Love My Roots
June 8, 2009 by Christian · 1 Comment
Randy Mack (Hawaii)
Love My Roots by Eguy Ipalari, Waipahu, Hawaii
“Thanks Homeboy. I’m proud of where I came from wherever I may lay down”.
Did you know that the first Philippine map, which was 27 inches wide and 42 inches long, was drawn by Nicolas dela Cruz and Francisco Suarez back in 1734?
Pinoy, a demonym for Filipino people, was first used in the 1920s by Filipino-Americans who were part of the first wave of Filipino migration to the United States. Take out the last four letters of Filipino, pino, and add up the letter Y to form the word. For many, Pinoy is similar to Mexican-American’s usage of Chicano.
No need for us to discuss who forms the roster of the Pinoy Pride. We might want to divert our attention from these already-known Filipino celebrities into the nameless heroes who are continuously giving out their best for the country.
I am Fil-Am
June 5, 2009 by Christian · 1 Comment
Francis E. (San Diego, CA)
Culture, Born, and Raised by Tiger Jimmy’s Tattoo
According to statistics, a massive number of 46,000 Filipino Americans (Fil-Am) within a community is located in the county of San Diego making it second to top of the places in the United States which constitutes the most number of Fil-Am. But how did the migration of these Asian Americans started? Let’s do a short recap.
The first wave of migration started way back 1973 when some Filipino seamen who were part of the Galleon Trade and located in Acapulco crossed the Gulf of Mexico to a bay in Louisiana called Barataria. These Manilamen started the establishment of a number of villages in America.
Mass migration occurred at the beginning of the 20th century when demand for laborers in Hawaii and California increased and when the US Navy recruitment started
Aside from SD, Filipino-Americans are most distinctly visible in the states of Hawaii, Washington, New York and New Jersey.
Pre-Pinoy Pride
June 3, 2009 by Christian · 2 Comments
Noel F. (Manama, Bahrain)
Pinoy Pride by SpillN-ink Tattoos
“The design was originally for my right forearm. One day, a Fil-Am asked me that he wanted a tat to represent his roots. I showed him the sketch and there it was.”
No it’s not the grouper fish. It’s the great Lapu-Lapu, then king of Mactan, whom you can see in the middle.
Regarded as the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu is the first native who resisted Spanish colonization by Spanish soldiers when its leader—ironically, a Portuguese—Ferdinand Magellan set foot to the Philippine Islands year 1521. Though the Muslim chieftain was killed along with his men during the Battle of Mactan, he will always be remembered as a hero.
Having sad those, Lapu-Lapu can be seen as a central figure in the official seal of the Philippine National Police. His figure was also use in one of the now-defunct one centavo coins. A type of grouper fish which can only be found in the country is named after him. Believe it or not, but an alcoholic drink was also named in his honor.
So when you say Lapu-Lapu, it isn’t only the fish. He’s a hero worthy of admiration.
Sun Tattoo
June 1, 2009 by Christian · Leave a Comment
Greg Moscoso (Rancho Santa Margarita)
Sun Tattoo by White Lotus Tattoo
We really can’t get enough of the three stars and the sun. Here are more FYI-must-read about flags, flags, and more flags.
The Philippine flag has been known worldwide as the only flag that is displayed upside-down when the country is in war being the color red on top and the blue at the bottom.
It isn’t only the human being who underwent an evolution, the Pinoy flag did as well. The first flag designed by Andres Bonifacio was called the Bonifacio flag. Then came the Katipunan flag, Llanera’s flag, Pio del Pilar’s flag, and the Magdiwang flag. When finally, then President Manuel L. Quezon standardized the PH flag’s appearance through an executive order in March 25, 1936.
The floors of Aguinaldo Shrine is made up of jigsaw-puzzled flags. The 2003 Oakwood Mutineers wore the Magdalo flag, one of the earlier versions of the recent flag, as an armband.
Stay tuned for more.
Flip Pride
May 29, 2009 by Christian · Leave a Comment
James Bryan (Honolulu)
Flip Pride
Filipinos’ firm religious belief has long surpassed the colonial period it underwent and never was shaken by any threats of imperialism. Now, with 81% of its population as Roman Catholics, Philippines is known as the third largest Catholic nation in the world next to Brazil and Mexico.
Catholicism is a good object of discussion of debates for its controversial beliefs and practices. Pressing issues on veneration of saints, opposition to contraception, and its separation from the State are among others. Despite all of these, Filipinos remain steadfast to its teachings.
On what makes Catholic a subcategory of Christianity or what’s the difference between Catholicism and Christianity is still a mystery for the author and an amply vague topic to be discussed.
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