Stock up on your Christmas gift-giving now. Give a lasting gift of knowledge.
Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, Inc. will soon release Volume VI of The Chinese in the Philippines – Problems and Perspectives. Authored and edited by the Ang See daughter and mother tandem, Carmelea and Teresita, the volume has 561 plus main pages – the biggest volume of the six titles in the series.
This sixth volume, like its predecessors, contains articles, papers and essays Carmelea and/or Teresita Ang See have presented in local and international forums. It is the 66th title in Kaisa’s list of publications – mostly in English but also in Chinese and in Filipino. It contributes to Kaisa’s efforts to enhance deeper understanding and knowledge of the many rapid changes that have happened to Tsinoys through time, especially the transformation of identities from the merchant sojourners to present day Tsinoys, as well as their true role in all aspects of Philippine life.
Kaisa will launch the volume soon as the culminating activity in commemorating 38 years of Kaisa and 25 years of Bahay Tsinoy – museum of the Chinese in Philippine life.
The five sections of the book cover a wide variety of topics that explore the problems and challenges and expound the authors’ perspectives on various issues and concerns besetting the Tsinoy community.
Section I. HISTORY AND CULTURE explores new sources and narratives in Philippines-China relations, share new knowledge about Chinese ancient maps and records as sources of Philippine history, and offer new information about the Chinese connection to 500 years of Christianity and the veneration of the Goddess Macho as Mama Mary.
Section II. CHINA AND TSINOYS introduces concerns about rising China and new policies on Chinese overseas as well as problems arising from the xin yimin, the deadly infodemics and the social divide arising from the COVID-19 response.
Section III. IDENTITIES tackle 50 years of martial law and beyond, how the political environment shape identity formation among Tsinoys and how Tsinoys navigate their dual heritage.
Four essays in Section IV. PERSPECTIVES ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES were written by Teresita Ang See as research fellow of ISEAS of Singapore. The topics cover the Alice Guo debacle to outdated immigration and citizenship policies to problems arising from the POGO ban, accusations of espionage and how the Tsinoys often become collateral damage.
Section V. SHORT ESSAYS ON TSINOY CONCERNS were articles published in Tulay Fortnightly either as cover stories or features. They cover treasures from Qing Dynasty archives, heroes and heroines in the Philippine revolution, transformation of Chinatown, Teresita’s UP education and 30 years of the peace and order campaign spearheaded by the Movement of Restoration of Peace and Order under the auspices of Kaisa.
Dr. Bernardita R. Churchill, who wrote the foreword, congratulated the authors that “It is also heartening to see that Tessy’s daughter, Meah, is following in the footsteps of both her parents. Meah now oversees Bahay Tsinoy, the Museum of the Chinese in Philippine Life, and continues to advance Kaisa’s research agenda, all while completing her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Education from Lesley University in Boston, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Tessy’s son, Dr. Sean Benson Ang See, PhD., is a full-time Chemistry professor at the University of the Philippines.”
2025 marks 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Conferences, discussions, forums, exhibits and many other activities were held. But instead of a festive celebration, it is tempered by the realities of recent challenges arising from geopolitical tensions. The volume, however, underscores that although problems exist, overall, we remember the robust and productive relations that brought mutual benefits and emphasize that the ties that bind our two nations together should be stronger than the issues that divide us.
Avail of the pre-launch price of P500 offered until Nov. 30, 2025. Full retail price will be much higher. Orders are accepted Kaisa office, 8506-2796 (landline) or cell phone/Viber 0927-7609638 or email [email protected].
Pre-orders can also be made by filling out the pre-order form at https://bit.ly/4oyR43H.