Ang Piping Balalaika (Ba Jin) salin ni Joaquin Sy

   I recently purchased, "Ang Piping Balalaika," (I am unsure of the exact English translation of this title, 'pipi' means mute, and 'balalaika' is a Russian musical instrument) this is another translation by Chinese studies scholar, and multi-awarded Chinese-Filipino translator Joaquin Sy. This book is not available in major bookstores. I got my copies from a specialty bookstore in Manila, called Solidaridad. I heard it was a store owned by Filipino writer F. Sionil Jose, National Artist for Literature awardee. This book is priced at 300 Philippine Pesos, and published by Pambansang Komisyon Para sa Kultura at Sining. The book is soft-bound, and the opening page has some info about the writer, and also about the translator of the book. The book contents was written in Chinese (traditional characters), and Filipino. It has 8 short stories including the main story which was the title of the book.

This is a collection of stories written by Li Yaotang also known as Ba Jin. I have no clue who Ba Jin was. According to someone I know who is a Filipino-Chinese, and is a wide-reader, Ba Jin is one of the famous authors that influenced the May 4th Movement back especially his famous novel "Family". According to him it's a good book that laments about the staunch conservatism of Chinese society way back during the Republican era.

He further added that the May 4th movement in a nutshell was a student uprising that rebelled against the continued occupation of the colonial powers of certain areas in China under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. It was through the movement that the activist spirits of future Chinese leaders such as Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi and Zhou Enlai were kindled.

I have already read the first story in the book. "Ang Piping Balalaika." I was right the Balalaika mentioned is a musical instrument from Russia. At first, I thought it was an archaic Filipino word. The first story was a sad story, about memories, prison/prisoners, Russia, and a musical instrument. This collection of short stories is an easy-read, simple but the stories will remain in you. It will compel you to think, and ponder upon the stories. It will also open your eyes to the realties of the world...and yes! Oftentimes, its a harsh reality.

This is another gem of a book. Kudos to Mr. Joaquin Sy for translating the classic works of Ba Jin. Because of his translation we are able to enjoy a classic Chinese work. I recommend this book for every book lovers, and Chinese literary, and culture enthusiast. 

The Reading Room: Bai Ren's Lagalag sa Nanyang (Salin ni Joaquin Sy)

I have a few Filipino-Chinese related books. I got them wayback from Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros Manila. I am also fortunate to have known and met a few Chinese studies scholars and experts along the way. One of them was the translator of Bai Ren’s work, Adrift in the Southern Ocean, Mr. Joaquin Sy. This novel has a former title in English but I just chose to mention here the latter. I was supposed to do a book review, but since I’m just in the middle part of the book, it would be unfair. So I just titled this entry, ‘The Reading Room’. There are a bit of spoilers here.

This is the true to life story account of Bai Ren, and his experiences here in the Philippines, as a huankhe in Hokkien or huaqiao in Mandarin, it means an overseas Chinese worker. I’m sure that Filipinos will also hold this story close to their heart because we have a similar plight with the Chinese people back then. Most of the head of the family of many Filipinos today go abroad, in order to provide for their family, especially in terms of financial.

I have never read a book before written in our own native tongue (with the exception of short romance novels when I was a teenager, and other books that I got from KAISA). I have heard a lot of good reviews about this book in a social networking page, and how it was translated very well by Mr. Joaquin Sy. I've decided to buy one for myself when I went to a local bookstore, National Bookstore at Trinoma mall. As fate would have it, I found one! It is the lone copy at that time, so even if the book is not in a very good condition, I bought it. I've just put a clear plastic cover on it. (see the attached photo).

Reading the book, I can picture the scenes slowly unfolding in my mind. As if I’m watching a mini-series, or a movie. I like how Li Xin/A Song, in the story narrates  his every experiences. From their packed sweet snack, called hopia (usually a small round pastry snack, with sweetend mung beans filling, nowadays it has a variety of flavors), to the double decker bus, the swarm of mosquitoes, and the ‘vampires’ at night, the deadly bloodsuckers. I am now halfway, and I have met a lot of characters along the way. The Buddha-like owner of Asia Bazaar, Ang Taoke (Boss Ang), the three co-workers of Li Xing. Mr. Dy, the right hand man of their boss, a workaholic person – rarely takes a vacation leave, Mr. Lim, the cook a short and chubby fellow, and a distant relative of their boss, and lastly the big, burly man, Mr. Tan. (I've just decided to put a honorary title in front of their surname). I am saddened with the heartbreaking love story of Isha (a mestiza – half Caucasian, daughter of a white man, but her mom basing from what I read is Filipina), and Tan Sua. I also read, and learned a lot of Hokkien word, like apeh, achiak, huanpo, ahia, amah, koyi, huanna, huankhe, tsutyiya. I also stumbled upon good quotable quotes, “Ang luwad na hindi hinubog, hindi naghuhugis mangkok.” By Ang Taoke. This translates in English as, the clay that was not properly formed, will never become the shape of a bowl. I guess, he likened it to a person not properly reared by their parents, the child will soon be may be a wayward or a prodigal child. I highly recommend this book, especially to Chinese or Filipino-Chinese studies enthusiast like me, lovers of Filipino literature, or for those who just want to read a good Tagalog translated Chinese novel. This book is for you. Two thumbs up!