Who we are, how we think, what we do

(Part 2 of a series on Ako ay Pilipino)

The Crusaders paved the way for Europeans to see the refinement of the Orient in contrast to their simpler and cruder way of life.

Europe expanded her trade with the Orient favoring silk, spices, gold, silver, gems and tapestries. Such lucrative trade resulted in new found wealth that made cities like Venice grow. Other European merchants, like the English, French, Portuguese and Dutch, envied the prosperity of the Italians, rousing their ambition to take part in the Oriental trade.

To discover new routes to Asia which were not controlled by the Moors or the Mohammedans became the obsession of the new traders.

Columbus, Vasco de Gama and Magellan

Three great discoveries were thus made. The first was by Christopher Columbus in 1492. He discovered America while experimenting with a westward route to India. Six years later, a route to India by the Cape of Good Hope was discovered by Vasco de Gama. It destroyed the monopoly of Venice over Oriental trade and made Portugal the most important trading and colonizing power. Portugal served notice to the world that only her vessels could use the newly found route.

The most significant discovery, however, was made by Ferdinand Magellan who discovered the Philippines while making the first complete circumnavigation of the earth, by sailing westward.

Although modern writers tend to emphasize Lapu-Lapu’s killing of Magellan, the first Filipinos who met Magellan in Samar and Leyte were friendly. Magellan accorded respect to their island chieftains who were quite advanced in culture, serving banquets with porcelain platters and jars as recorded by Pigafetta, Magellan’s historian.

In search of sufficient food supply, Magellan’s fleet landed in Cebu. He refused to pay tribute to Rajah Humabon, a custom the Siamese and Chinese traders observed. Instead, Magellan and the King (Rajah Humabon) made a blood compact of friendship. Presents were exchanged. It was Easter, March 21, 1521. Afterwards, peace was formalized when Rajah Humabon and his wife, the Queen, were baptized together with 800 others. Magellan had a big cross erected on the site while the image of Santo Nino was presented to the Queen. These historical relics have been preserved to this day.

The first Spanish settlements: Cebu and Manila

The Spanish government sent more expeditions after Magellan perished. From Navidad, Mexico, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Padre Andres de Urdaneta were sent on the fifth expedition.

A man of tact and vision, Legaspi attracted the cooperation of Tupas, the big chief of Cebu, by using federal covenants of Europe. Just as his vassal pledges loyalty and the lord in turn promises protection, tributes in the form of produce were to be paid the Spanish government representative and military aid was given in case of war. All spoils of war were to be divided equally between the Spaniards and Filipinos.

Legaspi requested land for a fort and townsite for his soldiers. The land given (Fort San Pedro, which still exists today) was named Santissimo Nombre de Jesus (Holy Name of Jesus), in honor of the Baby Jesus’ statue believed to be the one left by Magellan.

Only 30 years after the taking of Cebu, the Philippines became the most important European colony in the Far East. Once it was captured and reorganized, Manila became an outstanding city, now being the capital of the Spanish empire, stretching from Goa, India to Formosa, China.

As a trading center, goods for the galleon trade were bought and sold in Maynila. It was not only a political and commercial center, but a religious center, as well. From Manila, missionaries went to Japan, Spain, Cambodia, and Borneo to teach the Catholic faith.

Filipino surnames originate from places in Spain

Most Filipino surnames originate from places in Spain. Up north by the Cordilleras are Galicia and Asturias where the surnames of Gallego, Astoria, Orense, Pontevedra and Vigo originate. Along the Gulf of Vizcaya, places are named Bilbao, Bermeo, Figuera, Llanes and Guernica.

Albarracian, Viana, Zaragoza, Logrono, and Lerida are found in the Aragon and Navarre in the northeast. Rosas, Montserrat, Villafranca, Gerona, Teressa, and Tarragona are in Catalonia. The Cordillera Iberico straddles this part of the country.

In the Castille y Leon and La Rioja region, the names are Alfaro, Almazan, Arevalo, Arnedo, Astorga, Avila, Astudillo, Burgos, Covarrubias, Lerma, Najera, Olmedo, Salamanca, Segovia, Tordesillas and Zamora. The mountain ranges are the Sierra de Gredos and Sierra de Guadalarama.

Down below in the Catila-La Mancha region which includes Madrid are the names Alarcon, Alcaraz, Belmonte, Cuenca, Pastrana, Toledo and Valdepenas.

Spain’s Semanta Santa and Comida adopted by Filipinos

Soon we shall experience the summer holidays and Easter. The Holy Week celebration is drawn from the Semana Santa of Spain. It ushers in the elaborate church ceremonies of Miercules Santo and Huwebes Santo, with the sorrowful processions of Viernes Santo in many towns of the Philippines. Then Sabado de Gloria is followed by Easter Sunday or Domingo de Pascua with its happy Salubong ceremonies recalling Mother Mary’s encounter with the Resurrected Lord.

A series of fiestas happen all over the Philippines between April and May. Most of the food served are very much influenced by Spain. Spanish food is an array of soups, like Sopa de Ajos, Mariscos, Cebolla (onion soup) and Pabada (pig knuckles with chorizo and white beans). Several appetizers like tapas – Salpicao (beef with garlic), and Gambas al ajillo – have been converted into Pilipino dishes.

Fiesta fare includes Pata con Setas, Pochero, Callos, Lengua, Morcon, Paella, Arroz Valenciana, or Arroz ala Cubana. Rabo de Toro (ox tail) became modified as kare-kare with peanut sauce, Cuchinillo is known to us as Lechon de leche, and for dessert or merienda – Churros con Chocolate, Canonigo, Leche Flan, Mazapan, Pastillas de Leche, Ube, etc.

Rewriting history after 100 years

It is not only Japanese history textbooks that should be rewritten to tell the whole truth, but Philippine history textbooks. What is the use of referring to Philippines 2000 when we still teach our youngsters to dislike Spain, America and Japan as our former colonizers?

Only a united brotherhood can make this world safe again for our children. This PEACE is the prerequisite before we can see progress at the turn of the century.

A brief history of colonized Philippines is described as “300 years in a Spanish convent and 70 years in Hollywood.” Many would be surprised that Spain was also colonized for she was part of the Roman Empire for 400 years, the Visigoths for 300 years and captives of the Moors and North Africans for 700 years.

When Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived peacefully together

Of all the historical epochs of Spain, a golden age of peace and culture was enjoyed under Sultan Abdal-Rahman (912-961). The Muslims left a high level of Mathematics, Astronomy, and Science.

Sultan Abdal-Rahman founded the great mosque in Cordoba, the Mezquita. The largest in Europe, Cordoba produced luxury silk and leather. Agriculture and irrigation improved.

From Medina Ayahara, the splendid palace, Abdal-Rahman created the zenith of peace, a period of convivencia or mutual toleration in which the three civilizations of Islam, Christianity and the Jews all lived together peacefully.

(Reference: Half A Millennium of Philippine History by Preciosa S. Soliven, 1999)

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