Some people -men, in particular (Hey, no sublimed discriminatory or sexist message)- do urinate against walls including those on which “No peeing” signs are installed. They are not necessarily Igorots.

Using an Igorot man to represent the “urinating man” cannot be divorced from how we as an ethnic group have been regarded by the majority culture. We have, for decades, if not centuries, been victims of ethnic prejudice. “Dogyocity” (being “dogyot” or dirty) has always been an oversimplified but strongly held idea (stereotype, in short) associated with Igorots. In St. Louis University where I teach, students from the lowlands are candid enough to admit that they always thought of Igorots as dirty people who rarely bathe and who spit and urinate with wild abandon anywhere! I would ask them, “What made you think so?” The answer: “Iyon po ang alam sa baba.” In this day and age, we Igorots are still on the defensive.

Aware of the prejudice suffered by our people, I see where the idea that gave birth to the statue emanated from. It did come from a sense of humor. Alas, it is one that is prejudiced. The joke is not funny.

Why I never noticed the statue before beats me. I thank Bill Bilig for bringing this matter to our attention.

Barrio Fiesta can retain the statue. However, the urinating man must be “re-done” so it will look generic.