''Macarthur'' or the Red Book is a 2007 novel by Filipino author

Bob Ong Bob Ong is the pseudonym of a contemporary Filipino people, Filipino author known for using conversational writing technique to create humorous and reflective depictions of Philippines, Philippine life. The author's actual name and identity are ...

. It is the sixth published work from Ong. As with all Bob Ong's published novels, it is notable for its use of contemporary street Filipino words. It is also notable for its departure from the usual Bob Ong formula of using humor to comment on the various ironies of

Filipino culture The culture of the Philippines is characterized by great ethnic diversity. Although the multiple ethnic groups of the Philippine archipelago have only recently established a shared Filipino national identity, their cultures were all shaped by ...

. Instead, it offers a gritty, realistic look at life in a Philippine

slum A slum is a highly populated Urban area, urban residential area consisting of densely packed housing units of weak build quality and often associated with poverty. The infrastructure in slums is often deteriorated or incomplete, and they are p ...

community. The title is derived from a slang term for difficult-to-flush feces — a reference to

Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur (26 January 18805 April 1964) was an American general who served as a top commander during World War II and the Korean War, achieving the rank of General of the Army (United States), General of the Army. He served with dis ...

's famous promise, "I shall return". The cover's background, mostly obscured by the bold typeset of the title and by the red color, depicts a

toilet bowl A toilet is a piece of sanitary hardware that collects human waste (urine and Human feces, feces) and sometimes toilet paper, usually for disposal. Flush toilets use water, while dry toilet, dry or non-flush toilets do not. They can be desi ...

Characters

* Noel. Their family was once rich until a sudden slow down of business. He first appeared in the place on where Cyrus, Voltron and Jim were talking. It was indicated that Noel was just a typical college student who eventually stopped studying because he lacks the money to afford his college test paper. After a quarrel with her sister, Lyla, he was asked by his own father to leave his house, calling him a "good for nothing". He develops a good friendship with Cyrus' grandfather, Mang Justo, until he is shot (mistook for a monster) by Cyrus. In the end, he returns to his family and, although with doubt, is welcomed by his father, along with the rest of the family. * Cyrus. The youngest member of their group. Known for his habit of swallowing objects after stealing them. Cyrus lives with his grandfather, Mang Justo, to whom he donated his own kidney. Months after the operation, he accidentally killed his grandfather. * Voltron. Also known as Denver and Amadeus. His siblings are Stephen, Brooke, Joshua, Kurt, and Gwyneth. Voltron is skinny and has a big chest, small head, big hands and feet and looks like a robot that rains saliva when talking. He gets beheaded by a gangster. * Jim. He is 23 years old— the oldest in the group. He has a big body which can lift a sack of rice and a small brain which is enough to carry a foil that will burn crystal meth. He has a wife and son, and is persuaded to leave Manila for the province because of his family's needs. * Mang Justo. Cyrus' grandfather who works as a barber. * Aling Seding. Mother of Voltron who is an alcoholic and a gambler. * Mang Fred. Father of Noel who works abroad. * Aling Sally. Mother of Noel. * Lyla. Older sister of Noel. * Apple. Younger sister of Noel * Gweneth. Younger sister of Voltron. * Joshua. Younger Brother of Voltron * Olive. Jim's wife

Characters

Sources

See also