Special Hybrid Discovered in the Garden of Pineapples

Taking you to an emotional roller-coaster ride, "Special Hybrid Discovered in theGarden of Pineapples" is a story full of sweet ironies. It is a narration of one's failures and triumphs; happiness and grief; loss and reunion. This story tells the humble beginnings of an Asian kid who, due to unfortunate events, had to try his luck in another land along with his family. Written by a voice that exudes passion plus the writer's subtle play in words, "Special Hybrid" goes beyond narration. It lets the character speak for itself—complete with some hints of humor and anti-character flaws. And yes, the story is just as intriguing as its title.

Pineapple Sam takes the driver's seat in telling his story. The narrator starts from the time his family moved to Hawaii from the Philippines in 1946. It is presented in a post-war context where most families in the Philippines are suffering from hunger and unemployment. These same reasons forced Pineapple Sam's family to leave Asia and start a new life in the islands of Hawaii. But everything is not as easy as it seems. Pineapple Sam's siblings, caught up by the unfortunate circumstance, need to stay behind. Pineapple Sam's reunion with his siblings in the latter part, however, tells yet another story of both love and longing which is marked by happiness in the end.

Life in Hawaii had not been easy for Pineapple Sam. He learned success through hard work and perseverance. Sometimes, he learned it in a very hard way, too. The story also reveals Pineapple Sam's high school life spent within the confines of Koloa Elementary School. There he learned his paper route business which led him to acquiring a second-hand bicycle, a faithful companion to his adventures. The story plummets into his life after elementary and his adventures shared with friends Wilson, Mando, and Randy.

"Special Hybrid Discovered in the Garden" is crafted from the minds of Ismael Tabalno who is responsible for creating the fictional character of Pineapple Sam. If you have been reading Pineapple Sam's adventure, you know that he comes from an Asian descent and is currently residing in Hawaii. Challenged to chronicle his experiences to avoid it from being ceased from his memory, Pineapple Sam has come up with a collection of stories that evoke bits and clues about his life. Tagged as "talk story" in the Hawaiian island, this narrative is teeming with enthusiasm and viewpoint about a life of fulfillment. Plus, it also gives away the same references to papaya and mango trees, Kauai Surf, and Hawaii life which you may have enjoyed from the past stories. With so much authenticity in voice, each chapter is irresistibly engaging minus the boredom of reading an autobiographical-sounding account.

If you appreciate rags-to-riches type of stories, "Special Hybrid Discovered in the Garden of Pineapples" is your cup of tea. It is a fictional take on reality and vice versa—something which you can surely enjoy amidst a cold weather and a cup of hot tea. But like what the author said in his introduction, if you do not know how to listen, then this book is not for you.