Letter to Pedro,

U.S. Citizen,
Also called Pete
About the Author
Rene Estella Amper

 Born on October 18, 1940 in Boljoon, Cebu

 Studied philosophy at University of San Carlos Seminary
 Studied medicine at South Western University
 Poems have been published in local magazines and
periodicals.
 FACTS ABOUT THE
POEM:
Written in free verse
No regular rhyme, length and stanza
form
No regular pattern in the flow of
sound
Images and sentiments of the poet
are vividly present.
 SUMMARY
The poem mainly concerns about a man who
moved to the US with a western wife and his
friend who was sending a letter. His friend
updates him on the things that happened in
his old home.
CHARACTERS:
 PETE
 HIS FRIEND
 TASYO
 KONGA

SETTING
• HOMELAND OF PETE
CONFLICT
TRADITION VS. MODERNITY

PLOT
The story is about a man who wrote a letter to
his friend in America. The letter contains
changes in their homeland.
THEME
“SOCIO-POLITICAL”
“COLONIAL MENTALITY
AMONG FILIPINOS”
ANALYSIS
The poem clearly tells of the old life the
main characters have. The author tells us of
corruption within the society and the
difference of the past and the present. There
are also sentimental meanings of childhood
long gone as the main characters face their
present.
ANALYSIS

Economically and socially, the poem suggests a lot of

problems as the mayor keeps getting rich and the farmers
are still poor.

The mayor is the politically entity as well as the congressman’s

wife. The mayor has slowly taken some of the land and has
grown richer also putting in to danger the land the characters
had in their boyhood. The bridge that was named after the
congressman’s wife had also laid waste to the memory of their
circumcision for that was the place they committed it.
ANALYSIS

The farmers as mentioned were going down

the mountains to sell their agony and sweat
which means the economical strain they have
in their town while a mayor keeps getting
richer. Keeping in mind there might be
corruption or political imbalance at play
here.
ANALYSIS

The old memories of the

characters are being slowly
taken down as the old town
slowly progresses and changes
throughout the course of time.
CONCLUSION

IT SERVES AS A WAKE UP CALL FOR

CRISIS. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE
UNWILLINGESS TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM. THEY LEAVE AND SEARCH
FOR GREENER PASTURE.
Activity: Poster Making

Differentiate the “then” and “now” of your municipality or community through Poster.

Take a photo of you poster and pass it through our class GC.