It has been running for the longest time… and into our deepest veins.
It all started in 1898 when the United States of America was booming economically and decided it was ready to expand its territories. This was the year when the American Republic transformed from a country with a traditional non-interventionist foreign policy to an imperial power, imposing control over and sometimes outright annexing of overseas territory.
It had the perfect excuse when the USS Maine sunk in the Havana harbor on February 15, 1898, leading to the American intervention in the Cuban War of Independence and the acquisition of Spain’s remaining colonies in the Pacific including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines.
The Treaty of Paris that ended the 10-week American-Hispanic War led to the cession of the Philippines to the United States of America to the tune of 20 million dollars so that Spain would give up its priced possession in the Far East.
1898 also marked the beginning of our Inang Bayan’s love-hate relationship with Uncle Sam. The Mock Battle of Manila which eventually led to the bloodier Phil-American War was also the defining moment for patriots to be heroes and for fence-sitters to play safe.
Jerrold Tarog’s biopic gave a clear picture of this crazy affair in its early stage. While General Antonio Luna and his men were sacrificing their lives in the battle field, businessmen were trying to strike a deal with the Americans.
This led to the outburst of the maverick official during a cabinet meeting of then President Emilio Aguinaldo, “Negosyo o Kalayaan? Bayan o sarili, pumili ka! (Business or freedom? Our native land or one’s self-serving interests, choose one!)”. We all know his tragic ending. He was murdered by his own fellow-Filipinos because their vested interests were at risk by his nationalistic fervor.
It was no different for Senate President Jovito Salonga who steered the 9th Congress to its finest hour when he led the Senate to a majority vote for the ouster of American forces in the Philippines. His bid for the presidency died as businessmen withdrew their support because of his courageous decision to sever ties with the Imperialist in 1991.
The true statesmen lauded the unshackling of colonial chains but not for long.
Seven years later, the Visiting Forces Agreement was signed between the Philippines and the U.S.A. on February 10, 1998. It was not surprising that the Agreement was forged under the helm of Pres. Fidel V. Ramos, a known product of West Point, the United States Military Academy for his Military Engineering baccalaureate and University of Illinois for his master’s degree in Civil Engineering.
The “visitor status” overstayed with the renewal of the Agreement on April 24, 2012 which continues to this day. Along the way, human rights were violated and the latest transgender victim was even killed but it seems the courts are kept from letting the White suspects feel the full measure of the law.
The provisions of the VFA states that the Philippines can prosecute American service members, but that the U.S. has custody over them “from the commission of the offense until completion of all judicial proceedings.”
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph Scott Pemberton was convicted of homicide and sentenced 6 to 12 years in jail. The family of victim Jennifer Laude wanted him to be held responsible for murder. It was a bitter-sweet victory for his loved ones. Pemberton may be imprisoned but with lighter punishment.
While the political stage is at play with the see-sawing of the principles of patriotism versus practicality in dealing with the so-called American ally, the same theme is played like a broken record down to the grassroots level.
Street parliamentarians always take to the streets to condemn imperialist abuses and accuse Philippine presidents as lapdogs of their Caucasian leash. At the same time, many Pinoys choose to leave their motherland to pursue the American dream in the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. Latest data show there are 1.8 million Filipino immigrants in the U.S.A. making the fourth largest group by country of origin following Mexico, China, and India. Some Filipinos even choose to denounce their citizenship while others go dual.
Whichever side of the fence we stand, for hate or for love, it is undeniable that the four decades of American colonial rule and their continuing presence in the Philippines have seeped through the very fiber of our society.
Activists scream their hearts out against the unwanted presence of the visiting forces to establish influence in Asia. It is undoubtedly admirable. But take a closer look at the so-called leftists and we observe a subconscious adaptation of lifestyles with strong Western leaning- sporting shirts, jeans and shoes with Stateside brands; listening to Western music; eating at fast foods with American franchise; watching shows and movies that are Hollywood-made; using emails, apps, websites and search engines designed by techies of the Silicon Valley.
We may look Filipino but we carry the American twang, unmistakably adapted from the English-curriculum of universities where we attend, most of which were established during the Colonial period.
Majority of us cannot fully accept our exotic looks. Cosmetic and dermatological companies earn millions from supplying a huge demand for skin whiteners, papaya soaps, glutathione and other bleaching substances. The moneyed ones even go for surgery to have their nasal bridges lifted and their almond eyes widened then wear colored lenses to make them more mestizo in appearance.
Colonial mentality also borders to discrimination. English-speaking children are perceived to be more intelligent than kids who are more comfortable with the local tongues. People schooled in the States are considered for higher posts and issued fatter paychecks. Some politicians even go to the extent of glossing up their resumes with their Western education to make them appear more credible than their opponents.
No matter how hard we go against the Western tide, there is no denying that the influence has formed part of our psyche. We should learn to embrace the good and reject the abuses.
As Heneral Luna puts it aptly, “May mas malaki tayong kalaban sa mga Amerikano–ang ating sarili. (We have a bigger enemy than the Americans – ourselves).”
Our sense of nationalism has long been diluted by centuries of Spanish and American “debriefing” that they are better, to maintain a slave mentality and for us to tolerate servitude. The hatred we feel against the Kanos today may well just be a projection of our inability to accept our confused Pinoy identity. It may then help to trace the origins of who we are as a proud and pure race.
Being radical is positive to the extent of getting back to our roots, relearning our values as a people and being vigilant of our rights. These will be our best warning device when excesses are committed beyond the “visiting” status and we must be moved to action to protect our own welfare as a person and as a nation.
Hate may start battles but it never won a war. It is always love that wins the day.
Photo credits: globalbalita.com