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Heartfelt Reader Reviews of Batangas: My Sky and Earth—A Memoir of Family, Culture, and Heritage
Batangas: My Sky and Earth, released on September 27, 2024, has quickly resonated with readers, evoking heartfelt emotions and deep cultural pride. Below are reviews from those who’ve taken this nostalgic journey through Bong Serrano’s touching memoir, celebrating family, culture, and the beautiful traditions of Batangas. Jump to any of the review platforms below to read the reviews or leave a review:
Amazon.ca Reviews
Canadian readers on Amazon.ca have expressed their admiration for Batangas: My Sky and Earth, praising Bong Serrano’s vivid storytelling and the rich cultural exploration of life in Batangas. Reviewers have highlighted the memoir’s ability to evoke personal memories, with one reader even noting how the included photographs helped them feel more connected to the story. If you’re in Canada and have read the memoir, we encourage you to share your thoughts and join the conversation. Read more reviews or leave your review on Amazon.ca.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Excellent memoir”
I really enjoyed reading this memoir. It was so interesting to learn about the culture and traditions of Batangas. The photos added so much to the experience, helping me dive deeper into the story and its vibe. Definitely pick this up if you want a moving read that teaches you something new.
Amazon Customer, August 3, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Batangas: My Sky and Earth”
This memoir will always stay with me because it’s not just the author’s story—it’s also mine. The vivid descriptions of life in the province brought back so many memories. It’s amazing how Bong Serrano captured all these details, even from his school days. I can’t wait for his next book!
Gladdy Evangelista, July 30, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I support this!”
I liked how the book talks about my home province.
Jom, July 20, 2024
Amazon.com Reviews
Readers from around the world have shared their admiration for Batangas: My Sky and Earth on Amazon.com, praising its nostalgic portrayal of Batangas and the deep emotional connections it evokes. Many have expressed how Bong Serrano’s eloquent storytelling transports them back to their childhoods, bringing the people, traditions, and beauty of Batangas to life. Some readers even noted how the memoir sparked conversations with family members, reminiscing about their shared heritage. If you’ve read the book, you’re invited to join the conversation and share your own thoughts. Read more reviews or leave your review on Amazon.com.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Captured beautiful memories!”
Reading this memoir reminded me of my childhood in Batangas City. It’s packed with heartfelt memories and insights about our people. I’m so glad I bought this for my home library and got copies for my family too!
Leia Smith, July 23, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fellow Batangueños”
As fellow Batangueños, we were thrilled to see our hometown come alive through Bong’s eloquent words. This book is the perfect introduction to the foods, traditions, and quirks that define Batangas. If you’ve never been, let this memoir show you what we love so much about home.
Alex and Rowena, July 21, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Bringing the beauty of Batangas to focus”
This book is a love letter to Batangas. I teared up multiple times as it brought back my fondest memories of living there. It even inspired my mom to share stories of her own childhood. The mention of Wanam made me miss their lumpiang Shanghai!
Amazon Customer, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Batangas”
The author has captured the essence of Batangas culture so vividly that it feels like you’re walking alongside him through the pages. I loved the historical references and the pictures, especially the ones that show traditional clothing. This book is a treasure for anyone interested in Batangas.
Majella Venturanza, November 4, 2023
With Deep Gratitude: Thank You for Supporting Batangas: My Sky and Earth
“I’m forever grateful to everyone who purchased a copy in any format, made space for it in your library, and took the time to read it—let alone review it—thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
—Bong Serrano, Author
Facebook Reviews
Readers on Facebook have shared heartfelt reviews of Batangas: My Sky and Earth, often recounting how Bong Serrano’s reflections on family, heritage, and home have deeply touched them. Many readers found the memoir to be a nostalgic journey, filled with vivid descriptions that transported them back to their childhoods or connected them with stories from their loved ones. If you’ve read the book, feel free to join the conversation and share your own experience. Read more reviews or leave your review on Facebook.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Profoundly touching”
A gem like this book does not come out too often, but when it does it’s best to grab and enjoy it at once. Like an unexpected summer drizzle, the book brings fresh memories of a childhood long gone; when life was simpler, days were easy, and everything was slow and leisurely. Bong Serrano’s book is an insightful exploration of the rich and natural beauty of his home in Batangas, a small town south of Manila, Philippines. He delves into his experiences as a young man, weaving a tapestry of short stories while growing up with his family; his doting sisters, his ever-present brother, his devoted mother, and loving father.
Mr. Serrano’s poetic writing is informative; at the same time, tenderly evocative of his endearing love for the neighborhood of his youth… probably this being the reason for calling it his “sky and earth.” He narrates with a sense of nostalgia and pride, seemingly offering the reader an invitation to explore this wonderful paradise called Batangas.
