Spanish and American influences

          During my stay in the Philippines, I have seen both Spanish and American influences that continue to exist today. The Philippines was colonized by the Spaniards in 1521 and were under the United States’ tutelage by 1898. During both periods, the Filipinos were suppressed under their rule. Both the Spaniards and the Americans had their own intentions of colonizing the Philippines. They wanted to take advantage of foreign trade, land ownership, natural resources, and sovereignty. Suarez mentioned, “Globalization is the ongoing process of intensifying economic, social and cultural exchanges across the planet.” The Spaniards and the Americans used the Philippine people and islands to benefit themselves in the future. A graduate student from the University of the Philippines had informed me that the Spaniards wanted to enforce Christianity onto the Filipinos to save their souls. Spaniards focused on a religion push whereas the Americans focused on economics.

          In Zinn and Iletto’s article, Americans believed that the Filipinos were uncivilized. In aCartoon History of the United States by Zinn, President McKinley announces, “There was nothing left for us to do but to take all the islands and educate the Filipinos. We have to civilize and Christianize the Filipinos!” What does “uncivilized” really mean? According to Professer Jose from the University of the Philippines, “uncivilized” meant being at the lowest level of evolution of man (Darwin theory). This meant the Americans did not view Filipinos as human beings, instead as animals. There were many cartoon illustrations of Filipinos in the image of monkeys and were portrayed as being barbaric and dark in skin color. Because of their racist views of the Filipinos, the Americans felt the need to bring enlightenment to the Philippines. I believe the Filipinos were civilized before the Philippines were colonized by Spain. The Filipinos had created their own ancient script called “baybayin” and "alibata". Eighty-percent of the Filipinos were literate before Spain came and they had their own form of government and foreign trade with other Southeast Asian countries. The Filipinos were civilized and did not need to be exposed to the Spanish and American influences. The 2000 year old rice terraces in Banaue were carved into the mountains without European technology. They had knowledge of water irrigation, farm work, and stone work to create rice terraces that are known to be the eighth wonder of the world and a national cultural treasure. Hiking the rice terraces was an eye-opening experience and I was amazed to see how the handmade irrigation system was put together.

(Water flows through the bamboo)

          From my experiences of being in the Philippines, I have noticed that the spread of Christianity continues to influence the customs and traditions of the Philippines today. Both my parents raised me as a Catholic but I never knew when or how Christianity was introduced in the Philippines. Christianity was introduced by Ferdinand Magellan during the Spanish colonial era and many Spanish friars began converting Filipinos and instructed them in school. Spanish was dominantly used in schools, churches, and government institutions. According to a graduate student at the University of the Philippines, Catholicism was introduced to the Filipinos in the 1570s. During the American occupation, American priests, Protestant denominations and other independent churches were established.

Similar to having a number of Starbucks in every district or city in Washington, there are a handful of Christian churches in every barangay in the Philippines. When I visited my uncle’s college, San Sebastian College in Cavite City, I noticed that the Spanish missionaries during the colonial period established schools and combined them with churches.

                                (San Sebastian College – Cavite City) 

                                       (Church inside the college)

                                             (Jesus Christ) 

(Blessed Virgin Mary and baby Jesus)

          I was also able to see several cathedrals in different parts of Manila that were built during the Spaniard colonization. The Manila Cathedral was built in 1851. The Spanish friars have made a large contribution to the architectural designs during the Spanish period. I have also seen several Christian churches called Iglesias ni Christo that was established independently during the United States occupation.

                                                (Roman Catholic Cathedral)

                                                                                

                                                    (another Cathedral)

                                         (Iglesia ni Christo “Church of Christ”)

During the car ride to Batad I was able to see homes designed in the Spanish colonial period and saw Victorian houses designed by American architects in Baguio City.

                                                   (Spanish colonial era)

          Being in the Philippines for about two and a half weeks, I have seen other Catholics show their sign of faith everywhere. The Spanish influence of Catholicism is deeply ingrained in their minds and it has been passed down generation after generation. During my ride on the MRT today, I noticed a number of Catholics making a sign of the cross after the MRT passed by a large Virgin Mary statue that was larger than the University of the Philippines statue. I also saw people on the MRT wearing rosaries around their neck. A lot of the Jeepneys and tricycles have had words that say, “Jesus Christ” or “God” on the front and have images of the crucifix or Jesus on the sides of it. I have also seen stickers inside the vehicle and rosaries hanging on the rear-view mirror.

