Ever heard that spooky story about a Filipino guard who poofed from Manila to Mexico? You know, the one with Gil Perez teleporting across the globe? It’s the kind of tale that makes you shiver and wonder, “What if…?” A lot of us grew up with this story. It’s like folklore, passed down through generations. We hear…
Was Rizal Really Taft’s Puppet? Busting a Persistent Pinoy History Myth
Okay, kabayans, let’s talk about something that surfaces frequently in discussions about Philippine history: Did the Americans, specifically Governor-General William Howard Taft, essentially create Jose Rizal’s image as our national hero? You’ve likely encountered this idea—perhaps in online discussions or casual conversations—portraying Taft as selecting Rizal, almost like choosing produce at the market, to serve…
Ninoy Aquino: From Trapo to Hero? 🇵🇭 Let’s Talk
Alright, let’s break the ice here. I get it. Ninoy Aquino’s journey is… complex, to say the least. You hear “trapo” whispered alongside his name, and those whispers come with baggage: guns, goons, gold – the works. Then, BAM! Hero status. It’s enough to make your head spin faster than a jeepney in rush hour….
When Marcelo del Pilar Proposed Immigration Makeover
Ever crack open a history book and wonder, “What were they thinking?” Yeah, me too. Today’s head-scratcher: Marcelo del Pilar’s controversial idea about changing the face of Filipinas back in the Spanish colonial days. Let’s break it down, shall we? Del Pilar’s Daring Proposal: Blanqueamiento Immigration Policy Picture this: the late 1800s, Filipinas under Spanish…
Rizal and Racism: Setting the Record Straight
“Was Rizal racist?” I get this question a lot. Especially when we talk about his experiences in America. Some folks point to his run-in with US immigration and say, “See! He thought all Chinese people looked alike!” They even call him a sinophobe. Now, hold your horses! Let’s unpack this. Rizal’s Brush with Prejudice: A…
Apolinario Mabini: Brains Over Brawn? Unpacking the Criticisms of the “Sublime Paralytic”
Okay, let’s talk Mabini. You know him, right? The “Brains of the Revolution?” The “Sublime Paralytic?” We all revere him, we study him in school, his face is on the 10-peso coins for crying out loud! But lately, I’ve been hearing whispers… criticisms… doubts… Some say Apolinario Mabini, for all his genius, wasn’t cut out…
Bonifacio’s Blunders? Unpacking the Hero’s Controversies
Let’s talk Andres Bonifacio. We know him, we celebrate him, he’s plastered on our 10-peso coins. But lately, I’ve been getting a lot of messages, folks feeling kinda conflicted about some of the stuff surrounding this Filipino hero. Was he a true leader? Was he in the right? Let’s dive into some of the whispers…
The Case of Marcoses Exaggerated Tales
One of the most controversial figures in Philippine history is Mariano Marcos, the father of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. While some revere him as a hero, others point to his alleged collaboration with the Japanese during World War II. Unraveling the Truth: Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s Wartime Service: Exaggerations and Discrepancies Ferdinand Marcos Sr., who…
Jose Rizal: Frugal Hero or Just Plain Broke?
We all have this image of Jose Rizal, right? The national hero of the Philippines, chilling in Europe, dapper in his coat, writing novels that would spark a revolution. But did you ever stop to think about how he actually lived day-to-day? How did he afford all that travel and those fancy clothes? Well, get…
Juan Luna: Art, Cigars, and Shocking Habits?!
Ever dug deeper into a hero’s life and stumbled upon something totally unexpected? We all know their noble deeds, but sometimes, a quirky fact pops up and makes you do a double-take. Like, did you hear about Juan Luna, the famous Filipino painter, scavenging cigar butts off the streets of Paris? Yep, you read that…