Para Kay B: It is Time We Discuss Ricky Lee’s Underrated Gem
Ricardo Lee, more famously known as Ricky Lee, is a renowned Filipino screenwriter and playwright. Among his famous works are Himala (1982), Anak (2000), and Moral (1982). In 2008, Ricky Lee launched his first novel. But despite his popularity, I do not think that the book was given enough justice when it was released.
Therefore, I would like to use this particular space and time to appreciate one of Ricky Lee’s most underrated gems: Para Kay B.
It is Not Your Usual Love Story Book
Para Kay B is on a different level. Instead of writing about love that will surely sell thousands of copies, Ricky Lee took the road less traveled. The book revolved around justifying this theory: only one out of five people will be happy in their love life. Ricky Lee dug through the depths of his imagination in order to support this. He tackled forbidden love by writing about siblings who fell in love with each other. In the same book, he also told the story of a woman who came from a world where love does not exist. This is what I mean when I said that Para Kay B is not like the usual love story that we are all very familiar with.
The Characters are Well-Rounded
Reading this book does not feel like I am reading at all. Realizing that Ricky Lee is a very skilled screenwriter, this just all makes sense. Getting to know Para Kay B’s characters felt like I was just listening to my friends who are sharing the latest happenings in their lives. They were well-rounded, authentic, careless, and flawed. Because of the author’s talent, he was able to create characters who talk, act, and feel much like how a real person should be.
It is Written in Taglish!
This one is for my conyo people out there— kidding! But honestly, using this medium made the book more relatable. Because of this, Para Kay B is that book that you will want to pick up for light and casual reading without the content being compromised. Moreover, this greatly helped Ricky Lee in writing life-like characters that will resonate with his readers. Additionally, he was able to comfortably deliver his thoughts and emotions and transpose them in his book.
Para Kay B is Realistic
Now, we bring it back to the first reason to complete the circle. Since Para Kay B wants to be different, unconventional, and controversial, it opted to be realistic. The author did not use the happily ever after trope to show us the different faces of love AND heartbreak, as well. The author accurately captured the essence of love and the sacrifices and hardships that are attached to it.
Being able to read Para Kay B in high school really helped me in navigating all of my relationships. And for that, I am forever grateful to Ricky Lee.