                                                "Jesus king in this world"

                                                   "Smile God loves you"

                                     (Rosaries hanging on the rear-view mirror)

         During the United States occupation, the Americans modeled the schools in the Philippines on the system of education in the United States. Filipinos were forced to learn and speak the English language. When I went to my first Sunday mass in Bacoor, Cavite, I initially assumed I would only understand the words “Amen”, “Alleluia”, and “Christo”. Little did I know the priest could speak both English and Tagalog. The whole mass was said in English except during the homily, beginning and ending hymns. During the homily, the priest spoke in English and then translated what he said into Tagalog.

         When I went to Holy Sacrifice Catholic church at the University of Philippines, I attended a Tagalog mass nstead of an English mass and I was surprised when the priest began to use both English and Tagalog words in the same sentences. Because it was a Tagalog mass, I expected every word to be said in Tagalog.

(this church is recognized as a national historical landmark and a cultural treasure by the National Historical Institute and the National Museum)

The Filipinos today know English and Tagalog or their local dialect. A graduate student from the University of Philippines had explained that English was the primary language used in the education system until the 1950s. After the 1950s, changes were made and both English and Tagalog or their local dialect could be used during class instruction. Nico and Maria from Commission on Filipinos Overseas explained that English is the dominant language used in schools today and that Tagalog or their local dialect is only used for Filipino cultural classes. Nico had explained that children today learn their national language through family members, neighbors, or taking language classes.

The impact that the Americans and Spaniards made on the Filipinos can be seen everywhere in the Philippines. There are advertisements or signs written both in English and Tagalog while others are solely in English. I have also heard Filipino DJs on the radio and TV hosts use both English and Tagalog in the same sentence. In the Filipino language, there are several Spanish loanwords that continue to be used today. There are also Spanish street or building names and surnames that Filipinos have.

                                           (Ads in both English and Tagalog)

                                                      (Ad in English)

                                           (MRT station directions in English)


Restaurants like the University Hotel’s menu include an “American breakfast” and a chain of fast-food restaurants and shopping malls are similar to what we have in the United States.

                            (University Hotel menu includes "American Breakfast")

                                                        (Mall of Asia)

                                                      (SM Mall - Bacoor)

(SM Mall - Fairview)

                                                       

As a result of Spanish and American imperialism, many cultural and social influences continue to exist in the Philippines today. The spread of Christianity beginning in 1521 has led to the continuous existence of churches, cathedrals, and large Christian statues. The Spanish and American architectural designs of several buildings are also found in the Philippines. The influence of the Spanish language is used within Tagalog. The Filipinos’ way of thinking has been Americanized since 1898 under United States tutelage. Both English and Tagalog are used to communicate in school, church, government institutions, and everywhere else. English and Tagalog are found everywhere in the media. The rise of fast-food restaurants and shopping malls clearly show that parts of the Philippines are becoming to look like an American city. Even though it is written in history that the Philippines were not under United States’ policies after WWII, the constitution of the Philippine government and the education system is still similar to the United States today.

DISUCUSSION QUESTION:

In the future, do you believe the Philippine government will abolish the English language and the use of U.S. policies? What changes would you make in the Philippine education and government system

(University of the Philippines campus)

Philippines, My Ties to You

            As I embarked on my adventure to the Philippines I came across two articles; one about an undocumented news reporter and the other about the United States signing a travel warning notifying all U.S citizens to take extreme caution when traveling  to the Philippines. I was excited to read and learn about this country in which I have no direct connection with except that Spain had colonized it as it did to El Salvador and Mexico.

            When I arrived I was surprised to find similarities between the Philippines and El Salvador. The country's  customs and the way of life are similar, both are developing countries. Poverty can be seen   but the happiness of the people transcends the way they live.  To me, it is obvious that the  people of the Philippines have shifted their priorities from focusing on the countries welfare to protecting the country from invaders. I will utilize my experiences in the Philippines and the readings and demonstrate how the Spanish invaders have shaped the country's way of life, beliefs  and religion.

