Friday, August 22, 2008
AZCARRAGA, HEADING EAST TO LEGARDA
on February 17, 1961 under Ordinance No. 4377
Ordinance No. 4441 was amended by Ordinance No. 4377,
relative to the renaming of Azcarraga Street as Claro M. Recto Street,
by changing the classification of street to avenue on October 2, 1961.
Augusto de Viana - "Old Manila streets lose names to politicians"
The Americans gave it a single name, Calle Azcarraga, in 1910, while in 1961, it was renamed to honor Senator Claro Mayo Recto.
Andres Bonifacio was born on Nov. 30, 1863 in a small nipa hut in Tutuban, a swamp-like part in Tondo (which means a place where they make tuba, an alcoholic drink made from coconuts).
On July 7, 1892, Bonifacio met secretly with his friends in a house on Recto Street in Tondo. Together with his two friends Ladislao Diwa and Teodoro Plata, he formed the first triangle of a secret society called Kataastaasan Kagalanggalang na Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan, or Katipunan, for short.
In 1886, the Manila Railway Company pursued its plans to build a railroad line from Manila to Dagupan, Pangasinan. The Fleming Company was commissioned to help build the railroad. With the new railroad tracks cutting across Tondo, the Fleming Company had to buy several houses that were subsequently demolished to make way for the railroad. Among which was the Bonifacio house in Tutuban.
Another notable personality associated with Azcarraga is one of the Philippines' important artists, Fernando Amorsolo. Although he was born in Paco, Manila, and grew up in the carefree setting of the province, Amorsolo lived a simple life and raised his family in an apartment on Azcarraga.
During his early years as an artist, in his effort to put food on his family’s table, as well as earn enough money to afford the materials he needed to pursue his passion for painting, Amorsolo took on other jobs, including that as a commercial illustrator. As a commercial artist, his most popular creation was the Marca Demonio label, which is pasted on the bottles of Ginebra San Miguel gin to this day.
Had it not been for his wife’s constant prodding during the later part of his life to buy their own house and lot, he would have been contented enough to live the rest of his life in their rented apartment on Azcarraga.
Given the colorful and diverse history of this street, if changing its name from Azcarraga was of absolute necessity, they could have renamed it after Andres Bonifacio or Fernando Amorsolo; not after Claro M. Recto, a career politician, though gifted with a brilliant mind, was hindered with an appeal limited to the intellectual elite and the nationalist minority of his time.
As Manuel L. Quezon III once wrote:
"Recto's leadership was the curious kind that only finds fulfillment from being at the periphery of power, and not from being its fulcrum. It was the best occupation suited to the satirist that he was. His success at the polls would be limited, his ability to mold the minds of his contemporaries was only excelled by Rizal's...But he was admired for his intellect and his dogged determination to never let the opposition be bereft of a champion, still his opposition was flawed. For it was one that never bothered to transform itself into an opposition capable of taking power."
Odeon Terminal Mall, formerly the site of Odeon Theater* * *
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RELATED LINKS:
Nueva Street in Binondo
From Oriente to Ty Street
Formerly Isaac Peral
Hidalgo East of Quezon Boulevard
Hidalgo Street Revisited
On Palanca Street
General Carriedo and Fr. Felix Huertas
Manila's Plaza Goiti
Old Street Names of Manila - Traveler on Foot
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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!
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Labels: life in Manila, Manila history, street name change
posted by Señor Enrique at 3:40 AM
17 Comments:
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said... At first you see this changing of streets as unimportant,but it has actually the other way.Street names is basically part of our heritage as a people and politicians have no right to change them in a whim.I think we should lobby to put a stop to this!
Indiobravo-
Señor Enrique said... I completely agree with you, IndioBravo. And this is why I constantly post an article to this effect.
Also, with many balikbayans coming home for the year-end holidays (after a very long absence), I'm afraid many of them would feel as I did: dazed and confused ... and lost due to these street name changes, which is nothing more than egocentric in nature.-
ka tony said...
