Let’s wait for the others though. Come on folks, three more letters to go

The quote attributed to you detracts from appreciating your newly purchased Ifugao huts, one of the most intricate if not the most intricately constructed of the Cordillera traditional thatched-roof structures.

I feel that you lack understanding and also appreciation of “the people” and the place with the following words attributed to you:
“The people there don’t want thatched roofs anymore. The youth’s biggest ambition is no longer to plant rice in the terraces but to go down to the city and drive somebody else’s tricycle. And these tricycles contribute to pollution.”

I feel that if you have better understanding and knowledge of the bigger picture, you will come to know that “The people” want to keep their heritage—thatched roofs and all. “The people” do want to keep the terraces ecology and maintain a less-polluted world. “The youth” after all are descended from the most sophisticated natural designers and builders that we can ever boast of as Filipinos.

If what you earn from your restaurants and businesses is what folks earn from planting rice, I have no doubt that many will opt to be “rice terrace ecologists” including urban dwellers.

Youth’s BIGGEST ambition is definitely not driving somebody elses tricycles or going down to the city. Don’t you think that a youth from anywhere in the Philippines, an Ifugao youth included, who has the same thinking capacity, social andeconomic opportunity like yours will not equal you in ambition and goals?

We all claim to appreciate the architectural structures that you purchased. Let words that are quoted from all our mouths reflect that we appreciate with wisdom.

Thank you.

But you’re right that he is not a hopeless case. No one is. So maybe this is what we will do, let’s all write him letters. The letter as you say, should be diplomatic. I think it is best if our letters are more about how we feel about his unfortunate statement and less finger pointing and name calling. Hehe.

Dear Mr. Cruz,
I found your statement about Ifugaos no longer wanting thatched roofs and no longer wanting to plant rice to be very judgmental. It sounded like you know better than the people themselves and that you do not want what the people are doing because it doesn’t fit your conception/stereotype of how they should live their lives.
Sincerely,
Bill Bilig

Hehehe, now its your (and everyone’s) turn to write a letter. You can make it as long or as short as you want. If we have at least 5 letters, I will really go through the trouble of sending it to him Thanks.

Hi Imakaiw,
Thanks for pointing out the links, I will add it to the main post so others who don’t read the comments will see it.

Hehe, my initial reaction was actually to ignore his statement but I guess its too late na (at least for me) because I still decided to blog about it. Thanks