Sleepless: a poem after Lando

Sleepless: a poem after Lando

I can't sleep

Despite the whispers that entices me to close my eyes

And enter the world of dreams

But instead sketching anything he sees

And listening to the breeze

Coming from a storm passed yesterday

Outside are fallen leaves and even branches

Announcements calling schools for no classes

Even the supposed examination gone suspended

And news reports featuring swaying coconut trees and waves in beaches

And like the tragedies done years ago comes prayers

For less if none casualties

Same as their cherished properties

Trying not to break their happiness 

Knowing that soon comes Yuletime

But for others a respite from yesterday's heat 

As rains trying to fill the dams

Enough to prepare next year's threat

Of tremendous heat and sweaty feelings

Of hot asphalt and drying up till barren soils

Of everyone desperate for water to quench beaten souls

But despite all these it is a calamity 

Turning out to be an opportunity

From the ones trying to keep warm their seats

And continue their infamy

Expect few packs and pseudo charities

Especially from those desperately keeping their thrones

Knowing that next year these people are filling up boxes

With same old names written in those papers

And with these conclusions somehow made me sleepless

So are the others willing to make possible surges

Against the one who's thinking about next year 

With all the prepared "machinery".

Seeing Jars

Seeing Jars

In an age where "Move On" is the usual term, it seems that there are those who does not turn away from the past such as these burial jars displayed in the former Department of Finance in Manila.

Unearthed by archaeologists decades ago from Palawan to Saranggani Province, these Burial Jars and coverings showed a culture that was widespread from Transcaucasus to the South East part of Asia, and it was characterised by burial of the dead in strongly flexed position on heir sides in medium to large clay jars and sometimes it also includes jewelry, weapons, even coins or animals killed as part of their journey to afterlife.

It may deemed new in the eyes of others, especially those who know that native funeral practises were those of in graves if not hanging in cliffs in case of the north. Corpses such as those of Apo Anno from the Cordilleras bear how native folks preserved their dead in form of drying and in a fetal position as encased in caskets and left in its cave graveyards, but recent Archaeologists had unearthed a different way of tending their dead such as placing it in jars and left in graves with some mementoes in it, yet as time goes by, being forgotten as part of their culture.

And since it is spanned through parts of Eurasia, Jar Burial culture was part of an era wherein people engaged in hunting, fishing, rootcrop growing, and handicraft making such as those of making pots from clay, if not mud abundant in their settled terrain. In case of the Philippines, caves like those in Tabon in Palawan may suggest that early Filipinos whom settled at those mountainous, or even ravenous terrain had created a culture prior to the wave of migration as earlier insisted by those of Otley Beyer. 

And in case of this Burial Jar found in Palawan (which became known as part of 1000 peso bill), which was made from clay and river sand, it also showed the richness of ancient Filipino culture that is, far from what commonly depicted on history books such as focused on sea trade and waves of migration according to Beyer, et al. Its art also showcases the talent that makes the Filipino also well known in the ancient world with its neighbours engaging trade with the natives.

As according to Wikipedia, faces of the figures and on the prow of the boat have eyes and mouth rendered in the same style as other artifacts of Southeast Asia of that period. Note the depiction of sea-waves on the lid. This style of decoration places this jar in the Sa Huỳnh culture pottery tradition that happened during the Iron Age. These are a people that had migrated through an East to West migration coming from the Borneo-Palawan area to Southern Vietnam. Hence, prior to Sa Huỳnh as what this person observed, these people soon to be Vietnamese were also part of an Austronesian community with a culture enough to consider as "advanced" in that period. And likely to be situated in a part that eventually be one of the isles of the Philippines and a part of Borneo.

It may seemed strange, knowing that these information has not been studied in mainstream Filipino history about jar burials, of a somewhat advanced culture, as well as people that also migrated from the Philippines to other parts of Southeast Asia and even the Pacific islands. Jar burials was made by a  people whose belief includes those of undergoing transformation of the deceased's spirit from the earthly to the spiritual world, as well as the belief in treating the dead as if it were alive and be given food, drink, and company; and also come to think of this: how come the culture stretched from Azeribaijan to Palawan? 

