Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop -Kim.Yunjeong

Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop

Written by: Luis P. Gatmaitan, M.D

Illustrated by: Beth Parrocha-Doctolero

Year of publication: 2011

Publisher: Adarna House

 

From Prejudice to Humility

By : Yunjeong Kim

 

 “Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop” is written by Luis P. Gatmaitan. The author is a doctor, thus most of the books he has written, like “Kraaak! Nabali ang Buto ni Ferdie!”, “Oooppss Kumukulo Ang Tiyan Ni Jimbo”, “Naku, Ang Pula Ng Mata Ko!”, are related to health. Unlike his other books, “Ang Ambisyosong Istetoskop” has a historical theme as he wrote it in commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 150th birthday anniversary. However, he remained true to his style- that of using a health related device to tell a story, in this case he used a stethoscope as a narrator.

Prejudice and pride are common character flaws among people. Even this book’s main character, Istetoskop is not spared of this. He is made in Spain and he wanted to be famous. When he saw Pepe’s brown skin and small-built, he did not want to belong to him. However, he realized had a change of heart after he met Pepe’s other things. When he heard Teroy Thermometer, Popoy Forceps, Gringga Syringe, Pen-pen and Isko Scalpel‘s, Istet had some idea of Pepe’s advantages. Moreover, he became humble not only because of his friends but also through Pepe’s two novels: Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusteirsmo and by watching Filipinos and Spaniards.

This book wants to tell us about Pepe’s life for Filipino and to teach the value of humility. Istet had prejudice against people’s skin color and appearance. He also had a pride of himself because he was made in Spain and he wanted to be famous like other white people with good constitution. Another lesson is to let the readers know about Pepe is. The storybook is a good introduction to the life of Jose Rizal. Though it does not discuss his life deeply I think it is the author’s intention to encourage readers wants to find out more about Jose Rizal and his contributions.

Istet first was always negative in everything. However, when he met his friends who said many good things about Pepe, his attitude started to change. After he read Pepe’s books “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, he changed further. While he was reading the books, he discovered the bad Spanish priests. As such, he became kind to Filipinos and worked hard for Pepe to hear their heartbeats well. From then on, Istet stopped worrying bout his popularity but for Pepe. He became humble and shameful of his wrongdoings.

Illustrations are supposed to help in telling the story, but the first time I saw the illustration for this book, I thought that it was not doing that. The illustrator, Beth Parrocha-Doctolero, drew an old stethoscope that most young people would not be familiar with. So, when I first saw it, I did not notice that it is a stethoscope. I was thinking that children might not know what it is. However, when I saw that the book is recommended for teenagers, I understood the illustrator. The drawing is not for discussing the story but, it is to decorate the book and make the story more interesting.

As I said in the past paragraph, this book is for teenagers. It makes me wonder why he wrote it for teens. Teens usually read novels like Harry Potter, Twilight and others. When I read some information of the publication of Adarna, I realized why he wrote it as such. It is for teenagers who are not able to learn well or do not enjoy reading. The publication wants to encourage them to read by writing books within their educational standard. I am sure that this book will help them to learn about Jose Rizal and to study Filipino with English.

As I look back, I feel like I was also the same as Istet’s personality. I also had some prejudice and pride, but after reading it, it gave me a different idea of Filipinos, Jose Rizal. I learned the value being humble and being able to understand others. Skin color and appearance do not matter if your goal is to help people. While Istet's ambition was to be famous, we, like him, learn at the end of the story that noble goals such as sincerely helping others will also bring recognition.

 

*Yunjeong Kim is a Korean student in Miriam College. She enjoys spending her pastime in cafes doing scribble on a piece of paper. She likes to be exposed to a different her world by reading books.