MikeLigalig.com

Quote from: aira_galope on July 09, 2008, 10:09:23 PM

hi everyone! here's my picture with my third son and youngest

Awwwww

Too cute! Aira, they have their mother's beautiful eyes.

Posing with Michelle; a fellow Hospital Medical Extern. Trying to act 'normal' in this pic.

Can you tell that I am sleep deprived? LoL

I love colonial history, 'te. Not only Philippines', but American, and Latin American.

There is a romantic appeal to it, in the Western aspect. And it is something that will eternally affect the societies of the world in the future. Colonial dynamics and its effects in the politics, culture, economics and sociology of regions is a personal favorite.

I love reading about it. 

If you have any other questions, please do, I am always here to try my best to answer them to the best of my ability within the context of the perspective in question.

To my fellow historians, please indulge us about your views on the said subject matter. We are all students of History, let us all learn from one another.

Ate Ging,

Balika na!


Your bro,

Nostalgic Video of Manila.

Old Manila. The Pearl of the Orient Seas.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MY4YWDG_NUg&feature=related

Oh Mike. How could I have missed this video.

Oh I love it, thank you for sharing, bro.

Very much.

Feed the poor.

Sold out.

Sometimes i too have difficulty when i post something; ang page pood nako mo blank out.

Sigoro it was just bad connection, Ma'am Orchids.

Is there any way you can re-post it and share with us your post? Gusto pood ko mo read adto.

Miss Orchids, what I do is even before I post something, I just copy everything that i wrote and paste it on any writing program just in case the post will blank out. Dozens of my posts that have been very long were lost when i tried posting in the past and the page just blanked out. And I tried to go back to reclaim the post; but was of no avail.

If I was this man, I would have gone down on my knees and given exaltations to the Most High, to whom nothing is 'Impossible'.

Upon reading this article, I could not help but feel a tingling sensation coursing down my spine. It is a powerful reminder of the fragility of Life; and the unpredictability of when the Most High will beckon our return to HIM.

Everyday, we always should shout exaltations to The Lord, for His blessings, for his good graces. And for the life he has given us. I really am inspired by this article and this story.

Though many people died in this disastrous event. Weep not for many have returned to the Glorious Most High! Where they will forever enjoy the company and joy of Christ Jesus in Heaven. From which ALL good things come from.

To the families who are mourning, you are in my prayers. Death is not the end, it is only the beginning. Where there is faith, there is hope of redemption. Christ pray for Us.


Amen

Where was it posted, Miss Orchids?

Aira, thank you for starting this thread.

Amen, Amen, I say to you my sister.

God Bless You, and Your Family!

Miss Orchids,

You know how to dance La Aray?

Wow! You need to teach me someday, pohon.

You are most welcome, ate.

There is so much rich culture within Philippine History.

When I was studying the Philippine-Spanish Historical dynamics in college, I was fascinated at how much Spain transplanted its culture into Philippine society. What was astonishing was the fact that I never knew this prior to studying it.

So much of this relation was forgotten or covered up by the Americans during the the early 20th century to independence in 1946.

To this day there are millions of writings in the Philippines and Spain regarding the era; many have not even been translated into English or Filipino. So much left to learn..

Aira,

I also found a picture that inspired me; just as the pictures you posted.



800,000 flock to catch Pope's message

Hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims camped overnight in a field outside Cologne awaiting today's open-air Mass from Pope Benedict XVI as he wraps up his first foreign visit since his election.

The Pope energised a crowd of some 800,000 pilgrims last night in a service where he highlighted the need for Christians to embrace their religion.

"It is not ideologies that save the world, but only a return to the living God, our creator, the guarantor of our freedom, the guarantor of what is really good and true," the 78-year-old pontiff told the pilgrims gathered in the vast Marienfeld near the village of Kerpen.

"True revolution consists in simply turning to God who is the measure of what is right and who at the same time is everlasting love. And what could ever save us apart from love?"

As he spoke atop the altar mount, the flags of almost 200 nations were waved among the crowd.

I draw strength from one specific passage in scripture. This passage was crucial to me when I was a freshman in college and far away from the love of my father, mother, and my younger sister and baby brothers. This passage strengthened me and comforted me so very much; so many times. 

QuoteWho shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:35-39

The remains of St. Peter are buried in St. Peter's Bassilica in the Vatican. Where he was crucified upside down for the charge of spreading the Christian faith in the city of Rome.

The miracle of miracles, which has been declared unto the world, is the transformation of Rome. Because of his piety and the faith of Christians (even holding mass in the catacombs to escape persecution from Roman guards), the faith spread through the city like wildfire. And from Rome, unto the territories that it controlled.

Rome, the capital of the Pagan Roman Empire became 'Christian' within 2 centuries after the death of Christ. The capital of the once pagan empire became Christian and would spread Christianity to the four corners of Europe.

That is, to me, a miracle within itself.

Truly, it is true when they say "The Lord works in mysterious ways".

The very army and people that crucified the Lord on the cross; he used them to spread the Christian Faith. Eventually to the world.

Someday, I will have to get myself to visit Rome and the Vatican.

To touch the very ground that Blessed St. Peter was on and to attend a general mass with His Holiness the Pope would be something. Boy that would be something.

Seeing this picture reminded me one verse in scripture of the angel that opened the prison gates that once held Blessed Simon Peter.

"It was about this time that King Herod started persecuting certain members of the church.
He had James the brother of John beheaded,
and when he saw that this pleased the Jews he went on to arrest Peter as well.
As it was during the days of Unleavened Bread that he had arrested him, he put him in prison, assigning four sections of four soldiers each to guard him, meaning to try him in public after the Passover.
All the time Peter was under guard the church prayed to God for him unremittingly.
On the night before Herod was to try him, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, while guards kept watch at the main entrance to the prison.

Then suddenly an angel of the Lord stood there, and the cell was filled with light. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him. 'Get up!' he said, 'Hurry!' -- and the chains fell from his hands.

The angel then said, 'Put on your belt and sandals.' After he had done this, the angel next said, 'Wrap your cloak round you and follow me.'

