The God Stealer

By: F. Sionil Jose

He is a National Artist for Literature and is one of the most famous Filipino

writers, not just locally but also internationally.

F. Sionil Jose

It examines the relationship between culture and

economy and the rifts that occur when people change

economic classes.

THE GOD STEALER

Characters:

THE GOD STEALER

Sam Christie Philip Latak (Ip-pig)

THE GOD STEALER

Sam ChristieHe is an American with a fondness for collecting

souvenirs.

THE GOD STEALER

Philip Latak (Ip-pig)He is a native Ifugao who has converted to Christianity and

who has spent the last few years working alongside Sam Christie.

THE GOD STEALER

Aside from visiting his family specifically his sick grandfather, Philip accompanies Sam to his hometown

because he wants to repay Sam’s kindness by helping him get another

souvenir – an Ifugao God.

THE GOD STEALER

On the way to Philip’s village, Sam is treated better than Philip, to Sam’s discomfort.

THE GOD STEALER Sam gets a good seat on the

bus. He is spoken to with

deference by Philip’s brother Sadek.

THE GOD STEALER When Philip offers candies to his

nieces and nephews, he is coldly rebuffed, however when Sam does so he is accepted enthusiastically.

People treat Sam amiably, and Philip with sullen silence.

THE GOD STEALER Philip is welcomed warmly by his

grandfather despite being vehemently against Philip leaving in the first place.

However, he treats Sam with furious contempt.

THE GOD STEALER

Philip informs Sam that the old man wants a feast to welcome Philip home. Regardless of Philip’s protests, Sam insists on attending the party.

THE GOD STEALER The pair tour around the

village with matches and candies to offer to the villagers. They ask the villagers where they could purchase an Ifugao God but their search is futile.

THE GOD STEALER

They then visit the American reverend in the village.

Sam and the Reverend converse about Ifugao religion.

THE GOD STEALER

The reverend states that Ifugao religion is based on fear and retribution and that is why Ifugaos are so attached to their gods.

THE GOD STEALER

He explains that Christianity is based on the belief of souls. He adds that a man can lose his soul in the city when people are corrupted by easy living, the pleasures of sense and the flesh, and mass corruption.

THE GOD STEALER

When Sam asks him how a man can regain his soul, the reverend says that it takes “cataclysm, something tragic to knock a man back to his wits, to make him realize his loss”.

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Upon leaving the reverend, Sam reiterates that he must have an Ifugao God, stating that it would help remind him of Philip and of the Ifugaos.

THE GOD STEALER

Philip then answers that he can steal a god for Sam. Sam is horrified but Philip assures him that they can just make another god. He convinces Sam that he can do this as thanks for everything Sam has done for him.

THE GOD STEALER

Sam quickly got bored of the party and returned to the room he shared with Philip to get some sleep. He is awakened by a drunken Philip, who triumphantly tells him that he has stolen his grandfather’s god.

THE GOD STEALER Sam is horrified and urges Philip to

return the stolen god. Philip drunkenly rants that his grandfather is wrong to love Philip so much when Philip does not believe in the old ways anymore. Philip mocks him when Sam continues to protest.

THE GOD STEALER The next morning, Philip leaves

Sam when he gets news that his grandfather is dying. Sam wanders the village and he meets the chief of police who treats him with respect.

THE GOD STEALER

He asks Sadek how his grandfather died, to which Sadek replied that it was the loss of the god, the one that Philip had stolen.

THE GOD STEALER

Sam is doubtful about this but Sadek is certain about his news. He states that his grandfather died in Philip’s arms, and he expresses worry about his brother.

THE GOD STEALER When Sam finds Philip, Philip is

determined that he will not be returning to the city. Philip lashes out at Sam, saying that he killed his grandfather who loved him because he wanted to be grateful.

THE GOD STEALER He tells Sam that he can buy

anything, even gods. Sam then sees that Philip is wearing traditional Ifugao garb and he is making another god. Sam leaves with a heavy heart.