KAPENG ARABO, Official Press Release

Why do you think after staying for a while, most OFWs in Saudi Arabia turn arrogant, conceited and extravagant? Why do they choose US, Canada or Australia rather than come back in the Philippines? Why do they speak of "barok" English considering their maximum exposure to multicultural environment? Why some enter into illicit love affairs? And why others turn gay?

Manny Garcia, Editor and Publisher of SAWALI, an e-newsletter dedicated to the promotion of productivity of OFWs and Pinoys abroad, wittingly explores the answers to these questions and more in his book KAPENG ARABO, a collection of stories and day-to-day issues of Pinoys working in Saudi Arabia as he relattes them to his own experiences within the first three years of his life in that arid region. Written in the native language combined with Pinoy modern quips and expressions, the book explores the intricacies of being alone in a strange culture, and how it affects the personalities of common kababayan battling nostaligia in a foreign land.

Garcia, four subjects away from completing his Bachelor of Laws degree in the Philippines, found himself in a common proverbial conflict between providing for the family and achieving his dream. Suddenly realizing that there is no sense in achieving his dream without attending first to the needs of his family, he decided to come and work in Jeddah. There, he was sorrounded by similarly new and young OFWs ("Second Generation") as well as old-timers who have their own funny, sometimes sad, and at other times, in-dept, stories to tell.

In a nutshell, KAPENG ARABO is a narration of how living in Saudi Arabia has changed his own perception about his fellow kababayan and his country. In the heart-warming conclusion of the book, he said "...Nais ko ring isiping naging matalinhaga ang buhay ko sa Saudi. Dahil dito, kaya kong bigyan ng palaisipan ang kung anu-anong bagay. Ngayon, gamit ng aking malikot na imahinasyon, nakagagawa ako ng mga pagkukumpara at pangkahulugan, mula sa kalapating pumu-poopoo sa tapat ng aking bintana hanggang sa hardinerong pilit na bumubuhay ng halaman sa gitna ng ilang na disyerto." Proving that indeed the desert has its peculiar way of opening one's awareness and changing the way one thinks.

KAPENG ARABO starts with the author's questioning the concept of the word "katinuan." He claims the term is relative, saying "kung anumang gusto nating ipakahulugan sa salitang katinuan, siguro nga kanya-kanya na lang tayo," yet he is quick on stating that "...marami tayong paraan at sari-sari ang ating idea para matupad ang ating mga mithiin. Pero kung makuha natin sila na intact at kilala pa rin natin ang ating sariling pagkatao, yon! Iyon siguro ang maituturing na matino."

KAPENG ARABO is a mix of social satires (Pinoy's beholden concept of wealth, more often equated to material and commercial), funny story (how come one loses hair in Saudi), and a narration of the cold political reality (why Pinoys turn their back on the country). The stories are old and ordinary yet presented with warm, fuzzy heart, and sometimes with a twisted, black and rotten hate.

Written primarily to Second Generation OFWs and Pinoys abroad, even those considering working in the oil-rich desert will find important insights in the book. KAPENG ARABO is a narration of yet another fresh and true voice that will affect, disturb, enrage, or laugh at the Filipino in you.

ISBN No. 978-971-94140-0-1

To place orders, contact:
MANGO Publishing
2413 Taal Street, Sta. Ana, Manila
Telefax: +632 526 1057/ +63 917 496 3645/+63 927 264 0107
e-mail: mango_publishing@yahoo.com

To arrange book signing, contact The Author:
Mobile: +966 54254 3584
e-mail: ask_manny@yahoo.com