Halo-halo
You can search high and low for a desert that would cool your tagaktak-ng-pawis hot day, but there is nothing like the Filipino Halo-Halo. It embodies the variety of fruits and ingredients found in the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. The name itself (lit. trans. mix-mix) connotes variety, a mix of differing qualities that compliment each other, and togetherness. Even some of the ingredients are foreign and just made its way to our Halo-Halo, just like the history of the Philippines. One wonders why we don’t have a Halo-halo festival, like the Ginseng festival of Korea. Among all the variations, only the Halo-Halo has the Ube and Leche flan. Add to that some lanka, nata de coco and pinipig. Ohh I think the cherry is a recent add-on.
Anyone knows the history of this palamig? :)
Source: thecreativedork
Anita Magsaysay-Ho (1914-2012), the ‘female Amorsolo’ of Philippine Art. She loved to depict the everyday life of Filipino women.
She once said:
“In my works, I always celebrate the women of the Philippines. I regard them with deep admiration and they continue to inspire me – their movements and gestures, their expressions of happiness and frustration, their diligence and shortcomings, their joy of living. I know very well the strength, hard work and quiet dignity of Philippine women, for after all, I am one of them.”
It was not loving art in itself as many artists are guilty of doing. It is art with a purpose, with a mission. She may have passed away, but Filipino artists can still learn a lot from her life.
To see more of Anita’s works, click HERE.
The writer who ended a 300-year long occupation
An Israeli commentator highlights Jose Rizal and his revolutionary legacy. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Mya Guarnieri, a Jerusalem-based writer, writes:
Rizal dedicated Noli Me Tangere to his country, writing, “I shall endeavor to show your condition, faithfully and ruthlessly. I shall lift a corner of the veil which shrouds the disease, sacrificing to truth everything, even self-love…”
Today, more than 100 years after Filipino Independence, school children still read Noli Me Tangere. Rizal is hailed as a national hero.
I believe in fiction. It reveals truth in a way that non-fiction cannot. It connects people, creating a sense of community and purpose. And, like journalism, it speaks truth to power. But because fiction captures emotional truth—and emotions tend to drive our lives and the world we live in more than the facts and logic ever do—it is even more potent than journalism.
Let me put it this way: have you ever heard of a newspaper article sparking a revolution?
- Filipino Dad: Mula ngayon walang magsasalita ng Ingles.. Ang sinumang magpa-dugo ng ilong ko at sa nanay nyo, palalayasin sa pamamahay na'to! Klaro ba ?
- Son: Ang mga namutawi sa inyong mga labi ay mataman ko pong iiimbak sa sulok ng aking balintataw, sa kaibuturan ng aking puso, gugunam-gunamin, aariing salik ng aba at payak kong kabatiran...tatalikdan ang matatayog at palalong banyagang wika, manapay kakalingain, bibigkasin at sakdal timyas na sasambitin ng aking sangkalooban..
- Filipino Dad: ....
- Me: LOL. This is funny, but kidding aside, wow! The beauty and depth of the Filipino language. :)
Listening to this kundiman rendered by an orchestra, recorded from a vinyl disc. Credits go to PhilClassic. Vintage. :D
Source: SoundCloud / philclassic
On Pantayong Pananaw
- I had a very interesting conversation with a historian on facebook. This historian adheres to a Philippine historiographical perspective called "Pantayong Pananaw." For those of you who are unfamiliar with this view of Philippine history, I will let the excerpt text of our conversation show this perspective. I do not adhere to this view since I believe it has already been debunked by many credible Filipino historians. I'm posting this here, so that you may comment, add or even counter my arguments. We are all here to learn... and I hope I can learn from your comments as well. Just to note, I use English in my blog to communicate... I firmly believe that the English Language (or Filipino English, because there are many Englishes) can be a TOOL to reach Filipinos, here and around the world (that's why I'm using English in most of my blog posts). But Filipino Language should also be strengthened, for national unity and the building of national consciousness. This can only happen if there is an effort to ignite the regional languages we have, so that the Filipino Language would not keep on borrowing English words to make itself relevant, but to exhaust the words we have from our other regional languages first. The conversation below is in the context that a government agency I work with uses English as one of its official languages aside from Filipino. The conversation is in Filipino.
