Blog 3 - Life of the PI

This week, our experiences in the Philippine Islands really highlighted the adaptability of the nation’s people. Over the centuries, not only has the physical environment of the people of the Philippines shifted, but also the cultural and political environment. Throughout our own experiences in the Philippines, the perseverance and strength of the people of the Philippines over the centuries has been shockingly evident. Prior to this trip, the Philippines was just another country to me, one that I had heard various stories of, and one that I knew to have once been colonized under American rule. Little did I know, that American stronghold that once ruled the Philippines still exists to this day, despite the fact that the Philippines gained their independence over half a century ago. One thing that I wasn’t aware of, and a fact that isn’t expressed in history books, is the strength of this nation’s people and their ability to adapt to their surroundings. In reflection of our final week here in the Philippines, the discussion question that I found myself focusing on is how have these people maintained such strong spirits, despite the ongoing oppression that they endure as a result of Western colonization?

    Visiting Boracay was an incredible experience, although at times I was overwhelmed with how vast the tourist industry has become. As we walked through the streets, the gentrification that is taking place was unmistakable. As the hotels, shops and condos that are being built expand further and further into the neighborhoods, one can’t help but question where the local residents are going. Why are the natives being forced out of their homes and neighborhoods, for the sake of foreigners? Being a foreigner myself, basking in the luxury of these same hotels and shops that are forcing the locals further and further away, I found myself in a state of convolution.  While it is painful to see the effects of gentrification taking place, it was also motivating to see how the locals have adapted to these changes. While the tourist industry is overwhelming in Boracay, the locals have found a way to monopolize the presence of these foreign visitors, catering to them in ways that allow them to make a living without entirely sacrificing the beautiful city in which they live.

            Visiting Cebu was an interesting experience, particularly our time spent viewing Magellan’s cross.  Personally, I find it hard to understand Filipinos fascination with Ferdinand Magellan, considering he was an empirical conqueror who forever changed the framework of their homeland. Despite the devastation that came about as a result of Magellan’s presence and conquests, the people have come to cherish this cross for what it represents; the origin of their religion. “The cross of Magellan, the oldest landmark in the city of Cebu and the Holy Child Jesus, the oldest historical relic in the Philippines, stand today as the two greatest monuments that speak of the glorious discovery, formation and Christian civilization of the Philippines” reads one sign posted near the cross. This quote directly represents the love that Filipinos have come to have for Christianity and Magellan’s cross, albeit the fact that it came at the hand of a foreign leader.

In contrast to our visit to Magellan’s cross, our trip to the Lapu Lapu shrine was refreshing for several reasons. I was excited to visit this shrine primarily because it presented an alternative view of Magellan’s conquest. While Ferdinand Magellan did introduce a religion that many Filipinos strongly identify with even to this day, he also brought a lot of destruction with him. Learning about Lapu Lapu’s defeat of Magellan was personally uplifting because I found it to act as a token of redemption against the empirical rule that has affected the Philippines for hundreds of years.

            “If there ever was a war of races in this world, the war now going on in the Philippine Islands is precisely that,” writes P. Abinales in her article on authority and structure in Southern Mindanao (Abinales 123). While her piece discusses the turmoil that took place in the Philippines in the early 1900’s, it is still applicable even today. Filipinos have struggled with oppression and race conflict for centuries, an issue that is still thriving within the Philippines. Due to “immense changes in political and economic tides, the Reconstruction agenda for Black equality suffered grievous reversals” following the civil war (Abinales 120). Speaking with Native Filipinos gave further insight into this dilemma, elaborating on their position within this conflict. “The hierarchy of color, introduced during the Spaniards' reign, was institutionalized under the Americans,” writes Abinales (Abinales 130).  The hierarchy of color that Abinales discusses is still present today, an issue that Lance elaborated further on. He spoke about how natives of darker complexion are looked down upon within Filipino society, even among other Filipinos. In regards to Filipinos of African decent, he told us that they aren’t even represented, and that they have no social standing within the Philippines. White people on the other hand, and those of American or European ancestry, are highly regarded and seen as a superior of those who have darker skin.

            In contrast to the superiority complex that exists between Filipinos within the Philippines, R.G. Ontal discusses how the origins of this issue came about as a result of American colonization. He discusses how “the principal reason for American occupation was to civilize and train Filipinos in the art of democratic governance (Ontal 92). This resulted in “a type of colonial "racism" that had a double meaning. While the Americans, in general, regarded the Filipinos as "backward," the same racist attitude was used to protect a perceived "more backward” group within Philippine society from the superior ones” (Ontal 92). Unfortunately, what Ontal speaks of is still prevalent within the Philippines even to this day. Several types of racism exist; racism among Filipinos, and racism between Filipinos and foreigners. Despite the onslaught of racism within the Philippines, Filipinos have maintained strong spirits in regards to their oppression.

            This week, our experiences in the Philippine Islands opened my eyes to some of the underlying issues within the Philippines. More than anything, as mentioned, I was impressed with Filipinos ability to adapt to their changing surroundings. The strength of the people of the Philippines over the centuries is incredible, and merits recognition due to their perseverance. In reflection of my discussion question, how have these people maintained such strong spirits despite the ongoing oppression that they endure, our experiences magnified the adaptability of the Filipino identity, a characteristic that is truly remarkable.

           

                                                                   Works Cited

Abinales, P. (2002) An American colonial state: Authority and structure in Southern Mindanao. In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia, Vestiges of war. (pp. 89-117). New York: New York
Press.

Ontal, R.G., (2002). Fagen and other ghosts: African-Americans and the Philippine-American war. In A.V. Shaw & L.H Francia, Vestiges of war. (pp. 118-133). New York: New York Press.