“AT FIRST BLUSH, I CLEARLY SAW IN PARMATA WHAT WAS, IN the words of our author, a 'negation of Tagalog/Filipino purism.' The term 'parmata' which connotes 'vision' starts the complete work in the language of the Amianan (Ilokano). Then in the text, itself, comes fluidly the language of Manila (Filipino), - and with both the language of America (English) and that of the Amianan (Ilokano) sprinkled throughout, this, somehow, makes one want to read on. This interesting linguistic style of R. B. Abiva makes him one of a kind in his field, particularly in this his one significant literary output - PARMATA. And as he has kindly encouraged me to do so, I use English to encode my thoughts about it and start by pointing out to this collection as a mirror-reflection of Filipino realities. You go through the pages and you are immersed in a kaleidoscope of human affairs, of brief experiences that define the common Filipino in a compelling language that holds no bars. The range of situations and feelings come to life as Abiva showcases family as well as individual and personal struggles to exist in this world that could be insensitive to yearnings and disappointments. With impressive literary skill, he weaves story after story so that not only does he deftly make man interact with man but with the forces of nature as well. He depicts parts of local reality in terms of socio-economic and socio-political problems in clear, descriptive language , so much so that you would feel like you were there either sharing or countering the events being accounted for. At times, maybe you could even feel like you were one of the characters themselves trying to survive in a world of injustice or unfairness. Human experience is so easy to sense and to share even if only in one's mind. But the truth is, one can also and really empathize. To make this happen, it only takes skill and technique and such is the literary prowess of R. B. Abiva; thus, the magnetic appeal he has incorporated into this book, PARMATA - which actually did appeal to me.”
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