Anyways, people should not forget its well rooted heritage as they enter the museum and see the richness of one's own culture as a citizen. In this age where "Move On" has been a mantra for most, of disregarding the richness of it's country's past and its continuous struggle for the future, this writer would say that forgetting its well-respected heritage as a nation altogether as it favours its illusions may find themselves rootless. 

"Mandate"

"Mandate"

Or how these people allegedly "coming from heaven" trying to use the elections
as if to create the Kingdom of heaven in their homeland

Alfredo Tindugan and Angelito Baluga
Candidates for President and Vice President
via Inquirer.net

"The Antichrist's deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgement. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come under the name of millenarianism [emphasis added], especially the 'intrinsically perverse' political form of a secular messianism."

- Catechism of the Catholic Church,

 paragraph 676

It seems that certain people from all walks of life had proclaimed themselves "Mandates" from "Heaven" as they filed their Certificate of Candidacy at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) head office in Manila.

Driven by their messianic complex and perhaps be mistaken for Schizophrenics, these men such as Alfredo Tindugan and Angelito Baluga has afforded to file their certificates of candidacy both as "President" and "Vice President". And according to the two, the tandem vows to institute a “divine government” should they clinch the top two spots.

Expounding on their concept of “divine government,” Tindugan said that it is rooted on “righteous leadership”, that is somehow reminiscent of those from Mount Banahaw or New Israel somewhere in Mindanao.

Another Presidential aspirant, Romeo John "Lucifer" Ygonia
source: Inquirer.net

Meanwhile, another Presidential Aspirant, Romeo John Ygonia said that "he was sent by God to run for the position". “This world will never be saved without God,” he said.

Known for his monicker “Archangel Lucifer”, Ygonia may also shared the same intention as Tindugan despite using a name synonymous to the devil. And some people from social media sites mockingly "supported" him such as "Better than Binay" if not comparing him to groups like the Da'ish for his bearded appearance.

These two examples would make this writer say that Millenarianism continues to thrive in a era full of millennials whining about their so-called "feelings". And the core doctrine that somehow justifies their "cause" would be the idea of establishing the kingdom of heaven on earth, such as what Christian writers stated.
That in fact, according to a writeup entitled "The trumpet shall sound: a study of "cargo" cults in Melanesia", it stated that:

  "According to Collins, many if not most millenarian groups claim that the current society and its rulers are corrupt, unjust, or otherwise wrong. They therefore believe they will be destroyed soon by a powerful force. The harmful nature of the status quo is considered intractable without the anticipated dramatic change."

And according to history, groups like the Confradia de San Jose of Hermano Pule, the Guardias de Honor, the Dios Dios, Pulajanes, Colorum, and the Lapiang Malaya that even afforded to plot a conspiracy to overthrow former President Marcos with a bolo attack resulting to 33 dead and 47 wounded. However, the trend of Millenarianism also affected groups like the Katipunan, the Sakdalista, and even the Partido Socialista of Pedro Abad Santos. People may deemed it a half-crazed attempt, from the use of elections to the days people resort to the use of arms in pursuit of asserting their belief in a folkish kind of social justice given that these people are also coming from the oppressed masses particularly from the countryside. Terms like "New Jerusalem", "Second Coming of Christ", "Rizal Reincarnate", and other terms are being used in their statements, if not in their actual actions.

It may sound strange, but to think that these people babbling about "Divine Governance" or anything that is pseudo-religious in character has disregarded the secular roots of the Philippine state despite using "democratic means" such as filing candidacies as President or any other person of the state. Most of them even have little or no machinery, worse, making a fraud in case of 2010 candidacy of "Rizal Amang" of the Alpha Omega 9K Party, leading to his disqualification.

But on the lighter side, these self-proclaimed politicos are themselves adding colour especially when they enter the political arena with their messianic ambition as news reports featured these faces on the screen. Their words smacks of so-called holiness yet for sure can't deal with the realities such as what the common people endure and even resist. True that their calls can be a reaction to really existing nonsense, yet is their call really reflects those of the people? Or just urging the people to escape from reality in the name of their fantasy? Remember, even the Church rejected that perversion while media outlets called their actions circus, half-crazed, nonsensical; their words may reflect social realities but it may also not reflect the aspirations of the people, no matter how their terms has been trying to appeal with.

