Filipino Historian Answers Questions from Filipino Americans on Instagram | Ask Xiao 001
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Shiaa, a public historian and historical consultant, answers various questions about Filipino culture, history, and migration. She discusses the colonial influence on Filipino identity, reasons behind the significant Filipino diaspora, and how colonization by Spain and the United States shaped Filipino society. Additionally, Shiaa explores pre-colonial trade, cultural practices, and the origins of the Filipino identity. The video also touches on the persistence of colonial mentality, the role of celebrities in politics, and the contributions of Filipinos during World War II.
Takeaways
- đ The script discusses the complex cultural identity of Filipinos, shaped by centuries of colonial influence and a sense of inferiority complex instilled by foreign powers.
- đ The speaker, a public historian, emphasizes that the perception of 'the good life' coming from outside the Philippines is rooted in historical narratives that often downplay local achievements and culture.
- đ€ The Filipino diaspora is likened to the pre-colonial bayani, who would venture out and bring back valuable goods and ideas, paralleling the modern OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) who support their families from abroad.
- đ The script highlights the unique position of Filipinos in fitting into different societies due to the country's history of Spanish and American colonization, which influenced language, religion, and cultural practices.
- đ The concept of the 'First Filipino' is explored, with various interpretations ranging from the ancient Kalaw man to mythical figures like Calak and Cabai, and the idea of a nation being based on shared sentiment rather than blood or race.
- đ° The script refutes the idea of a unified pre-colonial Philippine kingdom, instead describing a collection of interdependent kingdoms and alliances with various names and cultures.
- đïž Pre-colonial trade in the Philippines involved interactions with Muslims from Indonesia, Indian traders, and most notably, the Chinese, who were key players in the Southeast Asian trade routes.
- đ The script explains the long duration of colonization in the Philippines as a result of the mindset that it was the only way of life, and the eventual realization of the possibility of freedom through exposure to other cultures and ideas.
- đ The tendency for celebrities to enter politics in the Philippines is attributed to their embodiment of cultural templates and ideals that resonate with the public, making abstract concepts more relatable and identifiable.
- đïž World War II is briefly mentioned, with the script acknowledging the bravery of Filipino soldiers and the guerrilla movement's contribution to the victory against Japanese occupation.
- đŁïž The script corrects a common misconception about the origin of the word 'bayanihan', suggesting it comes from 'bayani', and reflects the spirit of unity and cooperation in performing tasks for the benefit of the community.
Q & A
Why do many Filipinos leave the Philippines for work abroad?
-Filipinos often leave the country for work due to a historical sense of inferiority complex stemming from 300 years of colonization, which led to a belief that a 'good life' could only come from outside the country.
What is the 'archipelagic inferiority complex' mentioned in the script?
-The term refers to the psychological impact of colonization on Filipinos, which instilled a belief that they were inferior to their colonizers, particularly due to racial and cultural differences.
How does the speaker describe the historical influence of colonial powers on Filipino culture and identity?
-The speaker explains that the Spanish colonization aimed to transform the Philippines into a Catholic society, making Filipinos more European in their cultural and religious practices. Later, American colonization further reengineered society to align with American values and interests.
What is the significance of the 'bayan' and 'bayani' concepts in the Filipino migrant experience?
-The 'bayan' represents the community or nation, while 'bayani' refers to a hero. The concept is used to illustrate how Filipinos, like the old bayani, go abroad to provide for their families, bringing back 'the good life' and contributing to the community.
Why do Filipinos fit into some societies but not others, according to the script?
-Filipinos fit into some societies due to their colonial history, which made them more European and American in their cultural practices. However, they also retain unique cultural aspects that make them distinct from other Asian societies.
What does the script suggest about the first Filipino?
-The script suggests that the first Filipino could be considered the 'Kalaw Man,' who existed around 67,000 years ago, or from a mythical perspective, the first Filipinos could be Cala and Cabai from the creation myths.
What was the impact of the Spanish colonization on the religious and cultural identity of Filipinos?
-The Spanish colonization had a profound impact, making the Philippines predominantly Catholic and influencing the Filipino language and cultural practices with Spanish elements.
How did the script describe the pre-colonial trade relations of the Philippines?
-The script mentions that pre-colonial Philippines had trade relations with Muslims from Indonesia, Indian traders, and the Chinese, who were the most active foreign traders.
What does the script say about the reason for the Philippines' long period of colonization?
