Posts Tagged ‘spanish’

The Maharlikans: The True Pinoy

Before the Spaniards came to conquer and indoctrinate Pilipinos into Catholic Christianity under their powers or to be a colony of Spain, Pilipinos have already their own set of beliefs systems and government system that is the Maharlikan system.

The Maharlikan system is quite similar to the Mayans and Hindu religion. Thus, it is suspected that the real Pilipinos have Sumerian and Egyptian lineage, as well as one of the real dwellers of the lost continent of Mu or are Lemurians. The lost continent Mu is the one called “Lemuria”; Lemuria is a contemporary counterpart of Atlantis then.

The Spanish conquerors not only forcibly indoctrinate many Pilipinos at that time to convert to their religion but they also change or rename the Philippines, from Maharlikan into now the Philippines in line with the name of the king of Spain at that time which is King Philip.

Up until now, the majority of Pilipinos are still held captive by the Hispanic influence of the Spaniards though the Spaniards no longer in the Philippines; through holding still the name “Philippines” and still practicing and the worse integrating into the real Pilipino culture the religious belief of the Spanish conquerors and missionaries back then which is Catholicism, instead of the name “Maharlikan”, and the Maharlikan system of Beliefs.

Aside from Vigan City Philippines’s ancestral homes, Sta. Maria Church, Tirad Pass National Shrine, and Bessang Pass, there are cultural heritage sites one could visit and witness at Ilocos Sur Philippines, namely, beautiful museums and churches.

One of these is the Bantay Church or the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower aloof only a few meters away from it. Both the St. Agustine Church and the Bell Tower were said to be built during 1530s at Spanish occupation in the Philippines. They were just reconstructed after they were hit by the calamities brought by World War I and II. St. Agustine Church and Bell Tower can be found at Bantay, Ilocos Sur Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur in the Philippines is the Father Burgos Museum. This Museum was erected in memory of Father Burgos or one of the three known martyred priest. The museum which is of course the former house of Father Burgos is full of memorabilia’s of Father Burgos as well as classical paintings Of Esteban Pichay Villanueva depicting the times of Father Burgos or 1800s. The museum is filled with antique collections, a library, dioramas, archeological and ethnological treasures and other artifacts. Father Burgos Museum is located at Vigan City Philippines.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur at Vigan City also is the Archbishop Palace and Museum or the Palacio Del Arzopispado. This archbishop palace is the only surviving 18 century palace in the Philippines which miraculously survived the vehement blows of World War II. This archbishop palace also serves as headquarters of Emilio Aguinaldo during 1898 and a garrison place during 1899.

There is a Museum within this palace, which is the Museo Nueva Segovia. It is a museum that preserved a large collection of ecclesiastical artifacts and relics from all the region of Ilocos Sur.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur Philippines is the Crisologo Museum which is also of Vigan city Philippines at Liberation Boulevard. It caters Crisologos memorabilia’s. By the way, who are the Crisologo? This ancestral house turn into a Museum is a former house of the former congressman of Vigan, which is Floro Crisologo. In the Museum you could see a lot of paintings and pictures of the Crisologos and their vintage car that almost eaten up by rust but however, preserved in any way. Moreover, you could also see a vintage vehicle there which is somewhat a modern calesa with four to six seater on the back.

Another Cultural church in Vigan city Philippines that is beautifully crafted is the St. Paul Church or St. Paul Cathedral. The Cathedral has an earthquake baroque architecture style with white cream in color. Aloof a few centimeters away are its separate Bell tower. Its present baroque style is only a reconstruction of the original church during 1574 which was damaged by an earthquake during 1600s.The reconstruction took place during 1800s.

Another cultural heritage of Ilocos Sur is the Leona Florentino House and Statue where a large Statue of Leona Florentino was erected in front of the house. I guess the house already houses the Max restaurant. Leona Florentino is a famous Ilocano poet, satirists and playright artist during the Spanish times.

Arayat Philippines is a region in Pampanga Philippines where Mt. Arayat seated where residence of it were at the slope of the mountain. Yap, most residence of Arayat in the Philippines or rather Arayat Pampanga Philippines was living beneath the slopes of foot of this inactive mountain. The closest barangay at Arayat Pampanga Philippines to Mt. Arayat is San Juan Bano where the Mt. Arayat National Park is. The park itself have a direct access to mountain itself because it has man-made so called “hundred steps” that will lead you already on the mountain itself once you reach the hundredth step.

Mt. Arayat National Park is the one that makes Arayat Philippines famous or known in the Luzon part of the Philippines as well in Pampanga in the Philippines. It is noted for its very cool swimming pools which of course best during hot weather or summer time. The Park is indeed a very refreshing place due to its natural flora surrounding it. Mt. Arayat National Park is originally a project of the wife of former late Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon during the post war times.

