Written Close Analysis in

21st Century Literature from the Philippines

Analysis of the Story

Kapitan Sino
by Bob Ong

Presented by:
OCAMPO, DENRIE JIRA N.
Grade 11 – ABM

Presented to:
Mrs. Abegail R. Gulla
Subject Teacher
 Kapitan Sino
Picture of the
Bob Ong Author
1. Author’s Background
Bob Ong
Bob Ong is a mysterious Filipino author that never reveal his true identity. He had a website in the
past: BOBONG PINOY, that was where he got his pen name Bob Ong. His biography was written in
his first book ABNKKBSNPLAKO?! (2001) though are as follows: Bakit Baliktad Magbasa ng libro
ang mga Pilipino? (2002), Ang Paboritong Libro ni Hudas (20013), Alamat ng Gubat (2003), Stainless
Longganisa (2005), Macarthur (2007), Kapitan Sino (2009), Ang mga Kaibigan ni Mama (2010),
Lumayo ka nga sa Akin (2011). He is known for using conversational writing technique to create
humorous and reflective depictions of Philippine life.

2. Background of the Work

Kapitan Sino is a fictional novel that was written in year 2009 by a Filipino author under the
pseudonym Bob Ong. The story revolves around Rogelio Manglicmot, an electrician in the small barrio of
Pelaez. It was the seventh book written by Bob Ong.

3. Character Web

CHARACTER WEB
(KAPITAN SINO)

MAYOR
BOK-BOK ROGELIO
SUICO

ALING MANG MICHAEL

TESSA
HASMIN ERNESTO

4. Characterization
Rogelio Manglicmot/Kapitan Sino
o The main protagonist in the story. He is an electronic technician who live in a small town
called Pelaez. He is described in the story as an average Filipino male and possesses
incredible strengths with association to the electricity.
Bok-bok
o Best friend of Rogelio. He is a fat guy with an incredible sense of humor which always annoys
Rogelio, but always has been welcomed as a family to them because he’s an orphan.
Teresa (Tessa/Teng)
 o Childhood friend of Rogelio and Bok-bok. Tessa is blind but in spite of that she’s
unexpectedly a good dress maker. Tessa also described as a beautiful young lady having a
small face, long black hair and short stature.
Mang Ernesto
o Rogelio’s father. Mang Ernesto was once a strong man until his sickness which led to him
unable to work. He also possessed the same power before just like Rogelio but afraid to
used it and believed that his disability was his punishment for it.
Aling Hasmin
o Mother of Rogelio. Aling Hasmin is a cheerful, supportive and loving mother and wife.
Mayor Solomon Suico
o Pelaez’s mayor. Described as a kind hearted and humble mayor of Pelaa\ez but soon
revealed as the Hairy Monster that abducts the victims in order to keep Michael alive.
Michael
o Mayor Solomon Suico’s only child. He is described as deformed human with a figure like a
hairy whale. He is sustained by blood of the victims of his father in order to live.
People of Pelaez
o The people of Pelaez are dynamic in the story. They include various characters such
as Aling Precious, Rogelio’s noisy neighbor, Aling Chummy, a kind-hearted widow and
Angela, a gossip queen and others.
5. Plot
There was a child who always buys a candy at Rogelio's repair shop. She did'nt know that it
was now a repair shop not a Sari-Sari store.
Hindi na kami nagtitinda, di ba?
There was a brown out in the town of Pelaez but shockingly Bok-bok noticed that the bulb
above Rogelio's head was electrify.
Pano mo ipapaliwanag yang ilaw sa ulunan mo?
As the story progresses Rogelio learned to control his ability and then decides to be a super
hero, persuaded by Bok-bok.
Sige, gusto kong tumulong, basta hanggang sa kung ano lang ang kaya ko
Everytime there was an incident of evil, Rogelio was always ready for help. He always
protects the people of Pelaez even in small things no matter what attitude of the people was and
named as Kapitan Sino.
Kung ganoon , meron talagang nanghoholdap!
Talon Rogelio…. Talon?
Kapitan? Sino?
Not knowing that the child who went missing was Tessa, Kapitan Sino went to an old Hospital
to fight the monster. He then found out that the hairy monster was the Mayor of Pelaez, Solomon
Suico along with his son who needs blood in order to survive.
Ikaw ang halimaw na pumapatay ng mga tao?
Ako ang halimaw na gawa ng mga tao.
Rogelio blamed himself for the death of his one and only love, Tessa. His father Mang Ernesto
came to cheer him up and confesses that Solomon Suico is his brother and also possessed that
power but afraid to use it.
May kapangyarihan ka pero, pero hindi mo hawak ang buhay ng tao
Kaya ko, pero tulad ng kapatid ko….. hindi ko kaya habang buhay.
 In the event for Kapitan Sino, Rogelio revealed his identity and was accused for the death of
Aling Chummy's husband for not saving him from Lung Cancer. He was then brought to jail
with his friend Bok-bok
Pinatay mo ang asawa ko, wala siyang ginawa para awatin sa paninigarilyo ang asawa ko!
There was an epidemic that was spreading in the town of Pelaez. Everyone was desperate for
the cure. As the blood testing goes on, they found out that Rogelio's blood was the cure.
We need him
Knowing that Rogelio's blood was the cure, a stranger stabbed him and fell to the ground
while the man dips his hand in Rogelio's blood for his sick child.
Na…. nakakapagpagaling ba ang dugo mo?