***

And by the way, admittingly speaking, Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas would have been considered as similar to those of Baluga and Tindugan if not being a part of the ruling class knowing that they have nothing to say besides the illusion of "Daang Matuwid" or Righteous Path. True it maybe that his governance brought a semblance of progress yet obviously a continuation of past administrations with Neoliberal tendencies prevailing. Of what are the platforms if in the end these people on high are submitted to the wishes of the market? In the end, Aquino's "Righteous" or "Straightforward Path" be similar to what messianics babbled about when they file their Certificate of Candidacy, be it those of "Divine Governance", "Sent from Heaven", anything that is pseudo-religious or pseudo-moralistic in character that is proven through history.

But the problem is this: Aquino's well known, while these messianics aren't.


Source:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/730450/divine-presidential-aspirants-lead-day-2-of-coc-filing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenarianism

TOHO: Age Old Goodness

TOHO: Age Old Goodness

It was few days ago when this person went to one of the most familiar old restaurants in Sta. Cruz district in Manila.

Founded in 1888 and considered as one of the oldest Restaurants in the Philippines, Toho, originally known as Antigua, is known for its old style Chinese cuisine people for generations indulge and talked about. And one of which is that Toho is still referred by the people by its original identity: Antigua.
Despite officially founded in 1888 by five Chinese immigrants with love for cooking (one of them was Tai Tang, the great grandfather of the current owners), its "alleged" roots were started in 1866 by Manuel “Po Kong” Bautista as according to the book "The Governor General’s Kitchen." Bautista named his restaurant "Antigua" because he was said to value things whose qualities have proven their worth over time (Antigua means Antique). As for its current name, the owners say that it is the English translation of the Hokkien word "just enough.” Historical personalities who have dined here include four Philippine presidents, actor Fernando Poe Sr, actress and singer Katy de la Cruz and Manila Mayor Arsenio Lacson. But If Travel Time host Susan Calo Medina is to be believed, Jose Rizal had even ate here while he studying in Intramuros.
New Toho’s history, however, is not without challenges: that in 1984, the original Toho establishment was burned down after its neighbouring restaurant caught fire resulting to some old pictures burned save one which is featured in every food blog. The restaurant was eventually rebuilt along, hence the “new” in New Toho.

From its well-made Pork Asado to Lechon Macau (or as what they called, Lechon Kawali), it somehow made people to come and go despite its smallness and its old appearance different from typical Chinese restaurants of the present. The Asado is cooked fresh daily without any use of artificial coloring; and according to the owners, it is beautifully sweet, tender, and spicy with a subtle scent of smoked wood. The Asado is usually sold out in the afternoon.

However, this person served the food he ordered such as  Toho chicken and Yangzhou Fried Rice. Toho chicken is more of Fried Chicken that has been served with sauce reminiscent of pata tim, with Chinese Cabbage and chopped Carrots. Quite delicious though especially if it is served alongside Yangzhou fried rice which is commonly known as "Yang Chow". And by the way, even the small serving is plenty for two.

Admittingly speaking, this person somehow recalled his childhood as he entered the place, especially when he first entered Toho many years ago with his parents, eating Toho if not Fried Chicken and Yangzhou Fried Rice as well as Nido Soup, Pancit Canton, and Beef Brocoli that time. And it somehow took many years to rethink about entering Manila's oldest restaurants until he afforderd to enter and enjoy again the decades-old Chinese Cooking Toho Antigua has trying to make about.

New Toho Food Center
422-424 T. Pinpin Street, Binondo, Manila Philippines
(02) 241-4208, (02) 242-0294
Operating hours: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.; closed on Sundays

Of Shutting Down, Letting go, and Rage

Of shutting down, letting go, and rage

Notes after Leandro Locsin's Hotel Intercontinental Manila to be closed at Yearend, 

its eventual demise (same as Mandarin Oriental which was earlier closed), 

and opposition from conservationists and nostalgics

At first, this person wants to thank the owners of the Hotel Intercontinental Manila, its employees, and even people who had come and go, all for its years of outmost hospitality. 

For as news reports tackled about its soonest closure, it seems that the well known hotel that had brought development in the newly-developed Makati likely to end up in the wrecking ball, knowing that old edifices nowadays are to be abandoned and eventually demolished no matter how prominent it was through the years. As Ayala Land Inc. president Bobby Dy said that the property giant is looking to develop another mixed-use development at the InterCon area.

