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Soul of China

South Song and Luzon

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 […]

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Tsinoy Beats and Bytes

We don’t deserve this

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 […]

Categories
Gems of History

The 11th-century kingdom of Namayan

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 […]

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Tsinoy Beats and Bytes

Let our light shine in 2017

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 […]