Categories
Life

History writ in ceramics

Little was written in ancient Chinese books about the Philippines and Philippine-Chinese ties during the Song (960-1279)and Yuan (1279-1368) dynasties. Most often quoted were the following: Zhu Fan Zhi (諸蕃誌 Record of Foreigners) and Dao Yi Zhi Lue (島夷志略 Record of Foreign Islands), both describing places in the Philippines; Wen Xian Tong Kao (文獻通考 Review […]

Categories
Soul of China

Bravery even in the line of fire

Opium was never totally banned in China even after China’s national hero Lin Ze Xu (林則徐) burned and destroyed in 1839 all the opium to be shipped to Britain at Hu Men (虎門), Canton (Guangzhou). The first Opium War (1840-1842) that followed led to the signing of the Nanking Treaty between China and Britain. But […]

Categories
Idioms...Hokkien style

When words fail, use idioms… Hokkien style (60)

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. 靠山吃山, 靠海吃海 k’o suan […]

Categories
Parenting

Teach by example

Senator Manny Pacquiao seems to have forgotten this adage when he said on March 7 that he was considering filing a bill that would seek to include a subject on patriotism in schools. First off, teachers in both public and private schools already do their part in teaching children about being proud of their country. […]

Categories
History

Museum to visit this summer (2)

It’s summer time once again and we clamor for things to do! Tulay highlights some museums that are slightly off the beaten path. Should you find yourself in their neighborhoods, do drop in. LUZON PALAWAN HERITAGE CENTER Modern Art Museum in Puerto Princesa City Provincial Legislative Building, Fernandez Street Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (048) 434-7524 […]

Categories
History

Museums to visit this summer (1)

It’s summer time once again and we clamor for things to do! Tulay highlights some museums that are slightly off the beaten path. Should you find yourself in their neighborhoods, do drop in. Metro Manila BANTAYOG NG MGA BAYANI Sen. Jovito R. Salonga Building, Bantayog Memorial Center Quezon Avenue near corner EDSA, Diliman, Quezon City […]

Categories
Tsinoy Beats and Bytes

Formula for disaster: Cha-Cha and federalism

Charter change has once again reared its head. The objective: To change our form of government from a centralized, unitary system to federalism. The change would mean sharing of power between two levels of government – a central government and regional ones – both equal to each other. Instead of solving problems, the changes can bring […]

Categories
Gems of History

Chinese alumni of Letran in the 18th century

Not until we read Francisco R. Liongson IV’s 2017 work, Letran: An Untold History, vol.1: 1620-1872, did we know that the first Catholic bishop in China, Gregorio Luo Wenzao (羅文藻, 1616-1691), OP, was a product of the Philippines who came to Manila three times and studied theology at the University of Santo Tomas. Luo was […]

Categories
History

Olivia Limpe Aw: Continuing a legacy

Olivia Limpe Aw, current chief executive officer and president of Destileria Limtuaco, believes that local distilled spirits and liqueurs should take their place in the world market alongside tequila, sake and vodka. Hence, the company now offers traditional Filipino spirits such as San Juan Premium Lambanog and Vigan Basi. The company has also gained acclaim […]

Categories
History

Destileria Limtuaco: The house that ‘spirits’ built

The heritage district of Intramuros just added the newly opened The Destileria Limtuaco Museum, which chronicles the history of the country’s oldest distillery and the family that owns it. Since 1852, the company has been manufacturing some of the country’s most popular spirits and liquors such as White Castle Whiskey, Maria Clara Sangria and the […]