#Manila Peninsula

[evrensadwrn]

bkt may puno sa manila peninsula?? kala ko wala yan

[deleosfaith]

[lianlaspinas]

The phenomenal event of the Filipinos

The fashion show is now five years and six months old now. The now-successful franchise featuring activewear and top designers received a warm, vast-ballroom-filled welcome in the Queen City over the weekend on November 8, 2008 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino in Cebu City, following a triumphant debut last July 31, 2008 at the Rigodon Ballroom of the…

[williamvonlydonthe2nd-blog]

You know how Ashley's entire arc in ME1 revolves around her family being ostracized by the Alliance for her grandfather's actions during the First Contact War? (This is the part of the date, where they go to the bathroom and never come back, btw)

I always felt the scapegoating of General Williams was especially horrible because he was thrown into an unwinnable battle. The Turians gained orbital superiority over Shanxi, and began striking anything that put up resistance.

Faced with either complete destruction, starvation or capitulation, an entire colony of civilians under his care Gen. Williams made the choice to surrender.

And apparently putting innocent lives before some pigheaded sense of honor? Paria for the rest of his life. Hell Ashley claims he'll go down in history beside Benedict Arnold (Who betrayed the infant United States to England during the AWI*) and Vidkun Quisling (The Nazi puppet leader of occupied Norway during WW2) when asked about his reputation.

*It's slightly my complicated then that but now isn't the time

He made a tough decision and people didn't like the outcome.

But the reason I bring this up is because I've always draw parallels with Shanxi being besieged and another battle that it reminds me of.

Bataan.

If you've never heard of it? So long as you're not Filipino or American I can't blame you. In those darkest days after the U.S entered WW2 an entire American army was to find itself fighting a forlorn hope on the Bataan peninsula 30 miles west of Manila after the Japanese invaded the archipelago.

For three months the American and Filipino forces fought a delaying action, waiting for reinforcements that were never to arrive. Bombed day and night as their guns fell silent. Artillery crashing down on them as their stomachs grew lighter from hunger. Day by day they were pushed backwards until almost completely out of supply and men having been fought to near exhaustion, their officers made the difficult choice to surrender.

That fell to Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright, highest ranking officer left in the Philippines. Before his meeting with his Japanese counterpart, in telegram to President Roosevelt he explained his reasoning. I want to highlight a phrase he used that I think word for word describes Williams position perfectly.

"There is a limit of human endurance and that limit has long since been passed."

Something we're all familiar with as Mass Effect fans is having to make hard choices as a leader, that sometimes there isn't a 'Right' answer. Yet hidden in the lore of ME1 is probably one of the hardest choices in the series that we have nothing to do with.

But we understand.

[judgemark45]

Battleship USS New Jersey (BB-62) sails past the World War II island fortress of Corregidor and the Bataan Peninsula on its way to Manila, Philippines, 1983.

[tanadrin]

Fave isthmus (other than Panama)?

The isthmus of Corinth is a pretty good one! Big fat peninsula, little tiny waist. Cities on isthmuses are pretty cool, like Manila and Seattle. Iceland, Newfoundland, the Falkland Islands, and a bunch of other high-latitude locales have some really great glacial topography with tons of cool isthmuses also.

[sweetkoalastarfish]

Philippine Geography and Culture: The Wonders of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao

The Philippines is an archipelago comprising over 7,000 Islands. The exact count can vary slightly due to tidal changes and other geographical factors, but the widely accepted number is 7,641 Islands.

The Three Great Island Groups

These Islands are grouped into three major geographical regions or Island groups, which have been used to organize the country's administration, culture, and identity. The three major Island groups are:

1. Luzon, 2. Visayas, and 3. Mindanao. The division into three Island groups has its roots in the country's geography and history. Here's a brief explaination of how these regions came to be defined: 1. Geographical Convenience: The Philippines' vast number of Islands required a practical way to group them. The division into three large regions helps organize governance, transportation, commerce, and other aspects of society. 2. Historical Context: The division reflects historical and cultural pattern in the Philippines. These three Islands have distinct historical background, native languages, and cultural Identities, which contribute to the broader national Identity.

Luzon- is the largest Island group and contains the country's capital, Manila. It is the most populous and economically developed region. This Island group is home to the nation's major political, economic, and cultural centers. Key features include the Cordillera mountain range, the Bicol Peninsula, and the Cagayan Valley.

