The time frame of these stories collected in this book, written in my column, A Cup O’ Kapeng Barako, has a span of four years. The beginning chapters began in the year of 2012 when President Barack Obama was campaigning for his re-election, ending in the final chapters when Obama in year 2008 ran for the presidency of the United States. But this book is not solely or merely about my opinions on politics. It’s also about my take on current events, and my Barako thoughts on people and things that affected me personally. This book also contained conversations with people through emails, who came into my life during those four years. Some of those conversations were heated and hated, but some were also tender and kind. But beneath them all, laughter abounds. For I write my column primarily for fun . . . meant only to be read by friends and comrades, and fellow Barakos. If at times I get corny, or my Pilipino English gets atrocious, they are puns intended, untended, and unintended, as in “batu-batu sa langit, tamaan ’wag magagalit.” For my mainstream readers and friends, that means, “stones-stones thrown up in the air, don’t get mad if they fall on your hair.” As y’all can see, I am a wanna-be humorist, dyoking a lot. Some stories in this book also contained glimpses of my personal life, portions of which, are also hilariously funny, but tender and expressing love in places. Okey ngarud, happy reading, Dear Readers. JJ

While in the Navy, he won three Chief of Information (CHINFO) Merit Awards for writing and the Thomas Jefferson Award from the Department of Defense (DOD) for a photo feature. He was also the recipient of the 2002 Pluma Award in Journalism from the Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc. of Chicago, Illinois. He lives in Seattle, Washington, where he writes his weekly column, A Cup o' Kapeng Barako.

This book leaves out the likelihood that many readers of Jesse Jose also like the way he writes. My Best and Most-Hated are both extremes. Where best lies is where many of his admirers are; those who smile at every wry comment he makes whenever he finds reason to do so, which is hardly rare. Most-hated would be a welcome avenue for those seeking to vent their dislike and contempt for this man who commands a big following in online media for all his irreverent commentaries. Bounding the most hated into a volume with the best provides a balance, an insight. And it is in that balance where we see the man behind the bottomless cups of Kapeng Barako. The stuff he writes about are fairly everyday occurrence. It is in how he writes about them that generates the loudest whispers and the hateful screams. His commentaries aside, Mr. Kapeng Barako is a pleasant guy who is wedged between the best and the hated, easily likable. The book should be a good way to while the time, especially when one cant make up who to like and who to hate; what to like and what to scorn. The book should provide the answer to that dilemma. Romy Marquez, Toronto, Canada-based journalist, Poet and Author This book is worth reading because of the author's unique style of writing ... that a reader is constantly mesmerized regardless of what subject is being told or critiqued. And it doesn't matter whether a reader agrees or disagrees with the author's take on the subject or issue, because it is cleverly written that there is no room between the words to be misunderstood or bored. In the end, the satisfied reader walks away with a smile. -- Ray Burdeos Galveston, Texas The advent of the computer era makes everybody think they can write and opine on everything. Many get the urge, very few are capable. Jesse Jose is capable and adroit in presenting his views on a wide range of topics ... they are meaningful, relevant and cogent. I like the passion and the fire in his columns and the way he tempers his heat with humor. -- "Doc Lee" Lagda Cypress, California