Arayat Pampanga Philippines is located at Central part of Luzon Philippines and is nestled at the foot of Mt. Arayat. Actually, Arayat Philippines is not the only place in the world that has its name, for there is a place in Spain which is also called “Arayat”. Arayat Philippine historians say that it is from this place Arayat Pampanga in the Philippines gets its name.

During the Spanish times, an encomiendero who conquer Arayat whose name is Fernando de Arayat has renamed Arayat which formerly known then as “Alaya” which means “East” and Mt. Arayat was then called Mt. Alaya. And the inhabitants of it were Aetas. It is said it is kind of wilderness ambience at the foot of Mt. Arayat which the Spanish encomienderos has transformed it into a farm land irrigations.

By the way, aside from the Mt. Arayat National Park which some tourist visit, Arayat Pampanga is also well known of its dignitaries who live at early times like Jose Alejandrino (the statue at the Arayat municipal) who is a companion and contemporary of Dr. Jose Rizal (Philippines national hero), who is also my forefather in my mother’s lineage or genealogy. Dr. Emigdio C. Cruz whose name bears a district hospital at San Agustin Norte Arayat Pampanga is known or said to be lived during World War II.

Moreover, Amelito Mutuc and Leoncio Parungao is both secretary during Diosdado Macapagal Government who made also Arayat proud. There are also military dignitaries, like Major General Rene R. Cruz who is former RaCom Commander and PC-INP Commander, Col. (Ret.) Vicente A. Pascual who is former a Deputy Judge Advocate General, and Commodore Lodovigildo L. Gantioqui who of the Philippine Navy.

Another well known at Arayat Philippines is Arayat’s well known organized tricycle association which is the famous New 06 Association, Inc. Wherein, my father is the founder and I too have work as an assistant secretary of the associations during the 1990 and early 2000.

The Nostalgic Vigan City Philippines

The moment you step in into this city, a nostalgia of Spanish era in the

Philippines will flashback your soul in this era in the Philippines as if you

immediately return into the past life and settings of the Philippines during the

Spanish times. That is the thrill Vigan City Philippines will give you once you

visit this city. Both local of the Philippines and foreigners who visit this

place were awe by the nostalgic beauty of Vigan City Philippines and exclaim “It

is a place no other”.

The landscape of the whole city or town is all dressed up during the Spanish era

in the Philippines. The town is filled with antiquated houses with a blend of

Spanish, Latin American, European and Asian architecture with cobbled narrow

streets and calesas. However, these ancestral houses were built by the Chinese

taipans at that time but manage to survive during World War II. You could see

these 180 ancestral houses and other historical landmarks strung altogether at

Mestizo District.

Moreover, did you know that Vigan’s historical town was place by UNESCO World

Heritage Convention side by side with the Pyramids of Egypt, Taj Mahal of India,

The Great Wall of China, and other famous world heritage? Yes, you heard it

right, UNESCO World Heritage Convention did. At December 2, 1999 UNESCO World

Heritage Convention inscribed Vigan City among the list of World Heritage

Cultural Properties for the exceptional and universal beauty of Vigan’s historic

town.

So, where is Vigan City in the Philippines located and how to get there? Vigan city

Philippines is located at the northern Luzon Philippines at the province of

Ilocos Sur Philippines. It is 408 kilometers away from Manila Philippines, 139

kilometers away from San Fernando La union Philippines and 80 kilometers away

from Laog city Philippines.

Once you get there, you can either ride their calesas or jeep or tricyle to tour

the town. Moreover, if you like to stay for few days in Vigan’s historic town,

you can pay for board and lodging there at the historical town. For some

ancestral houses there were turn into hotel for the accommodations of some

tourist who want to stay for few days at the area. However, there are also hotels

in Vigan city which of rural settings if you don’t like to stay at the ancestral

houses. However, there are also resorts accommodations in rural settings if you

don’t want to feel the nostalgia effect of the town.

Aside from nostalgic Vigan’s historical town, you could also witness the Burnay

Industry or Vigan’s earthenware jars process how a potter’s hand molds

earthenware. Is that exciting to see? Moreover, we could also see the art of

“abel-weaving”. Abel-weaving is the art of making fabrics using a wooden handloom

and other accessories use in it to produce clothings, blankets, etc. It is one of

the industrial prides of Vigan City aside from earthenware jar making.

There is also the “damili” industry or the terra-cotta craft which indigenous

people of Vigan city in the Philippines made and produces cooking pots, water vessels, charcoal-fed

-cooking stoves, etc.

Zamboanga City in the Philippines

What makes this city at Mindanao Philippines stand out among Mindanao Cities, Though Davao city Philippines already have name in Mindanao?

Zamboanga city Philippines is the second fastest growing cities in Mindanao Philippines aside from Davao City Philippines, thus, it could compete or Zamboanga city have the viability to compete with Davao city Philippines. Well, Zamboanga city for the sake of those who don’t know the city well, it is indeed the Major busiest port in the Philippines and major exporter of sardines in different countries; specifically, to different countries in Europe, Middle East, and Far East.

