By Jedd Francis De Luna
I’ve read a lot of books. Some were dull, some were exciting. Some were too realistic, some were too illogical. But only a few are grand and well-written. I can say that Reev Robledo’s “Gitarista” is an excellent historical fiction. For those who do not know, a ‘historical fiction’ novel is a fictional story that takes place in the past couple of years, decades, or centuries, whether the history may be true or not.
Gitarista voices the guitar virtuoso Alejandro Sebastian, a freshman of the Conservatory of Music in the Country’s State University and his story throughout the novel. Despite martial law and many other events that happened within 1975 in Manila, Alejandro was on a mission – to master his skill and to choose between the strings of his guitar or the strings of his heart.
With a high hope, Alejandro sets foot in Manila from Dumaguete hoping to perfect his art. With a single mother, a father whom he does not know where, a conflict with his mother and his grandparents, Alejandro finds Dani, a sweet violinist, who slowly caught his heart. But will it really be beyond friendship or a fatal catastrophe of the young virtuoso’s life?
Here is the trailer:
What sets Gitarista apart from the many others is the playful use of words that enables the reader to paint a picture of the scenes in their heads. It also gives a good cinematographic view; it’s as if it was meant to be a screenplay. With appearances of maestro Ryan Cayabyab, former first lady Imelda Marcos, and Hotdog band vocalist Rene Garcia, Gitarista will surely take you back to nostalgia Manila.
The book is highly enticing when you listen to the classical pieces and/or the hit songs from the decade; from Isaac Albéniz’s “Asturias (Leyenda)” to the Hotdog Band’s “Manila.” The most important factor in the novel is music itself. It is the root of the novel’s fruit. It is not surprising that Robledo would create this kind of a novel, considering his work as a songwriter, instructor, and musical score composer for various networks, including the top networks in the Philippines.
The only thing that I would like to negate regarding the novel is the way it was written. I noticed in the end that the sequencing of the story is a feeling of being rushed. I can sense the way the last few chapters and the prelude were very quick to details unlike the first few chapters. Also, the novel had a withholding action or as we know it as “bitin.”
I’ve known Robledo since I was in elementary and learning about his novel made me respect him even more, not just as his student, but as a poet and as a singer-songwriter. He made the novel as if it’s his newest addition to the masterful musical scores and songs that he has wonderfully made.
Robledo’s book recently won the 2014 Filipino Reader’s Choice Awards in the category ‘Fiction in English.’
Would I recommend you to read it? Yes. Gitarista is a page-turner with an intelligently designed plot and synopsis.
MY RATING: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 5 being the highest
“Gitarista,” whether it may be in hardcopies or softcopies, is still available! For orders and more details, go to the author’s website at www.reevrobledo.com.
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