Teddy Baguilat Says, "Thank You". We Say, "We’ll Be Watching You"

Here’s a cool letter from Ifugao Governor-Elect Teddy Baguilat which was forwarded to us by a friend:

yo people of ifugao!

i’m back after a gruelling 45-day campaign and a few days of tense moments waiting for the official proclamation. so at the moment, i’m on vacation.

before anything else, thank you to all our supporters and well-wishers. i cannot thank you enough for your volunteerism and donations to our campaign. rest assured that i will do my best to work hard in fulfilling our platform of good governance and developmental pursuits.

the people have spoken so let’s put the bitterness and animosity of the previous months to rest. for no matter how much we protest and regret the election results, it is the voice of the majority that triumphs in the end.

to all my detractors and critics, thank you for representing the “other” side. this is part of democracy that ifugao is proud of. we were one of the few provinces where elections where generally peaceful and honest. thus, free exchange of ideas is important to safeguard our democracy.

it is my request that we treat each other with respect. as governor-elect, i shall assume the role of your father and thus as the father of the province, i treat my children with fairness and hope that the children accord the father the respect he deserves.

again, thank you for all your support. i hope to see you in the future.

teddy brawner baguilat jr.

—–
Okay, so that’s the letter. Well, we are not from Ifugao but we are going to pretend that we are and shamelessly respond to the Governor-Elect: “Yo Teddy! Congratulations! We will be watching your moves as the father of Ifugao. We will certainly give you the respect you deserve as long as you don’t disappoint your children. Also, after your vacation we hope you will visit the family of Harvey Bumangit, our kailiyan from Aguinaldo, Ifugao who died because of this elections. Thank you.”

RELATED POSTS: Ifugao Election Results; Cordi Poll Roundup: 01 May 07; Cordillera List of Candidates; Are Politicians Too Powerful For Your Own Good? PHOTO CREDIT: League of Provinces.

34 thoughts on “Teddy Baguilat Says, "Thank You". We Say, "We’ll Be Watching You"”

  1. first mistake: “Governor = father of province, citizens = children”???????????????

    An elective post is not a position of power, it’s of service.

    This father-children thing is NOT an apt analogy.

  2. I’m back from a gruelling (but enjoyable) travel in the European continent.

    I agree with the posted comments . The governor-elect isn’t careful with his choice of words. He can’t be the “father of the province.” The use of the word “father” – as in “father of a country”- has a broad historical connotation.

    I first saw the phrase when I read about George Washington, who was often referred to as the pater patriae of the United States, for his great role in the founding of the country.

    An elected official calling himself the “father of the province” is doing a bit of a stretch.

    Mandy M. Dornagon, Esq.
    Attorney at Law
    http://www.attydornagon.com

  3. Ted B needs to hire a good media consultant to monitor what he says to the public. Most us of knows him to be a good person and he can’t afford to make any more cavalier comments that are deemed borderline. Besides, he’s only in his 30’s. He needs to consume more cavans of rice before making such statements..goodhealth.

  4. Ted B. is a journalist would that be different from a media consultant? Also he is in his late 30’s…

  5. yeah, the “father” imagery is a bit over the top and probably misused in the political sense. however, he might be referring to “father” in the biblical (Abraham, “prodigal son”, Joseph, etc) sense. I’ve heard many Father’s Day homilies over the years in a similar vain. he seems to have good intentions, I just hope that he SERVES the people by providing and protecting for them, and deciding and acting with fairness and moral conviction.

  6. hi Nashman,
    Good observation! We plead guilty for uncritically repeating Ted’s not at all apt language 🙂 Thanks.

    Hi Mandy,
    Welcome back! We’re glad you enjoyed your travels. Thanks for that historical tidbit about the phrase :-). I agree it’s a bit of a stretch.

    Hi TruBlue,
    Thanks. LOL re those cavans of rice. Or more obi/camote which used to be the main staple of us highlanders.

    Hi Anonymous,
    Thanks for that info. Didn’t know he’s also a journalist.

    Hi Anonymous,
    Agree with you in hoping that he will serve the people well.


    Well folks, I think that was an unfortunate (but forgivable) faux pas by our youngest governor from the Cordilleras. But as some of you have commented here and in other threads, he seems to have a good reputation as a public servant. We hope he stays that way.