Visayas- is located in the central part of the Philippines. It consists of smaller Islands like Cebu, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Bohol, and Samar. This region is known for its distinct Visayan languages and rich cultural traditions. The Visayas has a unique Identity with historical influences from Spanish colonization and pre-Hispanic times.

Mindanao- is the southern most and second-largest Island group. It has a diverse population, with many different cultural and religious groups, including a significant Muslim population. Mindanao is known for its rich natural resources, mountains, lakes, and a history of distinct sultanates and autonomous regions.

The three Island groups of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao have distinct geographical, historical and cultural characteristics that set them apart. This division allows for more effective administration, representation, and acknowledgment of the unique Identities within each region. Overall, it reflects the Philippines' rich diversity and complex history.

Thank you. Until next time, salamat and see you soon!

[esdarte]

The History of Japanese-Philippines war

One Of my many favorite subjects is Ap! Ap is all about the history of Philippines. There are many battles that the Philippines were involved like the American-Philippines war, but we are talking about the Philippines-Japanese war. That happened on December 8, 1941 Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces began their invasion of the Philippines. The initial landings took place on December 10, 1941, and Japanese forces quickly advanced, capturing key cities. General Douglas MacArthur, who was in command of the American and Filipino forces in the Philippines, declared Manila an open city to prevent its destruction, and he withdrew to the Bataan Peninsula.

Bataan Death March (1942): The Battle of Bataan lasted from January to April 1942, during which the combined American and Filipino forces fought fiercely against the Japanese. However, due to overwhelming Japanese superiority and lack of reinforcements and supplies, the Allied forces were eventually forced to surrender. The infamous Bataan Death March followed, during which tens of thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war were subjected to brutal conditions, resulting in the deaths of many.

occupation (1942-1945): With the fall of Bataan, the Philippines came under Japanese occupation. The Japanese established a puppet government headed by José P. Laurel, but resistance movements, including the guerrilla warfare led by Filipino and American forces, persisted throughout the occupation.

Liberation (1944-1945): The liberation of the Philippines began with the Allied forces' return. In October 1944, General MacArthur fulfilled his promise to return to the Philippines, leading the Leyte Landings. The Battle of Leyte marked the beginning of the end for Japanese occupation in the Philippines.

Battle of Manila (1945): The Battle of Manila, fought from February to March 1945, was one of the most intense urban battles during the Pacific War. The combined American and Filipino forces sought to recapture Manila from the Japanese. The battle resulted in significant destruction, and many civilians lost their lives.

End of the War (1945): The Philippines was officially liberated with the defeat of Japanese forces. The formal surrender of Japanese forces in the Philippines took place on September 3, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, marking the end of World War II in the Pacific.

Ty for reading my Blog

GOD BLESS ALL!

[wuxiaphoenix]

On Writing: Plotbunnies and Escalation

One writing hazard is falling down a research rabbit-hole, where you end up reading up on things like ancient Greek loom weights despite your story being neither ancient, nor Greek, nor about weaving at all. Another writing hazard, also tied to research though possibly more productive, is... escalating bunnies.

You know, the kind that start from a simple, “gee, a vampire paladin would be really neat if I could pull it off; would it work better xuanhuan-style in ancient Korea?”

You’d think that would be an innocent question. Until you start reading up on the various times and kingdoms occupying the Korean Peninsula pre-modern times. Which is when the bunnies start to escalate.

“I don’t want to do a generic in-the-past thing. I ought to pick a specific section of history so I have a good idea what would be going on, even if I do make it fantasy. Hmm, I know a bit of the Tokugawa Era in Japan, that might be a place to start given I know Toyotomi Hideyoshi invaded Korea in 1592....”

Said innocent thought leads to reading up on the Imjin War. Interesting stuff. If eep.

“...Maybe that’s a little too interesting. I couldn’t have characters running off on Adventures without worrying about battles over the next ridge. And I’m not up to writing major battle scenes. Maybe a little later than that? What else was going on? Outside of some Pilgrims hijacking a ship to go to New England, of all places, during the Little Ice Age....”

Cue Little Ice Age research jaunt, especially a big thick book on said age all over the known world. Cue even more eep.

“So there’s info on China here but not much on Korea specifically. Though I know they were into astronomy as much as China, and there were some interesting supercomets in recorded history....”

Cue reading up on supercomets, old speculations on space spores, and modern known facts on organic compounds in comets. During which the bunnies are quiet. One might even say, suspiciously quiet.

“Huh, maybe I should check if there’s any books specifically on China that at least are in the right time for the Little Ice Age-”

(Yes. Yes there are. At least one is very specific.)

