Herbert Ray:

Views of Lives in the North of the Philippines / Lebensbilder im Norden der Philippinen

Many generations of pupils and students in Germany in the 19th century took pleasure in hearing and reading the erudite phrases of Professor Galetti -  for example: "The color of  moon  is usually large". Nearly unnoticed from the literary public his misty spirit came out again in the following paper-back:

The author is a certified engineer and researcher in local history ("Even my place of birth Zerbst was marked by the great events of history of mankind"). It remains open how long our author was exposed to " the energetic powers of incarnation of human race" during his time in the Philippines. New and fresh findings have not been the result. The views  of living are stale in impression and the comments on  history, culture and languages of the Philippines, the economical development or the spirit healers are presented more precisely and more specified in the standard literature about the Philippines. Phrases like "poverty culture" are not discussed. A kind of cultural imperialism is rumbling through an opera scenery world like such of Richard Wagner. Global assertions instead of arguments and empirical research.

The publishing house seems to have no lecturer. How otherwise the existence of such sentences could be explained ? :

"After a brilliant flight the creator of super-techniques appears in Metro Manila"  (a jet is meant - W.B.)

"The evolution merged the aurochs form the Philippines with the fate of its inhabitants"

"It should be allowed to brake the destruction rage of the planetary crusher"

"Society requires the whole human being"

"Strong nerves are necessary in order to tolerate such creatures whose nature is not working correctly"

"After sunset the underworld awakes and throws a ray of light on the reality"

"The Philippine State is flexible enough in order to achieve a destination with  bus, ship or airplane"

"Asian and European culture is not necessarily a dance on a volcano "

"The erection of state and society requires the whole human being"

There are also "hammers" in the story line which  provoke strong contradictions. Speaking from "baluts" (older eggs of ducks) the author is asking such silly question:

"From which jungle forest do the Filipinos come?"

In his "reflections" on  mixed marriage we find the following sentences with regard to the character of a Filipina:

"Her feelings are conservative ones. She is immature like a school girl before the puberty. Behind her famine appearance only a poor erotic personality could be found. FGurthermore, most Filipinas prefer to look into the Bible instead of a cookery book. Exotic features, eroticism, loyalty? Besides youth, an Asian has to offer only little."

Be careful, Mr. Ray, in your case I would ask for  personal safety.

The tourist information, given particularly for such destinations like Bauang  La Union, are  not actual anymore. And is it really useful to know  the names of all 23 teachers instructing at the Elementary School Quezon Hill in Baguio?

In the whole feelings of disappointment and annoyance are predominating after reading the book. To get more delighted the style of writing is not stupid enough. The approx. 80 small-formats black copies of pictures, seem to have only a book-filling function. They are boring and cannot correct the negative judgments on book.

A final question is still remaining: How many bottles of beer are necessary to write such a book and how much did the author pay for the publication of this book ?

© Wolfgang Bethge.