Eating Fire and Drinking Water by Arlene J. Chai is one of the best books that I have read in recent months. In this story, finding the truth of her unknown past seems to lead Carla, an orphan who was raised by nuns from one mystery to another mystery. The interesting story keeps the reader wanting to finish the book in one sitting to be able to find the truth and identities of Carla Perez' parents. Carla was named after the name of the orphanage that took care of her when she was given up for adoption. I think this book is more or less similar to Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons, a heartwarming story about an eleven-year-old orphan named Ellen. After her parent's death, Ellen was raised in a foster home and that was when she had decided to adopt the word Foster as her last name.

I could remember vividly most of the events that were stated in the book. Even if the names of the characters and places are changed, they are very familiar. It's definitely a story with the fall of the Marcos regime as a backdrop. I could relate to that book because I was in Manila at that time when some of the events mentioned became chapters in Philippine history.

Chai writes with the insight of a "matanda". In a semiotic analysis that will defy explanation, "matanda", as a signifier, carries with it tons of meanings that is both static and dynamic, which brings me to another point. Chai writes for me, a filipino. Chai succeeds in reminding me, but moreover places me in the situation. You can explain to an outsider that "matanda" means elder, a person to respect, wise through the years of experience (where she explores the subject with more detail and complexity in "The Last time I saw Mother") as if there is some sort of equivalent in other cultures. Maybe there is, however, to understand Chai is to BE in the discourse of the filipino. A bit too high brow? Not really. When she speaks about anger, forgiveness, resolution and coming to terms - we all automatically assume that it is universal and it might be. However, Chai speaks to an experience that is unique to the filipino with all the complexity that this gauntlet provides. Let there be no mistake - I love her work. More for its social commentary and easy style, I highly recommend it to all who seek to understand the filipino psyche (in particular) and themselves (in general). She gives us (the pinoy) the complexity we deserve. Wise beyond her years and writing with a sensitivity (ok, guys lets be really honest here....) of a Woman's perspective it should be required reading in both Asian and Womens Studies. A triumph for the filipino, for women and for the human spirit.