Philippine Studies, a college course in Beijing University
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27560)
Philippines
October 31, 2012 12:13am CST
What do we know, GMA 7 featured a report that there is really a course at Beijing University called Philippine Studies. Our premiere universities offer courses such as Asian Studies, European Studies, European Languages, Foreign Studies, International Law, and these are the courses our students ponder upon when they eventually study the courses they would like to specialize in college. Aptly so, because we Filipinos are a restless people, wanting to gallivant the world, for whatever reason we personally have.
But in Beijing, the professors and the students can speak Tagalog fluently, and since they were required to read the works of Francisco Baltazar, academically known us Balagtas, any Filipino would shamefacedly admit that we have not even used the word dalampasigan for the longest time now, nor would our young people know the meaning of the word.
I was shocked to see the professor's collection of Philippine works, my own books would constitute only a small part of his shelves. And yes, I had not heard anyone praise our Manila Bay sunset as this pureblood Chinese teacher phrased it. He said something like Manila is better and and more beautiful than Beijing because Beijing has no Manila Bay sunset.
I was rendered speechless.
6 responses
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
That's nice to know. I haven't seen that episode . Is that Jessica Soho's show?
It's indeed amazing that those people from Beijing University have Philippines Studies. What could have triggered them on the first place to have them in their curriculum?
And that's true, there are a lot of Filipinos, who even doesn't know how to speak a fluent Filipino. They are much fluent in speaking English.
I think we should be proud of what Beijing University does.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Not a J Soho episode, there was another female host.
To the teachers and students:
Kung sakaling mabasa ninyo ang sulating ito, kung kailan man na gusto ninyong bumisita dito sa Pilipinas, sagot ko ang DIC sa Luneta, ha ha, at meryenda sa Chow King, pagkatapos nating masilayan ang takip-silim sa Lawa ng Maynila.
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Sad to know that Filipinos even in our country speaks english even outside when they can just speak tagalog which is simplier. i really notice young ones speaking good english but hard to speak tagalog or doesn't practice them speak tagalog.. at least he knows good spots in our country.
1 person likes this
@iamma3e (68)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
This kind of news what amazes me really. Other countries takes their time to study anything about our country and some of their citizens can speak Tagalog so fluently despite not being a native of the Philippines. These countries, for the lack of better word, shames us that they know more about our country than we do.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
I was surprised myself when my daughter told me just the other night that her company is hiring a Japanese named Wataru to do the designs for a Philippine exhibit. I queried: Have we ran out of Pinoy artists now? My daughter replied that this alien had fallen in love with the Philippines, argued that even if the Japanese have origami and bonsai, there are much, much more interesting materials and resources for creativity here. He has embedded himself in everything Filipino, and is, if his name does not belie him, more Filipino than most of those who make it in the celebrity pages and headlines. In fact, he dwells here now.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
This Jap did.
Yes, it's not everyday that foreigners would just decide to make the Philippines their home, but I saw a new mylotter, a native of Holland, declare that he is now a dweller of this islands. His avatar is franseman.
@iamma3e (68)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
I don't think we've ran out of Pinoy artists; we just don't recognize they exist. That Japanese guy, well, good for him to be one with everything Filipino. It's not everyday that we see a foreigner totally fall in love with everything that is the Philippines.
1 person likes this
@LetranKnight25 (33121)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Hello Eileenleyva, This is the people should not react thoroughly negative when it comes to the disputed islands. because it's not exactly that every one hates us, there are people that loves us, some of them are close to being a citizen here. there is also a university in Russia were people required to study and speak tagalog. sad to know that this is rarely reported. Manila was once better I've seen the old Photos.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
The shoal is a big deal, Knight, and a complicated one. Now you got me there, a Russian university requiring Tagalog! Pardon me but I have to write "I'll be d_mned!" HA HA!
@emerillus (467)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
I did not get to see that news about the Philippines, but it makes me proud to have our culture as a subject to the classes at Beijing University. I didn't know some Chinese love our culture. If given the chance, I'd love to meet some foreigners who wants to study and learn our culture.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Contrary to the image the world has of us, ours is really a great people, kind and honest, hardworking and peace loving. Our islands are filled with wonderful and real awesome natural resources, from Appari to Jolo. If only the rats stop pestering us, we could really contribute so much for the betterment of mankind.
@emerillus (467)
• Philippines
2 Nov 12
If only some people would vanish in their mind the negative generalizations they have of us. Yup, we are one of the peace-loving and hardworking race, which I am truly proud of!
1 person likes this
@blebchel (249)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
wow! That is indeed awesome! My first time to hear that news and i really feel the goosebumps after knowing it . I didn't expect that there are other nationals studying our language and ironically it is the chinese people primarily taking it.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
I think China really loves us, that's why they are claiming the shoal, to get to us up close and personal.
@jeanneyvonne (5501)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
It's amazing that sometimes it's the other culture who can appreciate our culture more than we could appreciate it. It's not a phenomenon but it gives a good light on other culture's view on us and us on them.
I don't know if we should even brought up the issue of nationalism in this. Anyway, it is good that other cultures are also studying us. It's something at loss how to explain a culture to another person coming from another culture. With the world, there are a lot of stereotypes that we contend with and they are not easily to defend or prov them otherwise.
I'm glad that they are taking interest and hopefully, others will too.
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Fellow Asians actually love to take respite in our islands. They are forever sunbathing in Boracay, scuba diving in Batangas and Subic, surfing in Ilocos, spelunking in Palawan, not to mention filling up seats in classrooms.
The world is bullish about the Filipino, you can ask the New Yorker David Letterman.