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PHILIPPINES - HISTORY and BACKGOUND
The first European to visit the Philippines was Ferdinand Magellan in 1521. Claiming the 7,107 islands for King Philip of Spain, the first permanent settlement was not established until 1565 on the central island of Cebu. Six years later, the capital, Manila, on the northern island of Luzon, was founded.
Islam was the main religion before the Spaniards arrived. Spain introduced Catholicism in the 16th Century and converted most Filipinos except those in the south-west, which is still strongly Muslim dominated. About 6-8% of the total population are Muslim. No accurate census has been taken in Muslim areas because of the danger to the census takers and the refusal of locals to complete the forms.
The Philippines has a diverse mixture of races and cultures. There are 87 different languages and an estimated 112 dialects among a population estimated at 95 million. The original inhabitants were an ancient negroid people, the forebears of the current Negritos people. An influx of the Malay race began approximately 2000 B.C. The bulk of the existing population are descendants of these migrants.
Three hundred and fifty years of Spanish rule from the 16th century resulted in a lot of interbreeding between Spaniards and locals. Consequently, the majority of Filipinos have a Spanish family name. These Filipino/Spanish are referred to as 'mestizas'. Then followed forty years of American rule in the 20th century which saw races and cultures mix even more. Therefore the skin colour of Filipinos can vary from very fair to very dark.
A Chinese presence makes up between 5%-6% of the population. They brought their religions with them and generally resisted conversion to Catholicism.
The differences between urban and rural living are similar to those throughout all of Asia. Such extremes in lifestyle are not understood by Westerners who have not visited rural Asia. Those who do are rewarded by finding the true nature of the country where the people and the countryside are as diverse as any place on earth.
Local issues or a national crisis can occur without the bulk of the population being aware of it, or even caring.
The roots of modern Philippines history, just like most nations 'discovered' by Europeans, were laid down in violence. Violence has always been a way of life. The first recorded battle being 27 April 1521 saw the Spanish explorer, Ferdinand Magellan, killed by the local chief, Lapu Lapu, at Mactan, near Cebu, in the south in the area known as the Visayas.
Some think of the capital Manila as a place for a cheap sexually gratifying holiday where whores are cheap and willing. Some visitors never leave their Manila hotels or see beyond the red light areas.
All views are partly right and wrong. Just as one piece of a jigsaw puzzle does not give the full picture the Philippines culture is as broad as any place on Earth.
Loss of life is commonplace. Thankfully it is very rare for non-Filipinos to be the victims of indiscriminate killings. However, unwary foreigners, or 'Americanos', as anyone of European descent is called, are often the victims of scams or robberies generally of a non-violent type. It can vary from the taxi driver fare rip-off, to using sleep-inducing drug on an unsuspecting tourist by a Filipino who has 'befriended' him; then stealing his belongings while he slept.
After World War 2 the Philippines estimated population was 14-18 million. Strict adherence to Catholic non-birth-control principles has seen the population explode to the present level around 95 million. The post war baby boom never stopped and 50% of the current population is under 25 years old. Therefore the average age of the Philippines population has been reducing rather than increasing in age as in most other countries. Divorce has only recently become legal, after seven years separation. The no divorce situation did not prevent marriage breakdown. It only resulted in more illegitimate children, many abandoned to exist as street urchins in Manila.
Religious, political, racial and poverty problems in the Philippines stem from many causes. There is a huge gulf between the rich and the poor.
Religious conflict is between the Muslims and the central Government. Some 6-8% or approximately 5-7 million Filipinos are Muslim. Most are in Western Mindanao, the second largest island of the Philippines. Muslim groups have formed to fight for the independence of part or all of Mindanao from the central Government. In the past, Libya has provided considerable encouragement with military and financial aid and often mediates hostage crises. In 1967 the Muslim National League was formed by Nur Misuari. In 1973 he fled to Libya to enlist support and arrange supplies of weapons and training. On 2 September 1986, six months after the deposing of Marcos, Misuari returned to the Philippines to begin his guerilla campaign for a separate Muslim state. He is now an elected member for Western Mindanao. His position is rejected by many Muslims as he was not considered 'royal blood'. Other Muslim splinter groups have also been formed, the major one being the Moro National Liberation Front. (MNLF)
Nationally, most reported battles are between the communist NPA and the central Government. This fighting, throughout the Philippines, is both urban and rural.
The situation in Mindanao is even more unstable. Very little press coverage is given to battles with the Muslims, perhaps because of the confused situation. Fighting also occurs between the Muslims on one side, and private armies of Catholic land-holders and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on the other. The New Peoples Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), has been in conflict with them all in the same areas. Further confusion is added by the various bandit groups in the area robbing independent gold miners.