  7. Copied from the Mt. Province thread:

    Re: Teddy Baguilat’s election as Ifugao Governor

    arcibald said…

    wow that’s good. met him once in bohol in one of our projects for world food day there. very unassuming.

    also remember his fund-raising activity in manila which i was not able to participate in – for a lack of free time and free funds. it was, i believe, a 2,000 peso lugaw. would vote for him still if i were a registered voter in ifugao.

  8. OMG! A governor-elect addressing his constituents with a “Yo” and he’s supposedly a journalist?! And he couldn’t find better words to address the people he will be SERVING?! Ahem, excuse, me, it’s a public office he won, not a kingdom. LOL…forget the rice, he needs a slice of humble pie. OK, I’ll excuse him for his age…but he better mature fast!

  9. I agree with Omom’s comments.

    The use by the governor-elect of “yo” doesn’t seem right. He could have used a better word of greetings to his constitutients.

    “Yo” is often heard in the “black” enclaves in Brooklyn & Philadelphia.

    Perhaps, the governor-elect is putting into little practice what he learned from his ancestors. You see, his middle name is “Brawner.” Get my point?

    Mandy M. Dornagon, Esq.
    Attorney at Law
    http://www.attydornagon.com
    Author, “A Guide to U.S. Visas for Filipino Professionals.”

  10. I’d like to think that Mr Bill Billig just “coined” that salutation..hahaha…..
    Most comments I’ve heard about him is quite favorable EXCEPT that “father” thing. Again, maybe someone wrote that letter for him without editing it.
    He won, so let’s hope for a progressive Ifugao. Cheers.

  11. There are a lot of politicians who speaks with eloquence and they are usually “TRAPOs”. We should not judge the governor by the way he chooses his words, after all this is a free country. Is “YO” derogatory? I don’t think so!

    Atty. Dornagon,

    Even if we are free to express our opinions. We should also be responsible and cautious in giving our views. I think you are taking things very personal here.

    What’s wrong being “black”? Do i sense “bigotry” here?

    FYI, Gov. Baguilat, during his first term as a Governor of Ifugao, launched a scholarship program for his constituents. I think when he ran for reelection and lost to Gov. Cappleman. He continued the program.

    Gov. Baguilat, Ifugao need not a father or a servant. Ifugao needs someone who has the compassionate heart for the people and eyes for true Ifugao development! I know you can; )

  12. I don’t think Atty. Dornagon expressed any insinuation of “bigotry.”

    Atty. Dornagon puts his words rightly. As a lawyer and writer, he knows the limits of written words.

  13. Mr. or Ms. Anonymous (and please identify yourself and not hide behind the cloak of anonymity): There’s nothing wrong being black.

    I certainly didn’t mean any bigotry in my comments. Anyway, my apologies.

    Mandy M. Dornagon, Esq.
    Attorney at Law
    http://www.attydornagon.com
    Author, “A Guide to U.S. Visas for Filipino Professionals”

  14. Mystery plays a big role in our lives. Thus, I will keep my anonymity. I have nothing personal with you, Atty. Dornagon, and my apologies. : )

    Anonymous,

    Not because they are lawyers, they know their limits. Sometimes, lawyers talk too much (I am not referring to our lawyer, Atty. Dornagon here). I have lawyer grandfathers and uncles, who are very opinionated and love discourses (they often forget their limitations) even outside a court and/or a moot court (hehe!) and they really bore me to death or to be more specific drives me crazy (sharing personal sentiments, eh) Don’t get me wrong, I took up law (my first love) and have lawyer friends as well who are honest and very good.

    This “Yo” and “Father Image” issues should not bother us and create animosity. Let us leave Gov. Ted B., alone. And talk about more sensible issues. 😉

    Ms.Tery

  15. There’s nothing wrong with his use of the word “yo”.

    At least he eliminated the superficial formality and pompousness of politicians.

    We can perhaps converse with him “Yo, governor, kumusta ngay diay project tayo….” instead of “Your Honorable Highness Governor Mark Lapid, sir, pwedo po bang makiraan…”

    But one can perhaps glean from the analogy he used how he intends to rule as Governor. “Father” conjures images of Turkmenbashi, Mugabe, and de Gaulle.

    But at least all opinions show he is a good man and hopefully he just used the wrong adjectives.

  16. Hi kailiyans,
    Thanks everyone for your comments and for making this discussion interesting. Thanks Omom and Mandy for pointing out that “Yo” is an inappropriate word for a Governor-elect to be using. Initially, I thought it just meant “Hi” but now realized that there is a cultural/generational/social context to its usage which I was not aware of. I’d like to think though that the Governor-elect was also not aware of this context.

