Witnessing A Humorous Expedition: Ang Pitong Tanga by Severino Reyes

Ang Pitong Tanga or also known as The Seven Idiots by Severino Reyes is a hilarious story about seven silly folks making foolish choices during their ridiculous adventure. The story commences by introducing the characters, namely Huwan, Kanuto, Aleho, Heremias, Tiago, Kosme, and Nikolas, as they enjoy a refreshing swim in the Rio Grande de Cagayan. Huwan suggests a headcount, notably excludes himself from the count, causing concern among the group, fearing someone might have drowned. Aleho follows suit, also excluding himself. They eventually abandon the effort and offer prayers for the soul of the presumed missing member. During this incident, Tandang Nano observes the situation and invites the seven individuals, known as the Seven Fools, to his home where the real adventure begins. 

The art style of the story is Folk Art, given by the fact it shows about the cultural setting of the Philippines specifically in the Cagayan of Luzon. The story offers insights into the Filipino way of life, particularly when they gather to eat around a single table, with a rural cat trying to join in the meal. It also portrays their daily tasks, including fetching water from a well, chopping trees for their kitchen, and collecting food from the forest.  Regarding to the medium, the illustrator uses pencils for the details and features of the characters and colored pencils for the scenery. The relationship of the text and illustration is symmetrical and complementary, it is evident in the story that the text and illustration are harmonious and mutually supportive with each other. Additionally, the details about the characters, like the rural cat during their bath in the Rio Grande de Cagayan and their hearty meal at Tandang Nano's house, makes the illustrations superb and well made.

I will recommend this book in the SDA(Seventh-Day Adventist) schools owing to the fact that, it refrains from any inappropriate content and simply offers amusing entertainment to the readers. The book teaches readers that idleness can lead to a stagnant mind. It emphasizes the importance of daily learning, self-improvement, and personal growth in terms of one's character and  lifestyle. It shows the readers of the importance of experiencing life to the fullest and it recognize the teachings of Ellen G. White about stewardship. Indeed, the book fosters a sense of community and celebrates cultural heritage, while also promoting values of appreciation, love for one another, self-respect, and encouraging readers to become good citizens. Hence, no matter how old we are or what we believe, the book motivates us to expand our knowledge and have a strong work ethic.