Colonial Policy Is The Root Cause Of Crab Mentality Among Some Filipinos-Esquerra

Jan. 29,2010
Colonial Policy Is The Root Cause Of Crab Mentality Among Some Filipinos-Esguerra
By Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.

Maasin City, Southern Leyte-Harsh colonial policy during the Spanish colonization of almost 400 years is the root cause of crab mentality among some of the Filipinos.
This was the revelation of Dr. Ted Esguerra, Expedition doctor of the Everest Team during a recent press conference here in this nine-year-old city held at the City Hall’s Sangguniang Panglunsod session hall. The team has had reached the highest mountain’s summit of 29,025 feet above sea level after three months of grueling ascension and finally planted the Philippine flag on May 17, 2006 by one of its members by the name of Leo Oracion.
“It was in the final few trudge up in the summit that Oracion was near exhaustion and collapse but he persevered and he made it”, said Expedition leader Arturo Valdez who is also the “weatherman” of the team.
The findings of Dr.Esguerra were the result of “fragmented history” he knew from Filipino historians, researchers and scholars who have conducted an intensive research of our past.
He stressed that our ancestors are, brave, daring, regal who love music, drama and dancing.
Esguerra quoting a saying in Tagalog, said:”Ang hindi marinong lumingon sa kanilang pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa kanilang patutungohan”.(Those who have no wisdom to look back at their origin(past) cannot reach their respective pinnacles of destination.)
He said that before Magellan came to the Philippines our ancestors already knew to speak Latin and Spanish. Before the Chinese came to the Philippines they have already reached China engaging in trade.” Long before Magellan and his men came to the Philippines”, he said, “an Indo-Malay race by the name of Enrique D. Malaca had already circumnavigated the world and was the first to get the first world title and not Pacquiao”.
He claimed that during the Spanish period some of our ancestors escaped from the harsh colonizers using their Balangay boats in search for places to settle. “This is where the word barangay was derived”, he said.
He said the aforesaid boat sans outriggers were able to traverse and cross the Pacific Ocean. Some of them have reached as far as Madagascar, South Africa and in Eastern Island at the back of New Zealand. “In Madagascar we can see the inhabitants who have similar physical feature and complexion with that of the Filipinos”, he said.
Based on the fragmented history, it was in 320 A.D. that our forefathers started constructing Balangay boats of different sizes. As in the Pigafetta’s diary, he said, he mentioned that some of these boats have 100 rowers on one side used most probably as war boats.
It was also learned that the Vikings started building boats only in 325 A.D. and that the Chinese started theirs during the 12th century. “So we can say that our forefathers (ancestors) are more advance than the Vikings and the Chinese”, he said.
Asked how were they able to know about the existence of the Balangay boats, he confided that it was the treasure hunters from Butuan who have discovered such kind of boat.
Esguerra said that it was confirmed by some geologists that there are 9 of it(Balangay boats) buried in the depths of the earth in Butuan, but only 2 of it were excavated. One was in exhibit at the Museum in Butuan and the other was exhibited at the Museum of the National Historical Institute in Metro Manila.
The 7 others will remain unearth until such time that the government thru the National Historical Institute could have the huge amount of money for its excavation and extraction works, he said.
Moeover,our source informed that the discovery of these huge boats without outriggers has led to the extensive research among Filipino historians,researchers,geologists and scholars on our past.
Nevertheless, one of the reasons why majority of the Filipinos did not know anything about our ancestors, he said, was because during the Spanish regime some books, records and other materials that could serve as references to dig our past were burned and destroyed.
It was also divulged that the practice of martial arts of our ancestors was ordered stop by the colonizers.Balangay boat builders were also allegedly killed to prevent them from passing their skills to their children and their descendants. “Since our ancestors love music, drama and dancing”, Valdez’s colleague revealed, “they were recruited as members of the zarzuelas who would perform in some social gatherings and in public presentations during important events”.
The expedition leader further informed that the Balangay boat they are currently using in their nationwide expedition was a replica of the original. He said that it’s important that the new generation of youth will know who our ancestors are during their time. He reiterated what he had said earlier: “Our forefathers are brave, daring, regal who love music, drama and dancing... It is important that the youth will see it again.”
Esguerra also confided that on their climb up the Mt.Everest they used ordinary clothes and their needs are minimal. He said they have adopted and practiced the bayanihan spirit. They helped each other and have the division of labor as they continue their ascent which lasted for three months. “WE also eat together and sleep together”, he said.
Valdez also said that in every place they have visited in the course of their Balangay boat expedition they always talk to the students. They usually revealed to them the fragmented history about our ancestors whom they must look back to know who we really are. “However, when they Spaniards came to colonize our country, our true character was erased”, he said.
During their visit here they have delivered lectures on the bad effects of illegal drugs, inculcation of the bayanihan spirit that needs to be a part of the Filipinos everyday life, preservation and protection of the environment to the Maasin City College students.
It was further learned that the Everest Team was about to receive awards from the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation. Nonetheless, because of too many requirements to be submitted, they chose to disregard it.
When asked about the exact size of the Balangay boat that docked at the reclamation area’s Inland River leading to the sea, expedition leader Valdez has given the following measurement: length-18 meters; width-3.2 meters; buoyancy without load-2.5 meters to 13 feet; when loaded-18 to 24 inches; capacity-30 persons.
Esguerra added that what they have accomplished by reaching the summit of Mt.Everest can also be done by any idealistic and determined Filipino. He disclosed that the following year 2007 a group of Filipinas have also made it to the top of Mt.Everest.
Person comprising those who have joined the Balangay boat christened as “Diwata Ng Lahi” Expedition were the following:
A) Everest Team: Arturo Valdez (Expedition leader and the “weatherman” of the group),Dr. Ted Esguerra(Expedition doctor),Pastor Emata,Janet Sardena,Carina Dayondon and Fred Jamili.Purificacion did not join the expedition.
B) Butuan delegate: Toto Calo, John Manginsay, Nikko Calo, and Ato Raypon.
C) Coast Guards: JP Rodriguez, Rey Godoy and Ogie Ojano.
D) Navy Seals: Runnel Santelices, Pedro Punongbayan, Mike Layola and Jovit Javellanosa.
The Balangay boat expedition led by the Everest Team was supported by the Dept. of Agriculture, DENR, DepEd, BFAR, Philippine Coast Guard, Jollibee, Dept of Tourism and DOTC.(Quirico M. Gorpido, Jr.)