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But in all seriousness, I think the most effective and best reading program any government could have is the availability of more engaging books. 

If readers like what they read, they would buy, borrow, or steal a book, and find time to enjoy literature on their own. 

As kids acquire the habit, reading groups and book clubs can be established, whether school-, community-, or church-based. 

These groups can then meet weekly to hang a critic or two.  That is as a result of realization that critics actually scare readers away by showing them that reading may turn people into stuck-up literary buttheads. 

Critics may only be saved if they recant beliefs like (1)they matter, (2)what they do makes young Filipinos choose books over TV, PSP, Ipad, and the Internet at least once in a while, and (3)they’re qualified for their job.
 
You’re not very fond of critics. Why?
I have yet to hear direct negative reviews from established critics.  Right now there’s just bloggers and reviewers who need to boost their self-esteem by telling everyone that their taste is different and they’re reading books that only they read. 

I think it’s counterproductive.  They are not happy that more people are now reading.  Instead of encouraging young Filipinos to enjoy books, they’re telling the new readers that they’re hopeless because they’re not reading the books that have their (‘critics’) seal of approval. 

It’s basically immaturity and childishness enjoying group sex with arrogance and ignorance.   I wish somebody soon would produce the great Filipino novel worthy of critics praise and wide readership, I wish for that infallible book—no, books—to come soon.  But while we’re waiting, I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to just keep our youths comfortable with reading and acquainted with books—any book.  Don’t you agree?

How is the typical day for “Bob Ong” like? Are you working on your book projects full time now?
I work full time every single day of my life.  (See Stainless Longganisa, page 87.)
 
Now, you are known for being extremely reclusive. But just for fun, when were you last out in public?
The extremely reclusive part is a myth.  I’ve met a lot of my readers around the time of my first book.  I think we’ve got that covered in Ruel de Vera’s interview (PDI), but I’m not sure.  I don’t attend such occasions. 

But I was in one Visprint event, and I visited the Visprint booth during last year’s book fair.  Also, a couple of weeks ago I was in Mercury Drug and the cashier made me wait for some time because she was busy reading my (2nd) book.

Has anyone close to you read your books and went “Hey, I know this guy! I used to work with this guy/ he is my cousin / that sounds like he’s my grade school classmate!” or anything?
No, no such thing.  I’ve learned that people who knew me have very bad memories.  I feel lucky and very insignificant at the same time.

In your new book, do you have any characters which closely resembles you (in terms of personality, situation, etc)? Who and how can you say so?
At least in small part, Galo and I share some traits.  My editor couldn’t tell which parts of the manuscript were mine and which were lifted from the journal.

With 8th book now out in the market, any hints on what your 9th book/project going to be like?
This is the first time that I’m having a hard time choosing which of the books lined up in my head should be written next.  But I’m currently in talks in writing a movie that is not about my previous works, and my return to non-fiction is just around the corner.  Of course, these are all just plans and nothing is sure until I’ve finished a manuscript.

What did you first buy with your first every royalty check? Do you still write longhand?
I enrolled in a crash course on electronics and bought a cheap inkjet printer to replace my dot matrix.  Do you mean longhand as a noun or an adjective?  I stopped writing longhand in Grade 6.  My drafts are 25% in longhand (pen-paper) and 81% typewritten (word processor).  Sorry, I don’t know how to use a calculator.

Thank you so much!  Any message to our readers?
(To my readers:)  I didn’t write “those” quotes.  I am just one person.  I am not yet dead.  Buy my books.  Buy other Filipino books.  Read them all.  (To Filipino book readers:)  Buy Filipino, read Filipino.  No matter how highly you think of international writers, you still owe local authors support because you are a Filipino.  Don’t take pride in the quantity and quality of books you read, take pride in what those books have made you.  And regardless of your beliefs, no self-respecting book lover should pass up on the experience of reading the Bible from cover to cover at least once.  Thanks.  Happy New Year!