INTERVIEWER:  There is some cultural differences between Americans and Filipinos, and obviously, American _____;  but you know one of the thing that’s kind of American’s not quite sure about is culture like dog eating.  Is that… it is legal in here?  Is it a common practice? JESSE PEREZ:  Dog eating? INTERVIEWER:  Dog eating. JESSE PEREZ:  Well, as a national policy there is a law prohibiting the transporting and butchering of dogs.  That is Republic Act 8485, which was passed, I think, some couple of years ago.  But ah, you know, in Cordillera there is a custom that is being used during rituals, that they use dogs, they butch dog as a part of their, as a part of their ritual.  So it is, I think ah… the local legislators coming from Cordillera are doing something for this to…  I think, they are lobbying to the… I think they are lobbying to the Congress to exempt the people of Cordillera in the implementation of such law. INTERVIEWER:  So is it a… is it something, it is more cultural thing that is really tolerated by the local government? JESSE PEREZ:  Well, it is tolerated, but the local police are conducting apprehensions if ever there are glaring violations as far as butchering of dogs is concerned or transporting or selling of dogs. INTERVIEWER:  Okay.