Philippine History 10 held its redux tour on March 13. With the question being the most memorable part of the day, the following magnum opuses (opusi?) were made....
Daniela Buhay, 6 years old, drew the calesa she rode on:
Mika of Woodrose Grade 2 drew the entrance to Fort Santiago:
Sisters Joe Buhay and Marga Cacho did this one about an enlightened hero. Still trying to figure out if that's me or Jose Rizal. hehehehe....
A children's book about a country, a song, its writer and a musician.
Hoy, did you know that there once was a land that was clean, green and pollution-free?
Its beauty so captivating, its riches so bountiful and its people so warm that it lured men from different parts of the world.
Let's fast-forward our story to 1929 (Parents: Use fast-forward effect here) when that land - now called the Philippines - was on its 364th year of being occupied by these foreigners.
This is where we find our writer - by all accounts, an unexceptional man who led an unexceptional life but who was rather exceptional with words (Parents: Re-do that sentence with a British accent. We were, after all,under them for two years). His name? Huseng Batute. Funny name, right? That, of course, is his stage name (Parents: Explain "stage name") but in the interest of keeping you from getting bored we'll leave it at that.
He was a wordsmith - he and others had come up with something called balagtasan: a contest done in poetry (Parents: Do an example of this - "Nananalig akong nagsisimula ang pamahalaan sa ibaba at kumikilos paitaas dahil.....") - who longed for his beloved country to be free. To express this, he wrote a poem and asked a friend to write music for it.
The song was about a country imprisoned and in poverty and pain. Of a country that once had grace and tranquility but was now in sorrow and despair. It longed to be be free...when its people would rise up and break free...break free from their slavery. For a time when freedom would reign supreme.
Let's fast-forward our story, again, to a few more years - the late '70's (Parents: Fast-forward effect again). Here we find a singer longing to write a patriotic song. Try he did, but, it was the song written by our friend, Huseng Batute, that kept haunting him. So Freddie Aguilar said to himself, "Instead of writing a new song, why don't I do a remake of that song."
So, Freddie approached his record producer and, after playing him his version, asked if he could record it. The producer graciously asked Freddie, "Maybe you should sing something else. Don't you know that song is now banned?"
You see, the Philippines, by this this time, was no longer held captive by people from other countries but was now under the iron fist of someone called a dictator - someone who had made life difficult for a lot of people. The dictator did not allow certain songs to be played. Certainly, you must understand, he wouldn't allow one about pain, suffering and a longing for freedom be played.
But, Freddie was determined. Because he was determined, he found a way. How? He was able to have the WIFE of the dictator fall in love with his version. I suppose, after this, the dictator couldn't do anything about it.
The dictator - as you may understand - didn't make a lot of people happy. One of those who voiced his complaint was a man named Ninoy. Ninoy talked loud and clear about the wrongdoings of the dictator. As you may understand, this did not make a lot of people happy, either. One day, someone shot and killed Ninoy to silence him - forever.
Millions felt a great sadness and longed to say goodbye to Ninoy. One of those who lined up for hours to pay respect was our friend, Freddie. After Ninoy's family recognized him, they asked if he could sing the song that spoke about freedom. He declined at first because he didn't have a guitar with him. They asked him to sing acapella - without a musical instrument - instead. This, he did, with much power and love that it brought tears to many.
A few years later, the people would finally rise up and kick out the dictator. This happened because they were no longer afraid. Guess what? It was our song that helped keep the faith in this struggle alive.
Today, things are not yet so free with the Philippines. We're still not fully free from poverty nor suffering. There is still much great pain and sorrow.
Perhaps, one day, with your help...yes, your help...this country will finally be free and the caged bird - the bird that cries in captivity - will finally break free.
This is the song:
My beloved country Filipinas is your name Pearl of the Orient Blest with unblemished beauty But alas! robbed of your longed-for freedom Always weeping in poverty and pain.
My country, Filipinas Land of gold and flowers Love has given her grace and tranquility And her radiance and loveliness drew rapacious foreigners My country, they have imprisoned you Thrown you into sorrow and despair.
Even birds who freely fly When caged will struggle to escape What more of a country endowed with nobility Would she not strive to break free?
