The late Co Tec Tai (許澤台), legal name Ong Yong, father of Tulay columnist Dr. Willie Ong, shared a true story about an incident he witnessed during the Japanese occupation of Manila during World War II. He narrated the story in an article he wrote in 1994 in memory of his uncle Co Liong Peng […]
When the second Sino-Japanese war broke out in 1937, Ma Ben Zhai (馬本齋), a Muslim, responded to the call to fight the Japanese invaders. He led his younger brother, organized the Muslim army volunteers, and joined in the struggle against the Japanese. Ma’s volunteers struck against the Japanese troops several times. They made the enemy […]
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. 跟鬼哭無爸 kang kui k’ao bo pe […]
Exactly 22 years ago today, on Jan. 19, 1999, the Kaisa Heritage Center and Bahay Tsinoy, a museum of Chinese in Philippine life, housed in the three-story Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center Building, formally opened to the public with the late President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino as the guest of honor. The “mother” organization, Kaisa Para Sa […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest | January 19-February 1, 2016 | vol. 28 nos. 15-16 | It is well known that Pedro Paterno, a prominent leader of the Propaganda Movement of the 19th century, is a Chinese mestizo, just like many leaders and famous figures of the movement. Not as known is the […]
The Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order on January 12 issued a statement, signed by its chairperson Ka Kuena Chua and founding chair Teresita Ang See, regarding the December 2020 kidnapping of James Yap. Yap, 21, was safely released on Jan. 6. He was kidnapped on Dec. 31 in New Manila and was released […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest | 19 January – 01 February 2016, vol. 28 nos. 15-16 | 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 […]
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest, January 19-February 1, 2016. | The lion dance is fast becoming an integral part of Manila’s cultural landscape. At the forefront of the revitalized lion dance scene is a new generation of Tsinoy sports associations, which uphold the values of authentic tradition, professionalism and inclusivity. In this issue, […]
The Chinese embassy in Manila on Nov. 5 announced all Philippine passports with valid Chinese visa or permanent residence permit cannot enter China as of the moment, except for diplomatic, official, courtesy and flight attendant visa. For more information, go to http://ph.china-embassy.org/eng/sgdt/t1829559.htm.
First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest, November 1-14, 2016 | vol. 29, No. 11 | Do you believe in ghosts? I didn’t use to, but now I have to admit that I do. I think back to the big ancient house in Santol that my grandparents lived in, where Japanese soldiers were reportedly killed, […]