A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. 千里之行，始於足下. For me, that first single step was deciding in 1979 to take graduate studies at the University of the Philippines and to specialize on contemporary China. This was what launched what has become a 40-year-long sojourn – and counting – as a China […]
Hokkien, on the tongues of Tsinoys, has grown and evolved, taking on a life of its own. Sometimes words simply fail us. With some creativity, Tsinoys have strung together words to form colorful phrases that simply hit the bull’s eye. Here are some expressions unique to Hokkien as favored by Tsinoys. Idioms, expressions Hokkien pronunciation […]
My 40-something-year-old husband felt like a kid again as he joined 21 other performers at a small recital at the University of the Philippines College of Music Extension Program. We have always believed that the arts are important. Our children do not need to become professionals at their craft, but we want them to hone […]
There is a Chinese saying, “Kaijuan youyi (開卷有益).” It means reading is always profitable. Another, “Shali taojin (沙裡淘金),” means there are gold grains to be found in sand or the essential from a large mass of materials. The two sayings have long been our motto in our research on the Chinese in the Philippines. To […]
The Chinese Embassy in the Philippines has publicly admitted the seriousness of problems emanating from their citizens’ involvement in Philippine offshore gaming operations and gambling-related crimes, for that reason they recommend that if you like gambling you research for all the info that you would need where that you start to be sure that you […]
Chinese devotees consider at least three images of the Virgin Mary in the Philippines as Christian emanations of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu. Aside from the Virgin of Caysasay, there is also Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage in Antipolo (Virgen de la Paz y Buen Viaje) and Our Lady of the Abandoned (Virgen […]
Hokkien, on the tongues of Tsinoys, has grown and evolved, taking on a life of its own. Sometimes words simply fail us. With some creativity, Tsinoys have strung together words to form colorful phrases that simply hit the bull’s eye. Here are some expressions unique to Hokkien as favored by Tsinoys. Idioms, expressions Hokkien pronunciation […]
Devotion to Our Lady of Caysasay grew as word spread that requests and prayers to her are answered, and that through her, miracles happen. Particularly, many talked about healing miracles. Here are a few accounts gleaned from the internet, interviews and write-ups about Caysasay and Ma Cho. Babies Marivic Alday has been a household help […]
Devotees of the Lady of Caysasay, also recognized as the Chinese goddess Ma Cho, have built shrines to house her image. In Batangas City, on the grounds of Chinese school Kip Si, a temple was built complete with traditional Chinese dragons, arches and carved stone pillars. It is home to a replica of the original […]
Some 90 percent of Tsinoys are Christians belonging to Catholic, Protestant, or native Philippine churches. Only about five percent believe in Buddhism only or any form of Chinese folk religion. Yet, tradition dies hard. Centuries of living in the Philippines have embedded Chinese customs, beliefs and practices into the tapestry of local life, including religion. […]