Las Islas Filipinas, under the Spanish regime, has made a great effort to map our thousands of islands, naming and renaming the places and trying to unify the Filipino people while imposing on their culture and religion.
Spanish influences, as evidenced by our religion, festivals, food, music, and dances, have thrived through centuries. We have celebrated cultural and religious fiestas in honor of Patron Saints. We serve Spanish dishes like Adobo, Afritada, Caldereta, Menudo, Mechado, Arroz Caldo, and Arroz a la Valenciana. We have Spanish influences in our folk dances like the Fandangos; we have the most popular Pandango sa Ilaw, or Dance with Light, which originated in Mindoro province. Another is the Pandango Oasiwas (Wasiwas), which originated from the fishing town of Lingayen, Pangasinan. We have several La Jota dances like La Jota San Joaquiña, which originated from San Joaquin, Iloilo. And we also have an affectionate dance, Cariñosa. These are some of the Philippine folk dances I had the opportunity to be part of in High school until College, which made me appreciate our Philippine Arts and culture even more and up to date.
With the treaty of Paris in 1898, Spain sold us to the United States for 20 million dollars, which concluded the Spanish-American war. Then came the declaration of the first Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, headed by Emilio Aguinaldo at Kawit, Cavite. We thought Americans were on our side, but we suffered a significant defeat in the Philippine-American war from 1899 until 1902. We had been under their rule until they granted us independence on July 4, 1946 —our absolute independence.
During American rule, we started a modern way of living and had our new identity Americanized. We had free education from the Thomasites and learned the English language. The Filipinos had religious freedom by establishing new religions founded by Filipinos. Today, there are several American influences on our culture; we eat hamburgers, sandwiches, and oatmeal. We dine at fast-food restaurants like McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, and KFC. We wear polo shirts, belts, tennis shoes, baseball caps, coats, and ties. Filipinos love American culture as we continue to speak English, which is also a great job opportunity for workers in the Business Process Outsourcing industry. We appreciate American music and dance, and some Filipinos covet the American dream of living and working in the land of the free —Uncle Sam.
During World War 2, the Japanese occupation came in 1941 and invaded our Islands and had contributed little cultural influence for about 3 years. Still, they have left us with painful experiences, struggles, and deaths. For the shortest time of Japanese occupation, the most significant influence would be 'discipline' due to the imposition of curfew. Today, Japanese influence has been part of our culture as we have embraced their martial arts like Karate, Judo, and the Filipino version, Karatedo. We have Japanese elements in our gardens. We eat sushi, sashimi and Ramen. Some Filipinos are eager to visit Japan because it is an ultra-modern nation with natural wonders and a better way of living as a first-world country in the East.
Over three centuries of Spanish settlement, four decades of American rule, and three years of Japanese occupation, we have absorbed and integrated various elements from these cultures into our own. While painful memories of the past may haunt us, we can also appreciate the richness and diversity these influences have brought to our Filipino identity.
Today, foreign invasions have not ended yet. Trade wars are happening between economic giants from the East and the West. Religious wars are endless in different cities of the world. There is bullying of a more enormous country over a dot on a map in the Pacific. In the face of these threats, it is more crucial than ever that we, as Filipinos, stand united.
We Filipinos may have a world-class spirit and be globally competitive people. Still, with the current trend of globalization, the desire to be different, a colonial mentality, and confusion about our identity, it is our responsibility to preserve and uphold our unique Filipino identity in this 21st century.
This day, June 12, 2019, marks the 121st anniversary of Philippine Independence. It's my first time celebrating a momentous event in Rizal Park's historical place. Witnessing the flag-raising ceremony on this day gave me a glimpse of a nostalgic past and a vision of an uncertain future.
Today, retaining our real Filipino identity is indeed challenging, and achieving unity for all Filipinos is even more difficult. From the Katolikos (Catholics) of the North down to the Moros of the South. The fight of the Manobos and the killing of the lumads. The struggles of the Aetas, Igorots, and Mangyans. The differences between Tagalog and Bisaya. The war between the Philippine armed forces and the local terrorist groups. Diverse groups and cultures strive to establish and secure their local and indigenous identity while striving for significance with national identity —to be a Filipino and be proud to say that I Am a Filipino.
The solemnity of the flag-raising ceremony on this day signifies our unity in diversity. We may come from different Philippine Islands, but we aspire to raise our voices even in silence, to raise our dignity, and to raise our humanity. With Freedom in Our Hearts, we can achieve lasting peace and unity by instilling a sense of national pride and distinctive identity.
© 2019 Del Cusay