- IndioHistorian: Medyo komplikado rin ang usapin sa wika. May pulitikang kasama ang wikang Filipino, kaya naman di agad tinatanggap ng nakararami sa mga rehiyon. Isama pa natin yung kawalan ng sistema at pamantayan sa paggamit ng wika. May Filipinong pang-UP, may pang-UST. Ano ba ang gagamitin, "kuwento" o "kwento", "perspektiba" o "pananaw", "Filipinas" o "Pilipinas"? Sumasang ayon ako na wala talaga sa pagiging makabayan ang paggamit ng anu mang wika. Ako pala ay taga [gov't agency]. Hehe.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: hindi totoong komplikado ang usapin sa wika. TANGGAP na ng mayorya ang Filipino. Mitong ipinakakalat ng mga anti-Filipino ang diumano'y rehiyunalistang pagtutol sa Filipino. Hindi rin totoo ang kawalan ng sistema at pamantayan. Unang-una, nagkakaintindihan tayong lahat. Segundaryong usapin ang pagbabaybay at napakadaling remedyuhan niyan. ANG DAPAT, pangunahan ng mga ahensya ng gobyerno ang lansakan o wholesale na Filipinisasyon, lalo na ang [gov't agency]. Isang kabalintunaan na ang [gov't agency] ay Inglesero! Gaya ng nabanggit ko na, ang mismong newsletter ng [gov't agency] ay Ingles, pati website etc. gayong Filipino ang wikang pambansa. Kasapi ako ng [committee inside the gov't agency] at nabanggit na namin doon ang puna sa pagIingles ng [gov't agency] at wala pa ring development Higit na makabayan ang makabayang naghahangad ng pambansang pagkakaisa sa pamamagitan ng wikang pambansa. Bakit magIingles kung may wikang pambansa naman? Kung ipinanganak naman sa rehiyon, ay di mag-aral ng Filipino na kapamilya ng lahat ng wika sa bansa, di gaya ng Ingles na dayuhang-dayuhan
- IndioHistorian: Pero kung ang kapalit naman ng 'Filipinasyong' ito ay ang pagkamatay ng iba pa nating wika tulad ng Pangasinense, Kapampangan, Ilocano at iba pa.. paano na? Paano ang mga wika at ideya na napapaloob sa mga wikang ito? Hindi bat mas mainam muna na palakasin ang mga rehiyong wika at pagkatapos, saka lalakas ang wikang pambansa?
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: hahah. Biktima ka ng propaganda ng mga Inglesero. Ang pagpapalakas sa Filipino ay pagpapalakas sa iba pang wika ng Pilipinas (basahin ang depinisyon ng Filipino sa Saligang Batas ng 1987). At sa aking opinyon, maliit na sakripisyo, sakali mang mamatay ang mga wikang panrehiyon. FYI, sa Pangasinan, ayaw nang magPangasinense ng mga kabataan. Ipinagbubunyi ko iyon. Bakit? Isang pahiwatig iyon na tanggap na tanggap na nila ang Filipino. Sa buong bansa'y Filipino nang talaga ang gamit ng mga Pilipino. Mali ang unahin ang wikang panrehiyon. Prayoridad DAPAT ang wikang pambansa. Napatunayan na 'yan ng Indonesia. SATU BANGSA, SATU BAHASA! At huwag mong ilagay sa panipi/quotation mark ang Filipinisasyon dahil totoong Filipinisasyon ang tinutukoy ko. Nagtataka ako na sa [gov't agency] ay may sentimyentong anti-Filipino pa rin.
- IndioHistorian: Matindi, "reckless generalization" yan. :) Hindi mo pako kilala at 'biktima' nako ng propaganda?
