history of the philippines
By rdurusan
@rdurusan (624)
Philippines
April 12, 2007 2:17am CST
Did you know that we are cheated by the Americans in the Filipino American war when they say that our heroes are bandits.In WW2 we are again cheated when they bomb Manila and ruin it even when the Japanese are clearly losing the war and the Filipino soldiers can take care of the situation.After the war we are again cheated when they say that they will rebuild Manila on one condition,the passage of the Parity rights which gives Filipino and American equal rights to own land.I think this is one of the many reasons why we,despite the abundance of our natural resources is still a poor country begging for alms.Today we are still cheated by the Americans with the help of our politicians and local landlord.
2 people like this
4 responses
@aquaspices (164)
• Philippines
12 Apr 07
that's pretty informative. but that's not solely the reason why our country is still 3rd world.
1 person likes this
@ddzdvd (361)
• United States
18 Apr 07
do you think you can lay any blame at japans feet?with out america liberating you from japan where do you think the phillipines would be today?does the phillipines have any historical enemies or present enemies that would attack you or invade if not for america being your allie?i think the state of your country is alot more complex than can be explained in one little paragraph.and please dont take this the wrong way, those are legitimate questions from me because maybe the history i have been taught is wrong.as far as i have always known america has always loved the phillipine people and gave them aid when ever they needed it.am i wrong?educate me
1 person likes this
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
3 May 07
Actually, I was taught that America was afraid the Japanese would set up military operations there and it was waaay too close for comfort. After having the first ever enemy attack on American soil, there was a lot of fear of the geographical closeness of the enemy. It wasn't so much to distract Japanese bombs TO the Phillipines as it was to keep the Japanese from bombing America FROM there. To me it seems that the Phillipine Islands suffered because of their location between two big powers. Would Japanese occupation have been any better, or the bombing any less severe? I really don't know! I am never sure that anyone knows the whole truth of every story, no matter where they come from, unless they were on the spot and participating in the decision making.
@Kristien (78)
• China
12 Apr 07
I don't konw what to say about the history of your country, because I don't know it well. But I want to say that I like your country very much, because I know it's beautiful, comfortable, and there are many many kinds of delicious fruits...
Don't be angry about the history, work hard and belive that your country will be stronger and stronger!!!
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
9 Jun 07
This is a very interesting conversation. I have no doubt about the failures of the American government. My eyes are not closed to how the American Indian was treated and I hate to see any comnmunity taken advantage of.
A contract is a contract when both individuals understand what is being offered. Many people have entered into contracts and they didn't know what was offered or required as the contract was written with fuzzy wording.
I could site many examples, such as the Walking Purchase of William Penn.
Territorial wars are the root of most conflicts in our world. Today we need to be able to reach out and help those that were or are the victims of abuse. The real challenge is to be able to identify a person who is corrupt and taking advantage of others. The corrupt people can be in power in government or they can be individuals who abuse or cheat others.
Your last line indicates that the Filippino people have been cheated by the Americans (I have no doubt) with help by your politicians (I have no doubt) and the local landlord. (Question? Can you buy property?) Of course if you are kept poor you can not, I understand the difference between desire and ability and would like to know about legal aspects and how the economy works against the individual.
Who are the landlords? Is the landlord also the politicians or controllers of the economy? When we follow the money we learn much as we open our eyes and investigate the truth to real suffering and it's causes.
Good Luck
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
3 May 07
Ahem. Well, I'm an American. I am constantly astonished at how badly we have treated those we were supposedly protecting or helping! Our government is so ruled by the Almighty Dollar that it makes many of us sick at heart. We have a terrible track record right from the beginning with the indigenous Indians of the Americas. Some of it has to do with the fact that white America was founded by people who were considered outlaws in their countries of origin. America was where all the misfits went! Unfortunately, despite being a "democracy" our government has corruption and special interests (those "specially interested" in money, that is!). We average folks do the best we can, but it's like Ghandi said (I think it was him), "We must BE THE CHANGE we wish to see."
@egfitz62150 (645)
• United States
9 May 07
I'm so glad you are able to separate the average person from the government! While it's kind of true that we elected these idiots, not all of us feel very well represented by them.
I don't think anyone will flame me for stating what they know in their hearts is true! If there are any Americans who still don't realize how terribly we treated the American Indians they might when the movie, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee," comes on TV later this month. I read the book about 30 years ago (yeah, I'm an old fart! ;-)) and have been upset ever since! There was a popular song in the late 60s (I can't remember it's name or who sang it), and the one line which still sticks in my memory is, "You know, People, I'm not black, but there's a whole lot of times I wish I could say I wasn't white."
I was just at an appointment and mentioned our discussion to my doctor. I was amazed at how quickly she agreed that the Philippines were cheated and Manila left in rubble despite all our promises. Now the problem is: how do we Americans confront our government and make them correct their mistakes? The fool in power now would never accept responsibility for something which happened under another president (well, except his father, of course). How can we make the people and the government aware of our failed responsibilities and, most important, get them to ACT on it?? Considering my own ignorance, just teaching incomplete history isn't doing it! Any ideas?? I'd love to hear them!
