POST-COLONIALISM FRIENDSHIP tetralogy
“Books! And cleverness! There are more important things [like] friendship and bravery!” Hermione Granger from Harry Potter once said that line in the first book of the Harry Potter series and from the time I have read it and until now, I have always taken that line into heart.
I have always thought of friendship to be an abstract concept. Something that only we could feel and imagine when we are with our friends but I see signs of friendship every day around me. From the girl who agrees to teach her friend the subject matter so that she could prepare for her exams to the boy who always make sure to invite his friend to play with him despite studying in different schools. It makes me happy to see that despite the problems our society has been facing, there are little pockets of goodness surrounding us.
Being Filipinos, we have always been hospitable and friendly in nature and that shows in our relationships especially with Spain, United States of America and Japan despite them being past colonizers. And even with the ongoing West Philippine Sea dispute, we maintained cordial relations with China. This just goes to show that friendship truly is a far more important thing in life and that no amount of conflict should ever destroy something as wonderful as that.
SINO-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS
What turns out to be a fruitful Sino-Philippine relations turned into a backbone of dispute over the troubled waters of the South China Sea. According to an author Sanjay Seth the ‘post’ in the post colonial theory doesn’t signify the period or era after colonialism came to an end, but rather it signifies the entire historical period after the beginnings of colonialism”. The post colonialism started/ existed around the 20th century, the post colonialism theory was developed after the historical period of colonialism started. It was when the imperial countries of the West and Europeans started the idea of colonizing Asia. A clash of culture and ethnicity happened, the imperials of the west suppressed the third world countries and it caused a lot of problem and conflict at that time. The idea of the post colonialism is anti-colonial nationalism, anti-imperialism, and third worldism. The event that happened during the post colonialism was critical it resulted to chaotic and violent incident where there are no pure identities anymore.
The development of the Sino-Philippine relations started around the 17th century since there was a relative stability of the Chinese-Spanish relationship nevertheless Spain sought the desire of further developing the Philippine economy. China, one of the prime mover in the trade industry began exchanging its goods and services with the Filipinos. During 1880 Chinese started to migrate in the Philippines and spread across the region, the Chinese dominated wholesale, retail, trad, landholding and the production and gathering of export crops. Chinese settlers have clustered into groups around Manila, the worlds first Chinatown was established in the Binondo district in Manila in 1594. Different cultures clashed since Spain started to become an anti-Chinese. The Chinese settlers took the advantage of their mobility as they spread across Luzon and Visayas. Despite the current conflict that the Philippines and China is facing right now, a big chunk of our culture, belief, food and clothing was influenced by China. No matter how much we hated or criticize them, our beloved food like siomai, pancit, lumpia, stores and bazaars like 138 and 168 became a necessity to the Filipino people.
Sources:
Seth, S. (2003). Postcolonial Theory and International Relations. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
Ginsberg, P. (2000). The Chinese in the Philippine revolution. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
PHILIPPINES-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY
Philippines- Spanish friendship day is one of the most celebrated friendship day particularly because of the hundreds of years we were colonized by the Spanish. Some of our facial features, words, actions, superstitions, beliefs – to name a few – are clear manifestation of the colonialism we had with them. Even up to the present day, Spanish cultural actions in the Philippines, organized by the Embassy and the Instituto Cervantes, follow a series of political objectives in the fields of culture and the arts that guide and inform Spain’s self-promotion and cultural exchange in Asia in general, and the Philippines in particular (Rodríquez, 2014).
The colonization bears a fruitful relationship with the Spanish as a postcolonial effect – mainly because Philippines was selected as a priority for Spain to surge its presence in the region. In 2000, the Spanish central government launched a new set of foreign affair policies towards countries in Asia and the Pacific, published as Plan Marco Asia-Pacífico 2000-04 (Spain, Plan Marco). The major objectives of this plan were to tackle the lack of a unified policy towards this area, as well as to boost cultural and diplomatic relationships with countries located in Asia and the Pacific. The Plan Marco was followed by the Plan Asia 2005-08 (Spain, Plan de Acción), and the Plan Asia- Pacífico 3: 2009-12 (Spain, Plan 3), both of these much more ambitious in terms of objectives and resources. This legal framework is particularly relevant in the case of the Spanish-Philippine cultural relationships, as the Philippines was listed as a priority for Spanish foreign affairs in the Plan Asia 2005-08 (Spain, Plan de Acción 121). Furthermore, the subsequent Plan 3 explains that bilateral political relations increased since 2005, and it was the Spanish Government’s intention to deepen these relationships (Spain, Plan 3 41).