            In 1521 the Spanish  invaded the Philippines bringing new beliefs, a new language and a new religion. In quiz section ( 06/29/2011) we learned that before the Spanish invasion the natives of  the Philippines had their religion where they adored nature. This is very similar to the story of Mexico, the natives praised god and goddess of nature, for example  they had a god of the Earth and maiz (corn) amongst others that related to their surroundings. The Spanish brought Catholicism which is obvious in the number of Catholic churches and cathedrals and their architecture. In my stay here I have noticed the number of Catholic churches that surround the city, some churches and cathedrals directly reflect the Spanish influence by the architecture which resemble those of the Spanish. This same story is similar to that of Mexico, where the Spanish also had an influence in their religion. A vast majority of the people in the country consider themselves Catholic. The country is surrounded by many churches similar to Spanish churches. Zinn talks of how Spain and its missionaries scattered settlements re-concentrated in Spanish style pueblos who were dominated by the church. That method allowed the Spanish to have control but to establish their religion which allowed the church to rule. This technique was also used by the Americans when invading the Philippines. After the American had invaded the Philippines the missionaries found their way to the country and introduced their religion.

            When taking a walk around Balay Internasyonal at the University of Philippines campus we can see the influence that invaders have had in the Philippines. There is two churches directly across from each other, one Catholic which reflects the Spanish influence and the other a Christian church which is directly across from it. In “ American War: Friendship and Forgetting” Ileto informs us that the American commanders  installed themselves as the new padres, representatives of a powerful nation bringing a new religion of  modernity, the new religion of modernity which was Christianity. In “Benevolent Assimilation” Zinn informs us how America used their invasion into the Philippines to send missionaries to introduce Christianity, which they called “educating the Filipinos.” The Americans said “ we have to civilize and Christianize the Filipinos, for whom Christ also died..” The influence of the Americans is reflected in the number of Christian churches that have been established by Americans after their invasion.

 

            Not only is the Spanish and American invasion reflected in the churches around the country but in the language. I have noticed that many words in Tagalog are Spanish words. It is interesting to know that at one point the country's language was Spanish and the words still remain in their language. The language reflects the history of the country although it  many not be a  joyous story to reminisce . During the trip to Baguio City, one of the Tree-Top Zip lining workers asked for my name and then asked if I spoke Tagalog. I told him that I didn't, I only knew Spanish, he quickly responded by saying that he hated Spanish. I didn't understand if he hated the language or people from Spain so I asked him why. He told me that the Spanish had colonized the Philippines and he hated Spanish. I told him that I was not Spanish and that they had colonized where my family is from too I felt the hatred from the way he responded and expressed himself. It reminded me of quiz section when we discussed that some Filipinos do not call themselves Filipinos because as we learned in the Zinn reading the Philippines was named after a king of Spain.

            The Americans also had an influence in the language being that English is spoken and taught in schools. The education system resembles to the one in the United States. When I attended class at the University of the Philippines for the first time I was amazed that the English was being spoken. Before my trip I was nervous because I did not know Tagalog and I thought I was going to hard a difficult time communicating with people, little did I know that the language had to be the least of my worries.

            The invasion of the Spanish and the Americans can be seen and heard in the language that people speak and from their religious beliefs. Filipinos have fought invaders since the arrival of the Spanish which shows how they have shifted their priorities. The Filipinos, like any other citizens have protected their country from allowing invaders to take over. They have concentrated in opposing invasion and left the country's welfare aside. I strongly believe that the Philippines is struggling to become a developed country because at one point they put their welfare aside and concentrated in their opposition of invaders.

            Overall, during my stay here I have been able to connect the religion, the language and the style of living of the Philippines to that of El Salvador and Mexico who Spain also colonized.  The Philippines is a country of a lot of history and the influences of the invaders are present today. It is interesting to see how I have connected to this country even though I have no direct ties. The fact that I can relate to the language and the way people live has become very special to me. I can see how the Spanish have influenced the country which resembles to that of other countries that were also colonized by Spain. The colonization of the Spanish is something that many do not like to recall but it makes part of what the country is today and there is nothing that can be done now but to acknowledge the country's past which contributes to its rich history.

What other Spanish and American influences have you noticed since your stay here? 

Just the beginning...

I am in the Philippines. The first email I received from my Pinay mother opened with “I can’t believe you’re in my country” – I can’t either. Having never left the continent, all my life I’ve dreamed of coming here and seeing all the moments from my mother’s childhood. Now that I’m here, few things are as I expected them to be and I am in a whole new world trying to make sense of it all within the context of myself.

We are here to study and have been sitting in on two graduate courses at UP Diliman taught by Dr. Jose. During our first lecture in KAS 205 (Commonwealth of the Philippines), he gave some background history of the time leading up to the period of the Commonwealth, from 1896 to the 1934 Tydings-Mcduffie Act. The lecture was almost embarrassing at times because the UP students knew more about the US history and Presidents than I did. From my high school AP US History class, I had heard of Tydings-McDuffie and the Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act before but never any specifics of the Philippine-American War. I remember asking my teacher about war in the Philippines, but it was answered with “Have you heard of the Bataan death march?” – like this subconscious switch to point fingers at other countries who have done worse than us.

