First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 1 (June 1988): 6, 12. In the same manner as one “learns warfare through warfare,” you learn language by speaking it,” said our interpreter-guide, Comrade Zhang. “Now that you are in China,” he said, “you will learn Chinese.” Waving given such advice after we requested for […]
First published in Tulay Monthly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 1, no. 1 (June 12, 1988): 4, 11. When I was in high school, I was fitted for contact lenses, after wearing eyeglasses since I was in third grade. The day it was accomplished the doctor – a kindly, rather enthusiastic man called me to his desk and […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest, August 6, 2002, p. 11 Selbevußstein,” my philosophy professor intoned in that stiff, upper-lipped German way, and I was positively enamored. It reminded me of the time when as a child, I would pass by the Goethe Institute and wonder if I should study guttural German when I […]
Even in this modern day and age, Tsinoy traditions continue to underpin Tsinoy’s marriage rites. While modern Tsinoy couples incorporate Western elements into their weddings, they still abide by the same norms their parents practiced back in their generation, hoping to attract fortune and keep their parents happy. “I find some of the [traditions] okay, […]
Fishing boats. To city dwellers, these bring to mind quaint remembrances of vacations spent by the sea. To fisherfolk in the many islands of the archipelago, these make a vital difference between a decent living and penury. In November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) touched down in the Visayas and in one brief sweep of violence […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 24, no. 7 (September 6-19, 2011): 8-10 In recent months, history-conscious members of Cebu’s Tsinoy community have grouped together to try and put up the Sugbu Heritage Center. It is to be similar to the Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros, Manila, established by nongovernment organization Kaisa Para Sa […]
Some parts of this article may sound mystical: this is not my intention. On All Souls Day, anything mystical-sounding should not be taken lightly. In 2013, while filming a documentary on Tibetan medicine in India, our protagonist Dr. Dorjee had to leave abruptly – he was requested by a very high-ranking lama (Buddhist master) to […]
Editors Note: This is the 36th and final installment 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. 36. Sam Po Temple 三寶寺Canelar Street, Caburihan, […]
Editors Note: This is the 35th installment 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. 35. Po Lian Temple 寶蓮寺E.Quirino Avenue, Davao City | […]
Editors Note: This is the 34th 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. 34. Long Hua Temple 龍華寺Cobaguio Avenue, Davao City | Tel. […]