Recently, Zamboanga city Philippines was considered to be the Top Seaweed Producer in the Philippines, for seaweed farming industry grows strongly in Zamboanga city than in any other port cities in the Philippines.

Aside to be the port capital of the Philippines, Zamboanga city Philippines is also known as the “Flower city” of Mindanao due to its flowery ambience. Moreover, it has unique flora attractions as well fauna attractions. Aside from fauna and flora, you can see on Pasonanca Park a unique beautiful tree house with a gentle stream traversing round it. By the way, Pasonanca Park is the main tourist attraction in Zamboanga City in the Philippines. This park abounds with 600 different species of orchids aside from variety of flowers and trees surrounding it.

Zamboanga is also known as the “Asia’s Latin City” due to the vestiges of Spanish culture flaunted within the city mix with different cultures now existing within the city. The Spanish have set their foot of course to this city and left a footprint upon it. Actually, the Spaniard has set a Pilar Port to it and has perhaps so called it “City of Flowers”. However, it is said that the natives of it, that is before the Spaniards set their foot upon it, have so named it “Samboangan” which means “many flowers”.

One of the province cities within Zamboanga region is the Pagadian city. Pagadian city Philippines is a province city within Mindanao; however, this city set itself apart by projecting sophisticated cityhood which strikes a resemblance to HongKong City. Thus, Pagadain city Philippines is dubbed as the “little HongKong of the Southern Philippines”. Pagadaian city is the gateway of Zamboanga city to it Western region, which is Zamboanga Del Sur Philippines. Furthermore, almost all the regional departments of Zamboanga city Philippines was moved to Pagadian city Philippines making Pagadian city the center for Regional Departments of local government of Zamboanga city, when Pagadaian city have adopted its cityhood.

Actually, Zamboanga city Philippines is the transportation and commercial hub of Western Mindanao. For it have the busiest ports in Mindanao Philippines.

There are much more to say about Zamboanga City Philippines, but only thing it could say about it, that is, Zamboanga City Philippines is indeed the second most important prominent city of Mindanao which Mindanao can be proud of, aside from Davao City Philippines. Davao city in the Philippines is an enclosed city but Zambonga city Philippines is a bay port city. And this difference of these two cities set them apart their respective beauties and usefulness to Mindanao Philippines.

Another distinct Filipino attitude is the “hiya” or “shame” attitude wherein one is either ashamed to borrow money or one is oblige no matter what to pay what one owes to another, lest one will be labeled “walang hiya” or “no shame”. Another Filipino cultural trait related to this attitude is the Filipinos “utang na loob” or “reciprocity” attitude if one owes something from a favor done or anything, one should pay it, lest a ruin in relationship will happen. This “reciprocity” of Filipinos is sometimes called the “debt of gratitude”. These two cultural traits of Filipino makes their relationship not only to their families but also to other people brings harmony and good-relationship attitude. Moreover, there is another distinct cultural trait among Filipinos – the Bayanihan traits. This Bayanihan trait of Filipino promotes close friendship with their neighbors. This distinct Philippine culture is about helping your fellow neighbor when one is need of urgent help. Filipinos gather together and contribute whatever they could help their fellow neighbor in need. For this Bayanihan trait of Filipinos means togetherness in times of help and need. This is one of the beautiful traits of Filipinos that unites them one another despite of their differing beliefs and traditions which they have inherited from their respective ancestors.

Though Filipinos have distinct cultural traits, their literature is also distinct with the conglomeration of different fables, legends, and prehistoric stories and scary stories from their ancestral conquerors’ culture which has now become a colonial legacy on the Philippine literature and arts. Some of these are the belief in Jewish God which the Spaniards and Muslim conquerors have brought which is the prevalent belief of Filipinos today. The Hindu and Malay-Native American belief in Voodoo or “Arbularyo” (faith Healers) doctors and psychic surgeon is also high believed by most Filipinos today. When one Filipino does not have money to go to a medical doctor, Filipinos resort to “arbularyos” and psychic surgeons. Moreover, the beliefs in demonic creatures and evil spirits such as the “aswang” or weredog, the “tikbalang (half horse-half man creature), the kapre (giant smoking tobacco up on a tree), the beliefs in dwarf and elves, mananangal (witch that could divide oneself into two parts having a bat wings), the belief in fairies and engkanto (minor spirits),as well as belief to Christian and Muslim beliefs about Satan and arch-angel Michael still within the fabric of Filipinos cultural beliefs.

Aside from their mixed literature, their art of dancing and visual arts still have reflections of colonial influence. Such as their famous folk dance – the singkil and tinikling come Muslim influence, as well as their modern dance today have traces of American and Spanish influenced.

Furthermore, Filipinos visual arts, such the style of their paintings cinemas, and structural architecture are colonial inspired ones.

Philippine arts like Philippine literature is indeed a combination of different cultures being Filipino is the final product or child or offspring of this marriage cultures, thus, Filipinos are said be excellent peoples in terms of arts and literature and cultural values.