IT'S bad enough that Guam’s culture is being hollowed by Western influence, which in itself is characterized by the hollowness of the Kardashians. What makes it worse is the community’s willingness to succumb to the pressure of tourism that pimps any destination’s culture into a prostituted commodity.

Cultural erosion results from the commercialization of cultural goods – reducing identity and values into a souvenir item.

Tumon, the center of local tourism, is a theme park with no theme other than “tourism.” It lacks the soul of Ubud and the creative madness of Bourbon Street.

Local customs are reconstructed and dragged down to conform to tourist expectations. No wonder the visitor industry is spearheading the initiative to fill the identity gap through sadly contrived cultural preservation efforts. In the end, they get reduced to a corporate marketing ploy. Pledging “Hafa Adai” guarantees your company a photo-op in the paper.

To get a clear picture of what Guam culture has become, look at those whimsically painted carabao statues in front of business establishments. They epitomize a commodified culture so in contrast with the real deal – John Ray Aguon’s carabao that provides an organic cultural sight in Talofofo.

Unfortunately, like everything else that is contrived, the carabao has to be regulated and levied. According to PNC’s story, Aguon “operates a small business giving carabao rides at Talofofo Bay,” where he had built a hut.

“He grew up in the village of Talofofo and grew up fishing in Talofofo Bay. His family raises and tames carabaos. It’s a tradition that was passed down to him from his father and one that spans back for generations,” according to PNC.

But apparently, it doesn’t matter that he has a real cultural story to tell. The Department of Parks and Recreation, according to PNC, told Aguon to leave the park “unless he pays a $1,500 vendor's license fee.”

Obviously, the lack of support for what is natural and spontaneous – the things the southern folks offer – is what really creates the gap.

So, in the name of “culture and tourism” – two different concepts that have now been married – Sen. Judith Guthertz promptly filed a bill adding the poor carabao to the list of levy-free components of Guam culture.

It’s a shame that we have to legislate culture, otherwise our visitors have to make do with those cute carabao statues that supposedly represent Guam culture. They are colorful and cute. But who takes a cute culture seriously?