"In 2016, we're going to be looking at the InterCon area, that's a 2 hectare parcel, to have another mixed-use development. The cost would be around P15-billion," he said."

According to Paulo Alcazaren's article, A press was released in 1958 on the building which then dubbed as "Rizal InterContinental Hotel", and lists Rizal Development Corporation and Pan American Airways as developers of the hotel. However, the initial 1958 design of the hotel was not followed and shelved. Construction of the hotel would be completed ten years later in 1969, and was inaugurated as InterContinental Hotel Manila.

Makati Commercial Center (with Hotel Intercontinental as background), 1973
source: PinoyExchange

The edifice had witnessed every building that had come and go for years: Rizal Theatre, Sulo Restaurant, the old Rustans, Shoe Mart, Gillarmi and Monterey Apartments, anything that made Makati developed until became the Philippines's Financial District and eventually a First Class City in 1995. It had wittnessed important events, such as the Oakwood coup, the Peninsula siege, or even the rallies at Ayala wherein its windows, acting as eyes, had wittnessed the rolling of armoured cars if not people assembling in their protest site. 

And as the hotel is planned to cease operation by December 31, 2015 and paved way to its "redevelopment" according to a recent report, this person would say that it is really quite saddening. In seeing such familiar edifices this person would say that why need to let it go despite its recognisable beauty? True that development is good but how about side by side with heritage and identity? Call it strange but heritage is more than old houses, it also includes made by those whose idea of development has brought the district well known until today; and "just letting it go" comes criticism after it.
For sure everyone had heard news about Locsin's Mandarin Oriental being closed down few years ago and soon to meet its fate amidst criticism from most conservationists. Much more that Circuit at Makati is situated at the once grand old Sta. Ana Park (Manila Racing Club) whose art deco architecture was worthy of being preserved and readapted. Sad to say but Sta. Ana Park was lost for "development" the way its San Lazaro counterpart was demolished for Henry Sy's familiar commercialised edifice.

Anyways, being a person who use to go Makati would say "what the fuck" in seeing such changes without any recognition of the building (especially coming from a National Artist), or any other edifice's relevance. That in every picture and in every sightseeing, this person remembers Quad, the old Greenbelt, the old Philippine Savings Bank main building, Shell Maya, Rizal Theatre, and even Powerbooks Pasay Road where he used to visit and read various books. Sorry for being nostalgic though as other nostalgics do, especially those whose idea of heritage is beyond Spanish-style houses and Baroque Churches.
And to those who would say "move on" and "letting go" all for chrissakes, haven't they recalled that both Mandarin Oriental and Intercon are made by the National Artist Leandro Locsin? Nostalgics afforded to say that those times were those of making the Filipino "world class" that is much dignified than today's so-called "Pinoy Pride" that is 60% mockery and nonsense; and according to the Heritage Conservation Society, The 38-year-old Mandarin Oriental and 45-year-old InterCon are described as two of the finest works Leandro Locsin had created and are protected by Republic Act No. 10066. RA 10066 is the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, protecting structures older than 50 years old. The law also protects works of art by National Artists and gives the government-run National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) jurisdiction over their disposition.

And although the well-known Insular Life has been almost subject to demolition rumors only to be redescribed as "renovation", while on the other hand waiting Leandro Locsin's Mandarin Oriental to its unlikely fate (hope that HCS and NCCA continues to counter ALI as possible since the building remained intact for a time being), and today's Intercontinental sharing the possible same fate as Mandarin's, this person as well as others expressed hope that there are edifices which are worthy to be preserved, to be cherished, to part of today's fast forward growing society and be adapted in its redevelopment. Such as those which are truly relevant and brought really existing respect through the years.

That's all for now. 

Notes on the Posters of the Japanese occupation And its sponsored "Philippine Republic"

Notes on the Posters of the Japanese occupation
And its sponsored "Philippine Republic"

“Have no fear anymore! Fighting is now over! 

American forces who have been squeezing your land and your people with honey words and threatening swords for a long time have now entirely been driven away, by Protecting God of Asia, the Japanese forces. 

The only aim of the Imperial Japanese forces is to free the Filipinos from the oppression of the white men and establish a paradise for Filipinos on this beautiful land of Philippines.”