Cue stumbling into all kinds of weirdness from the 1500s on, great backstory for an ageless cultivator character (ah, xuanhuan flavor!) that also drags in European explorers, Jesuits, the whole mess with possibly seditious priests plotting to take over Japan, and a whole chain of events that could plausibly connect hummingbirds, the Manila galleons, and an ancient vampire.  

Currently staring at plot and notes. “I was trying to just write a good final battle against shark-pirates. What do you mean I need to study Yi Sun-sin’s maneuvers in the Roaring Strait?”

...Bunnies. Sigh.

[rockislandadultreads]

New Title Tuesday: Historical Fiction

Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea by Rita Chang-Eppig

When Shek Yeung sees a Portuguese sailor slay her husband, a feared pirate, she knows she must act swiftly or die. Instead of mourning, Shek Yeung launches a new plan: immediately marrying her husband’s second-in-command, and agreeing to bear him a son and heir, in order to retain power over her half of the fleet.

But as Shek Yeung vies for control over the army she knows she was born to lead, larger threats loom. The Chinese Emperor has charged a brutal, crafty nobleman with ridding the South China Seas of pirates, and the Europeans—tired of losing ships, men, and money to Shek Yeung’s alliance—have new plans for the area. Even worse, Shek Yeung’s cutthroat retributions create problems all their own. As Shek Yeung navigates new motherhood and the crises of leadership, she must decide how long she is willing to fight, and at what price, or risk losing her fleet, her new family, and even her life.

A book of salt and grit, blood and sweat, Deep as the Sky, Red as the Sea is an unmissable portrait of a woman who leads with the courage and ruthlessness of our darkest and most beloved heroes.

The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee

Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: Imperial Japan has bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as enemy warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

Loot by Tania James

Abbas is just seventeen years old when his gifts as a woodcarver come to the attention of Tipu Sultan, and he is drawn into service at the palace in order to build a giant tiger automaton for Tipu’s sons, a gift to commemorate their return from British captivity. His fate—and the fate of the wooden tiger he helps create—will mirror the vicissitudes of nations and dynasties ravaged by war across India and Europe.

Working alongside the legendary French clockmaker Lucien du Leze, Abbas hones his craft, learns French, and meets Jehanne, the daughter of a French expatriate. When Du Leze is finally permitted to return home to Rouen, he invites Abbas to come along as his apprentice. But by the time Abbas travels to Europe, Tipu’s palace has been looted by British forces, and the tiger automaton has disappeared. To prove himself, Abbas must retrieve the tiger from an estate in the English countryside, where it is displayed in a collection of plundered art.

The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling

Among the most memorialized women in American history, Sacajewea served as interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery. In this visionary novel, acclaimed Indigenous author Debra Magpie Earling brings this mythologized figure vividly to life, casting unsparing light on the men who brutalized her and re-centering Sacajewea as the arbiter of her own history.

Raised among the Lemhi Shoshone, in this telling the young Sacajewea is bright and bold, growing strong from the hard work of "learning all ways to survive" gathering berries, water, roots, and wood; butchering buffalo, antelope, and deer; catching salmon and snaring rabbits; weaving baskets and listening to the stories of her elders. When her village is raided and her beloved Appe and Bia are killed, Sacajewea is kidnapped and then gambled away to Charbonneau, a French Canadian trapper.

Heavy with grief, Sacajewea learns how to survive at the edge of a strange new world teeming with fur trappers and traders. When Lewis and Clark's expedition party arrives, Sacajewea knows she must cross a vast and brutal terrain with her newborn son, the white man who owns her, and a company of men who wish to conquer and commodify the world she loves.

Written in lyrical, dreamlike prose, The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is an astonishing work of art and a powerful tale of perseverance--the Indigenous woman's story that hasn't been told.

[live-the-fangirl-life]

i would love if you'd shared everything that might be in aelin's list in a world away, all the dream places she wants to go or already went 🤧🥺

First of all - I am so sorry it’s taken me so long to answer this ask 😭

Second - this list is in no way complete. I could probably double it if I gave it some more time (and maybe I’ll edit this post and add some later) but I wanted to answer this ask.

Third - some things listed are cities, some are attractions, some are landmarks or monuments…it’s really a mix of everything. And some major landmarks that cover more than one country are only listed once.