When Dr. Jose explained the timing of these acts to the American Great Depression, everything just clicked for me. Listening to Dr. Jose put events into historical context I remember being so angry at my history teachers for only teaching us this closed Disney version of our own history. Gardner describes part of this problem in education perfectly in the Suarez-Orozco article as “new tension between the global pace of institutional change in ministries of education and schools and the rapid social, economic, and cultural transformations brought about by the forces of globalization”. Just a few hours in Manila will bring so much light to holes in just how much Americans have impacted this country – there might be 1 Filipino model in an advertisement for every 20 white people plastered on the walls of the largest malls in the world right next to these makeshift houses and slums. If an Americans were to experience Manila and become more aware of the influence we’re had here it might put more importance on teaching about the Philippine-American War, but despite globalization we still live in a world of white supremacy and major events like the war with brown people will continue to be unknown.

In a country where formal education is valued more than almost anything, it upset me so much to read that Filipinos were taught that the war was caused by “a misguided, even stupid, rejection of a gift of further enlightenment” by the Filipinos from the Americans (Ileto). The saying Know History, Know Self // No History, No Self comes to mind here where this view of the America as this wise and superior parent is still prevalent today.

The war is just the beginning of this trend, it continues today with Americans and other tourists. We visited the Batad rice terraces and it was definitely the most beautiful and breathtaking thing I have ever experienced. Walking to the village and waterfall was literally a near death experience but definitely worth it. Tourism is one of the only sources of income for the people of Batad.  As we were returning from the waterfall, our tour guide took us on a shortcut through the yards of the local people. There is a point where tourism turns into exploitation. It made me think of the 1909 Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition that happened at the now UW campus and the Igorot Village. I’m so thankful that the journey to Batad and waterfall is so treacherous that it keeps out overwhelming Western influence out for as long as possible.

the intrusive walk back to the hotel through the yards of Batad

Back in Manila, the only request for presents from the States were from my younger cousins to bring Barbies and now I look at what they see, what they learn. The light skinned Filipino Barbie could stand alone, but the brown one married a white guy in a barong. This American influence really penetrates EVERY aspect of life here.

While we were in Baguio, we spoke with some of the workers who helped secure us in the Tree Top Adventure at Camp John Hay (where my Grandfather used to work). One of them asked us if we knew Tagalog and a girl from our group said she spoke Spanish. He responded, in English, with “Oh I hate Spanish! The Spanish colonized the Philippines for hundreds of years!”. I was so surprised to hear him respond with such anger, and yet to me – the half white American – nothing. Nothing about how we promised friendship then backstabbed a nation. Nothing about how we slaughtered and tortured human beings for some paper and land. This trip is a constant emotional rollercoaster.

I got lost in Narita International Airport trying to find my way to the connection flight (hey, it’s my first time traveling international…) along with another Filipino who was looking for the same flight. He asked me what I was doing in Manila and I told him I was studying US imperialism at UP Diliman. His immediate response was “Oh so you’re an activist! I used to be an activist.” That word had such a negative connotation, but here I get excited when I see “SMASH U.S. IMPERIALISM – anakbayan” spraypainted onto the walls of the campus mini market we frequent.  It is evidence of the proper education.

Knowledge is power. Corny, but one -hundred-percent the truth. The way I’m starting to see it is if you’re not an activist, you’re a perpetuator of this system of hegemony we call the norm. I’m loving it here, but I can’t wait to get back – I hope FASA’s ready cause I plan to shake things up. 

no history, no self. know history, know self. (pnoyapparel.com)

There are things I’ve seen here but I haven’t talked about that I’m still trying to deconstruct, from the number of unfinished and abandoned high-rises all around the city, to the attempt of separation of church and state. I’m excited and anxious to see what the next month has for our group of eager-to-be-consciences Seattleites.

Forgive and Forget? Screw That! Parallels Between My Family History and My National History

Our view from a restaurant balcony at Banaue. Also one of several photos from our 3-day trip that will be somewhat evenly but definitely randomly dispersed throughout this post

“History is written by the victors” – Winston Churchill

THE GAME MASTERS OF HISTORY. Just this past week of being in UP-Diliman, I have felt the weight of the truth of these words by merely sitting in on a couple of classes taught by Dr. Ricardo Jose. One class he teaches focuses on the Philippine Commonwealth and the other on American Policies in Asia. Through both, I am learning how my education in American schools has largely starved me of a great and vital portion of my national bearing as a Filipino by feeding me an account of Philippine-American history and relations scant in truth and teeming with myths.