Hi Eric,
I respect the late Claro M. Recto for being a nationalist, I can relate to Pilipino nationalist offend accused of being a communist as it happened to me during the reign of terror of the dictator marcos, I spent months in Camp Crame. I think the name Calle Azcarraga was so rich in history, so important to the Pilipino people to be reminded about our past, to understand where we came from, just to be changed to C.M. Recto. Not only Calle Azcarraga for that matter, but original street names shouldn't be changed at all.
The long stretch of Calle Azcarraga occupies five district of Manila; San Nicolas, Tondo, Binondo, Santa Cruz, Quiapo & ends in Sampaloc where Legarda cuts it.
The San Nicolas area of Azcarraga;
# was a Spanish old execution Garrote site, where during the 60s LTB Bus Station used to be.
# a house on Calle Tabora & Calle Azcarraga was the birth place of General Macario Sakay.
# 176 Calle Ilaya & Calle Azcarraga, on July 3, 1892 La Liga Filipina was conceived.
The Tondo area of Azcarraga;
# 314 Calle Azcarraga, Tondo was the house where Bonifacio organized the KKK.
# on November 30, 1863 a house across Tutuban Station (built in 1887), Gat Andres Bonifacio was born.
The Santa Cruz area of Azcarraga;
# two famous funeral homes Quioge & Paz
# at the corner of Avenida Rizal (formerly Calle Dalumbayan, meaning edge of town) and Calle Azcarraga just across Odeon Theater was "Aroma Cafe." The cafe famous for "tambayan ng mga extra sa penikula" The coffee house where Max Alvarado, Bruno Punzalan & others were waiting for talent casters to assign their next film.
The Quiapo area of Azcarraga;
# Far Eastern University
# University of the East
# the site of the old "Teatro Zorilla"
# the office & hospital of SPCA (Society for the Prevention on Cruelty to Animals)
# the San Sebastian church & University
# Centro Escolar de Senoritas
# site of Carmelo & Bauermann
Well...these are just some of the few historical sites I can remember & not to mention the infamous "Mendiola Student Massacre" during the Fourth Quarter Storm.
During WW II, Japanese imperial forces in the Philippines changed many of our streets;
# Dewey Boulevard - "Heiwa (Peace) Blvd."
# Taft Avenue - "Daitoa (Greater Far East) Ave."
# Harrison Boulevard - "Koa (Rising Sun) Blvd."
# Jones Bridge - "Banzai Bridge"
# Quezon Boulevard - "Mulawen Blvd."
# Plaza Fergusson - "Plaza Simbahan"
# Plaza Lawton - "Plaza Burgos"
# Plaza McKinley - "Plaza Malaki"
# Plaza Willard - "Plaza Maliit"
...and many more specially the "US states street names" of Malate.
History was written by the victors & followed by their puppets "mga gahamang walang kabusugang trapong pulitiko." Natural lang na ipangalan sa nagpapagalaw sa kanilang mga imperialista at sa mga idolo nilang magnanakaw na pulitiko ang mga kalsada, tulay, plaza, distrito at Diyos ko huwag naman po sana...ang ating bayang PILIPINAS!!!
Maraming salamat Eric sa pagbibigay halaga sa mahalagang isyung ito,
ka tony-
nutart said...
I always have to hand it to you and Ka Tony---thank you for always giving Manila an interesting face!
I usually am intrigued by the bits and pieces of Bonifacio's life and times which is why I would splurge on books with antique postcard pictures of the turn-of-the century Philippines. The struggle of being a Filipino is like that of all colonized peoples---some get their cultures and identity intact while others go through a series of tumultuous events before they realize to look back to their roots. Our people belong to the second category. Rizal, Bonifacio, Amorsolo, Recto are among the great Pinoys who dared to keep reminding us of our Malay soul.
I recall when the developers of the Fort started with bulldozing and erasing all historical houses and military buildings (that would be glorious examples of the American period here) along with our childhood house and haunts---parang may nabura sa pagkatao ko. It can be that way with how "modern-thinking" developers would do to the Filipino soul if they totally start re-doing and re-naming old Pinoy streets and places. Or perhaps, that's the way they would wnt everything to be---tabula rasa.-
said...
