Imperialism

"The Spanish gift to us is religion, and the American gift is education," explained our guide and teacher today as we sat in the luxurious conference room sampling sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves and dragon fruit.  Not all colonizing is equal.  The Spanish colonized the Philippines to benefit the Spanish yet, according to our Filipino instructors, the Americans colonized to benefit the Filipinos.  The Spanish did not educate the Filipinos.  They didn't organize the nation.  They didn't teach the Filipino Spanish or offer any benefits to help the Filipino climb the economic ladder.  They feared that education would strengthen the Filipinos causing them to unify and eventually rise up to defeat the colonizers.  It proved to be true.  When the Americans won the Philippines in the Spanish American War, they sent in teachers (called Thomasites after the ship they arrived on).  An educated Philippines has risen up to demand freedom and democracy.

Our first day in the Philippines felt like two or even three.  Of course their is the jet lag parasite draining energy from our beings, yet we stuck it out and completed a full day.  I was greeted by not quite forgotten tastes and scents - savoring my favorite Filipino food (Pancit Canton), sticky rice, fresh mangos and pineapple.  In the morning to ILEP alums taught us Filipino history.  The diversity struck me even deeper as I looked the political history of this nation.  I was so impressed by their trek towards democracy - rising to a freedom level of 3 (1 is best and 7 worst - http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/philippines#.U6r0c41dXew) and fighting corruption (what they call plunder) in their legislature and other government offices.  The battle for the South and negotiations with Islamist insurgents reminded me that again this area that is threatened by Al Qaeda influence does not want Sharia Law or any of the Al Qaeda goals.  They wanted to be treated fairly and to have access to the education and healthcare that the majority enjoy.  They are exhausted from oppression and prejudice.  When an earthquake shook the ancient building where we ate dinner and watched a cultural show, I became acutely aware of the fact that these stone megaliths had withstood more than 4 centuries of earthquakes, typhoons, and hurricanes.  The Spanish and Mexican imprint on the evening was greater than the buildings though; they echoes in the music, dance and food - again I had the best flan ever from a Filipino kitchen.  

So many stories.  So many imprints.  So much immigration.  I am anxious to increase my knowledge of these stories so I can piece together a more complete picture of this diverse people.