Hispanidad

I made this short composition for the 6th Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on the 30th of June. I might not be able to do some postings a few days before the celebration. I'm going to be very busy doing His work. Thanks for the burden Lord... Made this JPEG I call it La Unión de Hispanidad hope you like it. These flaglets were from wikimedia.. Check them out by clicking it. ☺








¿Dónde están Las Islas Bonitas?
El orgullo de Rizál...
El orgullo de la raza malaya
Luchamos juntos para tener libertad
¿No compartimos la conciencia de Simón Bolivar?
¿Y los sentimientos del Padre Hidalgo?
¿Por qué te has olvidado las raices que compartimos?
¿Por qué te has olvidado?
Te esperaremos...
La gran comunidad te está esperando ahora.

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The Cultural Oblivion

ARE FILIPINOS REALLY ASIAN? I should have posted this on our 111th Independence Day. Gee so much fighting in YouTube. Asian in terms of what? Geographical location? The only way to settle this is to read the original Spanish historical accounts! It's just so sad that Filipinos nowadays don't know who they really are. Ignorance. I remember an excursion by my mentor's mentor ignorance is equated to darkness. Darkness is something bad right? The grim. To go back, here's an article by one of the members of Circulo Hispano-Filipino.

ARE FILIPINOS REALLY ASIAN?

Much of the trouble with understanding Philippine identity comes from a lack of historical knowledge. Philippine history texts since the early 1900's have attempted to change Filipinos' own interpretation and understanding of history, particularly that of the colonial period. A number of historical stereotypes about the Spanish colonial period (and Spanish language) were created by the US administration at the beginning of the 20th century, in order to pave the way for American rule. For example: the general Spanish "oppression" , the "abuses of the friars", the "keeping Filipinos ignorant" and "not teaching the Spanish language to the natives", or the "Americans bringing democracy and civilization to the Philippines" . This is just an example of the many stereotypes and historical exaggerations which were taught to the population generation after generation, through revised history texts, to make the new American rulers appear as liberators of the Philippine people. It was a sort of historical propaganda through the national education system, which has taken root in the Philippine conscience ever since. But even nowadays, a century later, a time when information flows rapidly thanks to the internet and TV, Filipinos still believe many of these stereotypes to be true, and still consider the Spanish colonial period to have been basically "terrible".

I will not address any of these stereotypes to avoid making this message endless, but feel free to ask me about any of them, and I'll be happy to explain why they are basically untrue. The question is that these exaggerations about Philippine history, together with important omissions of historical facts, have created a sort of identity crisis, and even a "self-hatred" of Filipinos towards their own cultural roots. The reason is simple: Filipinos are a nation of Hispanic + Austronesian heritage (just like Mexicans are a nation of Hispanic + Aztec or Mayan heritage). But Filipinos have been taught to hate the Hispanic part of their heritage. Even worse, many elements of this Hispanic heritage have been hidden from them. A quick example: most Filipinos think the Spanish language was never spoken by more than 1 or 2% of the population at any given time, whic is untrue: Spanish was the language of trade, education, politics, literature and even the language of everyday life in the big cities like Manila and Cebu. The first Philippine State also chose Spanish as its official language. So by hiding or minimizing these important historical facts, many Filipinos generally think "they are not Hispanic". Plus, they don't speak Spanish and only know "negative" things about the Spanish colonial history. They even consider other Spanish-speaking Filipinos to be snobs or "descendants of the oppressors", which is ridiculous. So with these omissions and negative ideas about their past, the Philippine society has been alienated from its cultural identity.

Which brings us back to the "Are Filipinos really Asian" question. There is obviously no such thing as an "Asian culture". But if we can talk about an "East Asian" or "Oriental" culture, Filipinos are definitely NOT part of it. They stand out in Asia because they are Catholic, they write in the Latin Alphabet, they have Spanish names, they celebrate Easter, they celebrate "barrio fiestas", they have beautiful 17th century churches all over the islands, their traditional music and dances are Hispanic, their traditional clothes are Caribbean (the barong tagalog is a Philippine version of the Latin American guayabera), they eat "adobo", "lechon" and "tortas", they greet each other with a simple handshake (they don't bow, or put their palms together in front of their forehead), they respect the elderly by kissing on the hands or touching their elders' hands on their foreheads, we call it 'Lamano' which is Spanish, La mano (The hand) for Cebuanos it's simply a handshake, their national currency is called "Peso", and their classical literature is in Spanish.

So, if identity is about 1) geography, 2) race, and 3) culture, then the question "Are Filipinos really Asian" is ALL about culture. It is not about geography because the Philippines is obviously in Southeast Asia. It could be about race, but there is no such thing as an "Asian" race. So the question is very much about the culture of Filipinos. And because most people ignore the whole Hispanic element in Philippine culture, is why they cannot understand how Filipinos are so "different". The reason they are different is because the Philippines is an Hispanic-Asian country with many cultural elements common to Latin America. This makes it an outstanding country in terms of culture, as it blends Southeast Asian elements with Chinese, and more recently with Northamerican, all on a centuries-old Hispanic base.

