Dear Editor:
I always read John Stevenson’s column Minority Report for an expatriate’s views about living in Dumaguete. I’d like to share two observations:
1) While most of the photographs he uses and his comments provide human interest, I have an uncomfortable feeling sometimes when the faces of his subjects are shown clearly and he writes, based on his imagination, what they may be thinking or are bothered about, etc. I feel this is personally intrusive, especially since I assume, unless I am wrong, that the subjects may not have been aware that their pictures were being taken, and, much more, that these pictures would be published with his comments and seen and read by many. I wonder how many would want their picture used this way in a small community like Dumaguete where people who know them might see and read what Mr. Stevenson has to say.
2) In his latest piece (MetroPost, Feb. 20), Mr. Stevenson describes a skill that Filipino helpers possess, which is maintaining their unobtrusive presence even as they live with and work for families. This can be a welcome trait, especially for expats who, like him, are not used to strangers living in the same house as they.
But his observation about amo (“master”) and helper relationships is not quite complete when he leaves out the fact that many helpers do become good friends of families they serve loyally and long. Many become “almost family,” in fact, and their presence leads to the close intertwining of lives and richer (perhaps more complicated) household dynamics.
Those who have lived longer in our culture will understand and appreciate this. Visiting former missionaries who, say, served at Silliman before always look up their former helpers for happy reunions with them and their families.
Name withheld upon request
