Editors Note: This is the 30th of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 30. Fa Tzang Temple (法藏寺)C.L. Montelibano, Narra Ext., Bacolod City […]
Editors Note: This is the 29th of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 29. Buddha Light Temple 佛光寺Benedicto St., North Reclamation Area, Cebu […]
Bu Shi (卜式), a shepherd, accumulated great wealth during the reign of Han Wu Di (漢武帝, 140-88 BC). At that time, the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.) was battling the Xiongnu (Huns), an ancient nationality in northern China. The war had drained the empire’s coffers. When Bu Shi learned about it, he submitted a statement […]
Editors Note: This is the 28th of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 28. Palawan Fayu Temple 巴拉灣法雨寺Honda Bay, Puerto Princesa City, PalawanTutuban […]
The ninth most populous surname in China is 周 (Zhou in Mandarin, Chiu in Hokkien). Yet, there is no 周 family association in the Philippines simply because there are not enough of the clan members living here. Nevertheless, there are Chius in the Philippines. Among the prominent Chiu family in Cebu is Francisco L. Benedicto […]
Whenever Chinatown in Manila is mentioned, what comes to the mind of people nowadays would be Ongpin Street in Binondo, which became the symbol of Chinatown in Manila since 1923. Formerly Sacristia Street, Ongpin Street was named in honor of Roman Ongpin. Before that, was there a Chinatown in Manila? Where was it, if ever? […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 7 (August 5-18, 2014): 16. On a recent visit to Taipei, we wanted to do an out-of-town day trip. The choice was a toss up between the famous (for honeymooners, at least it used to be famous for that) Sun Moon Lake and the little-known Jiufen […]
Editors Note: This is the 27th of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 27. Ling Hong Temple 靈峰寺Gen. Luna Street, Cabanatuan City, Nueva […]
Tsinoys who carry the surname 趙 (Zhao in Mandarin, Tio in Hokkien, Tiu in Canton) is a minority among the Philippine Chinese. Yet in China, 25 million Chinese people have this surname… Making 趙 the 8th most populous there. The origin of 趙 is dual: it is based on a place in China, as well […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 7 (August 5-18, 2014): 13. Dear Dr. Ong, Five years ago, I found out that I have hepatitis B. Up to now, I am still positive for hepatitis B. My wife is blaming me because she believes I got it from sleeping with other women. In […]