In Pursuit of Justice: Patron Saints of Nothing — by Randy Ribay




The book entitled "Patron Saints of Nothing" written by Randy Ribay, is published in 2019. It tells the story of Jay Reguero, a high school senior trying to plan his future after getting into the University of Michigan. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when he learns about the mysterious death of his cousin Jun in the Philippines. Struggling with his own sense of identity, having Filipino dad and a white mom, Jay travels to the Philippines to uncover the truth. Struggling with guilt for losing touch with Jun, Jay embarks on a journey to uncover the truth, facing family tensions, cultural differences, and surprising aspects of Jun's life. Despite the confusion, Jay shows his strength by confronting difficult emotions, seeking justice for Jun, and realizing that facing hard truths can bring inner peace. In the end, he learns that honesty and addressing tough issues not only heal oneself but also repair strained relationships, including the one with his dad.

 

The story truthfully discusses the difficulties in the Philippines, particularly with President Duterte's war on drugs in 2016 and modern technologies such as the PS4. It addresses social issues without being unfair to any group. It accurately describes places in the Philippines and cultural landmarks, making the story authentic. The characters strongly hold onto their values and emotions, motivating the main character's pursuit of justice and revealing Tito Maning's reserved nature. Even without pictures, the writing allows you to imagine the scenes and understand the characters. The characters are well-developed, and you can grasp their feelings and actions. The plot includes real facts that relate to more significant historical issues, making it interesting and relevant. Additionally, the genuine depiction of the characters' Christian faith acts as a bridge, promoting understanding and empathy while emphasizing universal values shared among diverse cultures and belief systems. Overall, it is a great book for young adults, offering insights into different cultures and addressing important issues in an engaging manner.

 

I would not recommend this book for Seventh-day Adventist schools because it contains language that is not suitable for a Christian school, portrays violent socio-political situations, and could potentially normalize same-sex relationships and illegal drug use. This portrayal might lead readers to think of these things as acceptable. It addresses sensitive subjects like the Philippines' war on drugs and presents viewpoints that some schools might find difficult to handle in their teaching. Additionally, the book presents a viewpoint that contradicts the court of law regarding the drug war, which could create confusion and provide misleading information about past socio-political events. The story explores family disagreements and generational differences, addressing topics that some schools might find uncomfortable to discuss or include in their lessons. It also shows how young people and their parents or grandparents perceive the world differently, which some schools might be hesitant to teach due to the sensitivity or challenges associated with these topics, and teachers may feel it is not their role to pass judgments on such matters.

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