Eugenio Menegon’s book, Ancestors, Virgins and Friars: Christianity as a local religion in late Imperial China (Harvard University Asia Center, 2009), is a history of a 400-year-old community in Fu’an county (福安市) in Fujian province, China. What makes the book really interesting and significant are historical materials and information about the Chinese in the Philippines […]
Things always happen for a reason. In the wake of the devastation wrought by the 6.7-magnitude earthquake that hit Surigao on Feb. 10, seismologists reminded the public that Metro Manila is in for the “Big One” soon. The West Valley Fault caused a major earthquake way back 1658 or 357 years ago. Since that particular […]
In 1276 AD, Emperor Du Zong (度宗) of South Song (1127-1279) surrendered to the Yuan (Mongolian) army. The minister of Rites, Lu Xiu Fu (陸秀夫), refused to surrender. He left Lin An (臨安, the capital of South Song, now Hangzhou) with General Zhang Shi Jie (張世傑) and other officials, and installed the son of Du […]
News about the gruesome death of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo, 53, abducted and killed by policemen under the aegis of the administration’s war on drugs, has caught international attention and has been the subject of a Senate investigation. Being an optimist, I did not believe we could sink any lower after the war on drugs or […]
Long before the arrival of the Spaniards in the Kingdom of Manila or even before Rajah Soliman ruled in the 16th century, there already existed an ancient kingdom called Namayan. Established in the 11th century, the precolonial settlement in Santa Ana was the oldest along the Pasig River. Last October, the revised edition of the […]
Dear friends and relatives, It is the time of the year again to share my annual family letter, the 41st since the tradition started in 1975. This comes with my family’s warmest wishes for a meaningful, safe and productive 2017. May God’s mantle of protection cover us all with love, health, peace and joy. Donald […]