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Hindi reckless generalization 'yan, dahil ipinahahayag mo na nga ang aktwal na namumutawi rin sa bibig ng mga Inglesero. Balikan mo ang simula ng iyong mga argumento. Ang mga mitong pinaniniwalaan mo'y pawang ipinakakalat ng mga Inglesero. At saka, paano mapalalakas ng pag-Iingles ang mga wikang panrehiyon?
- IndioHistorian: Lilinawin ko lang, umaayon ako sayo. Kailangan ng pagkakaisa sa wika. Ngunit huwag mong sabihing hindi iyan komplikado. Hindi lahat ng may ganuong sentimyento ay inglisero na. Kausapin mo ang mga guro sa probinsya.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Ang mga guro sa probinsya'y naging kamag-aral ko sa PNU, at nakarating na rin ako sa mga kumperensya sa Davao, Naga atbp. lugar na may wikang rehiyunal. NagFifilipino ako at naiintindihan nila ako. Hindi komplikado ang usapin sa pagbabaybay dahil nagkakaintindihan tayo sa kabila ng pag-iral niyon. Ang kawalan ng standard sa bokabularyo ay madali ring malulutas. Ang mahalaga, isulong kaagad ang Filipinisasyon. Saka na ang mga wikang panrehiyon. Sa pagtatanggol mo sa paggamit ng Ingles ng [gov't agency], tila sinabi mo na rin na makapagpapalakas iyon sa wikang panrehiyon.
- IndioHistorian: Pero kumukuha ng lakas ang wikang pambansa sa mga wikang rehiyon.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent1: Bakit mo uunahin ang wikang panrehiyon gayong may wikang pambansa na? Higit sa lahat, bakit mag-Iingles ang [gov't agency] kung may Filipino na na naiintindihan sa buong Pilipinas?
- IndioHistorian: Hmm.. di ko pinagtatanggol ang wikang Ingles sa [gov't agency]. :) Suriing mabuti ang mga itinala ko dito.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Ang wikang pambansa ay totoong kumukuha ng lakas mula sa mga wikang panrehiyon NGUNIT kahit walang wikang panrehiyon ay malakas at matatag na ito.
- IndioHistorian: Ang mga tanong mo ay nagpapahayag ng pagkakomplikado ng sitwasyon na di mo sinang ayunan.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Narito ang sinabi mo: "Sumasang ayon ako na wala talaga sa pagiging makabayan ang paggamit ng anu mang wika."
- IndioHistorian: Jejemon at bekemon.. Hmm. Matatag ba talaga?
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Ang jejemon ay patay na. Ang bekimon ay HINDI Filipino. Imbensyon lamang iyon ng mga gusto gumamit niyon. Di gaya ng Filipino na ginagamit ng buong bansa. May sagot ako sa mga tanong ko. Ikaw at ang mga gaya mo ang marahil ay wala pang sagot kaya para sa inyo ay komplikado ang usaping pangwika.
- IndioHistorian's Friend: Mainit-init na naman ang aking ipinaskil hohohnho! Apat na punto lamang ang masasabi ko pagdating sa wika: [1] pag-igihin ang pagpapakilala sa Wikang Pambansa kasama ng mga wika't wikain ng mga Pilipino, hindi lamang ang Filipino, sapagkat tunay na may sentimyento ang ibang pangkat etnolinggwistiko sa Tagalog at aminin natin ito, hindi biro ang unti-unting paglipat ng dila ng marami hindi Tagalog mula sa kanilang inang wika sa sarili nilang teritoryo; [2] patunayan ng Pamahalaan na ginagamit nila ang Filipino hindi bilang pandispley at upang masabing sila ay Pilipino - paumanhin ngunit AMPAW ang promosyon ng Pamahalaan sa Filipino; at [3] hayaang salitain ng sino man ang nais nilang salitain sapagkat sa dakong huli'y ang wika ay umunlad hindi dahil sa palaliman ng talasalitaan kundi sa halaga nito sa lipunan at kalinangan: ang diwa ng talastasan o komunikasyon; at [4] bawasan ang Inggles, gamitin lamang ito kung kailangan at kung kailan naisin sapagkat sa huli'y wika pa rin ito taytay sa daigdig at sa mga kosmopolitang bahagi ng bansa.
