Smaller and Smaller Circles: A Thriller Tackling the Philippines’ Lows and Truths
Movie Poster for 'Smaller and Smaller Circles' Adaptation
Felisa Batacan’s debut and only novel to date is my favorite read throughout the course of this year, thus far, despite moments wherein disappointment and dissatisfaction hit me, especially nearing the end.
Our neighborhoods are too congested, our neighbors too noisy, our families too tightly knit for secrets to be kept and allowed to fester.
Page 44 of 'Smaller and Smaller Circles'
This chilling story of a murder investigated by priests and forensic anthropologists Father Saenz and Father Jerome is set in the summer of 1997, taking place in Manila wherein corruption, poverty, and negligence from the government is at their high. F.H. Batacan manages to keep her readers at the edge of their seats and feeling goosebumps up their spine while also bringing light to the disheartening cases of poverty in Manila, which has sadly grown to be seen as normal in the country’s society.
Scene from TBA Studio's Film Adaptation
POVERTY
It is national knowledge to most Filipinos that the country is not exactly fit to be defined as expensive or rich if not for its natural surroundings, but the fact that over 58% of families in the Philippines as of this year fall under the lower class category seems to have grown overlooked by many and treated as usual.
Isang kahig, isang tuka, one scratch, one peck: a day’s work for a day’s food.
Page 64 of ‘Smaller and Smaller Circles’
We have become so much accustomed to watching small and malnourished kids begging and working odd jobs in the streets and dump sites of the city that it is only when their lives are put into specific detail that it hits us how despairing the society and government have to be for this kind of lifestyle to be lived by the majority of the nation.
It’s shattering; when the scholarships dried up, Alex’s abuser had manipulated the situation, used the family’s poverty and need to keep him in school so he would have ready access to him.
Page 285 of ‘Smaller and Smaller Circles’
While flipping from one broken family to another, taken of a son by a murderer, I note how many what-ifs had crossed my mind.
What if Alex did not need a scholarship to finish school? What if Binang had afforded enough help to raise her son Lino? What if these women had afforded a divorce from their abusive husbands? What if they had a way out?
Fathers Lucero and Saenz played by Sid Lucero and Nonie Buencamino
ABUSE
The Philippines is a highly religious country with more than 83% of its population being Roman Catholics and growing up in families that provide church as a second home for their children.
However, I think there is a clear difference between mere misconduct and crime. — I think as soon as a priest crosses the line into molestation and sexual abuse, it becomes a civil matter, a law enforcement matter, and a matter for the country’s courts.
Page 83 of ‘Smaller and Smaller Circles’
There is a kind of cowardice in people, I think, and their act of keeping silent and blind over the crimes so regularly committed by priests upon the nation’s youths, not only among Catholics but also among other religions. This not only goes to civilians and regular church-goers but also to those in power refusing to take due justice.
Though I wished there was more of a plot twist towards the ending and who the killer ended up being, Batacan was still able to amaze and hook me with her direct and chilling storytelling. Reading this book during the rainy seasons in Manila was one of the most enjoyable decisions I’ve made this year, and I highly recommend it.