Changing to Maharlika from Philippines?

Philippines
February 26, 2019 6:51pm CST
As I was surfing my FB feed, I encountered different posts about this name changing. I also watched the video from Asian boss about the comments or opinion from ordinary citizens about this issue. Well, here are my random thoughts about it... I still want Philippines, Filipinas, Pilipinas. This is the name that united the islands. Yes, the lands existed during pre-colonial times but we were not one country back then. I read in FB about someone who wants “Maharlika” because we are not Timawas or Alipin anymore that’s why he supports the name change. As predominantly Bisaya, I’d like to share also that Timawas are not equivalent to being slaves. Actually, it is of the warrior class, higher than Uripon (slaves) and lower than Tumao (nobility) in pre-colonial Visayas (probably comparable to Maharlika). I also read comments in FB saying that our culture is bast'a'rdized by the Spaniards or if the Spanish did not come we would not be like this. In my narrow understanding of things, at that time in 1500s, the Europeans were set to discover new lands. If the Spanish did not come, I’m sure that other races would have interest in the islands. The question is, would they be like the Spaniards who could unite the islands? In fairness also with the Spanish, they did not totally erase the culture of the Visayans (unsure with other ethnicity). I think they were able to merge Catholicism and the Visayan mythology that’s why they were able to penetrate on the religious aspect. There was also a comment that Filipinos’ culture is borrowed. In my simple take of events also, I would say there is no ‘pure’ culture in this world. In the evolution of society, culture is influenced by another culture, tribe’s tradition is influenced by another tribe in a way or other (by peaceful means or not). And probably I would not be here if there were no foreign invaders or visitors in the country. So, I accept the history of the Philippines as it is (including the name and all its warts and scars) and I’ll just devote my time on productively helping the country. And pray that I won’t betray her in any way.
2 people like this
1 response
@cherigucchi (14876)
• Philippines
27 Feb 19
Its an insane idea for me.