MatangHari Blog

After 115 yrs. of the so called Philippine Independence let us re-evaluate the freedom that we have, what kind of KALAYAAN we possessed.Perhaps the most damning indictment of the Spanish regime in the Philippines ever to appear in print was written in 1821. It was written by an anonymous but highly articulate person who signed himself simply as “EL INDIO AGRAVIADO” (An aggrieved Indio). By W.E. Retana, Archivo del Bibliofilo Filipino, 5 vols. ( Madrid, 1895-1905, pp. 197-198.

It illuminates in simple but unforgettable language the colonial policy followed by the Spaniards since the coming of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Father Urdaneta in 1565.

Although an Indio, the author must have been close enough to the seat of Spanish power to be able not only to understand but also to forecast the possible consequences of the benighted colonial policy.

If we allow the indios to learn Spanish some of them may turn out to be satirists and scholars who will understand what we say, dispute with us and write things against us.

If we allow them to prosper they will become rich… aspire to high and important positions,

become persons of distinction, It is not shameful that they should be on the same level as ourselves?

And so that they may never rise from their miserable condition, that they may always be poor, that we may have them serve us always: let us not teach them Spanish; let us leave them in their ignorance;….let us not provide them with money, that being always needy they may learn to steal.

Thus we shall be able to cal them thieves, and if by a miracle they refrain from stealing, being in need they will do what work they can for whatever wage they can get.

By this method or system we will always be the masters and they will always be poor, miserable and ignorant, bearing all injuries, unable to defend themselves… What then is left for the poor Indio? If he tries to reason with you, he is impertinent; if he keeps his peace, he is a dolt…

Before we celebrate our so called Philippine Independence, are the issues of colonial policies of the cruel Spaniards are still around us.

The laws of the land and our educational materials written in Foreign Language. The basis of good education when you know the English language at least not Spanish? If we allow the indios to learn Spanish some of them may turn out to be satirists and scholars who will understand what we say, dispute with us and write things against us. ”. 80% of Philippine Riches own by 20% Hacienderos, Politial Dynaties since the departure of the previous colonial masters.” that they may always be poor, that we may have them serve us always: let us not teach them Spanish; let us leave them in their ignorance;….let us not provide them with money, that being always needy they may learn to steal.”

Nowadays, it is not always the poor steals but large amount of money was kept through the law of bank secrecy by professionals thieves hailed by the media and their publics.

By this method or system we will always be the masters and they will always be poor, miserable and ignorant, bearing all injuries, unable to defend themselves. When the first batch of TRAPOS stole the Revolution and Sell it for 400,000 mexican pesos, our new breed of Trapos saw these patterns, the system just to stay in power and until now are being glorified in pedestal while the Filipinos are suffering making them slaves in their own country unwittingly. By constant orientation we are being told that we are Free Nation, we are Independent but from where? In what sense? At least we are not forced to work by the Spaniards?

Colonial Masters are like viruses and parasites they mutate until they find new ways to sucked the last blood of their captive nations. And they will connive with our homegrown Trapos making colonial mentality acceptable to the Filipinos. Unless we seek the True Sense of Independence from the genuine heart and intention of our forefathers that really loved and fought for our country not for self preservation and interest, people will remain slaves. As Harriet Tubman said “I could have freed thousands more, if they had known they were slaves”.

The objective is to constantly lure and lull the masses into the elite-dominated electoral process, thus legitimizing the neo-liberal economic system and its political apparatus, producing a fragile social peace and a “peaceful” mechanism for competition among the Filipino elite and oligarchy. In his book on French colonialism in Algeria titled, The Wretched of the Earth, Frantz Fanon wrote:

“Colonialism is not satisfied merely with holding a people in its grip, and emptying the native’s brain of all form and content. By a kind of perverted logic, it turns to the past of the people, and distorts, disfigures and destroys it.” By Roland G. Simbulan, Convenor/Coordinator, Manila Studies Program

University of the Philippines(Lecture at the University of the Philippines-Manila, Rizal Hall, Padre Faura, Manila, August 18, 2000.)

These Colonial Masters have their Agents to Distort our History making us ignorant with our own past, so they can blind us about our present as well as our future.

–Not On My Watch—

King Cortez

A Fervent and not Worthy Student of Philippine History

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