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When university student Lor Arce receives an invitation to write for an all-boys military academy, she is puzzled at the editor’s request. A seemingly inconsequential request evolves into an epic romance between Lor and the military academy editor, Ermin Oro. Letters are sent back and forth, and a courtship ensues revolving around the singular, pure admiration of each other’s writing.
Jastra’s novel is undoubtedly comprehensive, encompassing years of the characters’ lives. Set in the mid-1950s, amid the wreckage of World War II, the literature is meticulous with details. Though readers might relish more in-depth scenes featuring dialogue such as the “Moonlight Serenade” dance scene between Lor and Ermin, there is great clarity in setting up the timeline. On the one hand, Lor has already entered her professional career, while Ermin, who acknowledged he wanted Lor in his life, is fully committed to his cadet career. Lor and Ermin’s relationship experiences all the seasons of romance, from an instant attraction at the onset to heart-wrenching letters like “Most Sincerely.” Perhaps the most compelling aspect of this piece is the letter where Jastra switches from third-person point-of-view to first-person. These glimpses into the minds of Lor and Ermin are particularly insightful, giving the characters a personality beyond the expository description of their inevitable romantic journey.
Without technological advancements, audiences will find it remarkable how a relationship endured through the simple transmission of letters, which sometimes runs the risk of not reaching their destination anyway. Nestled between the relationship-dreiven plot are many other subplots, including, but not limited to, Lor’s rise to reporter in her journalism career to the devastating, permanent effects of World War II; no town, not even the scenic mountain town of Baguio, was spared. Ultimately, the narrative is a refreshing reminder of the natural ways of communication during a bygone time.