Pugua anyone?

I apologize politely to you Mr. Philip Leyland for not being straight forward on some matters pertaining to betel nut as a great cultural element of the indigenous community. I didn’t point out the essence of sanitation and etiquette of betel nut chewing—being considerate of our surroundings which are the non-chewers, and about the beauty of our environment.

The governor should emphasize on education for the betel nut chewers to be conscious of sanitation. To be responsible betel nut chewers just like being responsible drinkers of imported beers. Betel nut is so indigenous in nature. It is not an invasive substance. I am urging all betel nut chewers—locals and others to use spittoon cans or cups. Please do not spit into trash cans in the offices, on the ground, and on walls. And also to observe strong oral hygiene—visiting your dentist every now and then. Do not spit just anywhere especially if there are Americans around or tourists. To many Americans, it looks like blood! And it’s not even Halloween yet, you know.

But to insist that betel nut be eradicated from our culture, I am telling you it will be impossible. A war over pugua will be declared, and I as a colonel in the cultural battalion, I will fire the first spear gun to protect the sovereignty of our culture! And I know for certain I have the blessing of cultural soldiers made up of privates, sergeants, and most especially the blessing of the cultural battalions of generals! We once outsmarted Magellan. Oops, we took back from him what was rightfully ours!

We honestly welcome all people to make our islands their home. They will have missed the Beverly Hills style of their original home but they shouldn’t forget that people differ and that if they can’t be with the one they love, they should love the one they’re with.

With respect to the greetings of hafa adai, I checked on my license to use it as specified in my certificate of live birth and it is indicated to behold a non-expiration date. It also authorizes me to use it in the manner most useful to the preservation of our indigenous culture.

Thank you very much Mr. Philip Leyland. May your stay in the CNMI remind you that you are in a different seashore. And welcome to the CNMI too, gentleman!

A warm pugua hafa adai,