Today postcolonial critiques have emerged to prove the discrepancies and downside of post colonialism of Spain to the Philippines. Nevertheless, we are still continuously celebrating the friendship that we have right now and will continue doing so in order to maintain a good relationship with the country that once became the reason for this country’s bloodshed.
PHILIPPINES-UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FRIENDSHIP DAY
Today, Filipinos celebrate July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day. Americans who are in the Philippines also proclaim their celebration of Philippine-American friendship on July 4. If we recall our history, we had an enduring alliance that is based on deep historical and cultural ties. In addition, the United States of America and the Philippines relations are based on shared history and commitment to democratic principles, as well as on economic and military ties. The historical and cultural links between the Philippines and the United States remain strong as it has established diplomatic relations in 1946. The Philippines model its governmental institutions on those of the United States and continues to share a commitment to democracy and human rights. In application of the post-colonialism theory in International Relations, the Philippines and the United States have maintained closeness that some Filipinos call a “special relationship.” (The Manila Times, 2014)
In fact, the United States traditionally has been the Philippines' largest foreign investor, with close to $6 billion in total foreign direct investment as of end-2009. The United States has a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the Philippines. As they provided huge assistance to us in times of need we tend to depend on them as the hegemonic country even with our territorial disputes with the West-Philippine Sea. Such that both sides expressed their firm opposition to the ongoing militarization of outposts in the South China Sea and discussed their common view that the installation of new military assets on the outposts escalates tensions. The post-US bases era has seen US-Philippine relations improved and broadened, with a prominent focus on economic and commercial ties while maintaining the importance of the security dimension. United States’ investment continues to play an important role in the Philippine economy. Within the fundamental level of bilateral relations, human links continue to form a strong bridge between the two countries. (Global Security, n.d.)
Sources:
Global Security. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/forrel-us.htm
The Manila Times. (2014, July 3). Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/philippine-american-friendship-day/108883/
PHILIPPINE-JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP DAY
During the celebration of the Philippine- Japanese Friendship Day our team is privileged enough to have an alliance with team titans to create this event. The event was fun, intimate and a place for learning especially with the guest speaker (insert name here). The event was grace also with Japanese students that was so interactive with the games. This kind of event should be given importance because as a developing country that undergoes colonialism in the past. We have grown to create a relationship with our colonizers that is evident not only towards United States but also Japan, our neighboring country.
The importance of learning the past in the modern times today is of course to commemorate the events that contribute to what we are now. Post Colonialism gave importance to history, As an IR student we don’t focus only to our locale but also our relationships with other countries that has historical importance to our country, it can also paved way to economic, social and political ties with that country. Japan has been a known economic partner of the Philippines which is proven by the Japan-Philippine Economic Agreement. It is also a way where we could learn the exchange of culture towards each country; an example of this is the Bon Odori that happen last weekend, it is a Japanese festival that shows different Japanese food, culture and many more. This only means that post colonialism pays an important part for a developing country it is not only that we need to know our culture but because it can be a source of a new relationship, to understand the other country as well. It is like giving your second chance to a former lover. To give them a second chance, to move on from the past and create a new and lasting relationship.
Sources:
RITLI, E. (2013, May 2). Postcolonialism and the Reassertion of 'Non-Modern' Thought. Retrieved August 15, 2016, from http://www.e-ir.info/2013/05/02/postcolonialism-and-the-reassertion-of-non-modern-thought/
Asia Regional Integration Center. (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2016, from https://aric.adb.org/fta/japan-philippines-economic-partnership-agreement
The Philippines have always strive to imitate its traditional values with the way it has always dealt with its problems both within and outside our national territory. Despite having three previous colonizers, we have always managed to look at this positively and do not let these hinder our growth and progress as a country. For example, our relationship with Spain has always been one of the much celebrated in our society. Many of our features, words, superstitions and especially our religion came from the time when we were once a colony of Spain. Up until now, programs are organized by the Embassy of Spain and the Instituto Cervantes to help guide and inform people of Spain’s self- promotion and cultural exchange particularly in the Philippines and in Asia. Another one of our outstanding friendships is with the United States of America. It is a relationship marked with deep historical ties due to a strong commitment to uphold the principle of democracy and freedom. The USA is not only a part of our history and culture but also our economy since they are our biggest foreign investor and most powerful ally.
Another country with whom we have friendly relations with is Japan. Despite the hostility of the Japanese during the WW2, we have maintained a wonderful relationship with them to the point that both countries have found ways to integrate the other’s culture into their own. One good example of it was the recently concluded Japanese festival, Bon Odori. Lastly, we don’t forget our relations with China. The Chinese have always been one of the main movers in the trade and craft industry even until now. Even with the present sea dispute, this does not lighten the impact the Chinese have done in our country. With that, we always maintained our belief that friendship is the most important thing above all conflict.