-Sebald, William J. "Dear Filipinos!" 

 World War II. 10 Nov. 2011. 

Web. 20 May 2012.  

At first, it seemed to be unusual to make a writeup that features anything that comes from the other side of the second world war, specifically those from those supported by the Japanese. This person may have tried its best to take some pictures of what was shown to the Filipinos that as if appearing their hated enemy as a friend, a redeemer, a liberator whose intention was to break the dominancy of both American and European power the Japanese described as maligning and oppressing Japan and its Asiatic kin.
But to its victims, it shows the contrary to Japan's assertions with all its actually existing impunities especially in countries Japan considered as enemy subjects, hence liable to be persecuted to the point of collective punishment. 

Mostly consists of posters, pamphlets, if not front covers of Japanese magazines made during the "Est Asia War", it seems that those rarely-shown works was trying to invoke a sense of new-found Filipinoness as "encouraged" by the Japanese in pursuit of a redeemed and renewed East Asia alongside Größdeutschland and Italy's revived Roman Empire. Quite interesting to see those featured works as expected, and also made this person think that how come mainstream historians rarely shown those "propaganda" especially those coming from the Filipinos themselves if not from the Japanese occupiers during the Japanese-sponsored "republic"?

Sounds traitorous though for Filipinos who are aware of the atrocities made by the Japanese during that tumultuous periods; of massacres, comfort women, looting, and bombings  coming from both friend and foe in Manila and other major urban enclaves of the archipelago.

But come to think of this: how come these posters were made in an impression that the Philippines was redeemed by the Japanese and was given "independence" that was controversial in character? Yes, it was controversial in a sense that so-called "independence" was sponsored by most people called as their enemy, worse, it failed to justify independence that makes itself existing in paper and certain ceremonies enough for people to consider the legitimacy of Philippine "independence". What more of its other terms such as "peace and order regained", "Moral Regeneration", and even "liberation"?

Remember, most Filipinos were loyal to the Commonwealth, to the Stars and Stripes, and its Materialism that made "Peace Time" really "Peaceful" in most Filipino's  yearning eyes.



Defending the Country at all costs

The "Bureau of the Constabulary" as shown by the Japanese war magazine "FRONT"

Trying to invoke the existence of independence, the Japanese occupiers, through its spnsored "republic" afforded to create a "Bureau of the Constabulary" to serve as the country's gendarmerie, if not an official armed force. In its creation, a handful of former members of the American-trained Philippine Constabulary were being indoctrinated, trained and worked in that outfit in exchange for their freedom. 

And in it includes Posters urging Filipinos to join that said outfit, maybe as an expression that the Philippines should be defended as an independent nation as well as volunteer in the struggle for East Asia. Some of which were those made by well known artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco, who featured much a sense of "new-found patriotism" such as men waving the flag of the republic if not guarding for peace and labour such as farmers harvesting their rice.

Poster made by Botong Francisco
depicting the Constabulary as "defenders of the Republic"

Another poster made by Botong Francisco

Most of the uniforms featured in the posters (as well as the front cover of "FRONT") were similar to those of the commonwealth-era Constabulary: from pith helmets, khaki coloured shirts and pants, even pockets for bullets. The difference was the adoption of the seal of the republic as featured in their helmets. 

However, the Constabulary was all but a showcase, and most members escaped and became guerrilla fighters, that somehow the Japanese didn't trusted as such.  Besides the constabulary, here were armed Filipinos loyal to the Japanese forces itself. Groups like the PALAAK "Bamboo Army", the Pambansang Pag-Asa ng Mga Anak ni Rizal (PAMPAR), the Japanese armed and trained "United Nippon", and the dreaded Makabayang Katipunan ng Pilipino (MAKAPILI) which was known for its collaboration and "rooting out" spies, including those of innocents unjustly killed by the enemy. 

In fact, coming from a court statement made during the Liberation, it stated that collaborators did afford "to arm with a 1903 Springfield rifle, caliber .30, undergo 10 days training, consisting of military drill, manual of arms, and a target practice," enough to consider having a paramilitary group supported by the enemy and be considered as legitimate "volunteers of the republic" than the "constabulary" that was supposed to be mandated by law.

