This year, Memorial Day is different from years past. Not just because of the Coronavirus. This is the first time, I spend Memorial Day weekend without Matt since we got married 50 years ago on Memorial Day Weekend. I miss the times we walked to the corner of our street in Oyster Bay to see the parade. It’s not the same anymore and never will be the same again.
Matthew Morgan on his ship, USS Fiske.
I found this photo of Matt in one of the boxes in his closet while cleaning up his things. I always wonder why I have not seen any picture of him in uniform. Well, I finally found one. He served in WWII with the U.S. Navy.
“Taps” is a bugle call played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and at military funerals by the United States Armed Forces. … The tune is also sometimes known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby”, or by the first line of the lyric, “Day Is Done”.
Lest we forget. . . Remember the men in uniform who fought so we can have the freedom we enjoy today.
This was posted on my other blog – Subli. There was a problem on reblog so I just repost it here. Enjoy the dance at the bottom of the blog.
Family of Negritoes – Photo Credit: Compton Encyclopedia 1931 Edition
Archeological evidence suggests that the Negritos, a broad term for indigenous people of dark complexions, reached the Philippines over 30,000 years ago by a land bridge from the Asian mainland following the migration of animals. Excavation at Palawan’s Tabon cave yielded a human skull carbon-dated to 22,000 B.C. About 10,000 years ago, the ice melted, the sea level rose and the land bridges disappeared.
Waves of Indonesians followed by sea from 3,000 BC, and Malays got a firm foothold around 200 BC, followed in later centuries by waves of Chinese settlers. Most of today’s Filipinos have grown out of intermarriages between indigenous and Malay people. Modern Filipino culture, including language and cuisine, was heavily influenced by the Malays, who also introduced arts, literature, and a system of government.
A few centuries before the Spanish reached the Philippines in the 16th century, Filipinos involved in trade had also met Arabs and Hindus from India, while the expanding Chinese population wielded considerable commerical power. Muslim clergy start to bring Islam to the Philippines from Indonesia and Malaya via Borneo in the late 14th century.
The Philippine population is a mix of tribal and ethnic groups representing 111 linguistic, cultural and racial groups. The majority is of Filipino-Malayan descent with Japanese, Chinese, European and American added to the mix. The minority is the aboriginal group called Negritos whose average height is about 58 inches, dark brown to almost black skin color, wide noses and tight curly hair. The Negritos or Little Negroes are one of the dwarf Australoid people of the ancient populations of the world. It is believed that inland forest situations with very few proteins and steep terrain contributed to their short stature. They kept to the deep forests while the Igorots kept to the mountains. They have survived because of their secluded location. The Negritoes survived by hunting and fishing and eventually had adopted a rudimentary form of farming. Local groups were composed of five to ten families living in a group of thatched lean-tos around a circular space. The leader of the band was determined by age or consensus. The group moved frequently for economic reasons or because of deaths, feeling of ill luck or quarrels. They have their own distinct language.
There are about 87 different languages and dialects spoken in the Philippines. Tagalog was made the national language in 1946. Tagalog was changed to Pilipino in 1962. Most of my generation still call it Tagalog. English is also widely used. Some young people nowadays used Taglish which is a mixture of both Tagalog and English in their conversation.
The Philippines is a conglomeration of various cultures due to the influence of different civilizations over the past 1500 years. Perhaps because of their over three centuries of Spanish rule, the Filipinos are passionate about life in a way that seems more Latin than Asian and because of their 48 years under the American administration, they can communicate easily in English and have been great imitators of American culture.
In spite of new influence from neighboring Asian countries, culture from the first settlers still remain. These include belief in the active powers of spirits and the importance of omens. Spirits once played an important part in the lives of all Filipinos, and many who have been converted to Christianity or the Muslim faith still retain a few of their ancient beliefs. The Igorots still worship their ancient gods, the highest of them is called Diwata. The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia.
The Philippines has been ruled by various Asian and western empires. From 200 to 1565 AD, part of the Philippines may have been ruled by Hindu-Malay empires, the Javanese Madjapahit empire and the Ming Dynasty of China. From 1440 to 1565, the northern Luzon was controlled by the Japanese and Borneo and Brunei controlled the south.