-The script suggests that colonization was a trend among European powers who sought to explore and dominate other regions. The Philippines was colonized for so long due to the lack of awareness of freedom and the restrictions on movement and technology.
Why do Filipinos often put celebrities into politics, as mentioned in the script?
-The script suggests that celebrities in the Philippines embody certain cultural characters or ideals that the public looks up to, making it easier for the public to identify with and support political ideas when they have a recognizable face.
What is the significance of gold in pre-colonial Filipino culture, as discussed in the script?
-Gold was worn for aesthetic reasons and as a form of protection against evil spirits. It was believed that gold could protect the soul and serve as an amulet.
How does the script explain the term 'bayanihan' and its linguistic origins?
-The script explains that 'bayanihan' is derived from 'bayani,' meaning hero, and refers to the act of working together for the community. Linguistically, 'bayanihan' cannot come from 'bayan,' but from 'bayani.'
Outlines
đ Colonial Impact on Filipino Identity and Migration
This paragraph delves into the historical roots of Filipinos' inclination to seek employment abroad, attributing it to the legacy of colonialism and the resulting inferiority complex. The speaker, a public historian and consultant, explains that the Philippines' 300-year colonization by Spain and the United States led to a perception that prosperity and progress come from outside the country. The narrative touches on the 'archipelagic inferiority complex' and how the Filipino identity has been shaped by external influences, including the notion that good things come from outside, which is why many Filipinos aspire to work abroad. It also draws a parallel between the modern overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the pre-colonial 'bayani' who would bring back valuable items from their travels, symbolizing the OFWs' role in supporting their families back home.
đ The Complexities of Filipino Cultural Identity and History
The second paragraph explores the complexities of Filipino cultural identity, discussing the unique aspects of Spanish colonization that differentiated the Philippines from other Asian nations. The speaker contrasts the Spanish approach with that of other colonial powers, highlighting that the Spaniards, influenced by the Catholic Church, aimed to transform the Philippines into a Catholic society, leading to a more European cultural influence. This cultural blending continued with American colonization, further Americanizing Filipino society. The speaker also addresses the question of who the 'First Filipino' might be, considering both archaeological findings like the 'Kalaw man' and mythical figures from Filipino origin stories, and discusses the evolution of the term 'Filipino' from the Spanish era to its modern understanding.
đïž Pre-Colonial Trade and Cultural Exchanges
This paragraph examines the pre-colonial trade networks of the Philippines, revealing a rich history of interaction with neighboring regions. The speaker mentions trade with Muslim communities from Indonesia, which influenced the southern part of the Philippines and led to the adoption of Islam. The Laguna copper plate inscription is cited as evidence of diplomatic and trade relations dating back to 900 AD. Additionally, the paragraph touches on Indian influence and the significant role of Chinese traders in enriching local kingdoms, positioning the Philippines as a vital part of Southeast Asia's trade routes to China.
đ”đ» Traditions and Superstitions of Ancient Filipinos
The speaker discusses the tradition of wearing gold among pre-colonial Filipinos, attributing it to both aesthetic preferences and spiritual beliefs. Gold was believed to protect the soul and serve as an amulet against evil spirits, with the extremities of the body considered vulnerable entry points. The paragraph also addresses the long duration of colonization in the Philippines, suggesting that the lack of exposure to freedom and limited knowledge of the outside world contributed to the extended period of subjugation. The speaker emphasizes the transformative impact of the galleon trade's cessation and the influx of foreign traders, which awakened Filipinos to the concept of freedom and the possibility of self-governance.
đïž Filipino Bravery and National Identity in World War II
This paragraph commemorates the bravery of Filipino soldiers during World War II, highlighting their successful resistance against Japanese forces at Bataan for three months, making the Philippines the last Asian country to fall. The speaker pays tribute to the guerrilla movement that continued to fight even after the official government went into exile, emphasizing the Filipino people's role in winning the war. The paragraph also touches on the cultural significance of celebrities in Filipino politics, explaining how they embody cultural archetypes that resonate with the public and inspire collective action.
