What about History?
Different title for a posting, eh?
Little story… A couple of weeks ago I had to go to the Embassy to obtain a verification for legal capacity to marry. Not really a big deal, but we got down there early that day, just in case. Well, it only took about 30 minutes, and Rebecca and I were in Intramuros and had a few hours to kill (I was flying out later that day). So, we played “Tourist” in Intramuros that morning… Neither one of us had ever been there. You see, prior to living here, I was always here on business and Rebecca was only in Manila from the airport to the bus station on her leave home. Also, I guess it’s a little like my relatives in New York who have lived there their entire lives and never visited the Statue of Liberty. So, we walked over to Fort Santiago and Manila Cathedral.
I have always been interested in History from the time I was a little kid. As a matter of fact, one of the first things I did after moving to the RP was buy a book on Philippine History. I look at it like this: If I am going to live here, I should try and learn as much about the history of the place as possible. I knew a little about RP history, but not all that much. However, history can give a great understanding of current issues…. WHY are things the way they are? (both good and bad). How can things change for the future?
What surprised me was Rebecca’s reaction when I brought home this book. She said, “You will probably know more about Philippine History than I do when you are done reading it!” That’s an interesting comment. Yes, she was taught Philippine History in school (I was not). Yes, she sees the pictures on the money every day (I do too, but do you ever pay attention?). Yes, she is a very smart woman with a lot of knowledge (Far more intelligent than I am). However, growing up, her family never took vacations (Too busy making a living). Manila, where the museums and such are, was just an annual, arduous shopping trip to buy clothing and farm equipment. There was no such thing as cable TV in those days, and little exposure to history outside of stories her grandmother told her.
Her statement got me thinking: How many Filipinos really know their own history and appreciate the struggles of their ancestors? Is knowledge of the past some knowledge that is valued? I am not trying to be facetious or insulting here. There are many, many Americans who are completely ignorant of their own history. I wonder, however, if the strain of poverty relegates history to the “useless knowledge” category here. Rebecca told me, very matter-of-factly, “If you are not sure if you can buy rice today, do you really care about Rizal, Quezon, Bonifacio, Lapu-Lapu, or any of the other Filipino heroes?” I had to admit, my answer was “No”.
That being said, back to the story. We walked over to Fort Santiago, and I could tell the old high school knowledge was coming back to Rebecca. She felt national pride, which was nice to see.
They have the very well presented Rizal Museum at the Fort, and you can walk along the old walls and ramparts. You can take a calesa ride, and visit the memorial to the victims of the Japanese occupation. If any readers have some time in Manila, it is well worth the time to go down there, if you have not been. A very informative and pleasant day. The museum staff deserve kudos for maintaining a good, informative place to learn history, under, I’m sure, a very tight budget. A few pictures from Fort Santiago…I hope they are interesting to you.:
Hi John,
I agree with you that Intramuros is well worth a visit, especially for people who appreciate history. If you go early enough in the morning before all the cars are up and running, you can even get a better feel for the area, and may even hear the ‘clip-clop’ of a horse and calesa to add some old-world sounds to the sight of a growing number of restored buildings and monuments. I have never been to Vigan, but I bet it is another place worth visiting. Maybe in your travels to northern Luzon you’ll get a chance to see Vigan as well and give a report.
Cheers!
John & Rebecca,
I like your article and the picture! I’m a history buff of sorts although much less so nowadays. Life always seems to get in the way of my cultural interests, LOL.
The pictures evoke fond memories of my teenage years in Manila when Fort Santiago was a favorite place for strolling and relaxation. The lawns have always been a visual delight and I loved hearing the tic-tac of my shoes against the pavement. Made me think how the whole place must have been in the olden days. Of course, the museum always brought vicarious thrills so much so that it encouraged me to read Rizal’s novels, Noli & Fili (Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo).
You asked if knowledge of the past is valuable. Just my opinion that it is… For as you say, it brings a sense of pride, a connectedness to a glorious past. And aren’t greater achievements more possible when one operates from one’s “greater self”? That our land bred some brilliant minds that stood shoulder to shoulder with our colonizers is so empowering!
In the same token I share Rebecca’s practical wisdom that if one cannot have the rice today, who cares about the heroes? Who can devote time to studying Rizal or Bonifacio or Mabini when such exercises are futile on an empty stomach? So yes, in this scenario, history then becomes an item of luxury.
And to quote famed essayist/poet/novelist, George Santayana (whose mother was a daughter of a Spanish official in the Philippines):
“Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it…”
-Filipina reader
Hi John, great article and wonderful pictures. Yeah, and Ecstasy is ver right with Santayana’s quote… . Of course, Intramuros is one of the nicest places in Manila I have ever seen…
Hi John,
I must admit, I’m one of those history challenged Filipinos. My excuses:
One, books were not invented yet when I was born. (I like this one the best)
Two, Philippine History books were still being edited when I was in high school and
Three, I was out helping in the farm during history classes.
But, I want to make a comment that you and Rebecca make a very handsome couple. She’s a gorgeous looking lady and you, John is __________ (she can fill in the blank, it’s her privilege.
Cheers!
Hi John:
“Rebecca” (Smart, Cute & Funny) so is My Rebecca, OK so much for that. Yes sadly as I see history in most schools is looked on as, “OK but it doesn’t mean that much”. My Daughter is 3rd year Hi-School and for anything about history she comes to me or needs to go “On-Line”, this is just for the basics “Makes me Sad
!” No or almost no field trips to Meseums. History in Manila, Bigger Schools. Yes Food First but History Also.
OK nice for Vacation), Cebu (nice place to live, Great Resorts) but I’m in davao. Because my Wife lived here but mostly because I find it Safe, 
Relitively quiet, Less Traffic, Etc. Two Groups here in Davao;F.O.M. (Friends of Mindanao Meeting at 51 Coffee Shop, Victoria Plaza Parking lot), D.A.E.A (Davao Area Expats Assosiation, Meeting at Coco’s on F-Torres). Lastly, The only things we get from storms is the Tail End! Some Winds and Mild to Moderate Rain.
Year I’ve beed in Davao now for4 years, been coming to RP since 97. In Manila (
Take Care…….. Steve
Martin… We are going to Piat later today. Vigan at a later time. Will be posting about it soon.
Ecstasy and Klaus… I personally agree: the general’s quote sums it up nicely.
Marcelina… Thanks! I’m almost scared of her “fill in the blank!”
Steve… I agree in that getting kids interested when they’re young is important. I hope your daughter has a good teacher in Uni someday… Makes all the difference if you can show them it’s not all memorizing dates.