Philippine Connection Tuesday Q

If anybody wants to connect with other Pinoys from all over the world, this yahoo group is it. It is relatively new but let’s make it grow. Here’s their link http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philippineconnections/

Here’re the questions from our group’s late Tuesday Q’s:

1. Aside from the National Anthem, do you know any other "nationalistic" song?
What is it?

Bayan Ko, Ako ay Pilipino, Dugong Pilipino, Magkaisa, Handog ng Pilipino

2. The Philippines was colonized by the Spanish in the 1500s and then by the
Americans and Japanese in the 1900s. In your opinion/observation, what do you think were the best/ most important legacies the Philippines earned from these occupations?

Spain – Religion, America – Democracy, Japan – Asia’s potential to be a powerful world player and love of country

However, before we were colonized by these countries centuries ago, our forefathers have already their own religion, written and spoken language, art, culture and tradition, government, knowledge and values. So, the only legacy the said countries have passed on to us is to make us more fragmented and make us feel more inferior. (I’ve been wondering if there’s some connection why we are a nation crazy for whitening lotions, whitening soaps, whitening underarm deodorant, whitening..whitening…whitening..)

3. Who is your favorite Philippine national hero?

I am for Andres Bonifacio. Yes, I admire Dr. Jose Rizal but he was more for the passive stance when what was already called for was to take active participation in fighting for our country’s freedom. It was a sad irony in the Philippine history that Andres Bonifacio and his brother died in the hands of his countrymen, the very people he was fighting for.

4. What is your stand re: the debate between June 12 vs July 4 as the
official Independence day date?

June 12. That's the date Aguinaldo declared independence for the
Philippines. July 4 is the date that US government officially recognized and declared Philippines’ Independence (and I couldn’t care less for that).

5. Who do you think is the next big threat to our country's freedom, if ever?
Too many to think of, but the most basic ones are overpopulation and poverty. With it, the nation’s development is painfully constrained and easily abused and used by unscrupulous, soulless politician-crocs disguising as statesmen who sell their greedy souls to any foreign highest bidder for huge kickbacks.