An illusion of productivity 

amidst actual poverty

During the Japanese Occupation and its sponsored republic, means of production were controlled by the Japanese and be redescribed as a "planned economy" by the propaganda units. Rice, Corn, Cotton, Manila Hemp, to those of Minerals like Copper were produced to support the war effort instead of proving the demands of the populace. Cotton, for instance, were planted and harvested in once-sugarcane fields for it was used for making Nitrocellulose, an ingredient for explosives, besides those of cloth needed for the military such as uniforms and bandages.

And although it was true that "Production bears Prosperity", and "To Plant Rice means Survival", and other various phrases exhorted by propganda units, it did not alleviate the problem on food for the masses as the production itself were directly allocated to the enemy. Attempts to support the masses, such as the "Bigasang Bayan" (People's Granary) and the "Rice and Corn Administration" (RICOA) failed to resolve issues on malnutrition and its serious effects besides Japanese control of production and distribution (stressing the military over the civilian populace). Worse, outbreak of epidemics such as dysentery, malaria, and Tuberculosis were prevalent. Starvation was rampant that somehow equated the occupation to misery as compared to the American-sponsored "Commonwealth" with its facade of prosperity.

But besides agriculture, some pictures did encouraged industry. In fact, similar to the Germans and its occupation of vital industries in occupied Europe, the Japanese did occupied and transformed factories and farms to produce needed materials. As an example, the Japanese Imperial Forces occupied the Tanduay Distillery compound with the intention of converting it into an alcohol fuel factory, and it had applied Filipinos working for a worthless currency. 

Moral reform, the use of National Language,

and the desire for National Survival

Apart from meeting immediate ends, the occupation as well as the "republic" tried to make the vision for the "New Philippines" work through a series of moral regeneration programs. These programs somehow required reorganisation, be it those of abolishing useless offices and creating new ones more responsive to immediate needs as well as long term planning.

On the moral front, the "republic" reestablished the prewar code committee in order to create a civil code in which to strengthen Filipino civic and moral character. Ideally, the code may reflect the Christian and Hispanic, as well as Asiatic character of the independent nation especially those of emphasising the role of the family as the country's basic social unit, the role of the community, and other various ideals that sadly, were not being published.

But one of the legacies left during the "republic" was the ides of developing a nationalist-oriented and relevant education in pursuit of developing a Filipino character through the "National Education Board". Traditional values, establishing love for the flag and the language, as well as building schools intended to impart the wartime youths the desire for independence as well as forces that makes a nation capable to stand on its own, if not "making it great." The language of instruction, Tagalog, was highly recognised and used as the national language according to "Military Ordinance no.13" that concerns the use of the native tongue in public use which was enacted in 1942. In it, the occupation and its sponsored "republic" pushed programs to spread the use of the language to the extent of Filipinising titles, public ordinances, and names of offices at the beginning of 1943. Those who wrote in English soon trying to study and write stories and various forms of literature in Tagalog in which few were continued to write even after the war.

However, there were also attempts made by the Japanese to use the language of the occupiers also as its "official language." Similar to Spain and the United States in introducing their language and culture, the Japanese wanted to instill its culture, particularly through its language as the "Language of East Asia" as well as means to "open Filipinos" in Asiatic culture. 

With the same enthusiasm as the Tagalog language, pamphlets were distributed about basic Japanese, followed by magazines that has sections on basic study of the language. It was also made a basic course in both primary and secondary schools when it was reopened during the new regime.

Defending the "republic" and East Asia at all costs

As the Japanese continue to fight against the Americans, it even produced posters showing the "republic" as a belligerent force willing to fight against the invader. With posters "challenging the Americans" to those of a renewed conflict, it tries to show that the "republic" was supportive of the efforts made by the Japanese in defending "Newly-Liberated" East Asia against the Anglo-American, French, and Dutch invaders, as well as its domestic allies fighting as guerrillas. 

Some posters even provoke fear especially when American forces bombed vital installations such as in Manila. Others tend to assert Japan's goal of "building the New Philippines" from the ashes of Anglo-Saxon repression. 