The room is air-conditioned as I sit listening to Dr. Jose’s three-hour lectures, thirstily drinking in a version of history purposefully left out of American textbooks. Back at Balay Kalinaw, the fan gently shakes its head as I hungrily feed on readings that would help me fill in the gaps of the horribly-torn and badly-sown patch of quilt that, representing my Filipino identity, has sadly lain folded in the shadows, having been stitched mute lest it call attention to just how badly mangled my sense of identity really is.

The air-conditioner, the fan – these physical comforts only add to the surreal quality of this on-going learning experience as, with each lecture and reading , I am fed another devastating truth and, with each bite, my internal landscape convulses at the bitter taste of my people’s history.

The growing discomfort I feel makes me feel alive.  Only during rare moments like these do I truly know that my senses are still sharp, my conscience awake.

Taken during our 2-hour jeepney ride from Banaue and along the rather perilous trail to Batad

AMERICAN VERSION. After years of immersion in American curriculum that only taught me about the Spanish-American War of 1898, I come to learn from a Filipino professor in a Philippine university that there was a Philippine-American War that followed it a year later in 1899. I am shocked that such a great and traumatizing event in Philippine history has been hidden from me, and resentful that I had to literally travel back to my homeland to uncover the disguise laid upon this war.

On their part, the Americans called this war by the diabolically misleading phrase: “splendid little war,” a title calculated to hide the imperial designs of the United States, as well as deflect the many atrocities it committed against the Filipinos as it strived to expand its global sphere of influence at the dawn of this last century.

A political cartoon by Zinn illustrates how the United States government under McKinley helped liberate the Filipinos from over 500 years of Spanish rule, only to turn around and invade the country under the pretext of civilizing an already civilized people, and Christianizing an already Christian nation.  El-oh-el, U.S.A. El-oh-el.

PHILIPPINE VERSION. How a war that features the invasion of a nation, the exploitation of its resources, the discrimination against its people, and the destruction of its established society can be called “splendid” is beyond me. There is nothing splendid or “little” about a war that lasts for three years, during the time of which countless young girls and women are violently stripped of their honor, while over a million of their men are tortured and murdered fighting for their freedom, and a whole group of indigenous people are massacred defending their land and way of life.

Splendid little war, indeed!

When a war for Philippine independence is derisively referred to by Americans as a “splendid little war,” one can rest assured that the “protected zones” to where it herded Filipinos were, in fact, concentration camps, and the “benevolent assimilation” program it presented to the rest of the American public was, in reality, “kill-and-burn” and “kill-everything-over-ten” operations.

A man relaxing on the mountaintop before the descent to Batad

Surely, a person, any person – even Mark Twain’s Person Sitting in Darkness – can see right through this blatant misapplication of terms and despise pledging allegiance to the American flag. As Twain satirically recommends, the US must be careful to disguise the nature of its intent in order that the Person Sitting in Darkness might be fooled once again, and its business of oppression, exploitation and discrimination might continue without any outcry by its victims.

For the next five weeks, I have the rare privilege of attending to these weighty matters by way of travel, study and reflection. In excavating my national history, I can’t help but think upon my own family history and take note of certain parallels that run through both like seams on a crisply-folded quilt.

FATHER'S VERSION. My first week in Manila was a memorable one. Before I even heard about the Philippine version of Philippine-American relations through Dr. Jose, I got the chance to hear my father’s version of our family history from the man himself. One Sunday afternoon in June, he broke 15+ years of silence and attempted to explain away an equal amount of years of absence by welcoming us into his house and revealing his heart to us.

After a 9-hour van ride and a 2-hour jeepney ride, we were ready for our 3-mile long hike down the mountain to reach our final destination: the famed Banaue Rice Terraces

I had waited years for this.

His heart was right there. I could reach out and crush it right then and there if I wanted. Just reach out and curl my fingers around it.

MOTHER'S VERSION. I grew up under my mother’s care, fed by her version of family history that portrayed my father as physically violent (she often had to wear long-sleeves in public in order to cover up her bruises), morally corrupt (he was a womanizer and he left us for another woman), and emotionally abusive (he treated her like dirt due to her lack of education).

