Writer's Musings

Originally posted on Subli: ? In 1212, as legend has it, 10 Bornean datu (chiefs), fleeing the collapse of the once-mighty Srivijayan empire, sailed northwards with their followers and landed on the island of Panay. At that time, Panay was widely populated by Negritos. The Bornean Malays, although superior fighters and better armed than the…

Originally posted on Subli: Limahong Fort – Photo Credit: Watawat.net Foiled in his attempt to establish a kingdom in Manila, Limahong set sail for Lingayen Gulf, to settle in Pangasinan province. As a rich place and far enough from the reach of the Spaniards and the Chinese emperor, Limahong decided he would stay in Pangasinan…

Originally posted on Subli: Jose Rizal Monument at Luneta Park by Flcikr One hundred twenty-two years ago, on Dec. 30, 1896, Dr. Jose Rizal, the greatest Filipino patriot, was shot by firing squad at the order of the Spanish military in Manila. ? Dr. Rizal was born on June 19. 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. His…

Originally posted on Subli: An old Christmas card (1973) from a relative in the Philippines The symbol of Christmas in the Philippines is not the Christmas Tree but the Parol that probably had its origins in the Mexican’s piñata. While parols come in all sizes, in Pampanga, the electric parols in later years stand 20…

Originally posted on Long Island Past and Present: The Memorial Monument – Photo Credit: Victoria Siegel The U.S. army never leaves its men behind. They do everything possible to bring the men and women killed in battle home even if it takes decades. They never forget. In that spirit, Jack Mckie legion member of Post…

Originally posted on Subli: ? ? Tradition has it that Christmas celebration in the Philippines begins on December 16, nine days before Christmas Day and ends on January 6, the feast of the Three Kings. Simbang Gabi is a series of nine predawn masses. The predawn mass was celebrated every morning from December 16 to…

Originally posted on Subli: Photo Credit – warfarehistorynetwork.com Smoke rises from Clark Field after a Japanese air attack. ? Dec. 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, is one of the most holy days in the Philippine Christian calendar. On the eve of the Feast in 1941, there was a festive mood all around. Because…