak French.

I loved him with all my heart. Twice we went out on dates that went more than the casual chitchat and dinner. We ate a lot. So much that even our souls took part in the banquet. I sacrificed so much for him, but after he grew tired of my youth, all he did was to brand me a "nuisance".

That December afternoon, I cried over the phone, telling him how rude it was of him to treat me like trash. We met and he apologized. But the pain he caused me made me sit in front of my laptop. And words kept flowing on and on. The keyboard ticked... lagatakatak... for three long months until the third draft of the then-called "Orosa-Nakpil, Malate: Isang Kasaysayan ng Pag-Ibig," was created.

Nine months seem like batting an eyelash. "Orosa-Nakpil, Malate: Isang Kasaysayan ng Pag-ibig" matured into "Orosa-Nakpil,Malate: Pagkagat ng Dilim" and is finally released with a shorter title, "Orosa-Nakpil, Malate." ^[3]

On October, 2009, the English Version of this critically acclaimed novel is released nationwide and is set to conquer the International scene by 2010.

Accolades

Orosa-Nakpil, Malate was evaluated by Dr. Jaime Galvez Tan, the former Secretary of Health; Dr. Valenzuela from PGH; Prof Leano from UP College of Medicine; and Dr. Destura from the National Institutes of Health. ^[3]

The book reviews are mostly positive. ^[4]

After one year of circulation, Orosa-Nakpil, Malate made it to the Best Sellers List released by National Book Store in April 2007. With him in the list are authors Mitch Albom of For One More Day, James Patterson and Maxine Paetro of The 5th Horseman, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez of Memories of My Melancholy Whores. The book landed on the Top 8 spot, overtaking international authors Steve Berry and Kiran Desai.

Orosa-Nakpil, Malate, has been featured in several Publications including:

• Generation Pink Magazine’s The Great Escape Volume 1, Issue 5, page 20
• The Flame: The Official Liberal Journal of the Humanities, University of Sto. Tomas Vol. 21, Number 1, July-December 2006, p. 59
• Icon Magazine’s Career Issue Volume 2, Issue 4, page 13
• The Manila Collegian, The Nightmare Before Christmas Issue, TOMO 20 blg.5 p. 10 ^[5]

References

1. ^ http://www.nationalbookstore.com/shop/products.asp?merchant_code=NBS&categ=339&product=7737
2. ^ http://mjeyski.multiply.com/reviews/item/69
3. ^ ^{a b} http://profiles.friendster.com/27581063
4. ^ http://www.geocities.com/orosa.nakpil/reviews.htm^{[dead link]}
5. ^ http://profiles.friendster.com/3940866

External links

• Book's Website^{[dead link]}