Aside from answering our questions Rosita Pinkerton, author of An Igorot’s Journey, generously sent us a copy of her book which we really enjoyed reading. Here is what we wrote Rosita after reading the book:
I hope more Igorots will be able to read it because it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I felt like I was part of the journey. I laughed at the humorous parts, felt bad at the tough parts, and kept turning the page to see what happens next.
It was funny that when I was nearing the end of the book, I decided to read it very slowly because I didn’t want the book to end. I eventually finished reading it but look forward to reading it again. Soon.
One of the things that makes the book so special is the fact that it was easy to visualize. By telling your own story, I think you were also telling the stories of other Igorots. I’m sure a lot of us can easily identify with the seemingly endless mountain hikes, the sunflower leaves used as poultice, the discrimination by non-Igorots, life in the mines, the practice of communicating with ancestors, and the other things you wrote about in the book.
It’s hard to describe what I felt while I was reading your book but it was a very positive feeling. It was very much like what I felt when I first listened to Lourdes Gomeyac Fangki/Elmer Hull’s first album, or the first time I heard Ben Moga doing a report about Mt. Province on DZWT, or the first time I saw Marky Cielo on TV being proud of his Igorotness. What you all did is to put us on the map. And this makes me feel proud that a fellow Igorot has achieved something that we can all be proud of.
***
Meanwhile, here are the reactions (written in the book’s outside back cover) of other people who read An Igorot’s Journey. I must say that I agree with all of them.
Congressman Mauricio Domogan (Baguio City): As one who was born and raised in the area Rosita Pinkerton writes about, and having experienced similar difficulties in life, I am deeply touched by her story. Truly a vivid picture of life, discipline, and culture in the mountain provinces.
Dr. Caridad Fiar-od (Mt. Province State Polytechnic College): An Igorot’s Journey takes readers on an exciting journey while giving a very clear account of the Igorot’s survival skills, values, protocols, beliefs, and practices.
Lillian Cunningham (Windward Community College): The narrator is generous and empathetic as she learns how to live in unfamiliar worlds, and the tales she tells linger like memory in the reader’s mind.
NOTE: I can lend the book to Manila-based people. Email me or express your desire to borrow it in the comments. But promise to return it or else I will tell the whole world to not lend you a book ever. Hehe. Non-Manila based people, particularly those living in the First World, should buy copies of the book and give it as a gift to themselves or to others 🙂 It is a good gift for this coming Christmas season (which, as is often the case, already started in Manila).
RELATED POST: Interview with Rosita Pinkerton.
i tried to find the book sa jet store but to no avail kaya no comment muna
Phew, I missed a lot. It’s been so busy at work. I think this book is interesting. I’ll try to read it. Keep writing because I’m still reading.
Wow Bill! Your reviews will send readers to buy the book. Its beautifully put into words and I bet Ma’am Rosita is overwhelmed and really happy for it.
Nice to have you back btw!
Hi Nats,
Yes, unfortunately the book is not yet available in the Philippines. But one can buy it through Amazon. Thanks 🙂
Hi Kayni,
Thanks. Hope you’ll find some time to breath — as they say, “All work and no play” hehe. Hope you do get a copy 🙂
Hi Lovelyn,
Thanks Lovelyn. I’ll be very happy if you buy one, so she can recoup the free copy she gave me 🙂
Sir B, can I borrow your copy when I come home? Hehehehe… Pasensiya ta estudyante lang, oray no adda iti first world, songa bulod-bulod lang ti kaya. I promise I will return it back =)
All the best to Ms. Rosita Pinkerton!
Hi Layad,
Sure. Will lend it to you when you are here 🙂
meron bang 10% for you? he he he kasi mukhang marami kang nakukumbinsing bumili ah:) looks like that i might want to buy a copy. dapat may share ka sa royalty ha ha ha
I read this book and so did my mother and my sisters. To me-not so much with my sisters-it’s like reading my life story. In the book, she talked about life in the mines-I’m a product of the gold mines, like Balatoc and Suyoc Mines, and the buses plying the winding trails during the regular yearly trips from and to the mines to Besao. For those of you who read the book, can you imagine when they went home to Dandanak with the mom cuddling the author’s dead brother-was so sad. She narrated the struggle we had to go through growing up in a place and era where and when we Igorots were considered inferior. The dreams she mapped out were the same dreams we visualized to advance our lives.I admire the author’s braveness in sharing her life story which is really pieces of ours.It’s really an awesome book. A great read! And the good thing about it,it’s a true to life story. I like reading true to life stories. It’s more than worth my time.
Hi Abella,
Nah, I’m not looking for 10%. I’m just quite thankful that I was given a free copy. Yes, should buy yourself a copy. Thanks 🙂
Hi Juice,
I agree with you, what’s so special about the book is that it is very easy to identify with and to visualize. You sort of feel a kinship to it while you’re reading it. A great read indeed! Thanks 🙂
Just came from the “boonies” only to find out I have no internet connections. It was “hellish” at best!!
This is great for the people of CAR and requires widest dissemination. Will have to find me a copy. Cheers to all…and goodhealth also….
Hello! I am wondering if I can get myself a copy of this book as soon as possible for my undergraduate thesis. Can you help me please?