Until 3,000 years ago, contact with the outside world was minimal. Between 1500 BC and 1440 AD, the Philippines traded with Borneo, Indonesia, Japan, Persia, India and China who made the Philippines their base of operation. The earliest known trade with China occurred during the T’ang Dynasty (618 to 906 AD), although contacts did not become extensive until the Sung Dynasty (960 to 1279), Yuan Dynasty (1260 to 1368), and Ming Dynasty (14th to 16th centuries). Records show that the Chinese name the Philippines largest island “Liu sung” which became Luzon later on. Historian says that the name Visayas was derived from Swirijaya, the Indo-Malay Empire that ruled Sumatra from the 7th to 13th centuries.
Here is something from YouTube to entertain you from young Filipinos at UCLA dancing the Philippine native dance called Tinikling.
The Tinikling is a pre-Spanish folk dance inspired by the tikling (heron) bird. The steps imitate the movement of the bird as they walk between grass stems and tree branches escaping the bamboo traps set by farmers.
It is the best performance I have seen so far. Watch those feet while they dance with blindfolds. Enjoy.
Until next time. The Philippine story continues.
Rosalinda
Sources:
Philippine Guide by Jill and Rebecca Gale de Villa
Philippine Handbook by Carl Parkes
Compton’s Pictured Encyclopedia
My son went to Florida and so I was taking care of his dog in his absence. I was walking Skipper yesterday and someone across the street waved and said,”Hi Rosalinda.” She looked familiar but I could not remember her name. It was embarrassing so I just waved back and said “Hi.” I must have met her in one of the neighborhood events.
I remember when I got married, I had a tough time remembering my husband’s friends’ names But they always remember my name. Easy for them. I was the only Oriental in the crowd. I stuck out. Even now, people remember my name.
The first time, I had a garden party at my home for the ladies of my church, I extended the invitation to my pastor. When I introduced myself, he said he would always remember my name. I asked how. He said, “My favorite opera, ‘Die Fledermaus”’. People associate things with names so they can remember them. I did that during my early years in the states since most Americans to me at that time looked alike and I could not remember all their names.
Coming back to my name, people always remember Rosalinda. Is it because it is easy to remember or because it is something unusual. I have no clue. Most of my old friends called me Linda. But now, most people called me Rosalinda. People asked me why I didn’t use Rosalinda since it is such a pretty name. I said it is too long. Some people called me Rose, Rosie, Roslyn, Rosalind or worst yet Rosa. I hate Rosa. Please don’t call me Rosa. Ever!
Since Rosalinda is my official name, I use that name more often now. My signature is Rosalinda. I’m so involved in the rose society I have to use Rosalinda, more appropriate for a flower-related club. Don’t you think?
Talking of Rosalinda, some people asked me about Billy Joel’s Rosalinda’s Eyes. I love the song for obvious reason. It has my name on it. Billy Joel also happens to live in Oyster Bay across the bay from where I used to live. Sad to say, I never bumped into Billy Joel while I was there although some people see him in town most of the time. It will be nice to meet him in person but I am not about to seek him out. He has a motorcycle museum in town. Few people asked me if I was the Rosalinda in his song. Of course not, not in a million years! I have never seen or met the man in person. I have never been to his concert either.
The inspiration for his song was his mother whose name is also Rosalinda.
I play nights in the Spanish part of town
I’ve got music in my hands
The work is hard to find
But that don’t get me down
Rosalinda understands
Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square
Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere
And though I’ll never be there
I know what I would see there
I can always find my Cuban skies
In Rosalinda’s eyes
When she smiles she gives everything to me
When she’s all alone she cries
And I’d do anything to take away her tears
Because they’re Rosalinda’s eyes
Senorita don’t be lonely, I will soon be there
Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere
I’ve got a chance to make it
It’s time for me to take it
I’ll return before the fire dies
In Rosalinda’s eyes
All alone in a Puerto Rican band
Union wages, wedding clothes
Hardly anyone has seen how good I am
But Rosalinda says she knows
Crazy Latin dancing solo down in Herald Square
Oh Havana I’ve been searching for you everywhere
And though I’ll never be there
I know what I would see there
I can always find my Cuban skies
In Rosalinda’s eyes
How do you remember names? I presume if you associate my name with Billy Joel’s song, you’ll remember my name. Won’t you?
Rosalinda R Morgan 