Book talk: Patricia Evangelista on “Some People Need Killing”

Over 200 people gathered Monday morning at the University of the Philippines Cebu Performing Arts Hall to listen to journalist and book author Patricia Evangelista. Patricia was in Cebu to talk about her recent work, “Some People Need Killing: A Memoir of Murder in My Country”.

The book is in the New York Times’ 10 Best Books of 2023. It is published by Random House, a publishing firm headquartered in New York, and is available in the country through Fully Booked. I was told there are copies available in the book store’s outlets in Cebu with Patricia’s signature.

The idea of including Cebu in her book tour came about in February when lawyer Cathy Alvarez, executive director of StreetLawPH --a legal service NGO working on drug policy reform in the country-- contacted me to ask if I could refer Patricia’s team to a reliable coordinator in Cebu.

I immediately informed my colleagues at the College of Communication, Art, and Design (CCAD) of UP Cebu, where I am a part-time lecturer in Journalism and Media Law. In response, CCAD promptly formed an organizing committee, headed by our Communication Program coordinator, Dr. Crina E. Tañongon.

This non-fiction book was measured as it was unsettling. After reading the story of Lady Love in Chapter 1, I found myself needing to take a break just to catch my breath. The writer weaves the narrative with a deliberate pace, each sentence unfolding with precision. You could almost feel the texture of a worn armchair and the tension in a whispered conversation. You could almost hear the door slam, watch the streetlight flicker, and see a mother's hands tremble.

The book does not preach; it shows. It does not impose or make moral judgments; instead, it uses detailed and measured prose to allow readers to experience the story firsthand. This approach not only stirs the soul but also commands attention to the harrowing realities of Duterte’s drug war.

Some people need healing; in fact, this nation needs healing, and it starts by looking in the mirror at the layered realities our country faces. In my welcome remarks during the event, I mentioned that the book reveals the nuanced interplay of socio-political factors, which extend beyond a simple binary of right and wrong. Patricia’s book exposes the complex web of accountability, power, human vulnerability, and disempowerment that define our nation’s ongoing struggles.

Joining Patricia on stage later after her talk was Professor Mayette Tabada of UP Cebu. In this conversation, Patricia spoke about the intense effort required to bring the book to life and stressed the importance of speaking up when witnessing injustices.

The discussion also touched on the power of storytelling. Patricia remarked on how compelling narratives can influence major events and shape public opinion, as seen in Duterte's rise to power. “I think what is most valuable is that stories are powerful things. They can elect presidents, they can launch wars,” she said. She also expressed hope that the stories in her book could inspire change and provide a sense of hope.

In the open forum that followed, Patricia was asked about the potential for a Hollywood adaptation of her book. She was cautious, emphasizing her responsibility to protect the integrity of the real-life stories she tells. She detailed her careful approach to writing, aiming to make readers visualize the harsh realities without sensationalizing them.

When asked about her advice to aspiring journalists and storytellers, Patricia has this to say: “Go out and see. Ask the questions. Stay an hour, stay four hours. Ask about everything. A traumatic incident is not fundamental in a human being. The best way to understand is to ask about everything. ‘And then what happened next?’ ‘Could you tell me the story?’ those are my favorite questions.”

She also highlighted the emotional toll of trauma reporting and the importance of community support among journalists. “I was lucky in the drug war coverage (because) I was not alone. There were other reporters with me. You have each other’s back. You have fact checkers, etc. You must lean on everyone else,” she said.

Patricia concluded by reinforcing her view that responsible journalism should humanize and clarify, not obscure. She emphasized the need to discern and listen. 'Keep a record,' she wrote in every copy of the book brought to her for signing that Monday morning.