He followed him out, but had no idea that what the angel did was all happening in reality; he thought he was seeing a vision.

They passed through the first guard post and then the second and reached the iron gate leading to the city. This opened of its own accord; they went through it and had walked the whole length of one street when suddenly the angel left him.
It was only then that Peter came to himself. And he said, 'Now I know it is all true. The Lord really did send his angel and save me from Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting."

-Acts 12: 1-11

Note, the use of the fan in flamenco was a direct influence of Filipino dance on the Spanish Flamenco.

Not everyone knows that, but a little tid-bid on the side never hurt anyone

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xhits_HAeKM&feature=related


The Flamenco developed in the 18-19th centuries and played a pivotal role in influencing the dances in the Philippines during the 18-19th centuries.

There are even styles in the Jotas of Manila and Cebu that can be seen in Flamenco

Both influenced each other.


Utterly Beautiful~

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yBXektuE3gI&feature=related

This dance is similar to Alcamfor and the Jotas of Manila, Cebu and Davao.

However, this video is historically beautiful.

Notice the beauty of the dress the Filipina is wearing? This was the popular and typical clothing worn by women of the elitist class or of the growing intelligentsia class during the late 19th century.

This is also the same style of clothing worn by the women of Spain during the same period.

O how beautiful! I am always drawn to the beauty of the Spanish Philippines. The styles, the music, the dances, the languages, the passions, the nationalistic undertones. Ah! Dios Mio!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4unn6PG56Dw&feature=related

Its name is derived from the plant of the same name having a peculiar hot and aromatic smell. Female dancers hold handkerchiefs scented with the "alcamfor" (naphtalene balls) believed to induce romance. The dance came from Leyte.

An interesting feature of the dance is its music. The first part is a stately 3/4 music like the French minuet and the second part is a lively music similar to the Spanish jota or seguidella.

This dance was quite popular in the late 19th century. Late 1880s and early 1890s.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cS2Rqw0K_-c&feature=related

The Janggay or 'Igal Janggay" is one Badjao dance that is performed to the tradition of the Pangalay. Pangalay being a predominant dance form favorite among the gentle people of the Sulu archipelago.

Janggay refers to metal fingernails or claws that the dancers wear on their hands as the sinuous movements of pangalay figures are executed. To the Sama de Laut people it is called "solengkengkeng". The janggay is supposed to enhance or magnify the dancer's hand twists and wrist flicks because it serves like a sort of an extension.

From the usual starting position, the Sinalayan, the dance progresses to different pangalay postures moving to a dampened sound of local gongs. Emphasis is however, not moved away from the janggay, the object of the dance.


This dance is indigenous to the southern Philippine island of Sulu. The capital of the once mighty Sulu Sultanate. It stands true to its Malay past.

In these dances, the movements of the Filipina is heavenly. She moves as if walking on clouds or on air.

The music draws my ears. I remember being a little boy and hearing my Mama Luz singing this song when she was still alive. Mama Luz was from Leyte. She would hum this song. As my cousin Jing and my siser Angel would play in the living room, our Mama Luz would sing this song as she would comb our hair.

I miss her touch already. Her voice.

I am glad that you both love this video. I am not alone then.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=YHarhDrXygQ

A dance whose words are sung in Chabacano Ermitaño a hybrid of Spanish that was only spoken in the Ermita district before the turn of the century and today is extinct.

A popular dance, which has origins in Cagayan De Oro region and Davao region.

Developed when Spanish soldiers taught this dance to the local peoples in their spare time. It was adopted by the locals  and popularized.

Undeniably Spanish. 

http://youtube.com/watch?v=a-9SU3OXAw0&feature=related

This dance is also called "Panderetas de Amor". Panderetas means "tambourines" in Spanish. This dance portrays a heavy Spanish influence. Of the two available versions of this dance, this one is more Hispanic in execution. The dance is from Manila.

Bayanihan researches in the early 1950s discovered this dance in the capital city and has been included in their Maria Clara Suite since then. The second version of the Panderetas is the Yuletide folk dance from Tanza, Ilo-ilo called "Las Panderetas". The music used in the later is a typical Visayan "daygon" similar to the pastores musics used in the pastores traditions in Bikol, Cebu, Leyte and Samar.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=pr4fU5l5sq4&feature=related

A dance typical of a woman's debut or even her wedding. The accompanying love ballad was written by Maestro Nitoy Gonzales when he was courting Jovita Friese, who then choreographed the graceful and beautiful habanera dance that accompanies it.


An elegant dance.   

 Waray folk song that has becaome popular throughout the Philippine archipelago. The dance is probably a late choreography to the folk song. There are four versions to the Lawiswis Kawayan dance: one from Kolambugan, Lanao performed by the Waray settlers in that place. Another version from Eastern Samar uses a "bangko/puruk-anan" as an implement to the dancing. The male dancers have a mango leaf on their mouth in one figure of the dance.

The two versios from Leyte are very distinct from each other. One version is performed with female dancers holding two branches of the "kalipayan" bush and are swayed in time to the music. This version is usually done during house blessings. The last version is the one described in the classic Waray stage play "Diri Bata, Diri Ulitawo, Diri Inasaw-an". As described, the dancers hold one internode of a bamboo with leaves on it. The dance ends with a pose holding the nodes into one long bamboo pole.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B9qnjxfzPYw&feature=related


Lyrics

Ako magtatanum lawiswis Kawayan
Akon la kan Pikoy palatay-latayan
Salbahis ka Pikoy an imo paghuni
Naghatag ha kalag, hin' ak' kalipayan

Bulahan ka Pikoy, ka Pikoy, tikang panginaun
Nagpili hin sanga,tinugdon, hinapun.
Unina malupad, paglupad iya karantahun
Kundi pagka kulup mabalik guihapon

Quote from: C2H4 on July 06, 2008, 12:45:03 PM
Dong, why is it nga wala man na colonize sa Spain ning atong neighboring Asian countries?

