LETTER TO PEDRO, U.S.

CITIZEN, ALSO CALLED PETE

by Rene Estella Amper

Pete, old friend; there isn't really much change in our hometown since you left.

This morning I couldn't find anymore the grave of Simeona, the cat we buried at
the foot of Miguel's mango tree, when we were in grade four, after she was hit by a
truck while crossing the street.

The bulldozer has messed it up while making the feeder road into the mountains to
reach the hearts of the farmers. The farmers come down every Sunday to sell their
agony and their sweat for a few pesos, lose in the cockpit or get drunk on the way
home.

A steel bridge named after the congressman's wife now spans the gray river where
Tasyo, the old goat, had split the skin of our young lizards to make us a man many
years ago.

The long blue hills where we used to shoot birds with slingshot or spend the
summer afternoons we loved so much doing nothing in the tall grass have been
bought by the mayor's son. Now there's a barbed wire fence about them; the birds
have gone away.

The mayor owns a big sugar plantation, three new cars, and a mansion with the
gate overhung with sampaguita. Inside the gate are guys who carry a rifle and a
pistol.

We still go to Konga's store for rice and sardines and sugar and nails for the coffin.

Still only a handful go to mass on Sundays. In the church the men talk, sleep; the
children play. The priest is sad.
Last night the storm came and blew away the cornflowers. The cornfields are full
of cries.

Your cousin, Julia, has just become a whore. She liked good clothes, good food, big
money. That's why she became a whore. Now our hometown has seven whores.
Pete, old friend, every time we have good reason to get drunk and be carried home
in a wheelbarrow we always remember you. Oh, we miss both Pete and Pedro.

Remember us to your American wife, you, lucky bastard. Islaw, your cock-eyed
uncle, now calls himself Stanley after he began wearing the clothes you sent. him
last Christmas.

P.S. Tasyo, the old goat, Sends your lizard his warmest congratulations.

SUMMARY

Pete, an old friend, reflects on the changes in their hometown since Pete
left. They can't find the grave of Simeona, a cat they buried, and the bulldozer has
messed up the feeder road. Farmers come down every Sunday to sell their agony
and sweat for a few pesos. A steel bridge spans the gray river, and the long blue
hills used to be used for hunting birds have been bought by the mayor's son. The
mayor owns a big sugar plantation, cars, and a mansion. The town still has a few
whores, and Pete remembers them to his American wife.

AUTHOR AND LITERARY BACKGROUND

Rene Estella Amper was born on October 18, 1940 in Boljoon, Cebu. As
physician he has served as head of the Boljoon rural health unit; as poet, he has
participated as an Asia Foundation Writing Fellow at the Silliman U. Summer
Writers' Workshop in 1968 and 1969. He has also shared the 2'nd Palanca prize in
poetry in 1989 with Fatima Lim for a collection called All Else Is Grass. His works
have been published in 12 Poems (1969) and Collected Poems (1990). He has been
mayor of Boljoon, and is incumbent vice-president. Rene Estella Amper a Cebuano
writer in the English language and Cebuano. Native of Boljoon, Cebu was born and
passed away on January 24, 2007 for colon cancer.Amper graduates in medicine at
Southwestern University where he became editor-in-chief of The Quill, official
student publication of the University. Writing fellow was very well known Silliman
National Writer's Summer Workshop, which was held in Silliman University,
Dumaguete City, in May 1968 with Uriah Almagro, Lamberto G. Ceballos, Rene
Bonsubre, and Dionisio R. Gabriel, other writers in cebuano. According to Ernesto
D. Lariosa, also notorious poet, in his column "Puyra Buyag" the Sun-Star
Newspaper, January 31, 2007: "When established ... ALBICALARIVI Poetry Group,
Rene encouraging the group to renewed writing poetry in Cebuano. Rene does not
go to that group because he put his training in English. But he promised that the
weave would plan our tongue. For us, he loved our language .... Founding
BATHALAD or Bathalan-ong Halad sa Dagang here joined Rene He began writing
poetry in the vernacular. He learned to write in English he brought into our
language. "Rene's coverage Bathalad, he Bathalad No.14. And many poets
influenced his style or approach to poetry. He was active in party affairs even far
Boljoon in Cebu where constant boiling pots of American literature in the side of
the Hope Pharmacy Leon Kilat every night to watch ayohanag late Fidel's alone,
not yet transferred pots newsstand newspaper of the late Ramon S. Arong by the
Eden Theater Colon. Rene great tribute to the first formal foundry in writing
Bathalad that were held in his hometown of Boljoon, Cebu in 1991. This is
supported by the CCP or the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Some of his works
are: Letter to Pedro, U.S Citizen, also called Pete" it’s a kind of story that flash
backing the memories of the one you love or the one who there for you and I like
the story flow because the character or the subject into that story is connected to
each other. He became a member of the Diliman Writers' Workshop in 1968.
Amper contributed poems to Filipino literature. His first book of poems was Twelve
Palmas which appeared in 1969. He stopped writing during the Martial Law
period. His Collected Palmas was published in 1990. He became active in writing
poetry in Cebuano. His first collection of poems in Cebuano was Payag Ibabaw sa
Hangin (Hut Over the Wind) in 1991. All Else is Grass is a collection of his poems
that won the Second Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1989

