The merging of cultures

I got an email from an old friend in California , Architect Ramiro Esteban. Raming asked for the mailing address of fourth district Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer.

He wrote Ferrer for the “advancement of La Carlota which somehow has been bypassed ever since the coastal highway to Kabankalan has been developed.”

I want to help Raming which he asked for. And my help is a suggestion to him to enjoy his retirement in the land of milk and honey and forget the “lack of advancement” of his land of birth.

He must avoid the rise of his blood pressure, if ignored. Raming must be in his 80s now. I remember Raming since I was in college at the University of San Agustin in Iloilo where he was already teaching architecture.

I recall years ago he also complained that his suggestions for improving Bacolod were also ignored. Raming has left Bacolod for so long that he clings to the old practice of undertaking public works projects. Things have changed now, Raming.

Raming, you must be within the small circle of favored contractors of political leaders in order to be listened to and accommodated.

Come home to Bacolod and we give you a one-hour program in television to give your advice. Of course, you pay. Or write letters to the editor of local papers if you cannot run a column. You will enjoy life too. Our friend from Carson City Romy Niere is here, has a television program and is enjoying life. Like Romy, Edmund Aspero might work out, too, to have you run for the city council.

American citizen? That's the problem of the lawyers. Edmund said.

* * *

The problem that Raming Esteban presented is the clash of cultures. Niere does not just sit down there and complain. He came home, is back in media and works to influence our culture.

I sat down with Raming Esteban in L.A. the number of times I was there. He is very concerned with our government here. But he can't do it until he comes home and works with us.

That is why we have so many things to learn from our Filipino-Chinese friends here. The forthcoming BacoLaodiat celebration is actually projecting the two cultures and how they have influenced our community.

Last Friday we interviewed on television BacoLaodiat chairman William Ong, BacoLaodiat founder Fred Barcelona, and the chairman of this year's events Vicky Rio.

The program is to coincide with the celebration of the Chinese New Year from Feb. 7 to 10. You read in the papers the chronology of events.

* * *

I learned plenty from that interview. Fred Barcelona narrated the story of the 12 animals the Emperor chose to guard the palace.

And this year, being the Year of the Rat, highlights the virtues of the Rat: wily, tricky, smart.

The Rat won the race by riding on the back of other animals. First it sat in the trunk of an elephant that panicked on the sight of a rat.

Then the Rat jumped into the head of a bull which was fast and on nearing the finish line leaped ahead to win the race.

But, Fred said, the Rat was the one asked by the Emperor to name 12 animals. By intention or by omission, it did not include the cat, that is why until now the enmity between the cat and the rat continues. The cat eats the rat.

Fred also told us the story of the gunpowder invented by the Chinese.

* * *

The commingling of cultures is good for all, especially with the forming of the Global Village. And I can foresee, the Asian culture which actually is Chinese will dominate the world.

Of all the cities in the country, Cebu was the one mostly influenced by the Chinese. The Osmeñas have a Chinese origin.

Many taipans in the country were born or grew up in Cebu . Can be the reason why Cebu is progressive, the Chinese entrepreneurship, their culture of hard work and frugality has shaped the Filipino values.

Bacolod has graduated from having been dominated by rich families to the commoners now. It will not be a surprise if a few years later, many of our Tsinoys become our leaders in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

The way things are shaping up, our Tsinoys look like more interested in the growth and progress of the province and city than we are.

They throw their weight around? That's not a problem. I know we can take care of that too. Meanwhile, help to make BacoLaodiat successful.*

back to top