- Pantayong Pananaw adherent: Umiikot na ang usapan kaya puputulin ko na rito. Uulitin ko na lang ang pangunahing punto: OBLIGADO ang [gov't agency] atbp. ahensya ng gobyerno na itaguyod ang Filipino at Filipinisasyon. Ang pag-Iingles ng [gov't agency] ay di dapat patawarin.
- IndioHistorian: Una sa lahat, hindi ko ipinagtanggol ang Ingles bilang instrumento sa pagpapalakas ng mga wika sa rehiyon. Ang Ingles ay banyaga at kailanman ay hindi magiging damdamin ng Pilipino. Ngunit ano po ba ang wikang Filipino. Sa aking pag-aaral, mga 80% nito ay galing sa Kastila, ngunit bakit natin ito naaangkin bilang wika natin? Dahil ang pananakop sa atin ng mga banyaga ay bahagi rin ng ating karanasan bilang isang bansa. Inangkin natin ang karanasang ito kaya ito naging wikang Pambansa, at walang masama dito. Pangalawa, sa mga naitala ko dito, sang ayon ako sa pagkakaisa at sa paggamit ng wikang pambansa para maisakatuparan ito. Naniniwala ako na may sariling kakanyahan ang bawat wika sa Pilipinas na linangin ang kani kanilang syntax at ortograpiya upang lalo itong maging praktikal, napapanahon, at kagamitgamit sa mga kabataan. Ngunit ang Filipinisasyon din kadalasan ang nagiging instrumento upang lalong hindi gamitin ang mga wikang pangrehiyon na ito. May isa akong alam na unibersidad sa Pangasinan na ipinagbabawal ang pagsasalita ng wikang Pangasinense. Dapat daw Filipino lang o Ingles. Pangatlo, sa ating kasaysayan, ang orihinal na intensyon ng mga nagpausbong ng ating wikang pambansa ay ang pagpili sa Tagalog bilang 'base' lamang at linangin pa ito sa pamamagitan ng pagkuha ng ilang salita mula sa karanasan ng buong kapuluan na napapaloob sa mga wika nila. Halimbawa, ang salitang "muringot" o maduming damit na dapat labahan ay wala sa Tagalog. Nanggaling ito sa Pangasinense (Pangalatok) pero nakakatuwa na ito ay ginagamit na ngayon sa Filipino. Ang ikinalulungkot ko ay bakit hiram ng hiram ang wikang Pambansa ng salita mula sa Ingles kung pwede naman itong kumuha sa mga katutubo nating wika? Sa pagpilit na Filipino lang ang tanging wikang dapat linangin, hindi ba't di na rin natin nasaalang alang ang kalunoslunos na kalagayan ng mga wikang nasa mga rehiyon? Ang puno't dulo ng lahat ay ang pagtanggi mo na KOMPLIKADO ang kalagayan ng ating mga wika (kabilang na ang wikang Pambansa). Bago isulong ang tamang Pilipinasyon, kailangan munang maisaalang alang ang mga gumagamit ng mga wika natin sa kapuluan. Sila rin po ay Pilipino at dapat din nating marinig ang kanilang boses mula sa kanilang mga wika. Kung ipipilit natin ang Pilipinasyon sa kanila nang hindi man lang isinasangalang ang mga wika nila, napakayabang naman po siguro ng ating pananaw upang sabihin na Filipino lamang ang tanging wikang totoong makabayan. Iyan ang konteksto ng pagsabi ko na, ang pagiging makabayan ay hindi lamang napapaloob sa wikang Pambansa. Marami itong "expression" na maririnig natin mula sa ating mga kapatid sa Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao at sa buong mundo (OFWs).
