Categories
Life

Carlos Palanca enlightens the Americans (1)

Editor’s Note: For this issue and the next, we are reprinting Carlos Palanca’s testimony before the Philippine Commission on June 30, 1899 and July 8, 1899. Carlos Palanca or Chan/Tan Quiensien (陳謙善) was a famous capitan chino during the latter part of the Spanish period, in the 19th century. He also served as acting consul general […]

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Student Page

History: Passion and importance

All of us have a story to tell which, in its own small way, becomes a part of history, albeit most of it untold. I developed a strong passion for history growing up. Back during grade school, I was only interested in video games and reading fictional books. It was not until high school that […]

Categories
History

Tulay turning 30 — on its head

In journalism parlance, “writing 30” means the end of a story. Not so with Tulay. The fortnightly Chinese-Filipino news digest is celebrating its 30th year of publication with this June issue. Unveiled on June 12, 1988, what was once a monthly news digest that sought to publish stories told from the viewpoint of the Tsinoy […]

Categories
History

The Tsino, the Indio, the Mestizo, the Ilustrado: Our national hero

We celebrate two significant events this year. The 200th birth anniversary of Francisco Mercado Rizal, and the 120th commemoration of our Independence Day (June 12, 1898). Both dates are closely tied with the narrative of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. He was born June 19, 1861, in Laguna, the first province that led the […]

Categories
Parenting

Dads are better at some things

Tsinoy dads today are much more hands-on with the kids than in previous generations. While many still regard childrearing as mom’s turf, a dad’s contribution to raising a child cannot be discounted. Women often still have the responsibilities for getting the child dressed, fed, go to school, do the homework, and at day’s end, ready […]

Categories
Gems of History

Death and expulsion: The Chinese in Cavite

The three-year British occupation of Manila (1762-1764) had extensive repercussions on the Chinese community. No doubt, the almost complete expulsion of the Chinese in the Philippines by the Spanish colonial regime was a retaliation for their sympathy with the British. In Essays in Colonial Cavite, 1616-1898, Recoletos Ingleses y la joyagaditana (De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, […]

Categories
Tsinoy Beats and Bytes

Philippines: A tale of pride, progress, poverty

This year marks the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain, the 147th birth anniversary of our national hero, Jose Rizal, and the 200th birth anniversary of his father Francisco Mercado Rizal. These memorable events highlight our nation’s rich history and heroic past. Ten years ago, on June 16, 2008, Abdullah Al-Maghlooth from Saudi Arabia […]

Categories
Idioms...Hokkien style

When words fail, use idioms… Hokkien style (64)

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. 顧鼎頂也著顧鼎下 ko tian ting […]

Categories
History

Museum of Chinese in America

To five million Chinese Americans, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA 美國華人博物舘) is an important repository of their community’s memories and history. Since it opened in 1980, the MOCA has become the place for Chinese Americans to share with the rest of the world how history and culture helped shaped their identity. The museum […]

Categories
Tsinoy Beats and Bytes

Our much beleaguered Philippines

May 11, 2018 was truly a sad day. The Supreme Court allowed the rule of men to prevail over the rule of law. In a vote of 8-6, the nation’s highest court ousted Ma. Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice. This historic decision, granting the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida, will have […]