Batangas: My Sky and Earth celebrates the heritage and beauty of the natural and cultural treasures of Batangas. The book is profoundly touching—an engaging read for anyone with an interest in Philippine culture, history, and the deep connection between the people and the land of their birth.
V. George Briones, July 22, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A love letter to Batangas”
Bong Serrano has crafted a beautiful tribute to Batangas. His descriptions made me remember my childhood there, and it helped draw out more stories from my mom’s own experiences. A wonderful, emotional walk down memory lane.
Ethni Allison, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Cherished memories”
This book is irreplaceable. It perfectly captures the childhood memories we long for but can never relive. Full of rich cultural details, it’s easy to see why Batangueños keep coming back home.
Josephine Magsino, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A nostalgic journey”
Batangas: My Sky and Earth vividly recalls the childhood experiences of a generation. Bong’s storytelling transported me back to forgotten places and faces from our early years in Batangas. I’ll be sharing this book with friends to give them a window into where I come from.
Roberto David Loyola, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Ala Eh pride”
As a fellow Batangueño, I couldn’t be more thrilled that Bong captured the joys of growing up in our hometown and why Batangas is so close to our hearts.
Rowena Geron, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A vivid memoir”
The descriptions in this book are so vivid that you feel like you’re there. The short vignettes give a personal glimpse into the author’s life and the simple pleasures of childhood, before the digital age took over. It’s a touching and emotional journey.
Marlene Gutierrez, July 20, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A wonderful revelation”
This memoir is a revelation! The author’s detailed descriptions make you feel like you’re right there with him. It’s engaging from start to finish, with no dull moments. A great read!
Maria Cecilia Lantin, July 20, 2024
Goodreads Reviews
Readers on Goodreads have praised Batangas: My Sky and Earth for its evocative storytelling, deep cultural exploration, and its ability to transport them back in time. The memoir resonates not only with those familiar with Batangas but also with readers who are discovering it for the first time. Each review reflects how Bong Serrano’s storytelling captures the essence of life in Batangas, from its rich cultural heritage to the simple joys of childhood. Read more reviews or leave your review on Goodreads.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Vivid descriptions of Batangas”
Batangas: My Sky and Earth is full of lavish descriptions that help place you in the action of the book. These descriptions showed the range of vistas and topography that were enjoyed by residents of the place. Short and varied vignettes of everyday life scattered throughout the book made the accounts more personal and colorful, giving glimpses of a more innocent era, where everything is new and wondrous in a child’s eyes; before mobile phones, computers and other electronic gadgets.
MG, July 22, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A rich cultural experience”
Serrano’s book mirrors the rich cultural fiber of Batangueños having to boast its rich heritage. While reading, I feel like I am being brought back to the years I was not even born. The book encourages the community to continue to fall in love with the story behind history. A must-read!
Carl Ivan, July 21, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Nostalgic and eloquent storytelling”
Bong Serrano was a childhood friend and the compiled recollection of his childhood experiences in his book, Batangas: My Sky and Earth, not only described his childhood but also the childhood of the Batangueños of his generation. It is a perfect depiction and a vivid illustration of how our contemporaries lived and experienced our childhood in our beloved hometown. His eloquent style in painting his childhood memories in words instantly brought me back to the Batangas of our youth.
Roberto Loyola, July 20, 2024
Indigo Reviews
Readers on Indigo have shared their admiration for Batangas: My Sky and Earth, appreciating Bong Serrano’s vivid storytelling and the rich recollection of his childhood. The memoir has resonated with those who lived in Batangas and those discovering it for the first time. They felt deeply connected to the nostalgic portrayal of growing up in the province, with one reader mentioning how they were transported back to their own formative years in Batangas. If you’ve read the memoir, you’re welcome to join the conversation and share your own thoughts. Read more reviews or leave your review on Indigo.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A very good read!”
B. Serrano was a childhood friend, and his book, Batangas: My Sky and Earth, offers a rich recollection of his childhood experiences. This compilation not only chronicles his own youth but also captures the essence of growing up for the Batangueños of our generation. His vivid and eloquent storytelling perfectly depicts how we, his contemporaries, lived and experienced our formative years in our beloved hometown. Through his words, I was instantly transported back to the Batangas of our youth, recalling nearly forgotten places and faces from my early life. Well done, B! I will definitely share this book and give copies to my friends, so they can understand where I come from and imagine what my early life in Batangas was like.
RLoyola, July 20, 2024
Share Your Thoughts
If Batangas: My Sky and Earth moved you, consider sharing your experience with others. Your review can help fellow readers discover this heartfelt memoir and encourage them to explore the deep cultural heritage of Batangas. Thank you for supporting an independent author!