A World Away

So, without further ado, please enjoy

Aelin’s Incomplete and Ever-Adapting World Travel List ✈️

Antarctica

Argentina

Iguazú Falls // Patagonia // Rainbow Mountains // Buenos Aires

Australia

Melbourne // Sydney // Gold Coast // Great Barrier Reef // Adelaide

Austria

Vienna // Salzburg // Hallstatt

the Bahamas

Belgium

Bruges // Brussels

Belize

the Great Blue Hole

Bhutan

the Himalayas

Bolivia

Salar de Uyuni

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Stari Most Bridge // Mostar

Brazil

Rio de Janeiro // Christ the Redeemer // Amazon Rainforest // Lençóis Maranhenses National Park // Sao Paolo

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Angkor Wat

Canada

Niagra Falls // Vancouver // Banff // Toronto

Chile

Easter Island // Torres del Paine National Park // Marble Caves

China

Great Wall of China // Beijing // Shanghai // the Summer Palace // Potala Palace // Tianmen Mountain // Reed Flute Caves // Zhanye Danxia

Costa Rica

San Jose

Croatia

Dalmatian Coast // Diocletian's Palace // Krka waterfall park // Plitvice Lakes // Zagreb

Cuba

Havana

Czech Republic

Prague

Denmark

Copenhagan

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Quito // Galapagos Islands

Egypt

Cairo // The Great Pyramids & Sphinx // Nile River // Valley of the Kings // Luxor // Aswan

England

London // Thames River // Stonehenge

Estonia

Tallinn

Fiji

Finland

Helsinki

France

Mont-Saint-Michel // Louvre // Eiffel Tower // Alsace Lorraine // Paris // Notre Dame // Sacre Coeur // Versailles // Nice

French Polynesia

Bora Bora // Tahiti

Germany

Munich // Berlin // Black Forest // Oktoberfest // Neuschwanstein Castle

Greece

Santorini // Athens // Parthenon // Roman Agora // Acropolis // Mykonos // Oia // Fira // Corfu // Meteora

Greenland

Hong Kong

Tsim Sha Tsui

Hungary

Budapest // Capitol Hill // Bath Houses

Iceland

Reykjavik // Northern Lights // Egilsstaðir //Ring Road // Blue Lagoon // Vatnajökull National Park // Kirkjufell // Húsavík // Akureyri // Thingvellir National Park

Italy

Roman Colosseum // Amalfi Coast // Florence Duomo // Venice at Carnival // Piazzale Michelangelo // Cinque Terre // Pisa // Venice // Pompeii // Milan

India

Taj Mahal // Varanasi & Ganges River // Golden Temple // Agra // Mumbai // New Delhi

Indonesia

Bali // Komodo Island // Blue Flames at Ijen Volcano // Jarkarta

Iran

Hall of Diamonds

Ireland & Northern Ireland

Cliffs of Moher // Giants Causeway // Galway // Blarney Stone // Trinity College // O'Neills // Belfast // Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge // Cobh

Isreal

Dead Sea // Jerusalem

Jamaica

Japan

Tokyo // Mount Fuji // Wisteria Gardens // Osaka // Kyoto

Jordan

Petra // Amman

Kazakhstan

Kenya

Maasai Mara National Park // Lake Victoria

Kyrgyzstan

Luxembourg

Madagascar

Avenue of the Baobabs

Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur // Batu Caves

the Maldives

Male

Malta

Valletta

Mexico

Cabo // Teotihuacán // Chichen Itza // Cabo // Yucatan Peninsula // Mexico City

Mongolia

Gobi Desert

Morocco

Casablanca // Hassan II Mosque // Marrakesh // Chefchaouen // Sahara Desert

Myanmar

Bagan's Temples

Namibia

Nepal

Mount Everest // Kathmandu

the Netherlands

Amsterdam // Van Gogh Museum // Tulip Festival

New Zealand

Auckland // Queenstown // Kawarau Suspension Bridge // Milford Sound // Tongariro National Park // Hobbitton // Dark Sky Sanctuary // Waitomo Caves

Nigeria

Lagos

Norway

Oslo

Panama

Panama City

Peru

Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu // Lima // Aguas Calientes // Andes Mountains // Huacachina

