Frank De La Rosa’s A Touch of Life: Real life story of the author during the darkest times of WWII in the Philippines is like no other. The author first takes us to life on a remote island off the Philippines islands in the 1940s and 50s. Tales from the 40s and 50s are exciting, fascinating, and sometimes sad. The “time-traveling reader” experiences intrigue, especially when De La Rosa touches on his personal life. The reader gets educated on World War II, its impact on superpowers and other small countries, and how people survived the extremes. Growing up as a son in a poor family in a war-torn town of Panganiban was not easy, but that did not stop De La Rosa from achieving his goals later in life.
 
Reading about the political histories of different countries was educative. De La Rosa writes from an informed point of view, and one can tell that the experiences he had helped shape his understanding of life. Learning common words in the author’s dialect was fun to me. When talking about his Nanay (mother), and Tatay (Father), one could tell that De La Rosa immensely loved his parents. Born to a Roman Catholic family, De La Rosa grew up loving his siblings, parents, and the church. Nothing can prepare you for the tales that the author shared as he grew up during the wartime years.
 
The Philippines was at war with the Japanese between 1941 and 1945, and the effects of this war could be felt far and wide. The aggressive nature of the Japanese as they moved from one province to another, disrupting the normal life makes one wonder why man can choose to be violent towards the next person in the name of fighting for one’s country. I loved reading these stories as the author gave us his first account experience which felt a real as it could get. Reading about the Manila bombings and other killings was devastating.
 
Reading ‘A Touch of Life’ makes you realize how easily the innocence of a child can be corrupted by adults and happenings of the world. De La Rosa’s childhood stories were as fascinating as those during his adult. De La Rosa’s words are touching as any stories that he gave in the book were moving and emotive. I admire the author’s honesty when narrating stories about his life. You can see the real picture on the ground and how different life is in various societies. One of the biggest take-away I got from the book was that a humble background does not mean that one’s future is pre-determined.
 
Life for the author in America was different from back home but that did not make him forget his roots. I appreciate the author for drawing the comparisons and making the reader understand how complex global politics is. America is a central figure in world affairs, and reading De La Rosa’s book makes you understand why. Love and unity can only be achieved if societies work together. ‘A Touch of Life” will have you wish to visit the Philippines someday as the author’s illustration of the islands make it seem like the most beautiful place on earth.