    Now, wouldn’t our region be a much better place if the only thing we can argue about regarding our politicians/government officials is their use of words rather than their corruption and inefficiency? As some have pointed out, Gov-elect Baguilat to his credit has a good image as a public official. We hope he stays that way and that, in the future, we will only be critiquing his use/misuse of words and that we won’t be criticizing him for his use/misuse of public funds because there is nothing to criticize in this regard.

    For what its worth, I agree with Anonymous (11:47) that Atty. Dornagon wasn’t being a bigot when he told us about where the word “yo” is often used.

    Oy, Ms. Tery, nice name you’ve got there. Yo, I like it. Thanks again kailiyans.

  17. Hi Bill,

    Let me add my voice to this “yo” thing. I just read all the posted comments and agree with you that Atty. Dornagon wasn’t being a bigot when he mentioned how “yo” is often heard or used.

    I once met Atty. Dornagon in Manila to seek his legal advice. He’s a refined, U.S. educated and highly recognized Filipino lawyer, and the only Igorot of his kind that I know.

    Bigotry is far from his mind. Trust me.

    Mars Panganiban

  18. Cool! Found your site while surfing the net.

    Mr/Ms Anonymous (or Mr/Ms Mysterious as he/she prefers to be called) raised a point in his/her comment despite its bad grammatical syntax.

    True, there’s nothing wrong being “itim” like the “puwet of my lola’s kaldero.” LOL

  19. Hi Mars,
    Thanks Mars. I haven’t met the good attorney in person but I’m sure I will agree with you 🙂

    Hi Ms. Tery,
    Yo! Thanks 🙂

    Hi Anon (5:33)
    Thanks. Oo naman, it’s mostly us colonized Filipinos who think that it is bad to be black. That’s why skin whitening products are selling like hotcakes. Sad no? Thanks again. Hope you continue to join us 🙂

  20. wow i just read the speech of our newly elected governor of ifugao im amazed it’s kinda a unique one,hopefully you can do your job well Mr.Baguilat that no more shame will be given to our town during your term,watch your words!

  21. Hi Anonymous,
    We’re with you in hoping that he’ll do good and not bad. Konting correction lang, it was actually a letter and not a speech 🙂 Thanks.

  22. From my point of view, it’s not a mistake to make such symbolism or imagery. In our God-given free-will and free expression, the Governor has the freedom of addressing his own constituents in a manner that is not too formal and too authoritive, knowing the psyche, mentality and culture of Ifugaos. Hence, using the symbolism or imagery of “Father”, to me, is even much better because “father” connotes love and care that are expected from children (instead of the use of citizens), as well as love and respect from children that are needed in Ifugao’s peace and order, good governance, progress and prosperity through love, care and respect between “Father” and “Children”. So with the use of “Yo” which connotes “Hello” or “Hi” to make the communication not too formal with distance, but informal, close and easily connecting to his Ifugao listeners or audience. Hence, his technique of effective communication with Ifugaos whom he understood, led and served as Governor in 2001-2004. Now, he is appealing as a “Father” (with love and care) to his “Children” (with love and respect) for unity, cooperation, solidarity, peace, progress and prosperity.

    And to the elective post, such as Governor … to me and as a matter of fact … it is truly both a position of power and service, and it’s not only of service, for one cannot “SERVE” as a governor, if one does not have the “POWER” of a governor.

    Anyway, this is also my differing point of view of which I am entitled to in our democratic society and in this blogger.

    Haggiyo Governor Teddy ! Haggiyo Ifugao ! Haggiyo Ifugaos !

    Ray

  23. Sorry, reading my posting … I meant to state … “Father” connotes love and care that are expected from a father; and likewise, “Children” connotes love and respect that are expected from children. And this relationship, he believes, is much better in setting aside the animosities and intrigues during the campaign … through love and respect (that emit understanding, compassion, forgiveness, reconciliation, unity, cooperation, and team-work; and thus, “Father” and “Children” can now all work together for Ifugao’s peace and order, faster progress and prosperity.

    And BTW, the article is rather a letter to some friends, and not a speech as understood by some critics or comentators. Hence, it is informal, unofficial, unsolemn, friendly and homely.

    Again, just my opinion.