Señor,
I just want to share an article I read in Inquirer.net
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view/20080822-156075/When-prices-go-up-go-downtown-Manila
Manila..our Manila.-
Señor Enrique said...
"some get their cultures and identity intact while others go through a series of tumultuous events before they realize to look back to their roots."
Correct me if I'm wrong, Bernadette, but I'm inclined to believe that 'tumultuous events' (even the most traumatic) may precipitate a spiritual awakening as well; thus, ushering a need to seek not only for human but for spiritual identity, too. The culture shock experienced by an OFW abroad could be tumultuous, too, to a certain extent.
I don't know much about the theory behind the 'tabula rasa' but I think we are born with a certain degree of intelligence though subconscious -- this is more apparent in the animal and plant kingdom.
I guess, we have to allow room for progress and development, but you're right, there should always be respect for history and heritage of the place. And if they have to completely wipe out a particular landscape to fit in the "new," they should at least document the "old" somehow. In essence, The Fort should have included in its master plan a museum/library of some sort that would have pictures
and other media that would in some way preserve the memories of the way it was.-
Señor Enrique said...
A wonderful article it is, El Cineasta! Thank you for sharing :)
This should convince some Metro Manilans to give downtown Manila a very good 'second look."
Great find!-
Señor Enrique said...
"History was written by the victors & followed by their puppets "mga gahamang walang kabusugang trapong pulitiko."
And may I add, Ka Tony, that the victors also have the unopposed opportunity to right the wrong they may have committed.
Many thanks for these additional historical sites. Truly appreciate them. By the way, for those who may have forgotten what a garrote looks like, check this out:
http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/SEAiT/data/images/nara/reference/ph00235r.jpg
This was not taken in the Garrote site in the San Nicolas area of Azcarraga, but in Intramuros during the American colonial period. And I think they have a Filipino as a "berdugo."
Here are its details:
Title: Execution chamber, Intramuros, Manila, 1901
Date: 1901
Place/Time: American colonial period / Philippines / Manila / Intramuros
Description: Execution chamber and garrotes, Intramuros. " This machine has an official record of killing 31 men."
Subjects: Adult / Male / Executions / Executioners / Punishment and torture
Call Number: 111-RB-2478
Is Part Of: Wisconsin Philippines Image Collection
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Philippines Image Collection
RB Chief Signal Officer
SouthEast Asian images & Texts
Rights: U.S. National Archives
Submitter: McCoy, Alfred W.: University of Wisconsin--Madison. Center for Southeast Asian Studies.
Local Identifier: SEAiT.Philippines.ph00235.bib-
ka tony said...
Hello Eric,
This is a long comment & I'm sorry that I'm using your space so much. Well, its because of your readers & commentators like Sidney, Bernadette, El Cineasta, rhodora, Ka Peter, reyd, EM, Lola, bertN, FilMasons NSW, Ed from SF & many, many more (to the other readers, I'm so sorry if I miss your ID), acute, concern, cares ...whew!, I can use all the adjectives I can express to describe them, but most of all because of you Eric. I'm giving more time & info on your Wish You Were Here, than my own Blog, because your readers are interested & intelligent. With your help, I can reach & take advantage of permeating the research I have from unpublished books, documents, letters, manuscripts, etc... from the National Heroes Commission, working as a researcher.
To better understand the late Claro M. Recto who deserve to have a new plaza or a new important avenue named in his honor. From my multiply BanlawKasaysayan...
Pebrero 8, 1890 - kapanganakan ng Kagalang-galang na Claro M. Recto sa Tayabas. Si Recto ay maaring tawaging "misunderstood" na politiko o bayani. Ang hangarin ni Recto ay magkaroon nang pansariling Idolohiya ang Pilipinas...na Likas na Pilipino!...Tunay na Pilipino!...Para sa Pilipino!
Sa pagaaral ni Recto ng iba't ibang uring idolohya at ang malugod na pagsusuri sa nakalipas na kasaysayan at kasalukuyang nangyayari sa Pilipinas, siya ay nagwika...