đŁïž Linguistic Insights and the Essence of Bayanihan
The final paragraph corrects a common misconception about the origin of the word 'bayanan,' suggesting that it actually derives from 'bayani,' which means hero. The speaker explains that the term 'bayani' signifies unity and cooperation in performing tasks to help others, which is a beautiful representation of the Filipino spirit of community and mutual assistance. The paragraph concludes with a call to action for viewers to support the Filipino Story by engaging with their social media platforms.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄColonial Experience
đĄArchipelagic Inferiority Complex
đĄOFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)
đĄPre-colonial Trade
đĄSpanish Colonization
đĄAmerican Influence
đĄFirst Filipino
đĄPre-colonial Kingdoms
đĄBayanihan
đĄColonial Mentality
Highlights
Explaining culture as a description of 'how it is' rather than a judgment of 'right or wrong'.
The impact of 300 years of colonial experience on the Filipino psyche, leading to an 'archipelagic inferiority complex'.
Filipinos' tendency to seek 'the good life' abroad due to historical narratives that associate progress with foreign influence.
The pre-colonial 'bayani' tradition of going out to fight and bringing back valuables, paralleled in modern times by OFWs.
The unique adaptability of Filipinos to different societies, attributed to Spanish and American colonial influences.
The first Filipinos being identified as 'Kalaw man', dating back to 134,000 years ago.
The mythological figures Calak and Cabai as the first Filipinos in the country's mythology.
Jose Rizal's role in defining the Filipino identity separate from Spain, emphasizing a shared national sentiment.
The lack of a unified pre-colonial Philippine kingdom, with various independent kingdoms and alliances.
Pre-colonial trade relations with Muslims, Indians, and Chinese, shaping the cultural and economic landscape.
The cultural significance of gold in teeth and other forms of adornment for both aesthetics and spiritual protection.
The prolonged colonization of the Philippines due to the acceptance of colonial life as the norm.
The role of foreign trade and exposure to other cultures in awakening Filipinos to the concept of freedom.
The tendency for celebrities to enter politics in the Philippines, embodying cultural templates and ideals.
The significance of World War II in the Philippines, where Filipinos and Americans fought together against Japanese occupation.
The linguistic origins of the term 'bayanan', suggesting a deeper meaning of unity and cooperation in the Filipino spirit.
The call to action for viewers to support and engage with 'The Filipino Story' on social media platforms.
Transcripts
you know when we explain culture we
don't even say that this is right or
wrong we're just saying that this is how
it
is I'm shiaa I'm a public historian here
in the Philippines and the historical
consultant of the Filipino story what we
going to do now we're going to try to
answer your questions from our Instagram
in the Filipino story in ask show it's
show
time # Dana Santos asked how did it
happen that so many Filipinos are
leaving the Philippines for work for
many many years we don't have to leave
the Philippines for work ginhawa the
good life can come from us we were
standing on our own two feet but
remember that we had a colonial
experience for 300 years when we were
colonized and they're telling us that we
are barbarians we were Savages they were
telling us that they were white people
we were brown people and they will
always be superior so that is when we
had a sense of inferiority complex
archipelagic inferiority complex should
I
say every time that Philippine history
was being taught it was always
abouts Americans influence japanes and
everything good about us like our faith
like our democracy came from outside so
that is why we always think that when we
talk about kaga the good life it will
always come from the outside because all
the good things about ourselves we
always
say so that is why a lot of Filipinos
would like to go out of the country and
they think that they're going to find a
good life abroad another way of looking
at this is that this is also like like
the old bayis from precolonial times the
old bayani goes out of the Bayan they
fight and when they go back they bring
home theal the imported items from that
Bayan they bring it back home so it's
like the bik Bayan box going back it's
the OFW bringing theal to the family a
good house good education to the
children a life with dignity this is the
beauty the complexity and the pain of
our migrant experience of the dias
okay let's go to gamet lick marker gamet
lick marker asks why we fit and don't
fit into different societies at the same
time this is a common shall we say
observation about Filipinos remember
that it was the Spaniards who took us as
a colony and unlike the British who took
Malaya or unlike the Dutch who took
Indonesia or the French who took the
Vietnamese all these Colonial Powers the
British the Dutch the French you know if
they colonize peoples they just want to
get their labor they just want to
exploit them I'm sorry for the term but
they did not bother to change their
culture and their religion that's why if
we're going to look at a lot of these
countries they still retain a lot of
their systems a lot of their religion a
lot of their culture and a lot of their
languages but the Philippines was
colonized by the Spaniards and the
Spaniards were beholden to the pope and