By the early to mid 16th century, most of Central and South America was conquered by Spain and with it led to the creation of the Viceroyalties of Nueva Espana, La Plata, and Peru. During this time, the Spanish Empire was consolidating its new-found possessions and with it led to the epoch known by historians as La migración or Raíz Española, which was the largest migration of humans to the new world prior to the 18th and 19th centuries. It was in this time when tens of thousands of Spaniards colonized the new world.

To secure their empire, Spain made it policy to proliferate not only Hispanic culture to the new world; which ranged in Roman Catholicism for the indigenous Indios, Roman Law, Spanish Court, Social etiquette, the Hispanized agricultural system of the landed elite (haciendas, encomiendas). And most importantly, the Spanish gene seed.

After Spain's almost-inexhaustible armies defeated the civilizations of the Ahuatls, the Incas and the Aztecas, they were commanded by their generallisimos to 'spread' Spain in those lands. Per se it meant in breeding with the local Indio females; an amalgamation of European and Indio. We see this in Mexico and Latin America where most of hte population are Spanish mestizos or have some kind of Spanish blood. The reason for such a wide-spread Mestizo population in Nueva Espana (Mexico and its territories) was due to the large Azteca population.

However in South American viceroyalties of La Plata as well as Peru, there was a greater Peninsulare, Creole population. The reason for this is because there were more Spaniards that came to the area to colonize and settle it due to the rich flat lands of South America as well as the vast natural resources. A landed aristocracy grew in South America, which spearheaded for more European immigration to the region. This is why there are more Caucasian or pure Creoles in nations such as Argentina, Chile, Columbia etc as compared to Central America, which has a prevalence of Indio and Mestizo population.

Nonetheless, what happened in the three viceroyalties was the effect of agricultural revolution, and the development of a lucrative domestic trade economy and port trade.

The discovery of the Philippines was ideological for the Spanish Empire. (Considering the fact that the target of Columbus and the Spanish expedition in 1492 targeted to find Cathay and the rich islands of the Malaccas and not the New World--which they found and landed accidentally).

The Philippines was pivotal for Spain due to its geographic location and its proximity to China (Cathay as it was once called). Spain took advantage of the Philippines as a way to secure its lucrative plans for trade with China and the Orient. To secure this, it was imperative for the Empire to completely Hispanicize the Philippines. To make the Philippines 'Spanish'. And would therefore be its 'base' of operations in the Orient.

Spain sent thousands upon thousands of its priests and monks with cooperation from the Episcopacy and the Vatican (which Spain had influence on, due to the fact that Spain at this time controlled all of Central and Southern Italy, Sardinia, the Netherlands, parts of southern France and territories of the Holy Roman Empire (Germany). The Vatican, therefore, acquiesced to Spain's decrees.

From initial reports of the Philippines (from the remaining survivors of Magellan's crew) it was apparent that the Philippines, like the natives of Central and South America, were regionalistic. With this in mind, Spain utilized the same tactics it used to the Indios of the Americas. By pitting indios against indios. As Spain took advantage of the Ahuatls and the Toltecs to fight against the Aztecas. Spain pitted Tagalogs against Illocanos, and visayans against visayans to conquer the entire Archipelago. Once conquered, Spain sent thousands of its priests and friars with decrees to Evangelize the islands. As the indios of the Philippines were regarded as 'blasphemic heathens'.

The Filipino Indios, ironically, converted to Christianity relatively peacefully. Most of Luzon and the Visayas adopted Christianity and applied their own regional flavors to it, whereas the Moro South actually fought Christian Evangelization.

When the Islands were organized into political units, developed port trade, and were 'Hispanicized' it became the strategic link between the trade lanes of China and the Spanish Empire.

The rich goods of China and the Orient were taken to the Philippines, and from there would be shipped to Nueva Espana of the Spanish Empire vis-a-vis the Acapulco Galleon Trade. Which lasted form 1570 till the independence of Mexico in the early 19th century, a result of the Peninsulare War.

---

As for the question why Spain did not conquer other countries in Asia; the reason is because Spain did not want to administer new lands. Most of Asia was 'heathen' according to the collective mind of Christian-Catholic Spain. Though Spain had minor influences with trade lanes in China, Siam, Malaccas and Japan, it did not actively support expansionist policies in Asia.

The reason for this was strategic. Spain, at the time of the late 16th century and the 17th century, was already over-stretched as it was. Ruled almost 1/4th of the world's land mass. And by the 17th century over 100 million souls lived within the Spanish Empire.  Governing such a vast empire was troublesome, especially while competing with growing European rivals such as England, France, Germany and Portugal.

Supporting a massive expedition to conquer another foreign land in the Asian continent would have bankrupted Spain and would have exhausted her armies, which were already overstretched. This is why the Philippines remains the only Spanish territory in Asia-Pacific. And due to that fact, the Royal Court of Philip II and Charles II declared the Philippines be a Royal Colony of the Empire.

The Philippines, is and was, regarded by the Spanish Empire as the 'Jewel of the Spanish Empire'. Spain's only bastion in the Orient; and for almost half a millenia, considered the only 'Spanish' soil in Asia.

Quote from: slackware on July 06, 2008, 11:30:17 PM
pilipinas ramay makaya nila

Partially correct. Spain could have easily conquered Portugese-then-Dutch Malaccas, due to the shear might of Spain's Royal Navy, which wouldn't be ecclipsed by any other until the late mid 18th century. Spain's Armies numbered in the Millions of men. However, considering the fact that she ruled over 2 massive continents (North America and South America) as well as its possessions in Europe, and territories in Africa, it made it quite difficult to  support further expansionist policies in the Orient.

Additionally, Spain's presence in the Orient was primarily to trade and take advantage of the richness of Cathay (China) and the Indies. Not to conquer it.

To do so would affect Spain's relations with China--to the detriment of its trade relations.

OT: I love your signature, 'te. Love It!

One of my future housemates that will be living in the same house with me this Sept, 2008 told me that she will be bringing her cats with her. 2 cats. When Jeff and I found out about this we were bewildered because she never told us she had pets. O well.

haha, I joked around with Jeff that we, too, should bring pets.

He immediately remarked to me on the phone, "Yea, i'll bring my boa constrictor."

I retracted my comments, lol.

