Dear blogging community,

The shameless self-promotion continues!  In preparation for the book signing of “Lies My Yaya Should Have Told Me’, my first collection of humor articles from Anvil Publishing, on November 22 (Saturday) at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street, Taguig, I scoured and stalked out several blogs to see what they had to say about me and my yaya.

Apparently, bloggers have a lot of nice things to say. About my yaya.

Spread the word!

Namaste,

RJ

From XT of  http://xteaboi.multiply.com/reviews/item/21 (originally posted on Oct 13, 2008)

Witty! Funny!Despite the ambient lighting of the coffee shop, I decided to keep the aviator glasses to maintain anonymity as I was enjoying my time laughing hard through the pages of this book. I know somebody from the other table was calling someone from the Mental health institute to gun me with a tranquilizer. Bakit ba? nag order naman ako ah!

 From Jaslil of http://jaslil.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/lies-my-yaya-should-have-told-me/ (originally posted on September 16, 2008)

One of my favorite pastimes on weekends is to “tambay” in NBS. I can’t control my urges whenever I get my hands on books. Guilty pleasures, I call it.

I was actually looking for the book, “The 500 People You Meet in Hell” when an orange book from an obscure area caught my eye. Hmmm, RJ Ledesma — I have never heard of him before. Tita Jas said that he’s that little boy from the soda  commercial back in 80’s. Haha, I’m not that old to even remember!

Oh well, hearing Tessa Arriola’s critique of the man is already a guarantee of my money’s worth.

This guy is very articulate, not to mention the effortless gab he writes which makes his readers laugh out loud. I never thought that a man as smart as him could be a manservant for the one who has his heart (Arrrgghh! I’m jealous!) and would do whatever his yaya tells him to do. He exaggerates stories but I don’t find him corny in any way.

I hope he wouldn’t mind if I post this part that really really really made my tummy cramp. Boy! I thought I’d die laughing! This is by Tim Tayag.

If (the girl) emits a high-pitched, song-like laugh like “Ahihihihihi” after you crack a joke, it means, “The only chance you’ll get to sleep with me is when we have paid the national debt.”

If she emits a nasal and snort-like laugh like “Hyuck hyuck hyuck” it means, “Oh my God, I am strangely attracted to you even if you resemble a body part that is best hidden from public view, but I’m not ready to sleep with you.”

If she emits an unmelodic and grunt-like laugh that sounds like she is choking on her own saliva: “Ahug ahug ngef gaak” it means, “I am soooo going to make your eyes pop out of your head tonight… TWICE.”

Surely, RJ doesn’t need a cartoon to tell his story. And of course, what more can I say about his theories about love god-knows-where he got them! LOL

From Bendz of http://bendzg.com/2008/08/21/bibliophilic-orgy-cebu/ (originally posted on August 21, 2008)

His book, a compilation of news paper columns of some softdrink endorser in the early eighties who’s trying hard to sound like Jessica Zafra (just like someone I know…). It’s more of a trash than a book. I think I was drunk when I brought that book to the counter as i would never shell out 5 dollars for a piece of literary crap. I could have just read a Dean Koonts, who’s literary prowess is equal to that of a pothead. (Now someone would loathe RJ Ledesma with me.)

From Pols in http://pols.blog.friendster.com/2008/06/lies-my-yaya-told-me-not/ (originally posted in June 24, 2008)

Lies My Yaya Told Me – Not

For those who have been reading my blog, you may be familiar with the title of this blog artcle. I had written about wanting to read this book by RJ Ledesma but was surprised by the shipping fee that was quoted in National Bookstore. However, NP read about the story while she was vacationing in the Philippines and offered to get me the book. I am thankful for the kind offer and am now able to give a partial review of the book.

I say partial since I’m about halfway reading the book. As my title implies, the book may have been titled lies my yaya should have told me but the content and subject of the book is not about that. I’m having mixed feelings about the book since my initial belief about the subject of the book were wrong, I felt a little bit misled. Having said that, there were some statements that were tongue in cheek funny specially the irreverent use of people in the social scene as well as stuff that were familiar to my generation eg the aquanet hairspray which brings back some funny memories. Some of the subject matter are borderline bastos – if I were unmarried, I would suspect that these are the stuff young men would talk about amongst themselves when womenfolk are not around. Eg, he calls PMS – Permissible Manslaughter and the talks about the subject of Victoria’s Secret.

The way he writes stuff is akin to reading a blog but he writes the comedy directed mostly to himself and his girlfriend as well as some portions directed at the yaya.

From Nikko of http://maallen.multiply.com/reviews/item/2 (originally posted on June 3, 2008)

okay.i think the book’s quite good. every pages will make you smile though not all of them will make you laugh out loud.:p hnn..but yes, it will definitely make you understand the opposite sex more.this book’s got some green content and i suggest that only the open-minded people read it..or those who are trying to open their mind.:))

btw, RJ ledesma, the author, is a host from the show The Men’s Room.:) what a very self-centered guy..sya lang nakita kong sinama ang kanyang picture sa cover ng libro nya.iba to.iba.

so there.over all, this book is good, i should say, even if it doesn’t make you laugh out loud since you’ll still learn something from it.:)

 From blue of http://chinablue16.multiply.com/reviews/item/17 (originally posted on April 20, 2008)

Entertaining. Hilarious … as in.