Filipinas, my cherished land My home of sorrow and tears Always I dream to see you truly free. How lovely it is to live in one's native land If there is no slavery and freedom reigns supreme
A people who are now oppressed In the morrow shall stand up The east will turn a fiery crimson And mark the dawn of freedom.
For my father who gave me a brain, my mother who gave me a heart, my two wonderful kids, my wife who is raising them well, my cousin, Jeannine, who showed me love of country and to not fear Filipino music and finally to those who gave their lives so that we may all live free - J.B.
For my mother, my brother, Marcus, and Grandma and Grandpa - K.B.
JAY BUENAFLOR was born in the United States, grew up in the Philippines, worked abroad for 14 years and is back - for now - in the Philippines. Wheww. He lives in Paranaque together with his wife, Kelly, and two kids, Kara and Marcus.
KARA BUENAFLOR was born in the United States and is currently in the process of learning to love the Philippines. The interests of this seven year old include arts and crafts, history, reading and gymnastics.
As scheduled, we visited General Emilio Aguinaldo's home where we declared our independence from Spain - check your P5.00 bill. We were joined by the Cariaso family of Paranaque - their daughter is Kara's batchmate.
Me starting off the tour:
Erin Cariaso and Kara by the "Dictator's" car (honestly, that's how he's mentioned in the Declaration of Independence):
Infront of the General - "Get of your high horse!"
Erin and Emilio:
This from the original Philippine Declaration of Independence text speaking about our Philippine flag: "The colors of Blue, Red, and White, commemorating the flag of the United States of North America, as a manifestation of our profound gratitude towards this Great Nation for its disinterested protection which it lent us and continues lending us." Kid you not. Love the "disinterested protection part." Guys, we've been had.
Anyways, thought it's a travesty that our flag is modeled after the "red, white and blue." Thought we should correct that. So, we came up with a "Design Your Own Flag" program:
Spent a few hours at the Shrine in Calamba. Have no idea yet why they're called "shrines" - meaning, "holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped."
I think we have serious "cult of personality" issues here in the Philippines.
Is an okay place, though, it really does not get into the mind and being of the hero: What he stood for, why he was persecuted, etc. It's quite a tame place for a person who really was a force for change.
Joselito and Marcus:
Infront of the green house. Why is it colored green? As explained by the person responsible for having it turned green, National Historical Institute head Ambeth Ocampo: "The word "Rizal" comes from the Spanish “ricial” which describes a green field ready for harvest. It was hoped that after asking, “Why is Rizal’s house green?” the visitor will get a relevant answer: the green hues are meant to honor the memory of the Rizal family and their way of life."
History Comes Alive For Kids is a series of tours covering the history of this great (and sometimes...not so great) country of ours. The tours are designed specifically for the little chikitings.
Why am I doing this? History is a great way of making us see "who" and "why" we are. Because of it, I believe, we're giving our future a better chance.
So, on to our sked:
I. Kawit, Cavite - Should be a fun day, especially, for the Dads: We get to go to the zoo and go fishing, too!!
- Aguinaldo's house where Independence was first declared.
- Trip to Island Cove for zoo and possibly, fishing.
Date: Sunday, January 30, 2011
Start Time: 10 AM
We should end around 3 PM. Perfect, as there's school the next day.
Costs:
Aguinaldo House: free
Island Cove Zoo: P100.00
Fishing: P120.00
II. Manila - Due to demand, we will repeat this tour. Is a very good primer on Jose Rizal:
- History Light and Sound show in Intramuros: P100.00
- Fort Santiago: Rizal's shrine: P75 / P50 (kids)
- Calesa Ride (optional): P50
- Ocean Park Musical Fountain: Their blurb: "Experience a spectacle of fantasy and reality! The country's first and grandest musical fountain at par with the world's best! Be enthralled with the magical water screen that showcases a spectacular display of fire, music, and laser lights, backed by animated marine characters. Truly a one-of-a-kind multi-sensory musical experience you shouldn’t miss!"I think they got me at "fantasy and reality."
Cost: P99
- Jose Rizal Light and Sound: See Jose Rizal at his final moment! Relive our history! It's lights, sound...and statues... Yup, it's one of a kind.
Cost: P30
