That is what I'm rather bitter towards Spain about, amigo. I wish the Filipino ambassador would demand the Spanish delegation to open up and share its historical archives to the Philippines. There are literally thousands upon thousands of written legal documents, church writings, diaries, Filipino artifacts that are in Spain to this day. Many are stored in their museums, the Royal Palace and collected as treasures.
Spain has to understand that Colonial Filipinas is not just a token of Spanish history, but IS an integral part of Filipino history, Filipino national identity, and Filipino solidarity.
Spain, as the colonizer who imbedded us Filipinos with their culture, needs to share and open up its archives. As both the Philippines and Spain share almost 500 years of common history. The Philippines, as well with Mexico also share 250 years of common history.
There was once a time when the Philippines was part of Nueva Espana (New Spain). Which constituted what is now modern day Mexico, California, Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, The Philippines, Guam, Mariana Islands.
There are thousands, if not millions of written documents of the political construct of 'Neuva Espana' that are in the archives of Spain.
This is why it is essential that we uncover these documents and have access to archives because it would provide a wide explanation of how the Philippines was before Hispanicum. As Spanish conquistadores and exploratory monks were known to document the civilizations of peoples before assimilation. The did this in Latin America, and South America. I am sure that they have countless primary sources on the Philippines. Absolutely sure of it. Why else would they feel compelled in necessitizing the 'Christianization' of the entire archipelago?
That means that there was some kind of greater or equal culture in the archipelago before Hispanization. They forbid the use of the indigenous writing systems, the use of indigenous metallurgy, and warrior culture. Something was there before them. And we know very little about it; only by comparing with neighboring cultures in Malaysia and Indonesia. Instead of comparing and learning malaysian or indonesian history, why not read from the archives of the Spaniards instead? How can we expect to move forward when we, as a people, don't even have a full understanding of our own history? Or prevented from learning the entire history?
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=13226.0