Unofficial truces and co-operation does occur between Muslims and the NPA. There is even a movement among non-Muslim Mindanaons for secession of Mindanao from the central Government in Manila. Mindanao is agriculturally and mineral rich yet economically poor. Its riches, claim the Mindanaons, are reaped for the benefit of those with Manila origins. Nearly 50% of Philippine exports are produced in Mindanao. Perhaps they have a valid case.
In June 1987 the Government proudly announced that Government reconciliation with various guerilla factions had reduced the daily death rate among soldiers and rebels from civil war activities from 14 to nine in the twelve preceding months. At 14 deaths per day, 434 per month, 5,096 per annum, it would seem to be excessive in most peoples' thinking. This, during a supposed time of peace and reconciliation, but we are talking about civil unrest that dates back to the 1950's. During the 20 year Marcos era, the figure among combatants was much higher. It must be remembered the official figures do not include civilian casualties. The real figures can reasonably be presumed to be much higher.
Racial hatred is often directed against the Chinese population who are generally blamed for the economic situation. Wealthy Chinese and their businesses are targets of disgruntled Filipinos. It would seem this type of aggravation is encouraged to cover mismanagement and corruption in some official quarters and Government Departments.
Catastrophic losses of life that have occurred in the Philippines seem to pass by almost unnoticed by the world press. Everyone knows about the 1500 lives lost in the sinking of the Titanic. It is commonly mis-stated as the largest single loss of life in a peacetime sea tragedy. On 20 December 1987 a collision between the overloaded passenger ship Donna Paz and an oil tanker M.V. Vector resulted in at least 4,000 deaths. Only 26 passengers survived.
Prior to the Christian celebrations of Christmas and Easter, Filipinos make every effort to travel home to be with their families. Consequently 'official' carrying limits in ships, tends to be overlooked. Officials accept bribes and allow passengers to sleep wherever they can. No official passenger lists are kept. The death toll on the Donna Paz could have been as high as 5,000, maybe more. The true figure will never be known. The world press ignored this event.
During times of national or local elections, political killings and kidnapping are common-place. The supposedly peaceful 1988 local elections resulted in 38 candidates being killed and 13 kidnapped. Politics in the Philippines is a serious
and dangerous business.
On a more positive note, away from the large cities, the Philippines are graced with beaches of unbelievable beauty. Being a Filipino is not simply a person from the Philippines. It is a way of life. It is being happy and laughing even when there is no food available. It is sharing what little they have with any guests. Even more accurately it is letting their guests eat first and being content with what is left over.
This seemingly happy way of life contrasts so distinctly from that in most Western societies. The have-nots in the Philippines smile and laugh their way through their day. The people of the West, with all their wealth and abundant food, grumble about their misfortunes. It makes me wonder which values really give happiness in life.
TERMINOLOGY and DESCRIPTION
A.F.P. - Armed Forces of the Philippines. Trained in USA style and armed with USA weapons. The AFP had a large and highly successful presence in the Vietnam conflict. While appearing a laid-back casual force, any protagonist treating this as a sign of weakness would be foolish. Unfortunately a few bad apples tend to use the uniform for personal monetary gain or influence.
AIR-CON - Filipino air conditioning.
BALIK-BAYAN - Both singular and plural term for Filipinos who have lived overseas and returned home either permanently or a holiday.
BANCA - The major form of sea transport. A single hulled vessel with one but generally two out-riggers. Size varies according to the purpose used. Power is inboard or outboard depending on the size of the boat. Length can be from two to over thirty metres. Some used for illegal purposes have speeds exceeding thirty knots.
BARANGAY - An area within a political boundary. Each has its own elected officials. Size varies according to regional interests, geographical size and location.
BARRIO - The description for a small village.
CARABAO - The Filipino name for the common water buffalo as found throughout most of Asia.
C.P.P. - Communist Party of the Philippines. Established on December 26, 1968. At various times outlawed.
D.P.A. – Filipinos’ typically refer to many things by their initials. Deep Penetration Agents are basically informers. Some genuine under-cover agents have worked their way into the confidence of some anti-Government movements.
FILIPINO – A Filipino is a resident or descendant of the Philippines. Also a male is a Filipino, a female is a Filipina.
JEEPNEY - The major form of public and private transport, adaption of the American jeeps used during their occupation of the Philippines. The Filipino model is extended in length and has a roof. The driver sits in the left front on a wide bench seat. The extra width allows passenger seating alongside. Most passengers sit facing each other behind the driver with their backs to outside traffic. This allows about 12-14 people to be seated. In peak periods, with four in the front and people doubling up inside and hanging on outside or on the roof, I have seen over 30 people on one jeepney.
MAH-JONG - A popular board game within the Philippines, from China. Filipinos gamble heavily playing this game.
