Book Review: DUTY KA BA? by Tepai Pascual

It is a truth universally acknowledged that

1) a lot of Filipino families have lost loved ones during the pandemic, and

2) there are SO MANY good looking doctor-hunks in Philippine General Hospital (there must be something in the water?!)

AHAHAHA HUHUHUHU. I say these two facts with the confidence that comes from personal experience.

Like thousands of others, my family endured heart break and loss during prolonged stays in hospitals. Which makes me all the more grateful to the incredible Tepai Pascual (of Maktan 1521 fame) for creating this amazing series in the middle of a pandemic! When one is surrounded by so much heartbreak and pain, books that bring joy become unutterably meaningful.

DUTY KA BA? started out as a webcomic, but Vol. 1 was recently launched at the 2022 MIBF and fans just can't get enough!

The series focuses on Melba, the patient who falls in love with her cardiologist whom she calls "Tomato" because he turns red whenever he gets "kilig." (Argh, there is NO English equivalent for this unique feeling of romantic joy/embarassment!)

DUTY KA BA? is uniquely Filipino. Written partly as tribute to amazing health care heroes, the humor is full of heart, the flirtation witty and relatable. We are all Melba! Oh to be as brave as her in voicing out her admiration for whom she loves. In the midst of death, there is still (love) life.

"E ano kung hindi maging kami? Ang mahalaga ay nagkakilala kami."

(So what if we don't end up together? The important thing is that we met.")

* cue tears *

It is an altogether joyful blend of romance, profound wisdom, and above all, INCREDIBLE artistry. Tepai Pascual makes you fall in love with all the characters, and she draws them so well! There is incredible nuance in their expressions, which is not easy to do! And how she managed to capture the voices of various nurses and doctors is GENIUS. I can't wait for Vol. 2, I hear new eye candy... I mean, residents... are in town.

DUTY KA BA? is a gift to the Filipino literary community. 5 stars isn't enough! Just order your copy already, you'll thank me for the reco!

P.S. It should come with a warning: read a few pages sparingly, at a time, because you need to space out the laughs that will burst forth from you, after each page! Asthmatics, be cautious!

(Rated MUST READ 10 out of 5 stars!)