A brief history of the Philippines & their culture

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LISTEN TO THE Philippines History EPISODE HERE

I'm willing to bet that you don't know diddly squat about the Philippines.   Smarty Pants Lisa didn't.  And of course I didn't, cuz I'm not a history major. So we're all learning! That is truly what I love about our podcast. We just recorded an episode highlighting 5 Filipinas who have been instrumental in independence and cultural history for the Philippines.  Their quest for independence has been long and hard won, starting with a bunch of colonizing bullshit that started in the 1500's. 

In 1521, good ol' Ferdinand Magellan tried to "discover" the Philippines islands, but um...they killed him.  I had no idea Magellan died that way, did you?  

Well despite that uh, "setback", the Portuguese tried again and successfully claimed the islands for the Spanish throne in 1542.

On October 18, 1587, the first indigenous Filipinos landed on mainland America.  From the northern Philippines island of "Luzon",  "The Luzones Indios came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza, landing at what is now Morro Bay, California." (I find that extra interesting because Morro Bay is one of my personal favorite vacation spots. I've been going there my whole life and am very familiar with it. I had no idea there was any Filipino history there.) So that is the reason October is Filipino American Heritage Month. 

The Filipinos and their Spanish colonizer buddies came to scout the land and make contact with the indigenous people of America. They gave food and clothing to the indigenous people (this would have been the Chumash) as a peace offering...buuuut, then they tried to claim the land by placing a cross on a hill. So you can imagine, overall, this meeting didn't go super great... 

According to Wikipedia: "On 18 October, the feast day of San Lucas, the initial landing parties came ashore. One party consisted of Unamuno and a dozen soldiers. Another party of "Luzon Indians" and a priest; the priest was Father Martín Ignacio de Loyola, nephew of Ignatius of Loyola. Two of the Filipinos went ahead of the parties, scouting for the locals observed from the ship. Initial attempts to make contact with local people were unsuccessful. When a group of nine Native Americans was observed; they ran off before the landing party could attempt to communicate with them. After claiming possession of the land by placing a cross atop a hill as a sign of their claim, the landing party returned to the ship.

After a second landing the next day for exploration and the gathering of supplies for the ship, the landing party spent the night ashore. The next morning, part of the landing party was approached by 23 Native Americans, who ended up taking clothing and canteens from the landing party. Not long after, an attempt to capture Loyola was stopped when a gun was fired. Afterwards, the landing party began to return to their ship and was attacked, resulting in the deaths of one Spaniard and one Filipino, both due to javelin wounds, and several others being injured. Reinforced by a complement from the ship, the group repelled the attack. The next day, the 21 October, the galleon departed, continuing its journey to Acapulco."

They did not return to California until 1595. 

Back on Philippines home territory, they were already colonized by Spain. Then the US won the islands from Spain, then Japan occupied them during WW2, and then the US got them again.  The US promised them independence and gave them a timeline. Eventually we did what we'd said we would and they

were granted independent rule (how big and white of us).  But like many "new" countries, it has suffered from unstable leadership and deep conflict (which stems mostly from religious extremism - shocker! There is a mish-mash of Catholic, Christian, and Muslim religions in the region. ) All the powers that be want to have control of the islands because "Due to its geographical position, the Philippines serve as a major observation for not just the USA but many other nations since it is situated between the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean."  It has been a hotbed of conflict and a hot mess of leadership.

One of the ladies we cover in the podcast this week is considered the mother of Filipino

cuisine.  Another of our ladies is considered the mother of the revolution.  I loved learning about those women and trying, somewhat unsuccessfully, to say their names.   But I wanted to know about the actual Filipino culture, because I know nothing!! So here's a quick primer - 

Tough times create tough people. The Filipino people keep on tickin'.  And despite their difficult circumstances, they are still considered one of the most friendly cultures around.  

Filipino culture is very focused on hospitality, respect, care for others, and personal propriety. Filipino culture holds family and God very close. Respect of and care for elders is important.  Taking care of others in the community, and generally hard work and positive attitude are core values for the culture of the Philippines.  

They have their own greeting -  "Westerners shake hands, the east Asians bow down, while some southeast countries clasp their hands. Then there’s the Filipinos with their own cultural trademark called pagmamano - Pagmamano is an honoring gesture that communicates warmth and respect when the younger ones greet or say goodbye to their elders. It is done by taking the elder’s hand and touching it lightly on your forehead—a distinct way of showing respect and receiving blessings from them.

There is a Filipino cultural concept that refers to a sense of obligation to return a favor done by someone else.  it is called Utang na loob, and literally translates to "debt of the heart" or "debt of one's inner self".  The concept of utang na loob is based on the idea that when someone receives a favor, they are in a position of indebtedness to the person who helped them. This indebtedness is created by the benefactor's kagandahang loob, or good will. The act of helping someone is an opportunity to express sympathy or concern, and the benefactor is able to express positive feelings towards the beneficiary."

A common phrase is "Bahala na" which means whatever happens happens. Perhaps like our "it is what it is", but in this case there is a belief that all is in God's care. 

Pagkakaloob is about "giving one's time, talent, or treasure to people in need or for a good cause"

Bayanihan is a value of community spirit and cooperation.

Hiya is a value of propriety and self-control for the sake of others.

Pakikisama is  trait of getting along with others. Filipinos are generally cheerful and taught to look at the silver lining. 

Here's is a somewhat condensed timeline of major events in the history of the Philippines. 

1521- Portuguese explorer (sailing under the Spanish flag) Ferdinand Magellan was killed by natives in the Philippines

1542 - Despite the earlier "setback" with Magellan, Spanish expedition claims the islands and names them the Philippines after the heir to the Spanish throne

1898 - Revolutionary forces  proclaim independence

1898 - During the brief Spanish-American War, US Navy destroys Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Spain cedes Philippines to US, which proclaims military rule

1899 - Revolutionaries refuse to recognize US takeover, proclaim First Philippine Republic and launch armed struggle against US forces known as Philippine-American War

1902 - Philippine-American War formally ends as US civil government replaces military rule. Some independence forces fight on until defeat of Moro resistance in south in 1913

1907 - Elected Philippine assembly inaugurated under US rule 

1916 - US government promises Philippines greater autonomy, leading to independence

1935 - US promises Philippines  full independence within 10 years

1941 - During WW2, Japan seizes Philippines

1944 - US forces retake islands

1946 - Islands granted full independence and renamed Republic of the Philippines

From 1946 on, the Philippines is plagued by bad leadership and multiple conflicts with various Islamic and Jihadist groups.  In 2012 a peace plan with one of the groups is finally successfully signed, ending a 40 year conflict.  In 2013 there was a Typhoon.  Between 2015 and 2017, there were more conflicts with Islamic terrorist organizations. And then in 2020, the Covid global lockdowns hurt the economy and triggered a recession which persists still. 

So this month, in between your Oktoberfest-ing, your Halloween decorating and pumpkin

patch-ing, and generally enjoying the weather...go find your local Filipino restaurant and try some pancit (kinda likechow mein) or lumpia (like if a taquito and a spring roll had a baby) and have a San Miguel beer. They don't really have a "cheers" like Westerners, because they often shared one glass in a spirit of unity... but the closest you can get is to raise a glass and say "Tagay!" 

SOURCES:
 

https://www.outsourceaccelerator.com/articles/filipino-traits-and-values/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_landing_of_Filipinos_in_the_United_States