The Philippines Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow
Bullfighting in Iloilo During the mid-19th century under Spanish occupation in the Philippines, bullfighting, or corrida de toros, gained popularity as a form of entertainment among the Spanish elite and local elites who sought to emulate Spanish customs. The Spanish authorities promoted bullfighting as a symbol of Spanish culture and power, and it became a … Read more
Felix Laureano: The First Filipino Photographer Felix Laureano was born on November 20, 1866, in Patnongon, Antique into a prominent landowning family. His mother, Norverta Laureano, was a businesswoman while his father, Manuel Asencio, was a friar from Zamora, Spain. Laureano, along with his siblings (Santiago, Maria, Consolacion, Vicente, Trinidad, and Jesusa), grew up in … Read more
Gold in Precolonial Philippines Gold or Bulawan was abundant in the pre-colonial Philippines. The archipelago’s early inhabitants wore gold lavishly. Iloilo is linked to the “gold routes” in the Philippines, from the mines of Northern Luzon through gold-rich Paracale in Bicol, going southward to the Visayas where Cebu and Panay dominate the trade. During the … Read more
Among the three martyr priests, the least is known about Father Jacinto Zamora. His memory is even maligned by allegations that he enjoyed gambling and that it was supposedly why he became implicated in the Cavite Mutiny. However, he is remembered by his descendants as being loyal to his duties. On one occasion, according to … Read more
Golden Eyelids and Lips of the Dead Gold artifacts have been unearthed across the Philippines, shedding light on the sophisticated craftsmanship and burial practices of pre-colonial Filipino societies. These artifacts, including gold ornaments, jewelry, and ceremonial objects, have been discovered in various archaeological. Displayed at the UST Museum is a gold death mask found in … Read more