 From Madonnarrific of http://madonnarrific.multiply.com/reviews/item/49 (originally posted on April 13, 2008)

After reading this book, I am convinced that RJ Ledesma is the voice of straight men everywhere. He writes what most Filipino men fear to even think, with a witty sense of humor that rivals that of Jessica Zafra. In fact, RJ Ledesma could possibly be the Filipino’s answer to the fictional Carrie Bradshaw.A known funnyman, RJ Ledesma proves he is all that in this book. He has the wit and charm of a horny teenage Catholic school boy [which I highly believe], but an intelligent horny teenage Catholic school boy at that. His essays are not only funny [it's one punchline after another], but it is cleverly written as well.

Lies My Yaya Should Have Told Me is a godsend to boyfriends. It is an anthology of his essays that were published in the Manila Times, but more importantly, a comedic manual that deals with the most mysterious creature in the universe – girls.

From JC of http://jcbpbayan.multiply.com/reviews/item/11 (originally posted on April 1, 2008)

If you’re looking for tips on dating in the 21st century, or just about anything about the opposite sex, this small book is perfect for you.Basically a compilation of his articles in the Manila Times and The Philippine Star, RJ Ledesma dishes out a definitive (and at the same time drop-dead hilarious) masterpiece, lavishly sprinkled with his unique style of humor writing. Also, it’s primarily dedicated to one of the most influential persons in his life (up to now!), his yaya. To get a first taste of how he writes (and how he just adores and loves his yaya) you’d want to read his column at The Star on Wednesdays (where I first discovered his prose).

Funny, witty, and informative, his style of intelligent humor, rare as it is nowadays, will definitely sneak up on you and tickle even your deadest brain cells. Even if you don’t have a yaya anymore.

 From http://deeya-07.blog.friendster.com/2008/03/lies-my-yaya-should-have-told-me/ (originally posted on March 20, 2008)

No, I didn’t have a yaya growing up. It’s a book by RJ Ledesma. We first heard about it on TFC in an interview by Ricky Carandang. I promised my sister I’d send a copy as soon as I get back to Manila and I did. I’ve only procured a copy for myself a week later upon my sister’s prodding and now I know why.

Been reading RJ Ledesma’s (Yes, the Royal Tru-Orange guy from the commercial in the 80’s) book which claims to be an “Imaginary Guide to Whine and Women” and I am totally laughing my head off.

He writes so vivid and hits me very close to the heart. Personally, I feel very enlightened. Enlightened in the sense that I have an idea what my boyfriend/fiance could be feeling/thinking during my “crazy” periods, confirming that what RJ’s plight as a man is shared.

Permissible Manslaughter and Anger Mismanagement are two of my favorite entries. I don’t want to spoil it for you so buy a copy and laugh your heart out.

Now books classified under humor (that’s where I found it in National Bookstore) are not always informative but you’d be fascinated with the facts he inserts here and there in his article. I found myself saying “ohhh” and “ahhhh” while reading and I’ve never heard myself say that with medical books.

It’s a good read. A little steep for a newsprint copy but I do feel it’s worth the entertainment you’ll get from it.

From Jessica of http://badgefenol.multiply.com/reviews/item/6 (originally posted on February 13, 2008)

I had the opportunity to meet the writer (and have my copy signed), thanks to my job! haha. Anyway, its a fun read, quite scientific (yes, mind you with scientific basis). A collection of thw writer’s broadsheet articles on modern dating, and of course women.

I suggest ladies should read it, you’ll get a lot of (helpful) information on this one. Aside from the most memorable line “Men are imbeciles”, there are a few which seems inculcated in my mind. There’s a meaning to the way a woman laughs, the high-heeled reality about being sexy and a lot more fun stuff that’ll give you a good laugh. I’ve personally learned a lot from this book (honest!).

This might sound like a promo rather than a review, but i’ll say it anyway, quoting the author “If you wanted to forget about the problems and the government for a while, you should read LIES MY YAYA SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME by Rj Ledesma”.

 From Christma Anne of http://prettyxma.multiply.com/reviews/item/25 (originally posted on February 13, 2008)

It is intelligent humor at its best. A guide to men dating in the 21st century.

From http://iamnotfrodo.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/pseudo-bookworm-on-overdrive/ (originally posted on February 4, 2008)

The word “yaya” is Filipino for “nanny”.

I believe this is RJ Ledesma’s first book. This is apparently a compilation of his newspaper column articles and a few essays.

I actually had a lot of high expectations for this book. First, because the author is a co-star of the now defunct “The Men’s Room” on Studio 23, which was an uber-funny show in its prime. Second, the cover, which showcases Ledesma and his goofy smirk, makes for the impression that it’s a funny, funny read. And third, it was a really thin book and yet it cost more than my Zafra books.

So anyway, after reading the whole thing, I thought it drastically fell short of being hilarious. I’ve read better stuff here! It would’ve been so much funnier, should it have been written by one of the editors of The Man-Blog. Sadly, it seemed that the Ledesma I knew from The Men’s Room days are gone. Either that, or he can’t fully translate that perverted sense of humor of his on paper.

Also, the articles didn’t really have much lies and “yaya” stuff on them as I thought, which could’ve been funny. Which is kind of stupid, I know, but hey, I’m a simple-minded guy. What can I do?