the pope and the King had an agreement
that every colony of Spain will become
Catholic and will be transformed as a
Catholic Society so we became more
European than most of Asians and so when
we go to Europe we fit with Europeans we
speak some words from Spanish because a
lot of the words in Filipino and other
languages are Spanish and then America
came and colonized us when the Americans
came they reengineered our society so
that we could become more American so we
had become more European we also had
become more American in fact a lot of
people were saying that we were the
brown Americans of Asia that's why if
you look at Asian pop culture and our
knowledge of it Filipinos will probably
not be familiar with Indonesian pop
stars or Malaysian pop stars but ask
them if they know Taylor Swift or even
Justin Timberlake you ask them if they
know stars from the NBA we love
basketball here in the Philippines while
in the other countries of Asia they know
football but in the Philippines we know
basketball so we fit on some societies a
lot because of our Colonial experience
but we also don't fit in some because it
was not just part of our experience
k. Za 0129 ask who was the first
Filipino this is a very very interesting
question to answer because it would
defend how would you define what is a
Filipino who is The First Filipino could
it be the austronesian the first tan who
set his feet here was the first Filipino
well if you're going to say that how
about the itas or the ITA or the ate or
the negrito they were here longer if
we're going to put that definition of
the earliest person we know who existed
in the Philippines we would put the
First Filipino to be the kala man the
kala man or the homo lenes existed at
about 134,000
years ago probably the first Filipino in
some definition now if you're going to
look at the legend who is The First
Filipino you'll probably have calak and
cabai so in many parts of the country
you have mits of origin about how we
were brought forth from this world and
so there's a story that we all came from
a weed and from the weed the weed broke
and there was calak and cabai so these
are the First Filipino Filipina when you
talk about mythology but when we talk
about the concept of the Filipino some
would even say that the First Filipino
was actually josal why because when the
Spaniards came here in the Philippines
there was no concept of the Philippines
it's only the Spaniards who made the
Filipinos and they integrated that area
and they called it Filipinas named after
Filipe Segundo of hisa but during
results time the term Filipinos were
reserved for the Spaniards born in the
Philippines so Ral was the first famous
person to say that he is a Filipino so
as Filipinos he wanted to have a
separate identity from Spain and say
that we are a nation but the nation is
not based on blood according to Johan
godfried herder which is read in Germany
Johan godfried herder said that the
nation is based not on blood not on Race
but on a national sentiment
when we can identify with each other as
one people and how can we identify with
each other as one people if we share a
common culture or if we share common
history so
[Music]
marieorore
asks what was the original name of the
Philippines before Mel arrived
okay if you are going to believe that
there was one unified Kingdom in the
Philippines before the Spaniards came
well you are mistaken people have been
pedling these tales for a long time and
this is not true
undocumented you look at the Blair and
Robert
52 volumes of primary documents that
were translated into
English the kingdom of mahara mahara as
a kingdom not as a
person all right okay so what was the
original name of the Philippines before
the SPID came original
name so example the kingdom of sugbu the
kingdom of Matan the kingdom of tundo
the kingdom of minila
for they are but they can also be
interdependent or there would be
confederacies or alliances and so some
would say that we were actually a
tasy so that is how it work no there was
no single unifying Kingdom that's why we
cannot say that there's a name to the
Philippines before Mela came muncher 69
asks pre-colonial times what countries
did the Philippines trade with well if
you're going to look at some of the
accounts we traded with Muslims these
Muslims came from Indonesia they
eventually influenced the southern
Philippines to become Islamic and even
some parts of lozon and you see this
Connection in the Laguna copper plate
inscription where they were already
having diplomacy with each other from
900 ad so if you're going to look at
that 900 ad document the Laguna copper
plate inscription people were connected
to each other and trading with each
other of course it should be mentioned
that there was also an Indian influence
here and so the Indians traded with us
the kingdom of majapahit and Shri Vaya
but of course the most active of the
foreign Traders were the Chinese so a
lot of our kingdoms or bias became Rich
orts of the Southeast Asian trade rout
to China Adel that assumtion asks why
did pre- colonial women wear what would
be equivalent to modern day gold teeth
grills what the hell is that they were
wearing gold because of Aesthetics when
you wear gold in your teeth that makes
you beautiful but also because our
ancestors believe their soul is
protected by gold because they believe
that
the extremities are our fingers and
toenails so that is the entry point of
the kala so a bad kala may end up to you
if you don't have protection so the gold
that we wear is actually our protection
for Thea it's like our amulet our Anan