MINDANAO - This second largest island of the Philippines produces almost 50% of the Philippines exports. With the immediate surrounding islands, it is known as the political region of Mindanao. The area is extremely rich in minerals, oil and gold. Pasture lands, where fruit and cattle are raised, are extensive. Mindanaons; Catholic and Muslim alike, feel they should have independence from Manila’s Government. The central government, they contend, exploit Mindanao's resources for Manila, with little return to the Mindanaons.
MOTORISED TRICYCLE - In the Filipino tradition of maximising any transport, it is common for motor cycles to have a roof covered side-car attached with two passenger seats and another strong rack behind. In addition there is an extra seat behind the rider as well as a further solid rack. All the seats, racks and roof of the side car are often occupied with passengers or goods. When necessary, a passenger sits on the fuel tank in front of the rider; another on the front wheel mudguard and another hanging off the back with his feet each side of the back wheel axle. A rider can have two people in front and two more behind him. I have seen nine where a side-car was attached. There are other forms of tricycles, are similar to the Tuk-tuk of Thailand, where passengers are towed behind the motor cycle.
MUSLIMS - This group dominates Western Mindanao. The region always had a very strong tendency to push for independence. In 1967 the Muslim National League, a secessionist movement, was organised. Various leaders, especially during the late 1960's and most of the 1970's, fled to Libya for political sanctuary. Ties to Libya have always been strong. There is more disharmony among Muslim political groups than in the Communists or NPA. Muslim groups fight among themselves as well as against Government troops. Forty percent of the Government's total troop numbers are stationed in Mindanao to deter Muslim separatists. The Muslim uprisings of the 1970's were crushed without mercy by the central Government. Accurate casualty figures will never be known, but over 400,000 people fled to Indonesia to escape the killings.
N.P.A. - The New Peoples Army, the military wing of the CPP., was formally established on 29 March 1969 in Capas, Tarlac. It is a very powerful force within the Philippines. Estimates of active numbers vary according to the source and the economic climate of the time. Its ranks are not just the poverty-stricken classes, but include a cross section of educated and wealthy people. Current official estimates put the figure at less than 50,000, while the true figure of armed insurgents and followers in the rain forests is probably more like 100,000. Leadership and local group self-interests tend to dominate politics. Little co-ordination of national effort has resulted. During the disenchantment of the late 70's and early 80's, the numbers were possibly as high as 500,000. Numerous jungle-based, roaming armed bandit groups are often wrongly identified as NPA or Muslim.
NIPA HUT - The personal dwelling of rural Filipinos. It is called this because its construction is from the leaves of the nipa tree, a flax-like leaf very effective against all weather.
P.A.T.A.G. - Philippines Anti-Terrorist Action Group. A specially trained and highly mobile unit within the parachute brigade specialising in dealing with terrorist situations.
PILIPINO - The official language of the Filipino people. It was supposed to combine all the 87 languages and 112 dialects of the Philippines. A study group was commissioned by the late President Marcos to create a common language. They came back with a new language which contained 97% Tagalog, the main language of Luzon, despite the fact the President's native tongue was Ilocano, though he was a fluent Tagalog speaker. See the note about Tagalog.
'STAND-BYS.' – An all encompassing Filipino word for people who simply stand around an area such as a hotel or restaurant hoping to do business of any description with the patrons as they emerge.
TAGALOG - The most common language of Luzon, the largest and main island of the Philippines. Although there is technically an official composite language called "Pilipino" for all the Philippines, introduced by the late President Ferdinand Marcos. As it was made up of 97% of the Tagalog language and 3% from the other 86 languages, a resistance to learning it was in-built. However it is now compulsorily taught in all schools. One of the problems in the Philippines has been that people from different areas are unable to communicate in a common tongue, apart from English, which is still the most common language. Interestingly all Court proceedings are in English, with interpreters translating where it is necessary. When the people of the south wish to talk to the people in the north, their only common tongue may be English unless the southerner has learnt Pilipino, or is a product of recent schooling.
VISAYAN - The language of the Visayan region of Mindanao in the south and surrounding islands, and second most common language of the Philippines. With area variations, they form some of the 112 dialects of the Philippines, in addition to the 87 basic languages.
VISAYAS - The area of the central Philippines where the Visayan language and its variations are spoken. It includes Cebu and areas south an
d west of Cebu including the second largest island Mindanao. The dialect in Cebu, Cebuano, tends to be a minor variation of Visayan. Other even more distinct dialectic variations occur elsewhere.
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About The Author
John Muir was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. Attended Palmerston North Boys High School and graduated in accounting from Massey University. Spent 25 years in Sydney, Australia and time in Asia.
-Short Shorts & Longer Tales
-My Other Shorts & Formal Tales
-The Siege Of Apuao Grande
-An Artist’s Freedom (sample from Short Shorts & Longer Tales)
-A Sunday Market Seller (sample from My Other Shorts & Formal Tales)
-Patch (A short story for 8 – 14 year olds)
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