Letter to Pedro, U. Citizen, Also Called Pete" is a poem by Rene Estella

Amper. It is a response to the on-going reality of Filipino immigration to foreign
countries to seek greener pastures due to a calamity of problems the Philippines is
facing. The poem is a powerful commentary on the personal and historical themes
of the author's life. It is a reflection of the author's own experiences and the
experiences of many Filipinos who have left their homeland in search of a better
life. The poem is written in a conversational tone and is addressed to Pedro, a U.S.
citizen who is also called Pete. The author uses the double persona of Pedro and
Pete to create an ironic connection between the person being spoken to and his
origin. The poem examines the tension between tradition and modernity and
enforces blatant satire in its descriptions of the old town. It is a piece of literature
that empowers a seemingly local story from an old friend along with personal and
historical themes.

LETTER FROM HOME: ‘LETTER TO PEDRO, U.S. CITIZEN, ALSO CALLED

PETE

A LITERY ANALYSIS

Venjie Ann Alpetche

Maria Dhe Bihag

Pauline Ann Calvo

 “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to receive a letter from an
old friend?

Title: "A Letter from Home: Navigating Societal Shifts and Nostalgia in
'Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also Called Pete'"

"Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also Called Pete" by Rene Estella Amper
offers a poignant exploration of the immigrant experience, societal change, and the
enduring impact on a small town. The poem takes the form of a letter from an old
friend to Pedro, reflecting on shared history and the consequences of Pedro's
departure. This essay examines the themes of nostalgia, loss, and the immigrant
experience portrayed in the poem, exploring how societal shifts, economic
changes, and evolving cultural norms shape the lives of individuals and
communities.

The opening sentences of the letter convey a sense of stagnation in the

hometown since Pedro's departure. The persona notes, "there isn’t really much
change in our hometown since you left," hinting at a dearth of significant
developments. This sets the stage for an exploration of how societal changes,
symbolized by infrastructure development and economic growth, affect the
community's simplicity and close relationships. The bulldozer's impact on
Simeona's grave serves as a powerful metaphor for progress disrupting cherished
memories and traditions. The construction of a feeder road into the mountains
signifies broader changes, displacing not only personal histories but also altering
the landscape and the lives of the farmers. The poem subtly critiques the societal
dynamics that erase the past, emphasizing the collateral loss and nostalgia
accompanying relentless progress.

The introduction of a steel bridge named after the congressman's wife

represents more than mere infrastructure development. It symbolizes profound
societal change, connecting the past to the present. The river, witness to Tasyo's
ritual, undergoes a transformation mirroring the community's evolution. This
reflects the broader impact of immigration and external forces reshaping traditions
and introducing new perspectives. The privatization of the "long blue hills" by the
mayor's son signifies economic and social change. The barbed wire fence
represents the commodification of once-public spaces, displacing communal
memories. This illustrates the broader societal transformations influenced by
factors like immigration and changing economic landscapes.

The narrative emphasizes the socioeconomic disparity within the

community, with the mayor portrayed as an affluent figure wielding considerable
power. This section serves as a commentary on systemic inequalities and the
challenges faced by individuals seeking better opportunities in societies marked by
stark contrasts in wealth and privilege. Despite societal transformations, the
community's routine persists, as reflected in the line, "We still go to Konga’s store
for rice and sardines and sugar and nails for the coffin." This suggests the
resilience of certain traditions or dependencies even as external factors evolve.
The dwindling attendance at mass reflects changing cultural and religious norms
within the community. The storm metaphorically captures the emotional upheaval
caused by societal shifts, prompting reflection on the complexities and emotions
associated with changes brought about by immigration and societal shifts.