It’s amazing how a historical film got into the Metro Manila Film Fest and won. There are so few of this kind of Filipino films today that even I, a historian, could not resist to watch. I can forgive any Filipino historical film made today no matter how low in quality since Philippine cinema has not yet risen to that state it used to have during the 50s to 60s. So here I was watching this film last December and I was really surprised at the quality of the film. Except for the bad acting of the lead actor, all the scenes were almost perfectly executed, and reminded me of The Godfather. Although much have been said about the inherent machismo of the film, it could not be avoided since at the time, such machismo was evident in that generation. Maybe the only thing I didn’t like was how the film was dedicated to Asiong Salonga in the end, as though he was worthy of being emulated. Other than that, I’m still hoping this won’t be the last of our recently made historical films.
I’m currently going LSS over the OST of the film. :)
This Filipino painting entitled “Fruit Pickers Harvesting Under The Mango Tree” was painted in 1939 by the famous Filipino painter and National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Known for his chiaroscuro techniques, he was one of the native-trained painters having been influenced by Spanish artists who were so into the Spain of Cervantes and Vega. He was later given a grant to study art in Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in Madrid, the same school that Juan Luna once attended. The main difference of his paintings were his recurring subject: the beauty of the Philippines, its history and its people. Perhaps his technique was also shaped by his tedious training as a painter, having been born of a middle class family and having been reared in the province of Camarines Norte. Wonder what the Philippines is like on a sunny day? Look at the Philippine rural landscapes of Amorsolo. Beautiful.
Flabbergasted
Last Monday, the first working day of 2012 I had an opportunity to get a package sent to us by my Dad (who’s now living in the U.S.). With my personal ID on hand and the track number I got from him, I went to the Postal Office to get the package. I was led to the back of the building where a room (that looked like a cage) is located. I went into the room, where a small sign “Parcel Room” hangs by the door. I was told I needed to pay for the parcel fee. I went up to the second floor of the building, paid PhP 40.00, and I went back to the Parcel Room in anticipation for the package. Like any Filipino anticipating a hard-earned gift from an OFW father, I was quite excited to see what’s inside.
There were two tables in the Parcel Room, one beside the door leading to the inner room where the unclaimed packages are, the other table is just beside the entrance. Lets refer to the following as Table A (for the former) and Table B (for the latter). The parcel officer in Table A took out the package from the inner room where he inspected the box. He passed it on to Table B. The Officer in Table A told me, “Ser, buksan lang po natin ah. Part po iyan ng protocol.” I couldn’t even do anything, and it just happened so fast. The box, the hard-earned salary of my Dad, on Table B was opened by Officer B in earnest.
I was flabbergasted with what transpired. One by one, each item was checked not as an officer checking a bag (at least that was maintaining professionalism). It was checked as though the package was intended as a personal gift to Officer B. “Oh, ang mahal naman ng t-shirt na’to!” then he checked the brand, the price tag (which was still attached), raising the t-shirt with his two hands as I smelled the ‘states-side’ scent that Officer B seemed to be enjoying. Each item went through that ghastly examination until the brand new Tommy Hilfiger bag was checked. “WOW! Branded pa!” said Officer B. I never saw my own face then but I think Officer A saw me and said to Officer B, “Ahh parang yung isang package lang kanina na taga Sumulong. Puro damit at bag din.” I was silent. Officer B went on ‘checking’ the two jackets my Dad gave me and my sister. It was carefully wrapped but it was pried open and it was also checked the way it was done with the rest of the items. “Naku, $50 dollars isa nito!” said Officer B looking at the attached price tag. As soon as Officer B was done checking everything, all the items were returned to the box as Officer A taped the box as though the package was not opened.
