The Boy with A Snake in his Schoolbag

A Memoir from Manila (Or Something Like That)

By: Bob Ong, Freely Abrigo (Illustrator)

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Hardcover | 2 September 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover
192 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
20.3 x 13.0 x 1.2

Hardcover

$19.75

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A Fascinating and Funny Coming-of-Age Story Set in the Philippines.

This humorous coming-of-age memoir takes readers on a journey from kindergarten through college and beyond, capturing the experiences of a young teacher. Set in Manila, it explores universal themes of friendship, love, school life, academic struggles, and personal triumphs.

A National Bestseller in the Philippines, the book includes lively illustrations by award-winning cartoonist Freely Abrigo, a concept artist for Warner Brothers.

Through candid, warm, and humorous essays, Bob Ong recounts his upbringing in Marcos-era Manila of the 1980s, blending satire and nostalgia with everyday experiences such as:

Fighting for a seat in a crowded classroom
Enjoying Nutribuns (UNICEF's nutrient-enriched bread for developing countries)
Discovering a 20-inch rubber snake in your schoolbag
Participating in a disastrous school production of Star Wars
Struggling to adapt to university life
Gaining new insights as a teacher

Whether you're reminiscing about schooldays in the Philippines or simply looking for an entertaining memoir set against the backdrop of a vibrant Asian city, this book offers humor, heart, and insight.

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