The mention of Julia's transformation into a "whore" highlights the impact of

economic hardship on individual lives. Her choices illustrate the community's
harsh realities, emphasizing the societal changes and challenges faced by
individuals in the context of immigration. The poem concludes with a nostalgic
longing for past camaraderie, reminiscing about Pete and Pedro. This highlights
the transient nature of relationships amid societal changes, urging reflection on
the transformation of society while preserving cherished memories. The mention of
an "American wife" signifies cultural displacement and the influence of external
factors, such as immigration. The transformation of "Islaw" into "Stanley" through
clothing reflects how external influences can impact one's identity, emphasizing
the complex relationships formed during periods of cultural change.

In conclusion, "Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also Called Pete" intricately

captures the profound effects of immigration, economic changes, and evolving
cultural norms on a community. The stories within the poem explore the
complexities of societal transformation, symbolized by disrupted landscapes,
privatization of spaces, and shifting identities. Despite these shifts, a poignant
sense of nostalgia runs through the narratives, emphasizing the resilience of
specific traditions and the enduring quality of human connections, even amidst
societal upheaval.
LITERARY THEORY

The analysis of "Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also Called Pete" through the
lens of Marxist literary theory unveils layers of societal structures, class dynamics,
and power struggles within the community. The poem vividly explores the
consequences of industrialization, resource management, and economic
disparities, making it a fertile ground for Marxist critique.

The mention of the mayor's son, who owns the purchased hills and enforces
a barbed wire fence, becomes a focal point for examining class distinctions and
ownership issues. The poem delves into the socioeconomic shifts in the hometown,
portraying the mayor as a symbol of affluence and power while contrasting this
with the struggles of impoverished farmers. The steel bridge named after the
congressman's wife further accentuates the political and economic influence within
the community, emphasizing the theme of ownership and privilege.

The Marxist undertones in the poem are evident in the portrayal of economic
hardships faced by the farmers and the commodification of once-public spaces. The
privatization of the "long blue hills" and the mention of a sugar plantation owned
by the mayor contribute to the narrative of unequal distribution of resources,
reflecting the Marxist concern with class struggle and economic inequality.

Additionally, the community's routine visits to Konga's store for basic

commodities highlights the daily struggles of the working class. The disparity in
wealth and power is emphasized through the stark contrast between the mayor's
affluence and the humble needs of the community members. The poem's
exploration of the environmental changes aligns with the eco-critical perspective.
The devastation of landscapes, the loss of wildlife, and the effects of
industrialization on the natural world provide rich material for an eco-critical
analysis. The construction of a feeder road and the storm that blows away the
cornflowers symbolize the ecological deterioration brought about by human
activities, reflecting the broader consequences of urbanization and societal
changes on the environment.

The combination of Marxist literary theory and Ecocriticism offers a

comprehensive framework for analyzing "Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also Called
Pete." It allows for a nuanced understanding of the socioeconomic structures, class
dynamics, and environmental changes depicted in the poem, shedding light on the
broader implications of societal shifts and disparities.

REFERENCES:

Studocu. (n.d.). A Letter to Pedro - Notes - 1. A letter to Pedro, U. citizen, also

called Pete by Rene Estella Amper - Studocu. Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/polytechnic-university-of-the-philippines/
bachelor-of-elementary-education/a-letter-to-pedro-notes/34215353

Mangsal, R. (n.d.). Letter to Pedro, U.S. Citizen, Also called Pete. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/-gr6t5dvjney/letter-to-pedro-us-citizen-also-called-pete/

Letter to Pedro, U.S. citizen, also called Pete. (2013, August 5). Retrieved from
https://deyahyong14.wordpress.com/academics/english-lit/creative-reflective-
essay/letter-to-pedro-u-s-citizen-also-called-pete/

Letter to Pedro (Copy). (2016, August 15). Retrieved from

https://mgracereoperez.wordpress.com/bm-14214-letter-to-pedro/?
fbclid=IwAR0HyIpg1icU5aXDnCiT_S1b5SOXQ72Ix0MMlgvZwDSzveVjmIlhcTerkC
E

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. (2020, December 4). Rene Estrella Amper.

Retrieved from https://tl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rene_Estrella_Amper