God Stealer

THE GOD STEALER By Francisco Sionil Jose

Francisco Sionil Jose ■ Born in Rosales, Pangasinan on December 3, 1924 ■ Jose attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II, but dropped out and plunged into writing and journalism in Manila. ■ He edited various literary and journalistic publications, started a publishing house, and founded the Philippine branch of PEN (Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists), an international organization for writers. ■ Owns Solidaridad Bookshop, which is on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila. The bookshop offers mostly hard-to-find books and Filipiniana reading materials.

Awards ■ City of Manila Award for Literature, 1979 ■ Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication

■ Palanca Memorial Award for Novel in English, 1981 ■ Outstanding Fulbrighters Award for Literature, 1988 First Prize ■ Cultural Center of the Philippines Award (Gawad para sa Sining) for Literature,1989

■ Cultural Center of the Philippines Centennial Award, 1999 ■ Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, France, 2000 (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) ■ National Artist for Literature, Philippines, 2001 ■ (Kun Santo Zuiho Sho) The Order of Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, Japan, 2001

SUMMARY Of The God Stealer

The story begins at the dawn of December with two officemates Philip Latak also known as “Ip-pig”, an Ifugao from the Mountain Province who is presently working in the big city of Manila and Sam Cristie, an American who in a few days will return to Boston for that leave which he had not had in years, on the bus to Baguio. . .

Despite the request of his grandfather to pass on to him his share of the famous rice terraces, Philip still chose to live in the city, away from his immediate family.

The two are on the bus to Baguio because Sam wants to buy an Ifugao god as a souvenir; on the other hand, Philip was to help him find an authentic one through his local connections.

Philip is a Christian and a self- declared city boy who gradually becomes less sentimental with his cultural identity, and customs. . .

He no longer has respect or affection for the Ifugao culture and has clearly forgotten the importance and the value of his beliefs. . .

Regardless of his attitude, his grandfather, pleased and happy to see him, still decides to throw a party in honor of his return.

On the day of the party, Sam and Philip discover that no Ifugao is willing to sell his god. Philip offers to steal his grandfather’s god as a last resort. He considers it a way of showing his appreciation and gratefulness to Sam for giving him a rise at work. . .

A day after, his grandfather dies owing to the fact that his god was stolen. Sam finds out that Philip will no longer be going back to Manila. Because of his curiosity, he looks for Philip and finds him working in his grandfather’s house.

Philip expresses his guilt and his reason for settling to stay on the mountains. . .

"I could forgive myself for having stolen it. But the old man- he had always been wise, Sam. He knew that it was I who did it from the very start. He wanted so much to believe that it wasn't I. But he couldn't pretend - and neither can I. I killed him, Sam. I killed him because I wanted to be free from these. These cursed terraces. Because I wanted to be grateful. I killed him who loved me most.." he says.

Sam cannot help but notice Philip’s attire. He is dressed in Gstring, Ifugao’s traditional costume while carving another idol, a new god to take the place of the old one which Sam will take to America, as a souvenir.

PLOT

EXPOSITION

RISING ACTION

CLIMAX

FALLING ACTION

DENOUEMENT

SYMBOLISM

■Philip Latak’s name was derived from the word Philippines.

■Sam Christie’s name was derived from Uncle Sam, a representation of the United States.

■Philip also symbolizes a man who had forgotten his roots. ■Philip’s act of stealing represented the Filipino’s giving up of their past tribal origins and traditions. ■Philip’s decision of not returning back to Manila is a sign of repentance for stealing his grandfather’s Ifugao god.

■Banaue Rice Terraces is a symbol of patience and hardwork of the Ifugaos.

■Grandfather symbolizes time, the old days.

THEME

■The Philippines is rich in cultural heritage. ■Appreciating Filipino Traditions ■Colonial mentality of the Filipino people ■Lost of Filipino’s Culture and Identity

Members: Lu Miles Andrew Calunod

THANK YOU

Mikka Ela Garbanzos

Alyanna Jozeah Ambalong