Ah as they always say, Distance only makes the heart fonder



So very sweet.

And, dare I ask, did this brave soldado take your heed?

I can't help but feel a cold shiver down my spine after reading this.

Very emotional, very primal and deep. All at once.

The candid message to a loved one who holds the writer's longing heart.

May the love that you both have continue to burn in intensity. Keep the passion going

Personal Remark: Very well written; very genuine, indeed.

Amy, the harley photos are adorable yo!

Hahaha

Guapa kaayo! Wow na Wow

Quote from: Mari on July 06, 2008, 11:15:19 AM
thanks everyone for making this possible. sa mga donors sa food, drinks and everything, our heartfelt thanks. to grazie for the super duper lami cookies (hurot tanan way usik), thanks for the thought. mibyahe pa gud ang cookies gikan sa layong dapit. Dong Lorenz, the cakes were so yum yum jud, thanks kaayo. Gemma thanks kaau nakastay nasad imo sa imong balay. for all the wonderful people at TB we are so grateful of you. words are not enough.

Mari, all the thanks goes to ELSIE, my personal Angel.

hahaha My heart beams with happiness seeing all of you smiling 

Words cannot explain.

Quote from: Mari on July 06, 2008, 01:00:56 PM
si Gec wala jud mopakita. nagduda jud ko nga dual identity ni sha. naa ra sa atong mga nailhan na

Hmmmm, who could Gec be then? By your lead, ma'am Mari. Pray tell me, who could GEC be?

Love is Yummy

Personal commentary of Walt Whitman's legendary poem "As I Pondered in Silence."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ByEIOaVCrw

'te, the current Ayala family in the Philippines are old Spanish Creoles. They are also Basque Spaniards.

Remnants of Spanish presence that still lives in the Philippines today.

In Mindanao there is a dialect known as Chabacano. It is heavily Spanish based, but is due to Basque influence.

Here is a synopsis/summary of De Borja's Basques in the Philippines:

The Basques, one of Spain's most distinct ethnic minorities, played a remarkably influential role in the creation and maintenance of Spain's vast colonial empire, including the Philippines. Basques were members of the Magellan expedition that discovered the Philippines in 1521, and a Basque-led expedition subsequently laid the foundation for Spain's conquest and pacitication of the archipelago. Despite the small population of their native provinces, the Basques' unique skills as shipbuilders, navigators, businessmen, and scribes; their evangelical zeal; and their ethnic cohesion and work-oriented culture made them well suited to serve as explorers, colonial administrators, missionaries, settlers, merchants, and shippers in the trans-Pacific galleon trade between China, Manila, and Acapulco, Mexico. After the Wars of Independence deprived Spain of most of its American empire, many Basques settled in the Philippines, fleeing political persecution and increasingly limited opportunities in their homeland. Basque emigration from Spain to the Philippines continued through the first half of the twentieth century. This work breaks new ground with its study of the Basque diaspora in the far East. It also addresses the long-unappreciated history of the Philippines as a vital part of the Spanish Empire, closely connected through trade and personal ties to the American colonies, and crucial to the European penetration of East Asia. Basques distinguished themselves in many areas of Filipino life, and their story, as told by Marciano de Borja, is rich in vivid characters and fascinating detail, while at the same time filling an important void in the scholarly literature about the Basque diaspora.

It is not our fault jud 'te. It is an effect of American Presence in the country; as the main policy of the United States from 1901 till 1946 was to legitimize American presence in the islands. And the only way it would be able to do that was to criminalize the Spanish regime in the island.
Good ol' simple propaganda. What is sad tho is that many Filipinos have already forgotten both sides of the historical spectrum. And many have just adopted the American view of Philippine History.

Some good books that I highly recommend 'te are:

-The U. S. Army and Counterinsurgency in the Philippine War, 1899-1902
by Brian McAllister Linn

-The Link That Kept the Philippines Spanish: Mexican Merchant Interests and the Manila Trade, 1571-1815, in Journal of World History
by Katharine Bjork

-Contracting Colonialism: Translation and Christian Conversion in Tagalog Society under Early Spanish Rule by Vincente Rafael

-In our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines
By Stanley Karnow

-Spain in the Philippines: From Conquest to Revolution.
by Nicholas P. Cushner

-Basques in the Philippines (A Personal Favorite of Mine)
By Marciano R. De Borja

Quote from: hippieinchains on July 06, 2008, 11:53:40 AM
You have to consider, my post was obtained from a military based website for soldiers. That means that it is sugar coated to inspire the troops, not necessarily educate them. The USAF is fond of using euphimisms to soften the blow. In a way, it is effective. In traumatic situations such as war, one needs as much shelter as one can get. Even if it is calling a war anything but a war.

Hippie, it is a very rich primary source to refer to. I just love reading the discourse of varying perspectives; seeing the American side, the Filipino side, the Spanish etc.

We get a 'wholer' picture because of it.

Salamaat kaayo for opening this thread.

Quote from: C2H4 on July 06, 2008, 11:47:12 AM
I was watching Elizabeth: The Golden Age earlier today, and I was amazed that King Phillip of Spain declared Holy War on England on the premise of Elizabeth being a bastard, and of England being a country of heathens, just because they weren't Catholic. tsk, tsk, tsk...tinuod gyud diay that more wars have been fought in the name of religion more than anything else in history...

I completely agree with you 'te. Millions upon millions have died in the name of religion. Religion, by itself is never dangerous. But whenever religion is used to propagate and fuel a political agenda, then it becomes not only dangerous but distorted.

I agree with you jud, 'te.

Quote from: C2H4 on July 06, 2008, 11:47:12 AM
Dong, so kadto diay mga gipangsulat ni Jose Rizal, most notably his EL Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere, that was more fiction than fact, with regards to the Spaniards' oppression of the Indios? I don't know Philippine history that well, which is quite shameful really. So anything you write here Dong that'll help me better understand our nation's history is greatly appreciated.