Philippines

Palawan // Manila

Poland

Krakow

Portugal

Lisbon

Romania

Russia

Moscow // St Petersburg

Rwanda

Volcanoes National Park

Saint Lucia

Samoa

Saudi Arabia

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi

Scotland

Edinburgh // Loch Ness // Inverness // Glasgow // Scottish Highlands

Singapore

Marian Bay Sands

Slovenia

Lake Bled

South Africa

Capetown // Johanessburg // Isle of Elephants

South Korea

Seoul // Jeju Island

Spain

Barcelona // Madrid // Sagrada Familia // Mosque of Cordoba

Sweden

Stockholm // Sweddish Lapland

Switzerland

the Alps // Bern // St Moritz

Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro // Serengeti

Thailand

Bangkok // the Grand Palace // Phuket

republic of Türkiye 

Cappadocia // Istanbul // Hagia Sophia // Pamukkale

Turkmenistan

Darvaza gas crater

Turks & Caicos

United Arab Emirates

Dubai // Burj Khalifa

United States

Grand Canyon // San Fransisco // Honolulu // Kauai // New Orleans // New York City // Seattle // Portland // Los Angeles // Antelope Canyon // MOMA // Las Vegas

Vanuatu

the Vatican

St. Peter's Basilica // The Vatican Museum // Sistine Chapel

Vietnam

Ha Long Bay // Hoi An // Hanoi

Zambia

Victoria Falls

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 9.12 (after 1960)

1961 – The African and Malagasy Union is founded. 1961 – Air France Flight 2005 crashes near Rabat–Salé Airport, in Rabat, Morocco, killing 77 people. 1962 – US President John F. Kennedy delivers his "We choose to go to the Moon" speech at Rice University. 1966 – Gemini 11, the penultimate mission of NASA's Gemini program, and the current human altitude record holder (except for the Apollo lunar missions). 1969 – Philippine Air Lines Flight 158 crashes in Antipolo, near Manila International Airport in the Philippines, killing 45 people. 1970 – Dawson's Field hijackings: Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorists blow up three hijacked airliners in Zarqa, Jordan, continuing to hold the passengers hostage in various undisclosed locations in Amman. 1974 – Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, 'Messiah' of the Rastafari movement, is deposed following a military coup by the Derg, ending a reign of 58 years. 1977 – South African anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko dies in police custody. 1980 – The 43rd government of Turkey is overthrown in a coup d'état led by General Kenan Evren. 1983 – A Wells Fargo depot in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States, is robbed of approximately US$7 million by Los Macheteros. 1983 – The USSR vetoes a United Nations Security Council Resolution deploring the Soviet destruction of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. 1984 – Dwight Gooden sets the baseball record for strikeouts in a season by a rookie with 276, previously set by Herb Score with 246 in 1954. Gooden's 276 strikeouts that season, pitched in 218 innings, set the current record. 1988 – Hurricane Gilbert devastates Jamaica; it turns towards Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula two days later, causing an estimated $5 billion in damage. 1990 – The two German states and the Four Powers sign the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany in Moscow, paving the way for German reunification. 1990 – The Red Cross organizations of mainland China and Taiwan sign Kinmen Agreement on repatriation of illegal immigrants and criminal suspects after two days of talks in Kinmen, Fujian Province in response to the two tragedies in repatriation in the previous two months. It is the first agreement reached by private organizations across the Taiwan Strait. 1991 – NASA launches Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-48 to deploy the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. 1992 – NASA launches Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-47 which marked the 50th shuttle mission. On board are Mae Carol Jemison, the first African-American woman in space, Mamoru Mohri, the first Japanese citizen to fly in a US spaceship, and Mark Lee and Jan Davis, the first married couple in space. 1993 – NASA launches Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-51. 1994 – Frank Eugene Corder fatally crashes a single-engine Cessna 150 into the White House's south lawn, striking the West wing. There were no other casualties. 2001 – Ansett Australia, Australia's first commercial interstate airline, collapses due to increased strain on the international airline industry, leaving 10,000 people unemployed. 2003 – The United Nations lifts sanctions against Libya after that country agreed to accept responsibility and recompense the families of victims in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. 2003 – Typhoon Maemi, the strongest recorded typhoon to strike South Korea, made landfall near Busan. 2005 – Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the Israeli disengagement from Gaza is completed, leaving some 2,530 homes demolished. 2007 – Two earthquakes measuring 8.4 and 7.9 on the Richter Scale hits the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing 25 people and injuring 161. 2011 – The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City opens to the public. 2012 – Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky Air Flight 251 crashes on approach to Palana Airport, killing 10 and injuring four. 2013 – NASA confirms that its Voyager 1 probe has become the first manmade object to enter interstellar space.

[muni-muniments]

When the die has been cast

Lyra Garcellano, Land, Labor, Life: Tracing ‘Progress’ In Selected Notes, (2024), Finale Art File.