"The first task of our young men and women is to develop within themselves the nationalistic spirit of our revolutionary heroes, rejecting pernicious foreign influences. The second task is to participate seriously in the economic development of our country by pursuing those professions for which there is a great need during an era of rapid industrialization. Only a nationalistic administration can inspire a new idealism in our youth, and with its valid economic program make our youth respond to the challenging jobs and tasks demanding full use of their talents and energies."
Subalit ang kamalian ni Recto siya ay ipinaganak na una sa kaniyang panahon. Sa matinding takot ng mga Gringo na sirain ni Recto ang kanilang pakay na maakit ang "hearts & minds" ng mga Pilipino, siniraan si Recto nang "personal gossip campaign" na si Recto ay isang komunista, magnanakaw, maka Hapon, atmpib... Kadalasa ang ginagawang pagbibitang sa mga makabayang Pilipino ay "radikal" at "Komunista" Lalo na kung ang mga ito ay makabayan at gumagamit nang malalim na pananagalog, ang paggamit ng salitang tulad nang: imperialista, colonialista, tuta, atibp...subalit ano pang ibang maitatawag o maipapalit sa mga salitang ito. Ang makabayang hangarin tuloy ni Recto para sa ating bayan ay nasira at hinimlay na kasama ng kaniyang bangkay!
Eric, the old Spanish Garrote Site in San Nicolas was ideal for the Guardia Civil, after the execution the bodies of the victims where thrown at North Harbor which is the end of Calle Azcarraga that's part of the mouth of Manila Bay. To illustrate the gruesome suffering of victims before & during execution by means of GARROTE, here's a blog from my BanlawKasaysayan on the execution of GOMBURZA...
Pebrero 17, 1872 - ang kolonyal na pamahalaan ng kastila sa Pilipinas ay ipinapatay ang tatlong pari na kung tagurian sa ngayon ay GOMBURZA. Ang tatlong sekular na Pilipinong pari ay pinagbintangan na nagpasimula nang munting rebelyon noong gabi ng 20, Enero 1872. Ang tatlo ay inakusahan, nilitis at sinentensyahan na patayin sa pamamagitan nang garrote, na wala man lang na abogado o nagdipensa tugon sa paratang at akusasyon.
Maitutulad ang pangyayari ng kasong ito, noong kapanahunan ng Dupang na naging pangulong marcos. Ang pamahalaang marcos ay hahanap nang butas upang ikaw ay mapagbintangan, maakusahan lalo na kung ikaw ay salungat sa kaniyang kasakiman o sagabal sa kaniyang pamamalakad.
Si Padre Mariano Gomez isang mestisong Hapon ay hindi lamang isang banal na pari, malaki ang naitulong niya sa pagpapareporma ng lupa para sa mga magsasaka. Kaya nga't noong siya ay hulihin kasama ang kaniyang pamangkin na si Padre Feliciano Gomez sa kumbento ng kaniyang paroko sa Bacoor. Ang mga mahihirap at magsasaka ay siya sana'y ipagtatangol, subalit kaniya itong pinigilan, ipinatabi at mahinahon siya ay nagpatali ng kaniyang mga kamay sa mga "guardia civil."
Si Padre Jacinto Zamora ay isang sekular na pari na kung sa ngayon kapanahunan ay maaaring tawagin na, "happy go lucky", mahilig sa sugal, sabong at kung ano-ano pa... Subalit maraming nagsasaad na ang tunay na hinahanap upang dakpin ay isang nangagalang Jose Zamora at hindi Jacinto Zamora. Ito ay isang pagsosona ng mga autoredades upang tumahimik ang mga laban sa kanila, magbigay aral, matakot ang nakakarami at upang huwag tularan.
Si Padre Jose Burgos ay isang "Creole" tunay na mapusok, aktibista at nagnanasa nang reporma sa bayan at simbahan. Siya ay isa sa nanguna ng isang malaking pagaalsang ginawa ng mga istudyante sa San Juan de Letran, na ikinamatay ng isang magaaral. Bilang isang Creole siya ay maaaring maging paring Dominicano, Recolletos, Agustino o Jesuit, subalit sa sanhi ng kaniyang pagka aktibista, kaniyang pinili ay Sekular.
