I AM writing about the Variations on Mr. John Oliver Gonzales last May 10. It bothers me because you became very personal like John is a bad and snobbish guy. I know John very well because I know him since high school. It’s like I grew up with John and I know him because he liked to study and was kind and popular and everybody likes him. Even now, John continues to help everybody such as the manamko’ and the young people. What I really like about John is that I know and many of us know that he cares a lot about us and he respects people.
I also know that he is proud of who he is as a poor guy and he really worked hard to be who he is now. As a local person, I am really proud of knowing that another local is highly educated and he really knows how to talk his mind strongly about issues and he is not scared to stand on his feet about topics to anybody including the editor of Variety. So, in this way John is not snobbish and arrogant but instead, he is a new generation local who will not keep quiet and not talk about issues when he knows he should represent us young people and fight for our rights. If John is around smart people he goes to their level and if he is around us young people he is in our level. Plus, many of us look up to John as our role model and our hope for young people like him to come out and stand up for all of us young people and stop outsiders from stepping on our necks in our own islands.
It’s already enough that our islands and our people have been ruled and colonized for a long time. John and all of our young people should work together and stand up for our rights. That’s why John had plenty votes and he almost made it as a senator. We, young people wanted John to really win and fight for us. But never mind John, maybe next time.
Another thing John does not know is your Filipino culture about “kuya” and “ate” because he is from Saipan. Just in case you don’t know, here in our islands we call everybody else other than uncles and aunties “che’lo” which means brother or sister even though he or she is young or older than we are. It’s really a sign of respect among us islanders. I feel sorry for your insulting and downgrading the maids and the bar girls who are working for their living. Maybe you think they are also lower class like what you think of John because you are scared of him and you thought he is going to just keep quiet.
And last thing sir Zaldy, please stop being personal about our local people who do not agree with you or you don’t agree with because maybe you are the one who is uncomfortable when local people especially a young guy like John stand up and defend our rights. Do not think you know better than us because we know what we are doing and you come from another country. Respect us just as you want to be respected. Is that too much to ask for?PETE LITULUMAR
Chalan Laulau, Saipan
Zaldy Dandan replies:
No, sir Pete, I don’t think so. But that doesn’t mean I’ll also switch off my b.s. detector.