After a morning of meetings scoping different archives in Manila, I managed to slice a bit of time in the afternoon to drop by Lyra Garcellano’s solo exhibit at Finale Art File. The more historically grounded of the three currently on show in the gallery (hers taking up space in their smaller, more intimate, cove on the upper level), Land, Labor, Life is a commentary on the history of economy and labour in the Philippines; such is a recurring subject across the history of Philippine art but few might recognize the artwork that the exhibit takes off from - Francisco Goya's The Junta of the Philippines (or Junta de la Compañia de las Filipinas) painted in 1815.

Goya's is an interesting point of departure. As a painter of the Spanish Royal Court his works have shed light on the tumultuous political climate that he would witness throughout his lifetime, which included the overturning of the Bourbon monarchy to the Napoleon's occupation of Spain in 1808 (1). Goya was known to have admired the French Revolution and wished for a similar outcome of an enlightened liberation in his country (given that Spain was already facing a corrupt and bankrupt fate), but the atrocities imposed by the invasion's forceful hand will mire him further into despair in his later life. The Junta was painted much earlier than his Black Paintings though still anticipates the uncertainty that even liberation from the French in 1813, had invoked. The painting clearly documents an economic and politically conducive matter that will forever affect the trajectories of Philippine history and its present. So too would the Real de Compañia be subject to bankruptcy in their relatively short lifetime - for whatever hopes of abundant wealth they thought would be brought in from the Viceroyalty of New Spain (to which the Philippines was in the fringes of) had ended with the demise of the Acapulco trade and the corrupt system of labour across the archipelago. Goya's depiction of the Company's board members in session was perhaps his glimpse of optimism for the empire's future (because as the story goes, King Ferdinand VII made an entry into this meeting thus signaling the last strings of hope for Spanish sovereignty) , yet clearly a mark of disillusionment - a lack of foresight or relation as métropole and colony had always felt like worlds faraway from each other - by the people within the peninsula, given that subsequent events over the following decades in the nineteenth century would lead to Spain losing the entirety of its colonies to the rise of independent revolutions and rebellions by Latin American and Philippine intelligentsias.

There are uncanny similarities between Goya's illustrations of nightmares and Lyra's own sketches of images gathered from photographic archives; the indistinguishable faces of the indio working in the tobacco plantations suggests something very sinister at play. The vision of the Real Company as one that would lead Spain's robust monopolization of Philippine trade was overshadowed by the reality of its downfall. Following the withdrawal of the Company's presence in the 1830s, the Philippines became open to international trade - the cultivation of tobacco was one of its most successful exports which Spain had desperately clung on to. If Goya's is an ominous scene, Lyra's presents an unshakeable feeling of colonial persistence. It encourages us to reflect upon its pervasion in the present state of things, the monotony of greys throughout her sketches akin to shadow still being casted from the past. It isn't a far imagination of lies underneath our noses, that ease of keeping blind eyes to these modern serfdoms that sustain the economies for pineapple, banana, sugar, tobacco, textile and Filipino labour.

Entanglements in history can be forgotten over the generations as the nation fights invokes its own sovereignty. This would be determined centuries ago. In 2016, Jesuit cartographer Pedro Murillo Velarde's hydrographical map of the Philippines had put the country in favor of gaining international recognition for their claim against China during the territorial arbitration at The Hague. (2) (Quelled, at times, are some overlapping claims also presented by Vietnam - but this is another matter). Battles for sovereignty are funny fickle things. Where the Philippines is concerned, the concept of a sovereign right might as well be a borrowed one: of course when Murillo-Velarde had constructed this map in 1734, this was in the best of Spain's economic interests, and definitely not for the unity of a "Filipino" nation (which willeventually be decided much much later). The use of maps, for territorial claims harks back to a time when unclaimed seas and terrains were easier to carve out and subdue on the basis of empires being able to say so and the treaties that sealed the terms and conditions of their contracts. In the history of territorial disputes, lines of demarcation were agreed upon but still ambiguities, uncertainties, and other infidelities to allegiances remained (perhaps the ocean's expanse had meant that even those who were doing the conquering had a tendency to be confused on whose land they were on). According to The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) and Zaragoza (1529) for example, the Philippines is still fully within the Portuguese claim to territory. However because of their lack of dispute to Spanish presence (possibly because the Portuguese had their sights solely intent on expanding their spice trade - which the Philippines did not have an abundance of) had meant their rival assumed that this set of islands would ultimately be theirs for the taking, fait accompli.