thing so it's not just the gold teeth
man it's like you also have the bracelet
the Anket you have necklaces you have
earrings you have gold sashes and belts
R man R so all this gold it tells you
that yes we Filipinos would like to be
beautiful but we also aspire to have a
beautiful heart our Hano photography
asks why were we colonized for so long
by so many well boy it's because it was
a trend colonization was a trend by
those Europeans these white people who
thought they rules the worlds and so
they explored and we were colonized for
so long I will tell you why I will tell
you why when you live inside colonialism
and you don't know any other life you
don't know the life of Freedom you
actually think that this is life this is
the only thing that you would become you
will only know that something's wrong
with you if you come out of that box and
see what Freedom looks like and so that
is why because of the restrictions of
movement and the lack of Technology of
Transportation a lot of Filipinos didn't
know what Freedom looks like but that
would change if in the 1800s when the
gallion trade stopped and other foreign
Traders came here the Dutch the British
the French and the Germans they're going
to have businesses here they're going to
make Filipinos middlemen here and
suddenly these Indios would become rich
and they start to travel and they start
to see Spain and they start to see
Europe and they start to see America and
they suddenly realize why is life there
different from our life here in the
Philippines why are they free there why
are we not and so that is why it would
took 300 years for us to realize and the
books that came here because of the
opening of the Su Canal books became
easier to read and more accessible for
Filipinos Andres bonasio was able to
read about the French Revolution and the
American presidents and suddenly
realizes oh look at what they did they
were able to free themselves when they
revolted we can also do that here and so
we would aspire to become our own nation
and this nation Have To Be Imagined and
they were imagined by the ideas the
right writings of our heroes and when we
read them we felt one people when we
read thean
the we felt like
one asks why do we as a nation
constantly put celebrities in politics
celebrities in the Philippines sometimes
they take cultural templates of the
people that we look up to in our society
so for example Manny Pacquiao Manny
Pacquiao became a Politico because in
many ways he embodied the image or the
template of the bayani these celebrities
in the imagination of the people embody
certain cultural characters that we look
up to Filipinos we actually find it easy
to identif if with ideas if they have a
face we will not fight for democracy or
human rights until we put a face on that
idea so that's why it was so easy for
nyao or corason aino to be identified as
symbols of democracy and that's why it
was easier because when it becomes a
person it becomes more identifiable and
that's why we go in that person we go in
that person we go with the idea same
with for example peace and Order duterte
embodied peace and Order in his
character then that's why whether
correctly or not for good or for bad
people went with him and when they
embody these things for us we sort of
identify with them and we believe with
them snowy schans asked I've always been
fascinated with World War to history my
grandpa was a sergeant and I want to
know more well all I can say is that we
cannot answer your question in one video
that would really you know be so long I
hope you would watch Bonnie lono's film
on World War II in the Philippines but
what I can tell you is this World War II
in the Philippines that is when
Filipinos win The Americans fought at
batan to stop complete Japanese
Occupation of the Philippines and they
were successful for 3 months and we were
the last to fall to the Japanese in Asia
that is when the world saw How brave our
soldiers were facing the odds even if it
looks big and impossible to defeat in
Filipino
K that is what the Filipinos showed and
when you know MacArthur left and the
Philippine government in Exile went to
the United States for 3 years the
Guerilla movement in the Philippines
fought and we won against Japan and the
Americans helped Liberate the
Philippines but it was the Filipinos the
Filipino gas who won the war for us we
won the war so that is what I can tell
you your grand father served well we
fought for democracy and human rights in
World War II and we won uh someone asked
I thought ban came from Bayan well that
is what I thought
too but I'll show you something if
bayanan came from the word Bayan
linguistically it cannot be bayanan it
could only be Bayan According to some
linguists so that is why it can only
come from bayani banian can only come
from bayani and this is also proven by
SE Salasar using the ostan dictionary
but it's good it doesn't change the
meaning of bayanan it is still working
together but not just for the Bayan as
it was supposed to you know mean but we
working as bayani that when we band
together when we cooperate when we unite
and solidify with each other to perform
a task to help someone
we are bayis we doing Bay and I think
that's even more beautiful and sweet
than what we thought it was so there you
go again thank you for your support to
the Filipino Story please like share and
subscribe to our online social media
platforms just leave them in the comment
section I cannot promise that I can
answer
everything and
is ask show
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