Posts Tagged ‘philippine history’

Typhoon Can’t Hit it?

Bahay Kubo or nipa hut is said to be an indigenous dwelling in the Philippines which the conventional Philippine history said that it was the dwelling of one of the first races in the Philippines. Thus Bahay Kubo is recognized as the “Pambansang Bahay”(Philippine National dwelling) of the Philippines.

Typical Bahay Kubo

But what is interesting with this bahay kubo is not the house itself neither its origin but the way some Filipinos adulate it, like the recent report that the senior engineering students of the University of the Philippines Diliman branch, proudly announced that they have designed a nipa hut or bahay kubo that could withstand typhoons and earthquake. Yes, you heard it right, a nipa hut that is stronger than your concrete modern house which could easily be toppled down with strong earthquake and typhoons.

Sounds funny, but they proudly said this nipa hut or bahay kubo they have designed have an octagonal design or form that is anchored on a central pole, which I suspect they design it against the wind forces coming sideways; moreover, they also use “kawayan” or bamboo materials for the construction of their version of nipa hut, wherein I also suspect why they use bamboo as the construction material because of the notion that bamboos never get toppled down by strong winds but only sway and follow.

Usual location of Pinoy Bahay Kubo

With these ideas and concepts, thus they dubbed their nipa hut or bahay kubo version to be “typhoon-resistant”. But is it, if these ideas of them as well as their nipa hut version were not yet tested and proven by an actual very strong typhoon like Ondoy? It seems, it is too early to said that what they have designed is “typhoon-resistant”, unless it already tested and proven, but it is not yet tested and proven, is not it?

Furthermore, I find their octagonal design suspended with a central pole a little bit funny because as if they have design a “trumpo” that could be spin around the central pole when strong winds of a strong typhoon will blow sideways the nipa hut or bahay kubo, unless the foundation of their nipa hut is attached 1000 meters deep in the ground.

Perhaps, they should already erect an actual now and test and prove that what they have conceived and perceived about it is definitely right, not just another theory only and miniature model.

But what about the earthquake-resistant? They have no say about it, perhaps the report only means “typhoon-resistant”.

Sketch of a Typical Bahay Kubo

The Rise of Mediocracy in the Philippines

“Everyone wants to rule the word” – This famous statement have marred the good image of late former Philippine president Ferdinand E. Marcos and wreck his administration and ruined his excellent vision for the Philippines. Yes, this over-maligned and defamed former Philippine president was indeed a good and very bright man. He was never a dictator or an evil man contrary to the rumors spread by the mediocre ones and the press media in the Philippines, just like what the mediocre ones and press media doing against former Philippine president Gloria Arroyo today; even former Philippine president Joseph “erap” Estrada was a victim of his own mediocratic principle.

Ferdinand E. Marcos

Actually, late former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos was elected three times as the President of the Philippines for his commendable achievement and by his high-class visions for the Philippines. But this was ruined by the infiltration of a Communist or Maoist thoughts and ideologies brought by the Cold War then (but I suspect it was the international business elites who do this, see my succeeding paragraph below),which created the creation of a numerous “leftist” and vigilantes groups today who pursue a radical change in the government base on the Communist principle; one of the active communist group that still exist today beginning at the Marcos Administration is the New People’s Army or NPA.

These ‘leftist’ groups become so rampant and wild on the Marcos Administration then (because that was their beginnings or birth in the Philippines) which spreads lawlessness (such as disrespectful to the authorities) and vandalistic attitude that threatens the good security and economic status of the Philippines then, which forces former late Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos to impose Martial Law to counter these threats and save the Philippines from being overtaken by Communism and anarchic principles. Thus, because of these threats and the cluelessness of the Marcos administration of who is behind this destabilization plot and demolition job to overthrow the present Philippine government, resort into arresting leaders of the alleged Communist groups and torture them to speak out who is behind the spread anarchism, vandalism, and destabilization plot against the present reigning Philippine administration, and one of the person arrested is Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino because Ninoy repeatedly criticized the Marcos administration without any very solid evidence about his accusations. Thus he was suspected to have a connection to the mastermind or even one of the masterminds of the destabilization plot and demolition job.

Was Marcos wrong in containing these anarchic threats? Or was his ways of containing it wrong?