Concerning the political and economic state of things in the disputed zone, exercising claims to sovereign rights over land or sea, as Things Before Us would show through the overlapping of islands for sale, over EDCA sites, and finally over the 1734 map that can be seen through the thin sheet of vellum paper, is a matter that conjures the ghostly presence of the past - underlying, both literally and figuratively, the reality of today's miry landscape of extraction and exploitation. To speak of "progress" does not bequeath consolation: the Philippines always seems to chronically be within the best of interests of things other than itself.

I, too, share Lyra's sentiments in this lamentation. The die has been cast long ago, it seems.

References

(1) To digress on the complications and complexity of these imperial relationships between France and Spain: even prior to Napoleonic occupation, the two empires were already historically tied by centuries of territorial disputes and frankly, by blood (See: Spanish War of Succession). Despite these tensions, Spain was recognized as an automatic ally of France. And whatever slow and arduous downfall Spain was already experiencing over the course of the eighteenth century, Napoleon's entry had just accelerated it. The war initiated by Napoleon and Joseph Bonaparte, whilst tyrannical, was an attempt to strategise: seeing that Spain already had repeated succession of corruptions by those in power, not to mention severely bankrupt (despite the influx of wealth from the New World), at the same time making very unreliable ally (with Manuel Godoy calling upon the Grand Alliance), Napoleon saw it fit to invade and re-establish power.

(2) Library of Congress, Carta hydrographica y chorographica de las Yslas Filipinas : dedicada al Rey Nuestro Señor por el Mariscal d. Campo D. Fernando Valdes Tamon Cavallo del Orden de Santiago de Govor. Y Capn. ; Raul Dancel, "The Rare map that bolstered Philippines' case in territorial dispute with China sold for $1 million", The Straits Times, (2016), <https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/rare-map-that-bolstered-philippines-case-in-territorial-dispute-with-china-sold-for> [accessed July 2, 2024].

[joebuccino]

An Overview of the Legion of Merit Military Award

The Legion of Merit was created by the United States Congress in 1942 through Public Law 671. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Act of Congress with Executive Order 9260. It was retroactively awarded to 1939. Lieutenant Ann Agnes Bernatitus became the first Legion of Merit recipient following her efforts as a nurse during the Manila-Bataan Peninsula campaign between December 1941 and April 1942.

To qualify for the Legion of Merit, a member of the US Armed Forces must demonstrate outstanding conduct in meritorious service to the nation. Long-term experience or the standard performance of duties described by a military branch, specialty role, or specific assignment is insufficient. Instead, individuals must perform exceptionally so that their actions gain notice from military leaders in key positions.

The Legion of Merit can be awarded during peacetime, though the requirements are more stringent. Sometimes, the award may be given to recognize exceptional service in several important roles.

[ricisidro]

Bring your umbrella. ☔

Southwest Monsoon or Habagat is affecting the western sections of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Philippines as of 4:00 PM, 18 June 2024.

Area: Metro Manila, Western Visayas, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and the rest of MIMAROPA, Palawan, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, BARMM, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

[thehungrykat1]

The Peninsula Manila Offers Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea Featuring Benedicto "BenCab" Cabrera

After the very successful Hello Kitty 50th Anniversary Afternoon Tea last month, The Peninsula Manila is giving its guests another great reason to visit The Lobby this month with its BenCab Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea. I have always loved hanging out at the lobby of The Peninsula Manila, whether it be to meet up with friends or to enjoy a fancy merienda, so I was really excited to try out their new art-themed afternoon tea.

As a continuation of Art in Resonance, the Peninsula Hotels' global program celebrating and nurturing contemporary art, The Peninsula Manila is pleased to present a medley of art activities this June, starting with an art exhibit titled Edition of 8. This features eight site-specific tapestries by Philippine National Artist for Visual Arts, Benedicto Cabrera, a.k.a. BenCab, from his acclaimed Larawan and Sabel works which guests can enjoy and appreciate for free at the ground floor of The Peninsula Manila.

The Lobby has been a favorite meeting place for foreign guests and local residents since the hotel opened in 1976, be it for corporate executives in a hurry or for friends on the lookout for a quiet spot and a pick-me-up high tea or cup of coffee while exchanging the latest news. A perennially popular meeting spot for high society, The Lobby's focal point of interest is the glorious 12-metre "Sunburst" created by Philippine National Artist for Sculpture, Napoleon Abueva, which is set against Hong Kong-based artist Paola Dindo's sky-colored silver leaf-lined dome.