I have always thought of friendship to be an abstract concept. Something that only we could feel and imagine when we are with our friends but I see signs of friendship every day around me. From the girl who agrees to teach her friend the subject matter so that she could prepare for her exams to the boy who always make sure to invite his friend to play with him despite studying in different schools. It makes me happy to see that despite the problems our society has been facing, there are little pockets of goodness surrounding us.
Being Filipinos, we have always been hospitable and friendly in nature and that shows in our relationships especially with Spain, United States of America and Japan despite them being past colonizers. And even with the ongoing West Philippine Sea dispute, we maintained cordial relations with China. This just goes to show that friendship truly is a far more important thing in life and that no amount of conflict should ever destroy something as wonderful as that.
SINO-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS
What turns out to be a fruitful Sino-Philippine relations turned into a backbone of dispute over the troubled waters of the South China Sea. According to an author Sanjay Seth the ‘post’ in the post colonial theory doesn’t signify the period or era after colonialism came to an end, but rather it signifies the entire historical period after the beginnings of colonialism”. The post colonialism started/ existed around the 20th century, the post colonialism theory was developed after the historical period of colonialism started. It was when the imperial countries of the West and Europeans started the idea of colonizing Asia. A clash of culture and ethnicity happened, the imperials of the west suppressed the third world countries and it caused a lot of problem and conflict at that time. The idea of the post colonialism is anti-colonial nationalism, anti-imperialism, and third worldism. The event that happened during the post colonialism was critical it resulted to chaotic and violent incident where there are no pure identities anymore.
The development of the Sino-Philippine relations started around the 17th century since there was a relative stability of the Chinese-Spanish relationship nevertheless Spain sought the desire of further developing the Philippine economy. China, one of the prime mover in the trade industry began exchanging its goods and services with the Filipinos. During 1880 Chinese started to migrate in the Philippines and spread across the region, the Chinese dominated wholesale, retail, trad, landholding and the production and gathering of export crops. Chinese settlers have clustered into groups around Manila, the worlds first Chinatown was established in the Binondo district in Manila in 1594. Different cultures clashed since Spain started to become an anti-Chinese. The Chinese settlers took the advantage of their mobility as they spread across Luzon and Visayas. Despite the current conflict that the Philippines and China is facing right now, a big chunk of our culture, belief, food and clothing was influenced by China. No matter how much we hated or criticize them, our beloved food like siomai, pancit, lumpia, stores and bazaars like 138 and 168 became a necessity to the Filipino people.
Sources:
Seth, S. (2003). Postcolonial Theory and International Relations. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
Ginsberg, P. (2000). The Chinese in the Philippine revolution. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
PHILIPPINES-SPANISH FRIENDSHIP DAY
Philippines- Spanish friendship day is one of the most celebrated friendship day particularly because of the hundreds of years we were colonized by the Spanish. Some of our facial features, words, actions, superstitions, beliefs – to name a few – are clear manifestation of the colonialism we had with them. Even up to the present day, Spanish cultural actions in the Philippines, organized by the Embassy and the Instituto Cervantes, follow a series of political objectives in the fields of culture and the arts that guide and inform Spain’s self-promotion and cultural exchange in Asia in general, and the Philippines in particular (Rodríquez, 2014).
The colonization bears a fruitful relationship with the Spanish as a postcolonial effect – mainly because Philippines was selected as a priority for Spain to surge its presence in the region. In 2000, the Spanish central government launched a new set of foreign affair policies towards countries in Asia and the Pacific, published as Plan Marco Asia-Pacífico 2000-04 (Spain, Plan Marco). The major objectives of this plan were to tackle the lack of a unified policy towards this area, as well as to boost cultural and diplomatic relationships with countries located in Asia and the Pacific. The Plan Marco was followed by the Plan Asia 2005-08 (Spain, Plan de Acción), and the Plan Asia- Pacífico 3: 2009-12 (Spain, Plan 3), both of these much more ambitious in terms of objectives and resources. This legal framework is particularly relevant in the case of the Spanish-Philippine cultural relationships, as the Philippines was listed as a priority for Spanish foreign affairs in the Plan Asia 2005-08 (Spain, Plan de Acción 121). Furthermore, the subsequent Plan 3 explains that bilateral political relations increased since 2005, and it was the Spanish Government’s intention to deepen these relationships (Spain, Plan 3 41).
Today postcolonial critiques have emerged to prove the discrepancies and downside of post colonialism of Spain to the Philippines. Nevertheless, we are still continuously celebrating the friendship that we have right now and will continue doing so in order to maintain a good relationship with the country that once became the reason for this country’s bloodshed.
