THE GOD STEALER

by: F. Sionil Jos

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.

0n the day of the party, Sam and Philip discover that no Ifugao is willing to sell
his god. Philip offers to steal his grandfathers 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 grandfathers house.

Philip expresses his guilt and his reason for settling to stay on them 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 Philips attire. He is dressed in G-string, Ifugaos
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.