Isa sa mga akusado na nadakip, kasapi sa nasabing "Cavite Mutineer" ay isang mestizo na nangagalang Francisco Saldua, na kung ating susuriin ang kaniyang pagkatao pinagsimulan, siya ay apo ni Charlotte Corday, isang babaeng Fransesa na pumatay at inasasina si Marat, habang ito ay nasa "bathtub" na may taglay na sakit sa balat, noong "French Revolution" Si Saldua ay bumaliktad na ala Judas, at nagsaad na si Padre Burgos at kasama ng dalawang akusadong pari ang nagpasimula nang naturang pagaalsa sa Cavite, na ikinamatay ng isang mataas na kastilang opisyal. Si Saldua ay nasentensyahan na kasamang igagarrote ng tatlong pare sa araw na ito, sa kaniyang paniniwala at sa kaniya'y ipinangako, siya ay pawawalan nang sala sa entablado ng kamatayan at hahandugan pa nang kabayarang salapi sa kaniyang pagtetistigong ginawa.
Kaya nga't si Saldua ay nakangiting pa na pumanhik sa entablado ng garrote. Nang si Saldua ay lagyan nang saplot ang kaniyang mukha, ipinaupo sa silya nang garrote, siya ay pumiglas, hindi niya akalain na aabot dito ang sa kaniya'y gagawin, siya ay nagwala, halos sampung katao ang pumipigil sa kaniyang pagpupumiglas at pagtitili, samantalang hinihigpitan ang panakal nang garrote ...tumahimik bigla at nalagutan siya ng hininga.
Ala 5 ng umaga nang nasabing araw, hiniling ni Gobernado Heneral Rafael Izquierdo, sa Arsobispo ng Maynila Gregorio Meliton Martinez, na bago magarrote ang talong pari, upang lalong sila ay mapahiya, ay nararapat na ang mga ito'y hindi naka suot ng kanilang "abito." Subalit ang Arsobispo ay hindi sinunod ang kautusan sa naniniwalang ang tatlong pari at inosente sa kanila'y ibinintang na kasalanan. Ang Arsobispo ay nag patunog nang mga kampana bilang isang huling pagsaludo sa tatlong pari habang ang mga ito'y patungo sa Bagumbayan.
Ang unang pumanhik sa entablado ng garrote ay ang 85 na taong gulang na si Padre Gomez, sa kaniyang paglalakad na uukod-ukod ay nahulog ang salamin mula sa mata, huminto, pinulot at isinoot na muli at nagwika...
"Tayo'y magtungo na kung saan, ang mga dahon ay hindi titinag kung hindi pagagalawin ng Maykapal!"
Si Padre Gomez ay mahinahong umupo sa silya nang garrote, isinagawa sa kaniya ang pagpatay.
"JACINTO ZAMORA!!!"...ng marinig ni Padre Zamora tawagin ang kaniyang pangalan, ito'y umakyat sa entablado na wala man lang na sinabi...umupo sa silya nang garrote na tila ito ay isang pagbabakasakaling panaginip lamang, nagbabakasakali tulad ng larong sugal.
Matapos magarrote ang dalawang kasamang pari, si Padre Burgos ay pumanhik sa entablado nang kamatayan, doon siya ay tumigil at humarap sa kastilang Koronel Boscasa, taglay pa rin ang pagkamapusok, tapang at aktibistang katauhan ay nagsabi...
"Pinapatawad kita at sana ang Diyos ay patawarin ka rin, tulad ng pagpapatawad ko sa iyo"
Si Padre Burgos ay mahinahon na umupo sa upuan nang garrote, subalit biglang itong tumayo at sumigaw...
"Ano ang nagawa kong kasalanan? Ako ba ay mamamatay nang walang man lang saysay? Diyos Ko!!!...walang katarungan sa mundong ito!!!"
Pagkasigaw niyang ito, lumapit ang berdugong sa kaniya'y na piling papatay, at ang Pilipinong berdugo ay nagwika...