Lending additional majesty to The Lobby are two grand staircases that sweep upward to the Makati and Ayala Towers. We had our church wedding reception right here at The Peninsula Manila with its gorgeous backdrops and very elegant interiors. The Lobby is also where the classic Peninsula Afternoon Tea has become Manila's favorite and a beloved attraction for visitors since the hotel opened, offering carefully selected premium teas complemented with appetizing scones, quiches, tea sandwiches and assorted pastries.

The hotel's contemporary art program Art in Resonance has turned the entire ground floor of The Peninsula Manila into an art gallery featuring the works of Benedicto Cabrera. Originally introduced in 2019, Art in Resonance offers Peninsula guests deeply immersive experiences that promote the rich and vibrant cultural aspects of the cities in which they reside. There's no need to go all the way to the BanCab Museum in Benguet since the exhibit will be on display at The Lobby from May 22 to July 21, 2024.

You can find some of BenCab's stunning tapestries right at the front desk reception area, giving its hotel guests a colorful and dazzling welcome.

The tapestries are based on Sabel, Ben Cab's acclaimed solitary figure of a scavenger emerging from a dark landscape, and on his Larawan paintings, inspired by turn-of-the-century Philippine photographs and borne out of his nostalgia for Filipino culture while living in London.

A fruit of the collaborative efforts between BenCab Abitare Internazionale, and Moooi Carpets, some of these tapestries are a recomposition of existing works. With the aid of digital technology and printed with high-definition precision on polyamide acrylic using a Chromojet printer, the colors, textures, volume, and tones of BenCab's work are captured in their most minute detail.

This collection of limited-edition carpets by Abitare Internazionale and Moooi Carpets continue their legacy of innovation and artistry which all guests at The Peninsula Manila can enjoy.

Aside from the exhibit, there are other Art in Resonance-related experiences scheduled for hotel guests this month, including the Art in Resonance Tours for suite guests and the Art in Resonance Talks with BenCab and noted Philippine historian Ambeth Ocampo. This will be held at The Conservatory on June 23, 2024 starting 3:00pm. BenCab will talk about his search for a Filipino identity and the social and cultural context behind his work. This will then be followed by an afternoon tea buffet at 4:00pm at The Upper Lobby.

As for myself, I'm here to enjoy the BenCab Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea which is available daily at The Lobby from 2:30pm to 5:00pm until June 23. This afternoon tea set is priced at P2,888 for two persons.

It comes with your choice of premium teas for two, but you can also upgrade the afternoon tea set to include two flutes of Champagne for P4,388.

Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. In Manila, The Peninsula Manila is one of the best places you can experience an afternoon tea, especially with the hotel's rich history and elegant setting.

Let's start our BenCab Afternoon Tea at the bottom layer which comes with Banana Bread, Homemade Raisin Scones and Plain Scones.

This is served with lemon curd, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top, depending on your preference. You don't have to be intimidated by the history and traditions of the afternoon tea. Feel free to enjoy this dining experience your own way.

The middle tier comes with some savory items such as the Bagnet Sisig Quiche, Grilled Crab Salad and Cheddar on Rye Loaf.

Other sandwiches here include the Smoked Duck Brioche Roll, Pulled Pork Belly with Sriracha Mayo Sandwich, Mini Pan de Sal, and lastly the Egg and Avocado Bagel. These items are quite filling so two guests can easily share these delightful sandwiches.

The top plate consists of heavenly desserts to finish off your BenCab Afternoon Tea adventure. Here you can find the Chocolate Almond Friand, Amaretto Whipped Ganache, Blueberry White Chocolate Cheesecake, Strawberry Opera, Mango Tapioca Pudding, and Coffee Baileys Macarons printed with some of the works of BenCab.

We had such a relaxing time at The Lobby enjoying our delicious afternoon tea set surrounded by BenCab's gorgeous works. The BenCab Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea will be available at The Lobby only until June 23, 2024. Make sure to catch this unique limited-edition afternoon tea experience at The Peninsula Manila by reserving your tables at 8887-2888 or by emailing them at diningpmn@peninsula.com. See you at The Lobby!

BenCab Art in Resonance Afternoon Tea

The Lobby, The Peninsula Manila, Ayala Avenue corner and Makati Avenue, Makati City

8887-2888

www.peninsula.com/manila

www.facebook.com/ThePeninsulaManila