With folded hands, Officer B sat on his office chair at Table B and said, “Ser, ganito po kasi ‘yun. Lahat po ng textile products, jacket, etc. lahat po iyan may tariff. So kailangan nyo pong magbayad ng 10% ng lahat ng content sa package nyo.” Then a short pause. “Pero, pagbibigyan ko po kayo. Yung dalawang jackets nalang po ang sisingilin ko.” I was really at a boiling point. Then I suddenly asked, “Saan po ba nakaindicate na mayroon pong ganyang sinisingil?” The room suddenly fell silent. Officer B pointed to a poster with a long list of guidelines that I had no time reading then. “Ayan po oh!” he said. “At ito” he showed me the paper of the ‘rules’… and an ASEAN book on Tariffs that he really tried to skim so he could show me. I took out my camera phone, and took pictures of all these documents. After that I texted my Mom and my sister telling them what is happening. I kept to myself as Officer B computed the ‘tax fee’ of the two jackets. He wrote on a photocopied slip that is supposed to be an official receipt, “PhP 1,490.00”. I mean whaat? I said to myself. I didn’t have that amount with me then. I just kept to myself, as I took pictures of the room and their faces. Officer B defended himself saying, “Icheck nyo pa pos a Customs sa Pasay Office. May ganyan po talaga.” I remained silent, texting. Officer B, trying to break the ice in this awkward situation tried to make a conversation. “May __name_and _surname__ po akong kilala sa Pasay Post Office. Kamag-anak nyo po ba siya?” I replied “Siguro” trying my best to relay everything to my family through text while trying to scare them. I mean if you’re doing something under-the-table you’d get scared if the one you’re trying to fool keep on texting and taking pictures of you and the documents you’re showing. Suddenly, Officer B retorted, “AH! Since Christmas naman po nung nakaraan, di ko na po kayo ipapagbayad ng tax.” I kept on texting as I said, “Kayo ho bahala.” Then awkward silence. As soon as I was done with my fake texting, I said, “So ok na ho? Kunin ko na?” Officer B awkwardly answered, “Ah, oho.” I stepped toward the door and walked away with a package.
Two reasons why I believe the rules that Officer B mentioned were made-up.
- If the officers were really obeying the ‘rules’ in getting from me PhP 1,450.00 how come they could easily take it back? Taking it back would be disobedience to government protocol.
- If they were really obeying the ‘rules’ how come the officers were nervous when I was taking pictures of the documents they were showing? This is the 21st century and everything can be exposed on the internet and they know it.
One thing that was going on through my mind was how many people were duped by these people. Not everyone would think of doing what I did, but what if some impoverished boy who had a father or mother working abroad, have a package sent to him by the OFW who with numbing hands cleaned numerous toilets and butts, braved everything, even the cold winter, just to provide for his/her son? Would we even have the nerve to charge the boy for our personal benefit?
Jose Rizal wrote this more than a hundred years ago and nothing has changed:
All the Filipinos…know how many documents, what comings, how many stamped papers, how much patience is needed to secure from the government a permit for an enterprise. One must count upon the good will of this one, on the influence of that one, on a good bribe to another in order that the application be not pigeon-holed…And above all, great patience, great knowledge of how to get along, plenty of money, a great deal of politics, many salutations, great influence, plenty of presents and complete resignation!
(Indolence of the Filipinos)
Human depravity. We deal with it everyday with much grace and ruthless truth.
This is a sketch Rizal made to depict the stingray as he remembered it when he was visiting the Botanical Garden at Singapore in 1882.
One would see how inquisitive Jose Rizal was, his love for biology and taxonomy ever growing. Take note that he used English to communicate to the people he met in Singapore:
Dated May 10, 1882: “I reached (10 minutes) the garden located on a hill, as the majority of the constructions in Singapore are. Its cleanliness and orderliness are admirable; numerous plants with their labels beside them, well tended by Malays… I continued walking, admiring those trees which charmed me and I entered a kind of storehouse with numerous varieties of parasitic and air plants, most beautiful and rare. I met there a Malay who could not understand me. I went out looking for mammals, for I believed there were some and I found only a kind of cage-storehouse where I saw in different compartments two superb peacocks, an eagle, two marabous, turkeys, and Guinea hens, blue birds similar to the hoopoe in plumage, wild pigeons, cockatoos, and other birds whose names I didn’t know. I met another Malay and as he could not understand me, I drew a cow and showed it to him and he replied: Tadar. Tired of looking for it, I approached an Englishman who was playing with his dog. I greeted him and asked him for the zoological garden. He replied that there was none. I went away then, looked for a coach, and went back.”