I was watching Elizabeth: The Golden Age earlier today, and I was amazed that King Phillip of Spain declared Holy War on England on the premise of Elizabeth being a bastard, and of England being a country of heathens, just because they weren't Catholic. tsk, tsk, tsk...tinuod gyud diay that more wars have been fought in the name of religion more than anything else in history...

Dr. Rizal's writings of El Filibusterismo and Noli Mi Tangere were fictional but were written to address the grievances that the Spanish Colonial Government inflicted on the Filipino Indios and the Filipino Mestizos.

Rizal, through his writings and his interactions with journals such as La Solidaridad voiced out the duality of Spain and its policies and the need to address change.

What was happening during the late 19th century was that Spain was in social and political turmoil. The country was experiencing Victorian liberalism, and the superfluous writings of Human confraternity, Human equality, Human dignity etc was voiced out.

Rizal and his fellow Filipino compatriots in Spain wanted to address the feudalistic system that was in place in the Philippines. He addressed that though Spain, the nation, was liberalizing, its overseas possessions were still being ruled by the colonial governments that conflicted with Spanish Laws of Human Equality and Universalism.

One major grievance that Dr. Rizal pointed out in his writings in La Solidaridad was the fact that the Roman Catholic Church, particularly the Friars still ruled over the lands and controlled political policies in the islands. We saw this in his addressing of the execution of Fathers Burgos, Gomez and Zamora by the Spanish Colonial Government.

Ate, Rizal was actually VERY popular in Spain and had MANY supporters in the Royal Spanish Cortes.

Dr. Rizal was actually a proponent of liberalizing the Philippines and reducing the power/influence of the church in the political processes as well as making the Philippines into a 'Provincia' of Spain. Hence, woudl be given equal rights as Spanish Citizens; under Spanish Law and under the protection of The King.

Rizal was never 'Anti-Spain' he was against the Spanish Colonial Government in the Philippines, which contradicted the Laws that Spain passed. Ultimately the blame can be passed onto the Church for its abuse of power, as well as the corruption of the colonial government. Rizal, from his personal journals, loved Spain. And referred to it as 'Espana Madre' (Mother Spain) in his letters.

So loved is Rizal by Spaniards that there are monuments to him in Madrid.

It should be noted that Spanish politicians forewarned Rizal about the dangers of returning to Las Islas Filipinas because the Colonial Government already banned his writings 'El Filibusterismo and Noli Mi Tangere', which were, ironically, very popular and accepted in Spain and in Western Europe (many copies were circulated in France, Germany, England, Belgium).

Hippie,

We are all historians by right. And I truly applaud you for posting that passage because it gives us an idea of the American perspective of the Filipino and the Philippines during the turn of the 20th century.

What I find very ironic is that during the beginning of the Spanish-American War, many Americans wanted to usurp Spain's positions in order to create its own 'American Empire' as what the Europeans had.

America entered the Philippines promising the Philippine Revolutionary Government under President-General Emilio Aguinaldo to 'rid' of Spanish military presence; and secure the independence of the Philippines. America, upon opportunity, took advantage of the Philippine Republic and claimed the Republic as its own 'American Colony'. A result of rising pro-imperialist policies in the United States during the late 19th century.

What is ironic is that by the time the Philippine-American War started, something the United States thought it could quell in weeks. Moods changed.

America lost over 4,000 troops and 20,000 were either wounded or missing in action. The United States suffered more casualties in the Philippines than it did fighting the Spaniards in the Spanish-American War, lol. And the only reason why the United States defeated the Filipino Revolutionary Army was because America sent over 150,000 of its troops to the Philippines.

Spain, at the eruption of the Spanish-Philippine War, had about 20,000 troops in the Islands. Almost all of the Spanish bastions were overrun and defeated by Revolutionary forces and the only bastion that was not taken was Manila. And the only reason why it wasn't taken by Filipino forces was because Admiral Dewey requested that Filipino Forces not attack Manila.

By 1898, the Filipino Revolutionary Army was already a full fighting force; at 70,000 man strong. With a cavalry force and artillery units.

Filipino Forces defeated Spain in that war, and the only reason why the Philippines lost that war was because by the time the Philippine-American War erupted, American already sent 150,000 troops. It overwhelmed the Revolutionary Army by its shear size. And forced the Revolutionary Army to adopt guerrilla tactics.

From all my readings of Philippine Colonial History, Spain did not inflict such damage to Filipinos as did the United States did. An estimated 1-2 million Filipinos died at the hands of the United States in that war. Spain's presence in the Philippines brought growth to the islands, economic as well as populatory growth. Not the reversal.


Thats something American text books like to forget

I know this personally. They still regard the Philippine-American War as an Insurrection.

It kinda makes it big when more American troops were maimed, and killed in the 'Philippine Insurrection' than in the 'Spanish-American War'.

lol.


Lastly, what the American Populace once declared its 'American Colony' aka The Philippines became what great American literary writers such as Walt Whitman termed as 'The White Man's Burden'.

America, when it occupied the Philippines, not only took over a massive archipelago of 7,000 islands, but an alien people that numbered to 10 million strong. And worst of all, in the American View, that most of these 'Asiatics' were 'Roman Catholics' or as what Americans would like to term as 'Papists'.

I always laugh at works by President McKinley when he told the American people that he conquered the Philippines and the Filipino people because he wanted to 'CHRISTIANIZE' them.

lol, it is ironic because by the time America invaded the Philippines, the Archipelago was already 'Christian'. 98% Roman Catholic.

Any views?

Hippie, I want to thank you for creating this very thought-provoking thread.

I love it. And I also invite you to read an article of mine that I posted some months ago.

It is a published journal that I wrote; one of many that I published through college.

http://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=7102.0



If you want to read more, merely PM me and I will send you copies.

Please, do give me your opinion and point of view.

It is a pleasure to meet another Historian.

Whenever I look at the development of Empires and Nation States, I always compare the Spanish Empire to the British Empire, the French Empire, and the German Empire.

Out of these empires, no other Empire has had such significant transformation of its colonies as that as Spain. As Spain's policies were literally to 'transplant' the Motherland into the Colony.

We see this in Latin America. From Mexico, to Argentina and even to states such as Texas, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, California. There is still a very strong Hispanic presence that Spain leaves behind.

