A s part of their homework, my granddaughters, ages 9 and 7, were instructed to watch President Duterte’s second State of the Nation Address on television. The SONA would be discussed in class, they were told. The two girls asked me to sit with them so we could listen to it together. For the first […]
Who were afraid of the mestizos? Answer: The Spanish colonizers during the 19th century. We are not kidding. Referring again to Alfredo Roces’ Adios Patria Adorada: The Filipino as Ilustrado, the Ilustrado as Filipino, which I cited in the July 4-14, 2017 issue on “The great role of mestizos,” Sinibaldo de Mas in 1842 penned […]
In October 1681, Zhao Shen Qiao (趙申喬 1644-1720) was appointed mayor of Shang Qiu (商丘) municipality in Henan province. At the time, Shang Qiu was frequented by calamities. The taxes levied were high that the people unceasingly rebelled. The place was difficult to govern that any official was hesitant and afraid to assume a position […]
I am writing this in the car while caught in traffic on a rainy day. Nothing new and, as Doc Jim always advises us, it’s pointless to be angry about something you cannot change or control. Those are wise words from an accomplished physician. Among the many hats he wears, Dr. Jaime Galvez-Tan is a medical […]
In 1984, the late historian Dr. Antonio S. Tan came out with The Chinese Mestizos in the Formation of Filipino Nationality, an excellent monograph that explores for the first time the great role played by the Chinese mestizos in the formation of the Filipino nation. It was first published by the Asian Center of the […]
It has been over a month since the Marawi City siege started. Residents are hopeful the end is in sight and they can return home or at least check if they still have a home to go back to. Matching, if not exceeding, the terror wreaked by the Maute group is the terror spawned by […]
In February 466 AD, during the Southern Dynasties period (420-589), Liu Zi Xun (劉子勛), the king of Jin An (晉安王), declared a rebellion against the emperor, Song Ming Di (宋明帝). He proclaimed himself emperor at Xun Yang (尋陽) in Jiangxi (江西) province and gained support from many prefectures. With only a few prefectures and counties […]
Crisis in Marawi, martial law in Mindanao, suffering of evacuees, tragedy at Resorts World Manila, fake news from the Department of Justice. These filled the front pages of newspapers and topped the newscasts on the eve of celebrations for the nation’s 119th Independence Day. It was as if the events had conspired to thumb collective […]
T ulay’s May 24-June 20, 2016 issue featured the first Catholic bishop of China, Luo Wenzao (羅文藻, 1615-1691) or Gregorio Lopez, who visited Manila five times between 1638 and 1684 and had studied theology at the University of Santo Tomas. Luo is the first Chinese Catholic of China trained in the Philippines. But Luo, who […]
Where but in the Philippines does a sorely unqualified and inexperienced figure get appointed to a critical position in government as reward for services rendered during a political campaign? Margaux “Mocha” Uson’s appointment on May 8 as assistant secretary at the Presidential Communications Operations Office is the latest proof. She has been assigned to take […]