Who were afraid of the mestizos? Answer: The Spanish colonizers during the 19th century. We are not kidding. Referring again to Alfredo Roces’ Adios Patria Adorada: The Filipino as Ilustrado, the Ilustrado as Filipino, which I cited in the July 4-14, 2017 issue on “The great role of mestizos,” Sinibaldo de Mas in 1842 penned […]
That’s the mantra of tour operators and tour guides to visitors who go to either of the Unesco World Heritage sites. Indeed, with over 3,000 limestone outcroppings spread over an area of 4,810 hectares, Zhangjiajie in Hunan province in China is a mystical glimpse into times long past. Looking down into the tangled spaces between […]
During ancient times, letter writers were called scribes. Nowadays, with improved literacy, it’s hard to imagine why letter writers were necessary a century ago. My first encounter with the profession was at the Bahay Tsinoy, a museum of Chinese in Philippine life. One prominent life-sized figure depicted a late Spanish or early American era man […]
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. 唐山婆 téng suan po […]
For many parents involved in their children’s schooling, annual rites include buying school supplies. With so many goodies available from large retailers at the mall, children tag along with parents to shop for supplies and all have a grand time. All, that is, except the wallet. On average, the price markup at large chains is […]
Also known as the Ding Ding cars because of the sound of their bells, Hong Kong’s 100-year-old tramcars received a new logo and visual identity. The background color of the new visual identity of the tramcars is green, to indicate that they are environmentally sound and safe. The new slogan, “Catch a ride, catch a […]
At Dans Le Noir restaurant in London, diners eat in total darkness served by the visually impaired. While one can easily converse with the blind server, the darkness prevents patrons from seeing anyone or anything. The experience leaves one with a deeper understanding of – and sympathy for – those who cannot see, and how […]
Archaeologists have found astronomical engravings on a 2,000-year-old rock carving in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The five holes spanning a distance of 1,000 meters were found in moorstone rocks in Yinshan Mountains in the region’s capital Hohhot. Yinshan Mountains are famous for a large cluster of ancient rock paintings. The holes form a […]
Antique clocks, scientific instruments, enamel pieces and porcelain. Gifts for China’s emperors from olden days. Kept in a museum storehouse… until now. In all, 219 such artifacts from the Palace Museum Collections are now on display in a newly refurbished neoclassical building in Xiamen, Fujian province. Imperial treasures have found a temporary home in the […]
Around 200 St. John’s Institute student volunteers in Bacolod City helped pack fortified rice meals for displaced families in Marawi City. In total, 250 boxes were packed, each containing 36 rice meals, which will be sent to Mindanao for the evacuees. SJI student council president Angela Terese Yu said this is how they show their […]