So why are there so many English words in the Philippine language? Why do Filipinos speak English, period? So well, that Asian students visit just to learn the language? Why is there a national basketball league instead of soccer, and a cartoon bee serving hot dogs and burgers? Why, because of war of course.
The United States (univitingly) introduced themselves to the Philippines during the Spanish-American War to fight against Spain. Spain lost. The Philippines was free from centuries of Spanish rule. Filipinos were happy. Americans said, “sike!” and wanted to take the Philippines as a commonwealth. The Philippine-American War was fought. Thousands died. American’s stayed. They took the Filipinos out of the Spanish convents and gave them Hollywood glitz and glam, as well as a structured education system.
Soon, The Philippines would become their own republic.
Sike!
Meanwhile, a group of funky cool islands in northern Asia called Japan decided they would start beef with everyone in Asia. I mean everyone, including the Philippines. Lucky for the Filipinos, the country was still a U.S. commonwealth, so U.S. soldiers came to defend the natives (and the strategic naval bases). The battles were difficult. Japan was strong. Many died. The U.S. could not hold, and the islands were occupied by the Japanese. Men were murdered, women defiled, babies slain. War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing.
Today, unless you’re an old veteran with reasons to be bitter, you have to be blind to see how awesome Japan has become in the last century. The food is amazing, the culture is inspiring, and the people are so over my head I’m just always in awe of how funky fresh that country is. Still, it’s important to learn about your history to know where you come from and where you’re going. My family, the other tourists, and I visited the location of one of the last desperate attempts to fight of the Japanese in the Philippines: Corregidor Island. Known as Fort Mills, it was a bastion island in the Manila Bay carved out by an extensive series of defensive tunnels. War ruined its natural environment, but was reforrested in the 1950s. We took ferry rides to the island from Manila, and were given a tour of the many large cannons, old run down batteries, barracks, and beautiful memorials. Throughout the tour I tried my best to remain respectful of my surroundings. The island is, after all, not just a tourist attraction, but a grave site. Despite my somber attitude, it was a beautiful day to sightsee.
Manila Bay
tunnels
your local YMCA
barracks
inside a battery
cannon
don't shoot!
hi mom
huge cannon
old movie house, later used as a morgue
my starring debut!
Japanese soldier
looks like a tadpole
sans Ate Kay
Ate Pia is mighty
war atrocities
don't go...
in the tunnels
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