The Birth of Heroes and the Rise of Filipino Nationalism

The Birth of Heroes and the Rise of Filipino Nationalism By Richard Rivera The middle 18th century in the Philippines was a period of perpetual destabilization. The islands are slowly being reconfigured—both physically and in socio-economic terms. On the surface, geophysical forces are making physical transformations, complimenting the deeper and more serious reconstruction happening within the colonial society. A new socio-economic class composed of Chinese mestizos and Indio professionals is emerging, and starting to dominate both the economic and political landscape. Creoles, pure-blooded Spaniards assigned to administer these groups of islands in the Far East, are slowly being eased out. Socio-economic relations are starting†¦show more content†¦Was this a sign from above, a portent of things to come? Years before, hordes of conquered natives assisted by marauding Chinese and Indian migrants, stormed the capital and left it for dead. They killed every Spaniard in sight, only to be repulsed by Tagalog mercenaries. Or is Ladia the Bornean, and a descendant of Lakandula, and who led a revolt two years before, just suddenly rose from the grave and tried to again raise the people to revolt? Or, this was punishment from God against Manilenos for not supporting their compatriots in Zambales and Pampanga who are now rising against the Spanish? For whatever it is, the quake was a reminder of how deadly Nature’s wrath is. For many Filipinos and Chinese living in Manila at that time, this was not just a quake. This was the Fates telling the Filipinos to rise up against their oppressors. This is Bernardo Carpio speaking from the caves of Montalban, trying to wrestle his chains and trying desperately to break free. Two hundred and fifty years later, no one ever thought that this tragic scene will ever repeat itself, much the same way as in 1645. The year was June 3, 1863. Manilenos had just finished saying the Angelus and most were enjoying their simple meals together when, at half past seven, the church bells rang. It was customary to ring the bells thrice. This evening, however, the bells continued ringing. The sounds grew louder and longer, accompanied by loud crashing andShow MoreRelatedFilipino Adolescents in Changing Times*10342 Words   |  42 Pagesgenerally effective and efficient for many reasons. These include a lack of common understanding of the action requirements of the RH framework and an insufficiency of current and relevant data on many aspects of the reproductive health situation of Filipino women and men of various ages and socio-economic status. Serious data gaps exist in the areas of adolescent sexuality, greater male involvement in RH, cancer incidence and management, post-abortion care as well as the cultural context of reproductiveRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesconceptualize the twentieth century as a coherent unit for teaching, as well as for written narrative and analysis. Though they do not exhaust the crucial strands of historical development that tie the century together—one could add, for example, nationalism and decolonization—they cover in depth the defining phenomena of that epoch, which, as the essays demonstrate, very often connect in important ways with these and other major developments. The opening essays of this collection underscore the