Then I look at the Philippines at a sociologico-macrologic point of view and compare it to other surrounding countries in East and South East Asia. And it becomes rather obvious that the Philippines is completely different.

Other nations are confucian-based, or buddhistic based, and have a strong indigenous identity. The Philippines is totally different. When I see the Philippines, the language is strongly Hispanicized, the only Christian (Catholic) nation in Asia, the religious centers even reflect the beauty of the colonizer.

Historians always have a hard time declaring the Philippines as an 'Asian' nation because it is rather unique in that it not only has its indigenous Malay flavor to it, but it undeniably still has strong European presence (particularly Iberian). Its European, yet it is 'Oriental' at the same time.

Even after 50 years of American colonial presence; and over 100 years after the Hispano-Filipino umbilical cord was severed, that relation to Mother and Child is obvious. La Islas Filipinas; is truly a product of Spain. United because of Spain, which brought warring tribal states into one centralized colony. Even the term 'El Filibusterismo Naccionalidad' is, ironically, product of Spaniards who lived in the Philippines; and also by Spanish-Filipino mestizos.

--

What America has tried to undermine, still lives on to this day. And looking at it macrologically speaking, it is inevitible. How can one truly erase Spain's imprint when that imprint is almost half a millenia long?

We had 400 years of common history. That's a pretty long time. lol

Additionally, after publishing my 40 paged senior thesis on Philippine Nationalism, and reading over 40 primary sources (Spanish sources), it is evident that language and literacy in the Philippines during the Spanish Epoch was rather high.

The national language of the islands was Spanish, with varying dialects being used on a secondary basis.

When the Americans inherited the Philippines from Spain after the Spain's defeat to the United States in the 1898 Spanish-American War, the United States Armed Forces that occupied the islands found it hard to communicate to Spanish-trained Filipino Peninsulares, Gobernadorcillos etc. Hence the United States declared that most of the Filipinos were 'illiterate', despite the fact that the Filipinos were actually very literate in Spanish. Able to read and write.

During this time, there were already thousands of Filipinos who were studying in Europe, primarily in Spain.

Additionally, one can trace the American position of 'Anti-Hispanic' due to America's wars with Mexico in the early and mid 19th century. So there was already a lingering racist anti-hispanic tone within the United States and its Armed Forces.

When they arrived to the Philippines, this distaste was manifested through America's very 'Anti-Spanish' campaign undertones.

As a historian, I find it rather disgusting in how the United States tried so much to 'defile' the Spanish presence. Considering that at that same time, the Spanish government was already having talks of liberalizing the Philippines and making the islands into an actual province of Spain. And all people within as Spanish citizens.

The history of what the United States claims as the 'Philippine Insurrection' otherwise known by historians as the Philippine-American War is quite one sided.

The United States for a long time implemented Indian-Hunting tactics against the Philippine Revolutionary Forces, bringing in Cavalry and Western Infantry from the newly-claimed territories.

The United States' policies in the Philippines was completely deplorable; suffering the Philippines in a record 1,000,000-2,500,000 deaths (both military and civilian).

Not only did they decimate the population through attrition war tactics, but applied a very deregatory anti-Spanish propagandistic campaign in the Philippines. Implementing tactics that tried to undermine Spanish presence, the Catholic Christian presence and most of all tried to 'Americanize' a people that was once part of the Spanish Empire for almost 400 years.

When I entered college on my freshman year back in 2004 I was rather naive about Philippine-American history. However after taking 4 years of History courses on Philippine-Spanish dynamics, Spanish Colonialism, American History, I realize that most of the history that the Philippines has to this day has been American-based. The negative focus that is associated with Spanish occupation is undoubtedly obvious. Rather disgusting how the American Colonial Government utilized it to undermine Spanish authority and presence in order to secure and legitimate its own Imperialistic goals for the Philippine Islands.

Even then, 50 some odd years of American colonialism and over a century after the severance of the Hispanic umbilical cord that once bound Las Islas Filipinas with Spain, we can still see the eternal imprint of Spanish presence even today. Roman Catholicism, though Filipinized with local trends and superstition, the influence of Roman Law (product of 400 years of Hispanization vis-a-visa Pax Hispanica),  the presence of Hispanic Surnames, the Mestizo Class, La Filipina Solidardido identity (modern Filipino Nationalism was actually a product of Spanish-Filipinos; and or Spanish Creoles of the Philippines; not an original Indio manifesto), the political systems in use are based on Spanish political bureaucracy per se the use of the provincia system, constabularia (Philippine Constabulary-Philippine National Police-Guardia Civil), the presence of urban areas, political units such as barrio, municipalidad, cuidad etc--were all product of Hispanization of the islands through the heralding of the Episcopacy and the Spanish Government.

The foundations of present Filipino Nationhood is due to Spanish political ideology, and enlightenment thinking. The great thinkers of Filipino Nationhood such as Rizal, Aguinaldo etc were all trained in Spanish educational systems.

After reading this news at a local church pamphlet, I couldn't stop the tears from falling down.

Such a gifted individual, such a promising future, and a brilliant Filipino-American.

Taken by an irresponsible drunk driver. I pray for the family of Josh Moren to bear his untimely death; and most of all I pray for the soul of Josh, a fellow Fil-AM kababayan.

May his memory live on with his friends and with his family. Truly, Mr. Joshua Moren, is an inspiration to all Filipinos.

QuoteAnd we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose...If God is for us, who can be against us?...For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Romans 8:28,31,38-39

Sacred Heart High School in Vineland, New Jersey is mourning the loss of a recent graduate who passed away from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident over the weekend.

Authorities say Josh Moren, 18, was driving a motorcycle that was involved in a wreck with another motorcycle and two cars Saturday afternoon on Route 47 in Dennis Township, New Jersey.

Moren, a standout baseball player, was among 93 graduates to receive diplomas on June 2, 2008.

Sacred Heart High School released the following statement via their Web site:

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Joshua Moren, Class of 2008 on June 21, 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Eternal rest, grant to him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen."

