This Igorot Man's Reaction Shocked the Lady Vendor

by: Felisa Daskeo

If you see a dirty man wearing a G-string, what will you do?

It is a fact to many Filipinos that Igorots look poor and dirty.  I don’t deny that my old folks look dirty poor plus their nails and hands are stained brown because their occupation is farming.  But beyond those stained nails and sunburned skin is a secret nobody expects.

This anecdote was related by my late father, who loves telling us stories. 

So the story goes that there was this dirty-looking Igorot man wearing G-string, who was in the market trying to buy fish but was ignored by the vendor because of his shabby looks. 

The man, annoyed because the vendor ignored him for the nth time said loudly, "How much is a kilogram of fish?"

Looking surprised at the dirty man's reaction, the lady vendor said mockingly, "Can you afford to buy a kilogram of fish?" 

Pissed by the vendor's sarcasm, the Igorot man pulled his money belt,  plucked a thick wad of paper bills then told the woman, "How much does all your fish cost? I can afford to pay for all of that!"

Shocked by the discovery and embarrassed with her misdemeanor, the vendor knelt down, cried and pleaded for forgiveness to the Igorot man.

So, the next time you see a dirty-looking man, do not judge him by his looks.  He might be even richer than the man who is wearing a well-pressed suit.

Copyright 2014 Felisa Daskeo

The Tailed Igorot; an Anecdote

This anecdote was related to me by my first cousin who is now a Police Coronel. This cousin of mine has a habit of going home by bus during weekends when he was still a captain. His family is in Baguio City (Summer Capital of the Philippines) but his job is in Manila (Capital of the Philippines).

During one of his many trips, he overheard two young women talking about their bonus from their employer. These two young women work as maids for a rich couple in Manila and are going to Baguio to spend their Christmas Holiday because they have been given a bonus and a leave from work. To the ordinary Filipinos, having a vacation in Baguio City is considered classy and these two young women are excited about their trip to the place. Baguio City is very famous among tourists because of its beautiful geographic location, the cool weather and the vegetables and crafts plus an interesting people; the Igorot inhabitants.

During the conversation my cousin overheard one of the young women say, “I wonder how Igorots look like.”

To which the other woman laughed and said, “You mean, those tailed Igorots living on trees? Perhaps we could see them in Baguio. I haven’t seen one either.”

My cousin could not contain himself and stood in front of them. “What a pity. You haven’t seen an Igorot yet. You are quite lucky because you are looking at one now. I am Cpt. Daskeo and I am an Igorot.”

The two young women turned beet red.