Categories
Social Development

Let the seeds grow

Tzu Chi (慈濟), means compassion 慈 and relief 濟. The Tzu Chi logo consists of a ship that bears the lotus fruit and flower, symbolizing the belief that the world can be made a better place by planting good karmic seeds. Followers believe that these seeds are required for flowers to bloom and bear fruit, […]

Categories
Culture

Wedding traditions

Even in this modern day and age, Tsinoy traditions continue to underpin Tsinoy’s marriage rites. While modern Tsinoy couples incorporate Western elements into their weddings, they still abide by the same norms their parents practiced back in their generation, hoping to attract fortune and keep their parents happy. “I find some of the [traditions] okay, […]

Categories
Soul of China

林 (Lin, Lim) in the Philippines

林 (Lim in Hokkien, Lin in Mandarin) ranks only as the 17th most popular surnames in China. Yet, it is 6th among Tsinoys, a well-known Chinese surname that over time has been linked with swashbuckling romance, courage in battle, and service in government. In history, there is the pirate Lim-a-hong as early as 1574; Mariano […]

Categories
Kaisa Page

Renewal of hope

Fishing boats. To city dwellers, these bring to mind quaint remembrances of vacations spent by the sea. To fisherfolk in the many islands of the archipelago, these make a vital difference between a decent living and penury. In November 2013, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) touched down in the Visayas and in one brief sweep of violence […]

Categories
Culture

Lessons from tombstones: Cebu’s Chinese community

 First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 24, no. 7 (September 6-19, 2011): 8-10 In recent months, history-conscious members of Cebu’s Tsinoy community have grouped together to try and put up the Sugbu Heritage Center. It is to be similar to the Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros, Manila, established by nongovernment organization Kaisa Para Sa […]

Categories
Culture

Sky burial: Dealing with the afterlife

Some parts of this article may sound mystical: this is not my intention. On All Souls Day, anything mystical-sounding should not be taken lightly. In 2013, while filming a documentary on Tibetan medicine in India, our protagonist Dr. Dorjee had to leave abruptly – he was requested by a very high-ranking lama (Buddhist master) to […]

Categories
Gems of History

Massacre of Chinese in Ilocos

First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 27, no. 6 (August 19-September 8, 2014): 5-6. I was so happy and surprised to find a copy of History of Ilocos by Isabelo Florentino de los Reyes at a bookstore recently. Released this year by the UP Press, it is an English translation by Maria Elinora Peralta […]

Categories
Overseas Chinese

Bangkok’s Chinatown

 First published in Tulay Fortnightly, Chinese-Filipino Digest 22, no. 8 (September 22-October 05, 2009): 5-6. Winding through Bangkok’s Samphanthawong district is the city’s Chinatown. The area pulsates with energy late into the night, teeming with people who come here to shop and dine. It is one of the oldest parts of the city, though it […]

Categories
Culture

Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines (36)

Editors Note: This is the 36th and final installment of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 36. Sam Po Temple 三寶寺Canelar Street, Caburihan, […]

Categories
Culture

Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines (35)

Editors Note: This is the 35th installment of a series about the 36 Chinese Buddhist temples of the Philippines. Much of the information is from a thesis of Venerable Chuanmiao (Hsuan Chuang University, 2008), a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Thousand Buddha Temple in Quezon City. 35. Po Lian Temple 寶蓮寺E.Quirino Avenue, Davao City | […]