"Padre...ako'y iyong patawarin sa aking gagawin sa iyo"
Ang pari ay malungkot na minasdan ang mata ng berdugo na ito lamang ang mga butas na hindi natatakpan nang saplot sa mukha at mahinahong tumugon...
"Pinatatawad kita, anak...gawin mo na ang pinaguutos sa iyo"
Pagkakasabi nito, si Padre Burgos ay hinarap ang mga nakaluhod na mga tao at kaniyang itinaas ang kanang kamay upang ang lahat ay basbasan. Siya ay umupo na sa garrote at tinakpan naman ang kaniyang mukha. Habang hinihigpitan ng berdugo ang kahoy at bakal na panakal sa leeg ng pari, si Padre Burgos ay sumisigaw..
."Aking Amang Panginoon, kupkupin po ninyo ang kaluluwa ng isang inosent..."
hindi naituloy ang kaniyang huling habilin at siya ay nalagutan nang hininga.
Sorry Eric & everyone for a very detailed truth of GOMBURZA execution. But this how we should present the truth, it's not pleasant, its gruesome & unappealing, just like what Rizal, Bonifacio & the rest felt after the execution of GOMBURZA, that triggered the Fist Revolution against colonialism and created the First Republic Country in Asia!
Subalit, saan napapunta ang kabayanihan, katapatan at pagkamakabayan ng ating mga bayani na nagbuwis ng kanilang buhay? Ang munting ala-ala na mga kalsada, plaza, tulay at paaralan na para sa kanilang ginawang kadakilaan at pinalitan at pinapalitan ng mga pangalang karamihan ay mga dating kaaway na kolonyalista, "collaborators" ng mga kolonyalista, trapong politiko at negosyante!
Salamat na muli Eric, sa pagbibigay daan sa aking napakahabang komento,
ka tony-
said...
Wow! Eric, what a lesson in history not discussed or studied in any of the Schools.
I am getting educated through your blog every time you have a new entry.
The best part, I learn it for FREE!-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Ka Tony,
Firstly, no need to apologize for your lengthy comments. We are actually enriched by them.
As for Recto, you're right. I was once told that the secret of life is "timing." And unfortunately for Recto, as you said, he might have been ahead of his time.
He could also have been such a brilliant and eloquent "thinker" that many of his peers were so intimidated and even jealous that he was deprived the necessary support to advance his ideology however superior. I think Rizal suffered from the same fate and was eventually betrayed. And as we've discussed in the past, our struggles seemed to have been cursed with 'betrayals.'
Now, here's where I may go out on a limb: the United States system of government is not perfect but it works and for hundreds of years proved stable. This may be a attributed to the fact that the country's independence was basically founded by a group of like minds -- Jefferson, Franklin, Adams and the etc.
But throughout the Philippine history, we weren't blessed with a similar cohesive 'spiritual' (mind, body & spirit) group of men working as ONE.
Could it be on account of a certain temperament common amongst the Filipinos? That our brilliant minds lacked the necessary emotional quotient to become outstanding national leaders. Indeed, Ka Tony, this has puzzled me.
And if as they say great men incarnate as groups as that of Jefferson's, similar thought then applies to Hitler and his henchmen who, for the most part, facilitated his Jewish Solution. And my point here is: Is the Filipino race so cursed that the majority of groups of spirits that eventually rise to power as those who thrive on non-benevolence? And those of altruistic nature are so few and alienated.
I don't believe that the sole purpose of those spirits -- who incarnate as Filipinos and so blessed with brilliant minds that they eventually hold the office of immense power -- is merely to become disgustingly wealthy. After all, they cannot take even a cent with them to the next life.
As for street name changes, I wonder how many Manilenyos actually appreciate Recto, or how many of our youths even know anything about him. Naming a street after someone like Recto may only defeat the entire purpose of memorializing a great man. Instead of naming streets, how about creating plazas with markers that showcase the person's background and achievements?
And thank you, too, Ka Tony for the detailed account of the GOMBURZA execution, as well as for what led
led them to such fate.