Three other victims suffered serious injuries in the accident and were flown to area hospitals. Their names and conditions were not immediately available.

The cause of the crash is under investigating by the Cape May county Prosecutor's Office Fatal Traffic Accident Unit.

Josh Moren, a Filipino-American will be missed by his classmates, his teachers, and by the college that he was supposed to attend this coming September, 2008.


Josh Moren has had an outstanding year offensively, but he's been just as good at shortstop for Sacred Heart, the No. 3 team in the state. (Daily Journal file photo/Craig Matthews)

hahahaha! boy that cake looks so yummy tho!

Hazel, give a firm handshake to Mr. Ayag for me and a warm hug to Mike, if you can.

On my behest.



-Bran

I do hope that Atty de la Serna can fight his way out of this predicament. Perhaps the SC justices can just slap him with a warning.

Update:

The books are no longer available.

haha kuyawa uy!

Immediately I recognized two men who I have great respects for:

Jun Ayag and Mike Ligalig

And of course my personal Angel, the one and only Ms. Elsie Ente

hahaha

Aleth Hazel, where is my sweater? lol! 


Geylan, great pics. Great pics!


My Salutes,,

Despite the outcome, I must say that I am impressed with Atty de la Serna's bravado.

Whatever the outcome may be, this man is truly deserving of respect for his ranching of the highest court in the land.

I take my hat off to you, Atty de la Serna.

Quote from: Bambi on July 06, 2008, 03:08:21 AM
WOW na WOW lahat!

At last at least.....I see Mike clearly. Kumusta?  (You look much similar to your Mom).
Lita you are very sexy gjod. Thanks for the sms
Junayag a gentleman.
Miga you are very beautiful ( I love more your tan..it fits you)
Elsie miss you my dear baby (You are the best)
Shiela very perfect as usual, a real beauty!
Paul you are getting thin (what happen with your hands?)
Willmerit at long at last you are here...you have a good looking son too like you
BASTA TANAN perting mga gwapaha puyra buyag lang!

Where is Scott and Pare Lorenzo?....Teng and the others?

What's  where's the next party? ENJOY AND MORE PHOTOS!

haha, Kuyawa pood tanan uy!

How I wish I was there.

Pare, someday hopefully in 4 years I will be able to meet up with you guys. After I finish medicine .

Promise ko na. Until then,

Mahal pood na uy. Especialidad concerning the fact that it is in the Philippines.

Brown, did you know that there are uncharted oil off the Philippine Trench?

Billions if not trillions of barrels of oil lay in wait. If only we had the technology to retrieve it.

My college buddies are my best 'friends'.

Welcome back Ms. Blue!

Where have you been?

hahaha! buangon jud ka Don uy! hahaha.

What are you trying to do scare everyone in here? haha

hahahaha! SUS, I am SO very happy jud to see these pictures!

GOD BLESS OUR TB MEMBERS!

Haha, kalipay jud ko just to see everyone's smiling faces.

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW


I want so bad to be there right now. But I am so elated to see everyone united.

Sir Jun! Mike! LC! Aleth! Mari! Hahahaha and everyone.


Love you all uy! Pohon, maluuy ang Ginoo, mo meet up jud ta. Pohon ma human ko sa studies.



LC, LC, LC, muah muah muah.

You're an ANGEL, babe!


-Bran

gwapang lubut-- an attractive gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus; 'very nice'

lol

Quote from: ytesski on April 20, 2008, 05:16:10 PM
boodilicious -  dako lang gihapon ug sampot or lubot 

Very nice term, 'te. LoL!

Quote from: Don Rico on July 05, 2008, 08:35:47 AM
Objection

Don, hahaha

You know what I'm thinking about right?

hahaha (eating grilled ribs) yup yup.

yummy too, 'te.

Pass the corn please?

Acanthamoeba-keratization

osteoclasticization

hahahaha Beth! Your watching the tv too eh? lol!

Hey give my regards to your hubby and your apos!


PS. Pass me some manggos please?

Beautiful kaayo! Thank you for sharing, Beth!


Right now im enjoying the fireworks that are being fired in my development.

And enjoying my bbq hahaha!



A gotta love being an American! In our 4th of July!

My dearest little brother,

God Bless YOU! For the Lord will never abandon those who call his name, ALL GLORY AND PRAISE be to OUR MOST LOVING FATHER!

Don, reading these passages have reduced me to tears. Mighty tears.

My very humble and yet extremely intelligent brother, always, always, always put your TRUST in GOD.


FOR who can be against you when God is with you? NO ONE.

Anything is possible. There are no limitations. For HE is your staff and your rock.


I love you, 'Doy! So very much!






Your Kuya Bran,

Guys, please I request all of you to think of our soldiers tonight. Please say a prayer for the safety of our soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and abroad protecting the interests of our beloved United States of America.

Our soldiers have given their all; many of them paying the ultimate price for the protection of the United States and the liberties we, as a people, enjoy so freely.

Gracious Lord, please watch over our soldiers, our fighting men and women as they go about their duties. Send them, O Gracious Lord, back to their loved ones in safety and in good heart. We stand, O Lord, under you,  one nation that is indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Amen

Happy Fourth of July, guys!!

The United States of America celebrates its 232nd year of existence!

God Bless the United States, and all of her people. Millions but with one heart!

I'll be posting firework pictures tonight





LONG LIVE THE USA!

I am in all tears after hearing this!

The combined choirs of the United States Navy, United States Army, and United States Air Force singing our National Anthem.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!

FOR THE LAND OF THE FREE! AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!!

GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr-XHBjE&feature=related

Lyrics:
I love the mountains,
I love the clear blue skies,
I love big bridges,
I love when great whites fly
I love the whole world,
And all its sights and sounds,

Boom dee odda, boom dee odda,
Boom dee odda, boom dee odda

I love the oceans,
I love real dirty things,
I love to go fast,
I love Egyptian kings,
I love the whole world,
And all its craziness.

Boom dee odda,boom dee odda,
boom dee odda,BOOM dee odda

I love tornadoes,
I love arachnids,
I love hot magma,
I love the giant squids,
I love the whole world,
It's such a brilliant place,

Boom dee odda, boom dee odda

Attesting to the utter beauty of the Whole World.