So the answer to the question "Are Filipinos really Asian" is: yes from a geographical point of view, maybe from a racial point of view, but HARDLY from a cultural point of view.

Saludos,
Javier Ruescas

To add up, I personally hate what Spain did to us but I guess being Filipino is loving everything in the Philippines. Not just Hispanic Philippines but also Pre-Hispanic (Lumad & Moro). Hispanicity has nothing to do with Spain anymore but it's a community of nations who had the same fate under the Spanish Empire sharing the same culture and sentiments. A Costa Rican friend said that he hates Spain and what he's thankful of is the culture and the language shared by 340 Million people around the globe.

It was last week that I've discovered the origin of the word, 'Pinoy' and it bears too much prejudice behind this popular term among the Filipinos nowadays. The term was used during the early days of the American colonization of the islands. Just like American-Hispanics being refered as 'Latinos.' After all, they hate being called latino. Here, the term taga-Mindanao for the ones living in the northern part of the archipelago bears a negative stereotype, prejudice. It goes like that with the latinos, chinks (chinese), the japs etc. Pinoy came from two words, and you won't like the latter. From now on, I recommend that you call yourselves Filipino/Pilipino. I told my companions not to use it anymore and we agreed to teach their siblings, the young ones. Look on the dimensions and not the superficial. This posting does not promote any grudge or whatever to anyone but it's time to know the truth behind the twist and turns of Philippine history. Lets blame ourselves for being too nostalgic of something or from gringolandia and look after our ever-beloved 7,107 islands. ☺

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Laughter & More Laughter

I had a very blessed Sunday. Relatives from EEUU, Iligan & Bukidnon came together in unity after miles and time of being apart. Highlights? Laughter and more laughter especially when the old folks grouped together and talked about their humble beginnings. I've realized how difficult times were when they were young. I'm happy that through those difficult times we were able to surpass what they had experienced before. Another realization was the fact that they don't want it to become a cycle. They wanted to live our lives to the fullest without thinking of what to wear or eat the next day. I'm so blessed to be part of the family. I'm looking forward of meeting mom's cousin's children soon. ☺

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Hoy es El Día del Español (El Día E)

Hoy es El Día del Español, una iniciativa de Instituto Cervantes de Manila promover la cultura hispanica especialmente la promoción de idioma castellano en Filipinas. Yo he observido que más jovenes filipinos están interesados aprender la cultura olvidada y idioma. El Instituto Cervantes de Manila, una institucion que promueve cultura hispanica-filipina aquí en Filipinas, hizo un trabajo genial. Pero tenemos que admitir, nosotros necesitamos más profesores de español en las Islas. Yo creo que las escuelas y universidades deben empezar la enseñanza de castellano ahora.☺



Palabras en Filipino:

Canto = Corner (esquina) pero Yo canto = I sing
Chismoso -a = Gossiper from chismear = to gossip
Kiber = Que ver 'Yo no tengo que ver contigo' = I have nothing to do with you.

Todavia aprendo más palabras...

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I Have Done It!

Estoy muy feliz hoy por que he hecho mis lecciones de nivel intermedio de español. Por último, yo lo he hecho despues de que 4 meses de 'hardwork' (no sé como decirlo en español) y las lecciones fueron un poco dificil pero me gustaria agradecer a Dios por la sabiduria y paciencia que Él me ha dado. Me gustaria agradecer a mis compañeros de español por el entusiasmo que tienen. Me alegro que han entendido la influencia Hispanica en nuestra historia. Yo sé que ustedes perfeccionaran el idioma español. Yo quiero que practiquen cada dia hmm mas o menos 10 minutos. ¡Muchisimas gracias por aprender conmigo! Recuerden, Dios está la fuente de sus habilidades, talentos y conocimientos sin Él no estamos nada. Por ahora, el gran trabajo es cambiar el estigma negativo sobre el uso de castellaño aquí en Filipinas. Sólo tenemos 10,000 hispanoparlantes en Filipinas... que lastima. Mientras yo buscaba los videos en YouTube, hay muchos videos que promueven unas erroneas informaciones sobre la Hispanidad. Bueno, tenemos que cambiar esa idea. En realidad, todavia tengo que aprender más. Ahora mismo, estoy trabajando mucho para mejorar el idioma de Cervantes y nuestros heroes de revolucion. Yo tengo unas fotos del internet que está bajo esta composicion. Es una evidencia que antes, los filipinos especialmente los cultos (no necessario la elité) y el pueblo fueron hispanoparlantes o bilingües. Click la foto y busca la línea roja.☺

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Within

Mom heard me crying over a personal battle, a personal struggle. I was talking with the Father when she went out on her pajamas and nightcap. She said that she heard someone crying I hurriedly went near the PC to hide my tears. She thought it was YouTube so she went on to her sleep. Pheew, but I still wanna cry and talk with Him about it. I'm not defeated I know I'm not the battle is on and I'm gonna kneel, cry and do something with it. I'm entrusting everything to Him no matter what. My spiritual guides said that it's a process. Indeed, it really is... and yeah a song, Sunday is Father's Day this is dedicated to our Maker & for the earthly fathers out there. I already posted this cover by Passion but it's always a goodie. Now, Jeremiah 1.5 said, 'Before I formed you in the womb, I know you...'