I can still remember my mother visibly shake as she recounts how, during a fight, he pushed her to the ground, pointing and screaming that she was only a centavo and he was a peso. She only had an elementary education while he was already in college. Even I can’t help but shake with anger and resentment thinking that the woman who has cared for and loved me so fiercely for the past 22 years was a mere centavo to this man. A mere centavo, and he a peso.

This peso abandoned his young wife and four young children, the oldest of which is me. As we went through life without the one who was supposed to be our priest, protector and provider, my mother tried her best to fulfill those roles in his place. We went through many difficulties and learned to climb many mountains in order to survive on our own. My personal means of fortification was through education. It was through education that I was going to help redeem my mother’s honor. If I worked hard enough, and achieved high enough, he might see the folly he committed against us, and grieve. I just wanted to see him grieve.

And at long lat we arrive! And what a view!

FORGIVE. But on that Sunday afternoon, I reached out my hand and, instead of crushing his trembling heart, his exposed heart, I patted his back, encouraging him to continue his tale. I was momentarily alarmed by how different my actual reaction was from my fantasies of avenging myself and my family. In that moment, it became obvious that I was more interested in hearing the truth (or at least his version of it), than I was in hurting him or anybody. I just wanted the whole picture.

I was tired of lying about in two broken pieces across two different continents and just wanted to be whole.

The Hillside Inn with a fantastic view of the rice terraces

BUT DON'T FORGET. There is a lot to be forgiven when two very important aspects of your identity, (your mother, your father, your homeland, your dreamland) have engaged in years of warfare with you right in the middle. There’s a popular saying that goes: “Forgive and Forget.” Personally, I think this is the most unwise aphorism I have ever come across. I will forgive, but I won’t forget!

REMEMBER. The evening I arrived in the Philippines, I was seated across my father on his kitchen table reveling over the relative worth of the Philippine Peso compared to the US Dollar.

“I’m still getting used to mentally converting $1.00 to P43.00. What can you buy nowadays with P43.00?”

My father: “Ah, not much. Even the Peso here is no longer worth anything –” and, shaking his head, he went on to talk about how the Peso is no longer worth anything.

Apparently the Peso is no longer worth anything.

I will forgive, but I won’t forget. I will remember and move on. Like I said on my introductory post, I have two objectives on this trip: academic and familial. I realize now that the two are intricately tied. In the present time, I will continue to learn, and to travel and to live.

AND MOVE ON. This past weekend, we traveled to Banaue and Batad, sweating in hikes up mountains and through jungles and around rice terraces, and splashing in the waterfalls, enjoying a region of the world untouched by commercialization.

I am living, breathing in Filipino air and wanting to help cleanse the pollution that’s in it. I recognize that my education will come into play as I use that as oxygen to sustain myself, fill up my lungs, and expand it, summon up the voice to call back the things that were mine, and call forth the things that are mine by heritage, and call into existence a future that’s less polluted with myths and false memories – one that doesn’t operate blindly under the motto: “Forgive and Forget.”

Though the idea of using education as a way to redeem my mother and her side of the family has stamped itself on my mind long ago, I realize now that I can also use education as a means of redeeming my national identity. I am no longer interested in seeing people grieve. I want redemptive relationships and I wish this between my mother and father, and between the Philippines and the United States.

The parallel between my family history and my national history is very loose and definitely not perfect, but that is not the point. My interest lies in my personal observation that there are multiple versions of events, multiple perspectives in history, all populated with people with different, often clashing interests. And, in order to find where you fit into the context of your history (familial or national), you have to read literature, engage with the culture –you have to know the events that swept you up in your current position. But even knowing is not enough. You have to be armed with the ability to forgive what’s been done in the past and move on.  Forgive, (and you might even be called to forgive multiple times), but never forget. It only takes one moment of forgetting to suck you back into the equation of oppression, subjugation and sweep you back into the backburners of history.

The view from my windowsill at Batad

OWN YOUR OWN HISTORY. Instead of digging your foot on the ground and sinking, dip your finger in the dust and draw a line, and write something redemptive. I write for me and about my various histories in hopes of recording and preserving the world as it looks from my windowsill. In all the time that has passed, is passing, or will pass, I am the only one who will occupy this vantage point. No one else can know my experiences unless I tell them, so I write. And by so doing, I position myself into the role of a victor. 

One-hour picturesque trek from our inn to the waterfalls

 The most rewarding natural destination I have ever set out for

Anthony, the man who drove us through the jungle in his jeepney, and led us through the terraces to get to this closely-guarded secret