Boom De Yada! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0

Authorization

Brown, hopefully lang and prices sa pliti dinha dili mo taas too much. Sus I was very concerned bitaw after reading on the economic journal about how gas prices have significantly spiked upwards around the world jud, this is a really  hard time for our Pinoy bros and sisters.

My heart is with the hard working pedicap drivers and the jeep drivers who have to bear the high cost of gas jud.

Dinhi, Brown, ang price sa one gallon of gas is around $4.20 average. Can you imagine, that just one year ago the cost of gas was at $2.60 per gallon on an average scale.

So what is government doing in Philippines to assess the oil problem? Any new projects on renewable energy? Anything new on biodesiels, electric engines, hydrogen fuel cells?

Regards, Brown!

Stay safe over there in Big Manila!

Brown, musta!

How much are gas prices na diay sa Pinas per liter?

Brownman,

Pila man diay ang pliti to ride a jeepney sa Pinas? I remember jud when I was back in Valencia in '98 I saw people on top of trucks; riding the roof of the trucks jud. Kuyawa jud. Dili diay sila ma hadlok ug ma fall down?


Grabeh

The Independence of the United States of America

On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born. Every day thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of the free and the home of the brave" so they can begin their American Dream.

The United States is truly a diverse nation made up of dynamic people. Each year on July 4, Americans celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and family gatherings. Through the Internet we are learning about and communicating with people of different nations, with different languages and different races throughout the world. Bringing the world closer with understanding and knowledge can only benefit all nations.

We invite all nations to celebrate with Americans online this Fourth of July.

Happy Birthday, America!

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”








The Ultimate Price for Protecting our American Freedoms! God Bless the U S A !

I have my laptop outside, 'te.

Bar b quing na lang ko by myself

Maybe have some friends come by later. lol

The poetic eloquence of the Boholana is unequaled.

Saludo jud ko sa mga single Boholanas.

hahaha Don, someday you and Andre can try out for Ninja Warrior when you guys are older.

We'll show the Japanese what Filipino men can do! haha.

Don, don't forget to visit the bible study thread, ha?

We'll discuss alot of things there, my little brother.

feed your mind!

Quote from: Bambi on July 04, 2008, 06:46:44 PM
You are not only genius but much liberal too to accept the simple way how I understand things in more or less directions. I love you for that boy!
Let me share you this....
Bitaw Pare..maong dili gyod ko mobasa ug Bibliya kay makalibog ug samot unya basin ug mobalhin kog tino-uhan unya.
I often remembered short after I filed a divorced after 18 years of marriage, my younger sister who has lot of titles/degress: (She was always the No.1 since Elem- grades, High school   (Valedictorian....Ex Pres. Roxas schlorarship, 1 of the top ten in Nursing, graduated in Law but she did not take the Bar though my ex-Chief in PFO b4 was 100% that she will get it being her Law  Prof. as he told me (Atty Ucat from Valencia), she is Chemical Engr. license holder, she graduated BSE and at present  she is a Chief of 30 PNPs all men, she was assigned in Cotabato, long service in Bohol and Region !V, at present assigned somewhere in Leyte...she has that rank third from the highest). And she is too religious and a bit conservative but I love and respected her brillant ideas for she meant it good for me.  She is a strong POST IN THE WHOLE FAMILY. To make it short, on that time of my life crisis, she oftentimes mailed a very thick letters with "biblical long verses/ citations" for she was 100% that I had sinned, have sin committing "adultery". I had answered her in diplomatic way: "Pamisahi na lang ko diha kay dako mog gasto sa bayad sa mail" usahay abot god ug almost 1000 Pesos kay mora naman ug little package.  Pare....to tell you the truth it did takes for my Family to accept that  for then a big "tragedy" and now they are happy for me knowing that I deserved having my loving young husband. They all like and love him!  But for them...my first one remains as the original according to God's law.  I have a good friendly relationship with my Ex and his Family.  Their doors are still wide open for me anytime. And for this....I thank God for his blessings, given me this kind of life: God is good at all and even sinners are under his custodial care, isn't?

Pareng Bambi,

Mao jud, amiga, mao jud. No one is 'too bad' to recieve salvation and mercies sa Ginoo. An open heart, and a loving heart jud. Ingoon baya ahong amigo sa catholic bible study sa collegio nako this past semester that 'God Is Love. Whoever dwells in Love, the Lord dwells in him'.

Pare, we all make mistakes. We all make our trips and falls. I myself have had my own share of this during high school, and college. Pero you know what, it is our ability jud to learn from our mistakes and our faults that strengthens and builds our character.

I remember a phrase jud, Pare, that says, "To Err is Human, but to learn to forgive and accept your mistakes is Divine."




Your Pare,

haha cute kaayo!

Aira, are these your kids? They look so japanese! haha cute!

haha very lingaw lingaw jud!

hahaha, now you can practice your bisaya here  Don. Did you make sure you clean your room?


Kuya,

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yb_yVxDyB9s&feature=related

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution!
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust":
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.




GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! NOW AND FOREVER!

God Bless the United States of America!!

May our Glorious Flag wave with hope and pride. Happy Independence Day, America!

232 years of existence as an independent nation; now and forever!


Mighty Eagle! Your Wings Opens this day of days!

Guys, I want to welcome my little brother Don-Don who has finally joined the forum on his Kuya's request.
DonDon aka Don Rico! Don, you will enjoy Tubag Bohol and you will learn Bisaya here as well as learn the family's roots in our own Bohol Island.


Dali na Don! Ning luto baya si kuya sa imung paborito! Calderita ug cari-cari! hahaha. Dali na 'doy! Kaun na ta lagi!

 


Kuya,

imagination

A reading of Dr. Jose P. Rizal's legendary 'Mi Ultimo Adios'

Performed by yours truly.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HveVx1eiOB4

Commentary on the poem entitled, "Le Jardin Des Tuileries" by Oscar Wilde.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HXUXHHRPmGo

This poem is historically based; specifically the French Revolution.