Filipino Historian Answers Questions from Filipino Americans on Instagram | Ask Xiao 001

Summary

In 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

• 🌐 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.
• 🏛 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.
• 🤝 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.
• 🌍 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.
• 📚 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.
• 🏰 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.
• 🛍️ 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.
• 👑 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.
• 🎭 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.
• 🎖️ 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.
• 🗣️ 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

00:00

🌏 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.

05:01

🏛 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.

10:03

🛍️ 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.

15:04

👵🏻 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.

🎖️ 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.

🗣️ 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.

Keywords

💡Colonial Experience

The Philippines underwent 300 years of colonization, primarily by the Spaniards and later by the Americans. This colonial experience instilled a sense of inferiority among Filipinos and shaped their cultural identity, influencing their views on where the 'good life' originates. The script highlights how colonization led to a deep-seated belief that prosperity comes from outside the country.

💡Archipelagic Inferiority Complex

This term refers to the psychological impact of colonization on the Filipino people, where they developed a sense of inferiority due to being labeled as 'barbarians' and 'savages' by their colonizers. The script discusses how this complex affects Filipinos' perception of their own culture and capabilities, making them believe that a better life can only be found abroad.

💡OFW (Overseas Filipino Workers)

OFWs are Filipinos who work abroad to provide better opportunities for their families back home. The script mentions how this modern migration mirrors the historical practice of 'bayani'—going out, fighting, and bringing back wealth and goods. OFWs contribute significantly to their families' well-being and the Philippine economy by sending remittances.

💡Pre-colonial Trade

Before colonization, the Philippines had active trade relations with neighboring countries like Indonesia, India, and China. The script notes that these trade interactions brought cultural influences and goods, which enriched the pre-colonial Filipino society. The Laguna copper plate inscription is an example of these early diplomatic and trade connections.

💡Spanish Colonization

The Spanish colonized the Philippines for over three centuries, transforming it into a Catholic society and embedding European cultural elements. The script discusses how this colonization made Filipinos more European in certain aspects, affecting their cultural identity and how they fit into different societies globally.

💡American Influence

Following Spanish rule, the Americans colonized the Philippines, further reshaping its society to be more American. The script explains how this influence made Filipinos more familiar with American culture, such as pop culture and sports like basketball, distinguishing them from their Asian neighbors.

💡First Filipino

The concept of the 'First Filipino' is explored through different lenses: historical, mythological, and nationalistic. The script mentions figures like the Austronesians, the Negritos, and José Rizal, each representing different definitions of what it means to be Filipino. Rizal is highlighted as a key figure in defining Filipino identity against colonial rule.

💡Pre-colonial Kingdoms

Before Spanish colonization, the Philippines was composed of various independent kingdoms like the Kingdom of Tondo, the Kingdom of Mactan, and others. The script clarifies that there was no unified nation known as the Philippines before the Spanish era, with each kingdom having its own identity and governance.

💡Bayanihan

Bayanihan, derived from the word 'bayani' (hero), refers to the communal spirit of working together to achieve a common goal. The script explains how this concept reflects the Filipino value of cooperation and solidarity, and how it is seen as a form of collective heroism rather than just working for the community.

💡Colonial Mentality

Colonial mentality refers to the preference for foreign over local, stemming from the colonial period when Filipinos were taught to view their colonizers as superior. The script highlights how this mentality persists, influencing Filipinos' desire to seek better opportunities abroad and their admiration for foreign culture.

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

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