He Knows My Name
By Tommy Walker

"I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

chorus
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go"

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Here In Your Presence

This posting will mark everything undone. I just can't barely trust my own hands and feet to take off my struggles. I'm glad that I've received a breakthrough on the struggles with the people around me. Now the real struggle is deep within the self. I've realized that with these personal struggles I need to pour them out to God with the effort to seek His face and His righteousness and of course, entrusting everything with faith to Him. We must be at the right environment to do that... an environment that is filled with His presence. Usually, we limit His presence within the four corners of our churches but hey He's always there & ready to come even before you ask Him. My old postings will surely tell something about me in the past. I'm reading a new book, a nice one about releasing the glory set by God within you... loving it! ☺

Here In Your Presence
By Desperation Band

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display, here in Your presence
Heaven in trembling in awe of Your wonders
the kings and their kingdom are standing amazed

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Bridge:
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchless in every way

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

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G12 3 @ TCC

Third-year anniversary of the G12 Vision in Tablon Community Church, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Its birth was on June 12, 2006. June 12 is a very important date in the country since we celebrate our Independence Day and in TCC, the Vision anniversary. We thank God for allowing us to experience His grace and love through Christ to us. This short video is dedicated to God Himself for blessing us and to the church especially PCG & PCGAMI congregations to empower them with the fruits of the Vision. The heart of the Vision is Christ and we should remember that. I would like to testify the radical change of our church from a conventional, traditional and religious congregation to a more Christ-centered congregation. Me and my family was with TCC ever since I was born I've witnessed how the church evolved and that includes the unpleasant happenings. All the while I've realized that I was indeed religious and God hates religious people. Sometimes in our relentless efforts on spirituality as old as we are in the faith we sometimes disregard the importance of the bloodsheds of Christ on the cross and we simply thought about Him as a martyr, a hero but He is more than that as we all know. I know He doesn't want us to cry for Him for suffering for us and join His pain but rather we should remember He did that because He was so gracious and He did that to redeem us from our sinful nature and the iniquities in all areas of our lives.☺


glysdi.media.productions staff:

The Church Leadership
Jan Dave Sayon
Janet Poloyapoy
Karizze Fitzgerald Maglacion
Lalaine Martil
Davíd Salcedo

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Revelation of The Cross

A few months ago I never thought of reading spiritual books but with God's grace, mercy and love; indeed, it was never an accident that I've personally encountered Him more through this book. I've been reading a lot of stuffs that are dispensable especially the unnecessary ones well now is the time to look after the spiritual realm also. This book was written by Pastor Cesar Castellanos, proponent of the G12 Vision & minister of Ministerio Carismatico Internacional in Bogotá, Colombia. Some of my church companions met him at the G12 conference in Singapore last March 2009... I should have been caught by the vision earlier. Yo agradezco a Díos por las muchisimas cosas que has hecho para mí y a todos. Te adoraré por siempre... ¡Llename de Tu espíritu y gracía!☺

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Mom's Birthday Cake

Last May 20, we had an extraordinary celebration with my siblings for my mom's birthday. I really had a hard time what to give her. I was thinking to buy a pair of flip flops for her but unfortunately the color I was looking for wasn't available at that time. So I bought her a cake. Chocolate Marjolain by Red Ribbon. Love it so much. This will be my cake of the year. It is like a thousand Pastel by VJANDEP. The taste is matchless. Well, I still have to try something new next time. I'm sure Red Ribbon's going to surprise me. ☺

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ICARI Spanish School- Cahuita, Costa Rica

Wanna improve your Spanish? The best way to learn Castilian is to immerse yourself with the native-speakers of Costa Rica. ICARI is in Cahuita that's 4 hours away from the Costa Rican capital of San José. The main attraction? Of course, what else beaches and Costa Rican hospitality that is conducive with learning. Learning a second language isn't limited to communication skills really but it also knowing the impact of the language in the community of Cahuita. ICARI provides a meaningful learning experience since it is not only dedicated to serve people who wished to master their Spanish communication skills but also to serve the community especially school children. Here, ICARI Volunteers take part in improving the educational needs of the children with the formal local teachers. For more information about ICARI just click HERE. ☺

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A Sleeping Adam

Adam sleeping to death after 12 hours of no rest and 4 hours of exhausting travel. I didn't know he likes this shot really. ☺

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