PHILIPPINES-UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FRIENDSHIP DAY
Today, Filipinos celebrate July 4 as Philippine-American Friendship Day. Americans who are in the Philippines also proclaim their celebration of Philippine-American friendship on July 4. If we recall our history, we had an enduring alliance that is based on deep historical and cultural ties. In addition, the United States of America and the Philippines relations are based on shared history and commitment to democratic principles, as well as on economic and military ties. The historical and cultural links between the Philippines and the United States remain strong as it has established diplomatic relations in 1946. The Philippines model its governmental institutions on those of the United States and continues to share a commitment to democracy and human rights. In application of the post-colonialism theory in International Relations, the Philippines and the United States have maintained closeness that some Filipinos call a “special relationship.” (The Manila Times, 2014)
In fact, the United States traditionally has been the Philippines' largest foreign investor, with close to $6 billion in total foreign direct investment as of end-2009. The United States has a bilateral Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the Philippines. As they provided huge assistance to us in times of need we tend to depend on them as the hegemonic country even with our territorial disputes with the West-Philippine Sea. Such that both sides expressed their firm opposition to the ongoing militarization of outposts in the South China Sea and discussed their common view that the installation of new military assets on the outposts escalates tensions. The post-US bases era has seen US-Philippine relations improved and broadened, with a prominent focus on economic and commercial ties while maintaining the importance of the security dimension. United States’ investment continues to play an important role in the Philippine economy. Within the fundamental level of bilateral relations, human links continue to form a strong bridge between the two countries. (Global Security, n.d.)
Sources:
Global Security. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/philippines/forrel-us.htm
The Manila Times. (2014, July 3). Retrieved from http://www.manilatimes.net/philippine-american-friendship-day/108883/
PHILIPPINE-JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP DAY
During the celebration of the Philippine- Japanese Friendship Day our team is privileged enough to have an alliance with team titans to create this event. The event was fun, intimate and a place for learning especially with the guest speaker (insert name here). The event was grace also with Japanese students that was so interactive with the games. This kind of event should be given importance because as a developing country that undergoes colonialism in the past. We have grown to create a relationship with our colonizers that is evident not only towards United States but also Japan, our neighboring country.
The importance of learning the past in the modern times today is of course to commemorate the events that contribute to what we are now. Post Colonialism gave importance to history, As an IR student we don’t focus only to our locale but also our relationships with other countries that has historical importance to our country, it can also paved way to economic, social and political ties with that country. Japan has been a known economic partner of the Philippines which is proven by the Japan-Philippine Economic Agreement. It is also a way where we could learn the exchange of culture towards each country; an example of this is the Bon Odori that happen last weekend, it is a Japanese festival that shows different Japanese food, culture and many more. This only means that post colonialism pays an important part for a developing country it is not only that we need to know our culture but because it can be a source of a new relationship, to understand the other country as well. It is like giving your second chance to a former lover. To give them a second chance, to move on from the past and create a new and lasting relationship.
Sources:
RITLI, E. (2013, May 2). Postcolonialism and the Reassertion of 'Non-Modern' Thought. Retrieved August 15, 2016, from http://www.e-ir.info/2013/05/02/postcolonialism-and-the-reassertion-of-non-modern-thought/
Asia Regional Integration Center. (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2016, from https://aric.adb.org/fta/japan-philippines-economic-partnership-agreement
The Philippines have always strive to imitate its traditional values with the way it has always dealt with its problems both within and outside our national territory. Despite having three previous colonizers, we have always managed to look at this positively and do not let these hinder our growth and progress as a country. For example, our relationship with Spain has always been one of the much celebrated in our society. Many of our features, words, superstitions and especially our religion came from the time when we were once a colony of Spain. Up until now, programs are organized by the Embassy of Spain and the Instituto Cervantes to help guide and inform people of Spain’s self- promotion and cultural exchange particularly in the Philippines and in Asia. Another one of our outstanding friendships is with the United States of America. It is a relationship marked with deep historical ties due to a strong commitment to uphold the principle of democracy and freedom. The USA is not only a part of our history and culture but also our economy since they are our biggest foreign investor and most powerful ally.
Another country with whom we have friendly relations with is Japan. Despite the hostility of the Japanese during the WW2, we have maintained a wonderful relationship with them to the point that both countries have found ways to integrate the other’s culture into their own. One good example of it was the recently concluded Japanese festival, Bon Odori. Lastly, we don’t forget our relations with China. The Chinese have always been one of the main movers in the trade and craft industry even until now. Even with the present sea dispute, this does not lighten the impact the Chinese have done in our country. With that, we always maintained our belief that friendship is the most important thing above all conflict.