My question now is: Will the Philippines ever have "true" leaders surrounded and supported by like minds.-
Señor Enrique said...
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for sharing our interest in our local history.
However, let me reiterate that I consider myself a student of our history and my blog posts are merely an invitation for others to share their insight as many of our fellow bloggers do here.
So in essense, I'm very much enjoying this learning process as you are :)-
ka tony said...
"My question now is: Will the Philippines ever have "true" leaders surrounded and supported by like minds."
...wow! Eric great point & great question,
I have no answer and if I do I'm afraid that my reply will not do justice. It will take a good historian with a great knowledge on Philippine psychology & sociology who can probably answer this question!
...here's what I can say which is not an answer to your question, he, he, he
13 colonies in American revolutionary era began in 1763, but the native American Indians have nothing to do with it. So as its predecessor countries in the Americas, which most of these were Spanish colonies. But in our country's case, the native Pilipinos started the revolution against the Spanish colonialist & won! Unfortunately the Gringos claimed & took it from us.
History of 'betrayals' & collaboration is always part of history. If not for Malinche & many unhappy Aztecs who collaborated with Hernan Cortez & his 500 conquistadors, victory & wiping out the Aztec civilization of King Montezuma was not possible!
On the other hand, Hitler's occult of a "super race (Aryan)" then blamed Germany's sufferings on the Jewish people, as well as other ethnic groups which the Germans went right along with it. This happened in our country during the dictatorship of marcos; fear, executions, torture, prosecutions and constant brain washing through the dictatorship controlled media! Made the "dupang" reigned for so many years!
I think there's no other ideology will work in the U.S., than "American Capitalism" The East & West coast of the US are liberal & open minded, but the big middle conservative dictates the majority. American election is always a team with the President's & Vice President's are voted one. As in our case, Pilipino voters have a choice of a separate party for both president & vice president, that most of the time refused to work together!
I guess the factors that made us what we are today...
# the form of government "Barangay" that we came from
# the separation of islands, the ethnic regional customs, tradition & vernacular
# the colonialist "divide & conquer"
# the colonialist won our "hearts & minds"
# the colonialist "brain washing"
hence we learned...
# maging "tayo-tayo" and "sila-sila"
# to have a "kawayan mentality" to sway where the wind blows.
# to have a "crab mentality" ako muna bago ikaw.
# learn to survive today and "bahala na bukas"
# does not have faith with his own race as his leader!
China's Mao Zedong was born from relatively prosperous peasant family, but Mao was with the masses & exposed on the peasants hardships on feudalism & capitalism. So as Gat Bonifacio was a plebeian exposed to the abuses of the colonialist and collaboration of the Ilustrados (bourgeois) who betrayed the revolt of the masses!
Personally, the only way for us to have a great leader is to clone three former leaders; Andres Bonifacio, Arcenio Lacson & Claro M. Recto!
These are not answers Eric, its a long shot racial assessments! ...by the way I'm also a student of history & still learning from your blog. Have a safe & great week end Eric,
ka tony-
said...
Imagine,if Azcarraga remained the same.We could have used it as a tourist magnet with it's rich history.Like the Royal Mile street in Edinburgh.Imagine what we could achieve.I know it's a cliche but tourism brings in money and jobs which most original Manilenyos need.
Indiobravo-
Señor Enrique said...
I must admit, Ka Tony, that I agree with your comments; not to mention that I learn many new things as well. The other thoughts I have I will relate as blog entries in the future; this way, I will get to understand them more, for I trust you will remain generous with your insight.
Maraming salamat, Ka Tony!-
Señor Enrique said...
That's right, IndioBravo! And I can imagine plazas or memorials on certain routes that our locals -- students and adults alike -- may enjoy as early morning or late afternoon history walks. And of course, for tourists, too :)
But then again, it may not be too late?-
Nicky said...
I think some of Manila's Old street names were used by Rizal in his Novels, can you enlighten me what these are and what part of the novels??? thanks and more power to your blog... We became more proud to be Manileños after reading the series of your blogs... I think even Iris is stated...