In this poster featured above, the war against the Americans was also depicted by the occupiers as a renewed conflict. First was the Philippine-American war which was happened in 1899, and the 1944 which declared the Philippines under a state of emergency. However, Jose P. Laurel was reluctant to declare a state of war (and even not mobilising the Constabulary), thus, creating mistrust from the Japanese occupiers with the latter shifting support from the rabid collaborators like those of Makapili, PAMPAR, and PALAAK paramilitary groups.

Conclusion

The Japanese occupation bear much scars than illusions. Scars in a sense that people from all walks of life sought the actually existing repression made by the enemy, regardless of the latter's illusion of redeeming its fellow Asiatic kindred, specifically the Filipinos from its Anglo-Saxon occupiers, and to regain peace, order within a sphere what they called "Co-Prosperity". 

Through its so-called "republic", it was described as Japan's "gift" to the Filipino people knowing that the Filipinos had really desired for it yet denied from its Anglo-Saxon occupier. Complete with a constitution, certain laws and decrees, legislature through the National Assembly, and even a president through the person of Jose P. Laurel. Laure did tried his best to put things in order amidst chaos and instability, both from the occupiers, guerrillas, corrupt officials, and the common people themselves whose motives were those of survival. His administration did tried to insist moral reform and spritiual regeneration the way his predecessor, Manuel Quezon did.

And like Quezon, he used both Tagalog and English in his statements and speeches, that somehow trying to keep Filipinos together knowing that through unity, solidarity, cultivation of values justifies self-determination on the Filipino's behalf, no matter how it was described "puppet" by its detractors and be criticized for its negligences that brought death and suffering to most Filipinos during the occupation. "Peace Regained?" Maybe, for that peace wasn't based on justice as what the "republic" insist, but "Fear" as the occupier continues to remain in every place, field, or even a path likely for a Guerillero ambush.

Personally, it may deem strange to post what comes from the other side of the fence. But to think that those posters and pictures were rarely seen, why not let it show and see every scene that is much described as an illusion, delusion, propaganda, or even a fraud as it tries to downplay the actually existing repression that made most Filipinos really yearned for an Independence that was fought, rather than given from the occupier. Be it from the Anglo-Saxon, or a fellow Asiatic.


Source:
Kasaysayan: The Story of the Filipino People, Asia Publishing Co. Ltd. 1998
Japanese Cultural Propaganda in the Philippines, Asian Studies, University of the Philippines

Darkness remains, Freedom in flames

Darkness remains

Freedom in flames

As this person observed, attachments to anything the system has offered, particularly those from its "state of the art" foreign master will find the desire to break free from the old order impossible for todays people.

Ranging from infrastructure to modern goods in nice packages, the system has trying to make everyone blind, deaf, and mute from the realities the system has badly done to its constituents. And for today's people, increasingly consumerist in character, rather cannot "bite the hands" that has been feeding their minds with various forms of fantasies. The system, however, is trying to cling as possible by means of adapting and modifying change into something that emphasises much of its own interests. 

That sometimes it may described as "reform" or even "revolution from above" for as the system "remolds" and "modernises" while keeping firm in its age old exploitative "traditions" rooted in interests; but to think that the system's character has nothing to do with the aspirations of the people except to exploit, of what are these remoldings then? The system's intention to "change" is to keep in its own interests ranging from adapting modern methods to parroting patriotic sentiment in case of what people currently expressed.

Quite strange to think that the intention to make "change" in pursuit of keeping firm in its interest doesn't even pave way to upliftment, particularly to the labouring people. For the system can't provide "truly and really serious" support for 11.1 million unemployed (or underemployed) masses and 1.2 million farmers having tenancy agreements. Of having "really existing" low wages (2-5%) regardless of rising productivity rates (26%) with 66 million relied on 125 pesos per day, and 67.2 % admitted being poor regardless of the system afforded to say a growing economy and a developed society. Hence, likely to describe that word "Change" as all but rhetorical for the system via its press releases if not "justified" by a series of half-hearted projects, that are obviously attempts meant to "appease" the clamouring people be it those having gadgets (yet burdened with higher taxes) to those working overtime for enough wages (yet burdened with higher prices). 

