EXPANSIONS IS NOW!

INDIGENOUS RESISTANCE TO U.S. COLONIAL INVASION SA PINAS

On this, the 103rd Anniversary of the U.S. Occupation Forces' execution of General MACARIO SAKAY, Freedom Fighter & President of the Tagalog Republic,
here are some notes from Paul Flores about "the Barber who stopped cutting his hair" (Sakay's Freedom Fighters would often let their hair grow to signify how long they had been committed to the armed struggle against the invaders:)

"Contrary to popular belief, Philippine resistance to American rule did not end with the capture of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1901. There were numerous resistance forces fighting for Philippine independence until the year 1910. One of these forces was led by Macario Sakay who established the Tagalog Republic.

Born in 1870 in Tondo, Macario Sakay had a working-class background. He started out as an apprentice in a calesa manufacturing shop. He was also a tailor, a barber, and an actor in comedias and moro-moros. His participation in Tagalog dramas exposed him to the world of love, courage, and discipline.

In 1894, Sakay joined the Dapitan, Manila branch of the Katipunan. Due to his exemplary work, he became head of the branch. His nightly activities as an actor in comedias camouflaged his involvement with the Katipunan. Sakay assisted in the operation of the Katipunan press. During the early days of the Katipunan, Sakay worked with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto. He fought side by side with Bonifacio in the hills of Morong (now Rizal) Province.

During the initial stages of the Filipino-American war, Sakay was jailed for his seditious activities. He had been caught forming several Katipunan chapters and preaching its ideals from town to town...

GUERRILLA TACTICS

In late 1904, Sakay and his men took military offensive against the enemy. They were successful in seizing ammunition and firearms in their raids in Cavite and Batangas. Disguised in Philippine Constabulary uniforms, they captured the U.S. military garrison in Parañaque and ran away with a large amount of revolvers, carbines, and ammunition. Sakay's men often employed these uniforms to confuse the enemy.

Using guerrilla warfare, Sakay would look for a chance to use a large number of his men against a small band of the enemy. They usually attacked at night when most of the enemy was looking for relaxation. Sakay severely punished and often liquidated suspected collaborators.

The Tagalog Republic enjoyed the support of the Filipino masses in the areas of Morong, Laguna, Batangas, and Cavite. Lower class people and those living in barrios contributed food, money, and other supplies to the movement. The people also helped Sakay's men evade military checkpoints. They collected information on the whereabouts of the American troops and passed them on. Muchachos working for the Americans stole ammunition and guns for the use of Sakay's men..."


Sakays parting words:
"Death comes to all of us sooner or later, so I will face the Lord Almighty calmly. But I want to tell you that we were not bandits and robbers, as the Americans have accused us, but members of the revolutionary force that defended our mother country, Filipinas! Farewell! Long live the republic and may our independence be born in the future! Farewell! Long live Filipinas!"


~ Last words of Katipunero, Revolutionary General & President of Katagulugan (The Tagalog Republic) MACARIO SAKAY, after he and fellow freedom fighter LUCIO DE VEGA were captured through the treachery of the U.S. invaders and their henchmen in the Philippines, accused of banditry by the U.S. puppet regime. SAKAY had his anting-anting (protective amulet, pictured here) taken by his captors. SAKAY and DE VEGA were executed on September 13th, 1907. This was over 5 years after the U.S. President (Teddy Roosevelt) had claimed that the Philippine-American War was over, and fighting continued in other areas until at least 1910. (cf- G.W. Bush's declaration of "Mission accomplished" in Iraq)

THE WAY OUT'

EXPANSIONS IS NOW

Agta Tribes bicol Philippines where are they now?

The Agta tribes" bicol Philippines, where are they now?

Agta is the generic term used in Bikol to refer to its 40,000 natives with dark-colored skins, short stature and kinky hair. There are three other terms for them in Camarines Norte where they have managed to preserve their indigenous culture. "Kabihug" is what they call themselves; "Manide" is the term for their language; and Abian, meaning "friend" is how they are referred to by non- Agtas.

Agta Society

The Agta family has very close ties. The relatives on both the father's and mother's sides are called kaka. The following kinship terms are used by the Kabihugs for members of both the consaguineal and affinal families. Grandfather, dadong; grandmother, lala; father, tata; mother, nana; uncle, ama; aunt, mina; eldest brother, kaka or bihion; subsequent older brother or sister , kawedian na inyog; son, anak a bihion; daughter, anak a babaye; child, batet; grandchild, apo; nephew or niece, kumangkon; older cousin, pinsan a kaka; younger cousin, pinsan a wedi; and father or mother-in-law, lis-ikan.

The father and the elder sons usually hunt, while the mothers and daughters are left behind for the household chores. It is usually the mothers who take care of the babies. Infancy is termed as tayombon, weaning as pagbubutas, childhood as pagdako, adolescence as pagsisiel and pagbakis as marriage.
In social gatherings called katapusan which is usually a day for rest, youngsters get the opportunity to mingle with other youngsters. When a boy happens to fall in love with a girl, he can declare his intentions by hiding and waiting for her to bathe in the river. There he should throw to the girl a fruit with a drawn design symbolizing his love for her. If the girl picks up the fruit, it means that she too has similar feelings for the boy. It is only then that the boy reveals himself and proposes to the girl. If their parents do not object of their love, the boy will do the manunungko and ask from the girl's parents her hand in marriage. The girl's father gives the boy a final task. If accomplished to his satisfaction, the wedding is then set. It is the tribe's oldest member who officiates at the ceremony, where tobacco, local wine and nganga figure prominently. After receiving the final blessings and instructions from their eldest relatives, the couple make off for the hills or forest for their honeymoon. The next day, they wear a red piece of cloth around their foreheads to proclaim their newlywed status.

TUNE IN TURN ON.. EXPANSIONS Presents Keb darge in manila 2008' Celebrating musical cultures under one nation"

Expansions (2008) from Paolo Garcia on Vimeo.

Comedy duo' Reycard duet at the Main stage"

Do you still remember the " ReyCard Duet”? This dynamic popular duo made it big in Las Vegas.

The Reycard Duet (Rey Ramirez and Ricardo ‘Carding’ Castro) started their career in the entertainment world in the 50s doing stage shows at the Clover Theater and Manila Grand Opera House. They also performed in town fiestas. In their performances, Ramirez was the singer while Castro provided the comedy part. Carding’s big mouth was the duo’s main draw and asset. The two also appeared in movies, even doing a bio-pic in 1964, titled “The Reycard Duet Story.” In the late 60s, the Reycards hit it big in Las Vegas, which became their home for more than 40 years. From time to time, they do concerts here in the Philippines and also in Europe and other parts of the world. The two returned in the 90s and hosted "Awitawanan," with Pilita on Channel 13. They also starred in comedies like "Katabi Ko'y Mamaw and "Yes, Yes, Yo, Kabayong Kutsero.” When Rey died in 1997, Carding turned solo and appeared in ABS-CBN sitcom, “Home Along the Riles” with Comedy King Dolphy. He did several movies under Star Cinema. He died in 2003.