    Ray

  24. Hi Ray,
    Thanks for dropping by and for your thoughts on the matter. You have a point in stating that the use of “father” by the Governor means that he didn’t want to be too formal.

    Other commenters have a different opinion on the matter but I agree with you that it is the essence of democracy to have different opinions or different ways of looking at things. Thanks again. We hope you continue to join us in the future 🙂

    Haggiyo!

  25. Yo! pipz! wazzup?
    i was just surfin the net and i came across this site and i just got interested of it so here i am posting my first comment..

    “yo!”word for my good and cool employer is kind of an informal greeting and his word of agreeing sa mga suggestions namin, cool nga e,.and i think nobody will get hurt if he use that word for as long na for informal lang naman po..

    PeaceYaAll! Haggiyo!

  26. Yo! I loooove that coming from a government official. Makes people get closer to a public figure and makes you feel comfortable talking to someone who approachable and helpful too. I met the groovy governor for the first time when I visited Ifugao in one tight, hot, politically tensed time. He came in cool and as you expect him to be groovy and yo! how you doing Governor!

    BY the way, I came across this Toronto trajedy in this blogsite and was thinking how the good governor could do something to bring justice for the victim who comes from Ifugao.

  27. Hi pwitty tyze,
    Welcome to the blog. We hope you continue to visit. Yup, that was also my understanding of his use of “Yo”. Thanks 🙂

    Hi Nadjhin,
    Thanks. Like you, we are hoping that the governor and other government officials will do something about the death of our kailiyan in Toronto. It will make him a cooler guv if he helps 🙂 Thanks again.

  28. I don’t want to claim full knowledge of our Governor Teddy Baguilat, Jr. What I know is that, long before he entered politics, he has always been very active in “social work”
    He has a good heart. He is a good man.

  29. True enough Ms. Janice… I may not know him personally either but i do know how good he is when it comes to serving the people….

  30. and to make all these sh!t believable… you should have posted a scanned copy of the said letter and not a re-inputted sentences which you believe gov. ted wrote…

  31. surfing up . . . . got ideas! Though am not a lawyer nor a journalist, a friend instead. I have known ted sometime in 1984 when his father run as representative for the province. His father was not lucky then but the ideology of the free ifugao movement that had been the cry during those days still burning amongst the ifugao people. Knowing him, thus being with his dream is to educate the Ifugao people. It is only when a country is educted then we become progressive. Tapnu awan ti maut uto nga kankanyon. Maedukaran taku ku kuma an am in. Hituwe di inilak an DREAM yo Teddy. That since he was elected as Municpal Councilor then of Kiangan he had already started planting the seed of educating the people by his little salary he was able to send many students to school and up to now. So that I am advocating his humble dream for Igugao not only STEEL BARS and CEMENT that can prove one worthy to become a father of our province.

    Our constituents to are no more victims of fake traveling abroad because DFA issues outright in our province original passports and our poor employees need not to go to Baguio, Tuguegarao and MAnila to claim their license but the office of the PRC brings it to them in the capitol thus expenses and time is minize.

    So that whatever he may address us, is not that to discuss but what matter is, ‘Lets join our governor to free our province from illiteracy’

    Hagiyo ‘YO KAILIYAN’ Kumadangyan taku kaya. . . . .

  32. man has the nature to criticize and to give comments to the mistakes of other people…..but man also has the intellect which he should use to think and judge not only the mistakes of others but also himself…..it’s only a greeting..what kind of mentality is that?before we comment on others.we should look at ourselves first because we too have mistakes..no one is perfect!..if you are matured enough, you would understand that, that’s only/just a greeting….”do unto others what we want others to do unto us.”…if we hate someone, we have the feeling of anger in us but the question is, “is it JUST for us to ruin others???”…we don’t want also to be ruined by others, right??…we don’t have the right to judge others even if we have high status in the community, we have God!!!…Please think twice!!!

  33. Wuzzup ya all! I was surfing the net and i came accross this site and to my surprise can’t believe what i am reading. Does anybody believe in the saying “ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS”? I do. Congressman Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr. has done and is still doing an enourmous service to the people of Ifugao. With him using the “YO” word for greeting makes me respect him more. He is a kind of person that i think who can roll his sleeves and start helping out in a critical situation. This is the kind of politician who should be sitting in the office, who deserve every vote of every single Ifugao people. Hagi Yo fellow Ifugao comrades! Keep up the Good Work Congressman! You are doing a great JoB! PEACE!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*