Jason (San Diego)
Ruivivar by Skin N Art
“RUIVIVAR and I’m proud to be a Filipino. This tats is my last name and we’re quite a few in our hometown. So I decided to write it in modified Spanish way and also to show that no matter where I am or who I’m with, I’ll say that I’m proud to be Pinoy.” 

Did he not know Third Watch?

If not, then he may not know Anthony Michael Ruivivar, one of the main casts of the NBC’s TV drama series Third Watch which last aired May 2005. And he may be interested in knowing the actor since both of them are of kin to Juan dela Cruz.

Anthony Michael’s father is of Filipino, Chinese, and Spanish descent while his mother is German and Scottish. The actor played the role of Carlos Nieto in the show which allowed him to show off his ethnicity that includes of the Filipino characteristic. Too bad he isn’t that visible on the screen now as he was before. 

We wonder if the inked Ruivivar is trying to pull a trick that he hasn’t heard of the actor Ruivivar.

Jeng (Texas)
3 Stars and the Sun by Monster Tattoo

Mirasol is sight of the sun in English translation. But it can also be a sunflower and even someone else’s last name just like the owner of the tattoo above (now you know his complete name). Having said this, have you ever wondered why most of the Filipino last names are of Spanish origin?

Back then, during the colonial period, Spanish officials were going gaga every tax collection activities since members of the same family did not have the same last name. The father can be a Bonifacio and the son can be a Rizal. So, to make things more organized, Governor General Narciso Claveria issued the Alphabetical Catalogue of Surnames, mainly of Spanish names. It has been said, though not proven, that Filipinos should pick up a name from the catalogue and the rest of the members of their families must bear the same last name.

Anonymous (Los Angeles)
Three Stars with a Sun and Flag by Mexicano Shop
“Proud to be Pinoy.”

It’s not always the Filipinos who are left by their conquerors acquiring their culture. We are leaving marks as well. Filipino’s impact on Mexican culture is very evident especially in the Pacific Coast. Residents there can be seen drinking tuba from coconut trees. They also are enthralled by kite-flying with the use of papel de China. Mexicans named their fishing boats panga which is believed to be of Filipino origin.

An Acapulco college teacher mentioned that Filipinos or Filipino-Mexicans are being largely ignored despite the major role they played during Mexico’s struggle for independence way back 1800s. Around 200 Filipino-Mexicans joined Gen. Jose Maria Morelos’ army in its Western Mexico fight.

I wonder why Japan, American, and Spain have friendship days with the Philippines. What about Filipino-Mexican Day? Is there a thing as such?

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.

Charlee (Ontario)
Filipino Flag by Pleasure & Pain

Okay. We all know that the three stars represent LuzViMinda, the three largest regions. Its sun’s eight rays are the first eight provinces that revolted against the Spanish regime. Is there anything new or more interesting about the Philippine Flag that we need to know than these usual stuff?

There are certain places that, by law, must display the Philippine Flag and have it illuminated at night. The shades of the colors red and blue have been changed several times, which was dependent to the leaders and whatever country ruling the Philippines. Zambales and the Moslem Islands tried to be the ninth ray claiming that their provinces were also at war during the colonial era. Both petitions were rejected. A Flag Law forbidding the Filipinos to use or display the flag anywhere lasted for 12 years.

There are always more than the infamous three stars and a sun of the Philippine Flag that are worth-knowing. Let’s not be that frivolous.

Nick Arriesgado (Philippines)
Pilipinas Kong Mahal by Nick Arriesgado
“Batik Tattoo Philippines! +639169590705 Tawag lang po kayo! Kita kits, peace.”

KKK. Ku Klux Klan? No.

It’s Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan. Supreme and Venerable Society of the Children of the Nation in English translation. This could be one reason why alphabet agencies sprang out like beans: CSI, NCIS, FBI, NYPD. You name it, you have it.

There are so much to tell about KKK or the Katipunan and a million words are not enough. Let’s make this short. The Katipunan is a historical organization founded by some of the well-known Filipino anti-Spanish revolutionaries like Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Aguinaldo. Through arm uprising, the society aimed to end Spanish cruelties to the Filipinos during the colonial period.

Trivia: National Hero Jose Rizal rejected the idea of revolution by the Katipuneros believing it was premature and would only lead to deaths of many Filipinos. Albeit considered as an honorary president, he never became a member of the KKK.

Lapu-lapu, originally uploaded by Atari, Gracinha & Marco.

The first known one to rebel the Spanish. While most of us will agree that he was a great man and obviously one of the 1st “Filipino” heroes, why don’t we listen to him and keep his mentality alive? Do you think Lapu-lapu would be sad as to what his people have become? I believe he would not want to be called “Filipino”.