Furthermore, not only Communism and anarchy creeps in on Marcos third administration but also disloyalty and corruption of his cabinet members flourish beyond his control, which created the “corruption thought” today in the Philippine politics on Cabinet members.

Is the infiltration of Communism and corruption of his cabinet members a POWER PLAY? To destabilize his good governance and to dis-empower him because of the insecurities of the mediocre ones and the revenge of the Foreign Businesspersons then, especially Chinese ones against Marcos plans to transfer foreign ownership of businesses in the Philippines to the Filipinos and they use the mediocre Filipino then to stir up chaos and communism, so that their businesses will not be transferred to the Filipinos?

Ferdinand Marcos

Is the International Business Community, the Mastermind of destabilization plot and demolition job to destroy the Marcos Administration and to destroy Marcos among the mediocre masses, respectively to suit their personal agendas and to build a Philippine government which they could control?

The downfall of a good leader is the rise of Mediocracy in the Philippines, a.k.a “People Power”, perpetuated by the International Business Elites to suit their personal business agendas and to oust out Marcos using the mediocre Filipino mass.

I pity much Marcos, because he was not justified and acknowledged for what he have done good to the Filipinos in his past administrations but remembered as useless and evil Philippine president ever live. This is definitely INJUSTICE.

Is “People Power” worth remembering against a former good leader?

*Note: This Article about Ferdinand Marcos was submitted by one of the writers that work for ThePhilippines.ph, it does not neccessarily reflect the opinions of ThePhilippines.ph, we however believe it is a good starting point for discussing, so fire away

The First Class Batangas Philippines

This Province in the Southwestern part of the Philippines is known as the most popular tourist destinations near Manila Philippines and at the Philippines. And why is it so? Of course because of Batangas Philippines famous beaches and resorts and diving spots, like Matabungkay, Anilao, Punta Fuegeo, Calatagan, and other famous tourist spots. Moreover, the famous Taal Volcano was also located at Batangas Philippines where most tourists flock to see the volcano. Taal volcano is the smallest active volcano known in the world and famous for its crater which has a lake in it. Its crater with lake is now called “Crater Lake” which most tourist love to look into. It is a volcano within a lake (Lake Taal) and the volcano itself has also a lake with its crater. Amazing is not it?

However, there are also interesting stuff about Batangas Philippines than its popular beaches and resorts. That is, Batangas Philippines’s famous fan knife or in local dialect “balisong”. Batangas Philippines has been known of this famous product in connection with its urban legend that a “Batangueno”(or local residents of Batangas ) always carry a secret “balisong” in anticipation to defend oneself from any outsiders who would challenge or offend one Batangueno to fight. Thus, there is a scare saying that “don’t mess yourself with a Batangueno” if you love your life. Batangas knife is a folding pocket knife with two handles counter-rotated at the grip of the blade of the knife. The knife can be concealed and surprise revealed when an enemy is attacking you. That’s really quite terrifying if you happen to bull with a Batangueno.

Batangas Philippines is also known for its cattle species, throughout the Philippines the “Batangas Cow” is sought after and almost every Saturday there is an auction.

However, like other region in the Philippines, Batangas in the Philippines has also other products which it can be proud of like pineapples, tuna fish, bangus, tilapia, coconut belt, etc.

Batangas Philippines is also known as the Cradle of Noble Heroes in the Philippine history because of heroes and statemens it produced, like Teodoro Kalaw,Apolinario Mabini,Jose Laurel,Claro M. Recto, and others. There are number of museums also which depicts this historical side of Batangas Philippines like Marcela Marino Agoncillo Museum and Monument which immortalized the contribution of this semi-hero Marcela Agoncillo who sew the first Philippine flag which was raised and wave during the times of Emilio Aguinaldo. This museum is actually an ancestral house of Marcella Agoncillo or where Marcela Agoncillo used to live during her times.Actually, I thought this was called Apolinario Shrine.

So where Batangas Philippines does located? Batangas Philippines is located at the CALABARZON region of Luzon Philippines, confined with the provinces of Cavite and Laguna. If you are from Manila Philippines, Batangas in the Philippines is 110 kilometers away southward through land transportation. Once you get there, you can ride a passenger jeepney or tricycle to go around the province or you can ride boats if you want an island-hopping adventure.