Lorenzo,
The cultural division since the coming of the Spaniards in our country did not move, evolve or change. Nothing is new... it is still the same from its conception. One opinion maker I read in the papers extolling the cultural heritage that was brought by the Spaniards to our country. He was refering to the ilustrado culture, to which I replied; that the ilustrado culture only brings division among the Filipinos. I said this; "the ilustrado culture is a racist culture."
I noticed this division since I was a young man that when you are looking for a job at the Coca-Cola Plant of Tagbilaran you must be a meztiso to qualify as salesman. This is also true in Manila and until now parts of your resume to qualify for a job is that; you must have a pleasing personality, you must be a Catholic and if you are already old you are discriminated in favor of younger people.
Susmarosep! Ang mga maot ug nawong intawon dili maka-trabaho. Hehehe...
And the most blatant display of racial discrimination in our country was the political persecution of Erap. The line of thinking among the people who are believers of the mainstream media is like this; since Erap was elected by the poor... he is not qualified to be the president, he cannot speak English, he is not well educated and he has no knowledge of governance. For these reasons he must be ousted.
WH
Way Nada,
I respect your opinion, as it is educated and covers many points. Given it is undeniable that the negative effects Spanish Imperialism had on our country from the people to the social fabric has remained so; an effect of Hispanismo. The Spaniards have left their imprint in our zealous nature when in regards to religion as well as in the fabric of family and the family unit.
In essence, it is the effect of Roman Law that has ruled and reigned throughout tour Pacific Archipelago for almost half a millenia. For me, the Spanish imprint has a dichotomy of results; both positive and negative.
The Oligarchy that was created due to the pseudo autonomous rule that Spain gave the Philippines (it really was the Filipino ruling the Filipino during Pax Hispanica). The Filipino Principales Class implemented inhibitory rules and laws to prevent the rise of the working class; as a way to limit the control of hte nation to the said Principales.
Filipinos of the Ilustrado Class were the ones who inhibited their own peoples; mestizos marrying only mestizos, and mestizos marrying only Spaniards. The Spaniards did not care who they married as it was a Royal Promulgation by Felipe II of Espana that miscegenation was necessary. It was policy that Spanish blood be mingled with the 'Indios' to facilitate the Hispanization of the colony. This was a policy that Spain implemented not only in the Philippines but throughout its possessions in the New World.
A result of this policy, there are over 500 Million Spanish Speaking peoples in the world. Central, South America, The Philippines etc are a result of Spanish overseas miscegenation. Their effects can be seen: Culturally, Linguistically, and Genetically (he he he).
The concept of Mestizo superiority was a Filipino-grown effect. It was the Filipino Mestizo that implemente dracist clause against his own brother (the full blooded indio). The Spaniards did not care, so long as they paid taxes, were loyal to the church and did not rebel against King and Country, they could care less. The Principlaes Class (particularly Mestizos at the time) thought themselves more superior in that they ran government and ran the political structure; a way of proving to the Imperialist Spaniards that they were equal if not greater than the Spaniards.
What I do find rather interesting, is how the Principales Class has changed throughout the 100 years since Spain lost control of its Asiatic Bastion.
During Spain's control, the Chinese were considered subhuman. And many laws were implemented to prevent Chinese immigrants from marrying with Spaniards, Spanish Mestizos, and the Indios. They were literally considered the bottom of the totem pole, next to the negro and mulattos in society.
However, since that time, it is the Chinese-Filipinos that now control the Principales Class.
As well as control commerce in the Philippines. The Chinese have married into the very class that once prevented and barred them from society.
It is now the Chinese-Filipino who marries the Spanish mestiza or the indio.
BL
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