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 G-
string, 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