But whatever the system tries to assert their statements, the people's expression is more than just flag waving sentiment or a praising of old and new heroes clamouring for freedom alone, but also a clamour for real development that is based on the people's demand, be it justice, peace, land, and bread. It may deemed age-old for it was clamoured in the past, yet knowing that the present system has shrugged the people's demand and at the same time sensing a growing poverty and discontent, of what is change if it is not for the people? Remember: China has been threatening its neighbours particularly in the disputed islands including the Philippines, while the United States has been brewing conflicts in the middle east as well as in the Philippines itself through the present system; the neighbouring countries in southeast Asia has trying its best to stand up on its own with all the knowledge they inherit or acquired being used to practise their self-reliance and devlopment; but how about the Philippines? 

Well, based on observations, it is "natural" for the Filipinos to run towards Uncle Sam to fight against Fu Manchu, and tell the world that the country as weak and incapable of fighting against a stronger foe, calling for help from its neighbours whom likely to have half-hearted statements as they're also trying to keep their own national interests; but come to think of this: since the Filipinos also afforded to take pride in its struggle with its heroes like Rizal, Bonifacio, and Antonio Luna, of being industrious in the eyes of the west and east, and even babbling about self-reliance in case of the armed forces, then how about start making serious in its struggle for existence, of asserting the demand for national independence through self reliance than relying to a sly entity that has been assuming both as a savior and a rapist? There are less factories yet more commercial establishments controlled by the compradores; there are even more farmlands yet its peasants remained chained to its feudal pasts; several attempts for development coming from patriotic-minded individuals has been diluted, reduced to rhetorics, if not trashed altogether by the system whose perspective emphasised keeping firm in its compradore-feudal interests; and for decades the Philippines has not escaped from its indebtedness caused by loans from moneylenders like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, so is the decades-old benevolent assimilation whose legacy is a generation of Filipinos whose minds failed to break free from the dictates of the United States. Quite inconvenient though to read this post, knowing that Philippines, although situated in a southeast Pacific side of Eurasia, has not yet left from its Atlanticist "character" like any other repressed tributary self proclaimed as the free world.

Again, thanks to that benevolent assimilation that has created a generation of dependents and vassals to a developed superpower. The system benefited so much that they rather let multinationals and its own vassals exploit resources and labour for export as well as letting cheap imports take over every market, crippling local establishments and threatening jobs; than protecting its own enterprises, undertaking agrarian reform, undertaking a serious social welfare program, and urging everyone to roll their own sleeves and set new foundations of a developed state. Although it is appreciative to see contributions and benevolence coming from once colonisers be it those of Spain and the United States, its negative effects continues to linger with everyone yearning for social justice and self determination. "Plough, Work, Build the Nation, work and learn as ever yet" as one passage says to having a nation that is truly independent. But no! What people may ought to describe the present situation under the decadent dilapidated system is that "darkeness remains, freedom in flames."

Admittingly speaking, in seeing a renewed sense of patriotism, especially after watching movies like "Heneral Luna" and other related works, somehow lies a clamour for breaking free from its dependent past. It may take years, decades, even centuries with the system trying its "best" to negate that idea and reduce into a mere legacy like any other textbook summary only few ought to understand. Yes, true that the country has been weak for years up till the present, failing to confront bigger enemies and crying for outside help like everybody sees of it; but what makes it weak if not having a system being dependent from a so-called superpower, obedient to a retroactive policy, and repressive to those who are asserting national independence, dignity, peace, justice, land, and bread? Well, for sure everyone hears about terms like "unfinished revolution", "social volcano", "revolt of the poor", calling for a "moral recovery", upholding a "righteous path", anything populistic yet those who afforded to speak are also scared on those words as people, sick and tired of repression and crisis has been awaken and willing to make fire as possible! The system has been trying to put things under control from its own armed thugs to social media, from online trolls harassing the aware to prison cells full of those committed to the stuggle. Yes, that system who has afforded to talk about "blood and honour," "soil and freedom" to those of "revolt of the poor" is actually aggravating an existing issue, be it those of centuries-old feudalism, corrupt bureaucracy, a vassal of a foreign entity masquerading as a protector of the free world against its enemies.

***

Well, thanks to the book "Kasaysayan: History of the Filipino People" to feature posters made during the Japanese-Sponsored "Republic", for those works even reflect the aspirations such as a truly independent nation capable to stand up for themselves. True that darkness remains under the present order, and the people continues to rage against the dying of its own cherished light those who fought cherishedly given to them.