After his death, Pelaez becomes peaceful, and Rogelio is given a commemoration.

Nagtipun-tipon tayo dito ngayon para gunitain ang taong nagligtas sa ating lahat

6. Elements of the Story

a. Setting
The story happens in the small barrio called Pelaez, somewhere in Manila, Philippines. The
place is a slum area of the modern world which can be found today in the city. It also happens at the mid 80’s
and 90’s as the writer cite some examples of some products that associates with the 80’s and 90’s culture.

b. Point of View
Third Person Point of View (Omniscient) It is actually common in this kind of stories since a
lot of events happen without the knowledge of Rogelio. There will always be part in the novel where after the
exploits of Kapitan Sino, it will be followed by the daily lives of his neighbors.

c. Conflict
Man vs. Himself (Rogelio vs. Himself)
Man vs. Society (Rogelio vs. Community of Pelaez)

7. Figures of Speech
Simile
 Taas-baba ang dalawang kamay sa tagiliran na parang lumilipad na ibon
Metaphor
 YC is comfort. YC is fashion. YC is beauty in motion.
Personification
 Umaga, nakangiti ang araw.
Hyperbole
 “huh! Sirauuuulo ka talaga!” Umuusok na ang ilong ni Rogelio.
Apostrophe
 “Halikan mo 'ko, halikan mo 'ko na parang paniking uhaw sa dugo, Rogelio!”
Onomatopoeia
 “at ang bawat pagtigil niya sa salita ay may malalim at mahinang “wheonnngk” na feedback sa
huli”
8. Styles of the Author
a. Symbols
o Rogelio – a symbol of hero in our country that are willing to give their lives for the good of
society.
o Mayor Suico and Michael – symbolizes the legacy of politician that they treasure but that
is what actually kills people in the society.

b. Flashbacking
 “Pero hindi ako nagkaroon ng tapang na tahakin ang daan na pinili mo. Kinatakutan ko ang
responsibilidad na pasan ng kapangyarihan. Hindi ko kayang ipangako na hindi ko
magagamit ang kakayahan para sa pansariling paraan ”
 “Sabi ng tatay ko dati, wag daw akong malungkot dahil mga panlabas na anyo lang ang di
ko makikita, pero mas makikilala ko ang mundo sa kung ano ito dahil di ako mabubulag ng
mga anyo.
c. Foreshadowing
 “Brown out, patay ang mga radyo ng kapitbahay. Manghang – manghang itinuro ni Bok-bok
ang nakasabit na bukas na bumbilya. “paano mo ipapaliwanag yang ilaw sa ulunan mo?”

9. Quotable Statements/ Memorable Lines

 “Hindi hawak ng tao ang buhay, pero hawak ng tao ang kapangyarihan para hindi pahirapan
ang ibang tao.”
 “Sa pagiging Kapitan Sino kolang naisip na ang tanong ay hindi kung bakit magulo ang
mundo, kundi kung ano ang magagawa ko”

10. Themes
The story has several themes such as love, responsibility and sacrifices. But the most dominant in
the story was the responsibility and sacrifices because in order to do that responsibility, there are things that
should’ve sacrificed. In the story, sacrifices and responsibility was demonstrate when Rogelio take the
responsibility for the safety of the whole town. Even to the end, he sacrificed his own life and blood for the
people and for the good of town.
11. Cultural Implication
There is no cultural implication depict in the story.
12. Implication of the Title
Kapitan Sino is not just a name of a super hero literally but it shows just how our nation is, from the
corrupt government officials to the people who spend time trying to best each other with their riches, gossiping
and blaming other people for their faults. Also, aside from the name of a super hero, Kapitan Sino reflects to
each of us that belongs to the society and implies that there is no super hero instead everyone of us has the
right of what we can do for the sake our society.