Post by Sandata on Dec 1, 2007 5:02:59 GMT -5
Friends, here's the article written by Wilfred G. Reyes of BusinessWorld newspaper. He's also a militaria enthusiast who has bought several artifacts and reproduced items from Perry Javier. I've posted the entire article here just in case it ever becomes inaccessible in the future. Just below is the full copyright citation.
Best regards to everyone,
Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan
------------------------------------------
BusineessWorld, Vol. XXI, No. 89
Friday-Saturday November 30 - December 1, 2007: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Focus, Weekender section, page S3/1.
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/index.php
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/main.php?id=focus1
Copyright © BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation.
Living History circa 2006-2007
Chances are that US Army Major General Henry W. Lawton, who vanquished the legendary Apache chief Geronimo, would never have imagined in his wildest dreams that he would meet his end at the hands of a Filipino revolutionary general, named Licerio Geronimo, at the Battle of Paye, near San Mateo, Rizal, on Dec. 19, 1899 — barely 10 months after he arrived in Manila to help in the campaign to crush Emilio Aguinaldo’s "insurgents."
And has any one ever wondered how — as basic history books would say — a band of mere bolo men ever managed to seize firearms from better-armed, better-trained Spanish troops at the outbreak of revolution in 1896? Practitioners of the ancient art of arnis/escrima should find in the answer to this an invigorating proof of an enduring Filipino martial tradition.
Those who count tinola as one of their favorite dishes may be surprised to know that it was standard fare in many 19th century households — only then, it was better known as sinabawang manok.
These and other long-forgotten, interesting tidbits and episodes of 19th Century Philippine history had prompted a group of enthusiasts — none of them historians by training or by profession — to pool their research efforts, grow their knowledge by exchanging information, and share their experience with the interested public by actually "reliving" — or better yet, reenacting — snippets of the lives of 19th Century heroes.
"It’s strange that Filipinos may now know more about that part of Korean history featured in [the Korean history-based television mini-series] Jumong than any episode of our own history," says Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan, a call center agent and former technology journalist who is a member of the core group of the Buhay Na Kasaysayan (Living History) Association (BNKA).
"Our history is rich with equally interesting — even dramatic — episodes that would make good material for movies, television [shows] and other media widely patronized by the public."
Promoting history
A primer of BNKA, which describes itself as an organization to promote the living history of the Philippines and which has an affiliate in the US, says the organization is "devoted to bringing critical Philippine historical events to life by developing the capability to reenact them with as much authenticity as logistically possible."
For now, the organization — formed in February last year with six core members who include call center agents, software engineers, as well as an Army colonel and a major — focuses on reenacting "significant or memorable feats of arms" of Filipinos during the Philippine Revolution, the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine-American War. "This activity may later expand to other reenactments, theater presentations and other activities which pertain to significant events, incidents and happenings crucial to our nation’s history," the primer read further.
The enthusiasm of members of the group to learn as much as they can about the 19th Century revolutionaries has driven a number of them to actually take up arnis, research the lifestyles and details of insignia and uniforms, as well as civilian clothing of the period that they replicate for use in public reenactments.
By staging such reenactments, the group seeks to provide "an alternative medium of learning and entertainment so positive Filipino cultural and moral values can be promoted in mass media and other modes of communication," the primer read.
In this way, the group said it hopes to instill or enhance patriotism among ordinary Filipinos by helping them rediscover pride in the country’s history and traditions, "to be passed from generation to generation."
"Reenactment of different eras of history is a hobby, even a tourist attraction, in other countries," says BNKA co-founder Pedro Antonio V. Javier, senior quality assurance engineer at semiconductor manufacturer Amkor Technology Philippines. His realistic dioramas and collection of photographs, as well as of genuine and reproduction insignia and articles of uniforms of Filipino warriors throughout the ages have been featured in public exhibits like Kasuotang Filipino 2007 at the Museo ng Makati last September to October, and during the commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 145th birthday at the Rizal Shrine in Intramuros, Manila from June to July last year.
Reenactors’ societies in the United States and Europe offer packages wherein tourists can experience the life of early colonials — living for a few days in restored 17th to 19th Century forts, dressing in the attire (sometimes rough, to the point of being itchy, plus shoes that did not conform exactly to the shape of one’s feet), eating the food (i.e., stonehard, tasteless biscuits that easily got worm-infested) and feeling what the daily routine was like for people of those eras (no electricity and no plumbing).
"That’s our dream [to stage massive reenactments which can involve the public]," says BNKA co-founder Nonito Raymundo T. Flores. "But we’re just starting with few members... so, we’re taking things little by little, step by step."
Researching uniforms
Messrs. Flores and Javier conduct much of the research that results in well-designed insignia and other articles of 19th Century uniforms that one can otherwise find only in rare photos in a few coffee-table books.
And that, BNKA members say, can be quite costly.
Mr. Alojipan, who dons the blue Spanish uniform of one of Gen. Geronimo’s Tiradores del Muerte (Marksmen of Death) — composed of Filipinos recruited into the Guardia Civil who later on joined the fight against the Americans, and killed Gen. Lawton and 13 other US officers near San Mateo — said a complete set, from straw hat and uniform with proper insignia, to leather belts and boots, could cost anywhere from P6,000 to P8,000.
Messrs. Flores and Javier have been selling these items to era-specialized collectors both here and abroad who consider the brass Katipunan insignia prized finds since these are much harder to come by in the global collectors’ market than most other articles of the Spanish-American War. Prices are reasonable for collectors, with various brass pins with the embossed revolutionary sun — with or without crossed bolos — going for P200-P300 each, and three types of Katipunan headgear priced from P750-P900 each.
The reenactors improvise where legal or practical constraints deny them access to other resources. Authorities, for instance, frown on even just replica firearms which are not made to fire. Hence, the authentic-looking 19th Century firearms with old-style bayonets seen in the group’s photos were made using reconfigured, broken BB guns.
"Anyway, the revolutionaries made use of whatever they could lay their hands on — from captured Spanish stocks to various paltiks [home-made guns]," Mr. Flores said.
Mr. Javier noted that this is where local reenactors will pale in comparison with more-established foreign counterparts. "It’s better in the US, since they are allowed to own real Spanish Remington rifles and Spanish Mausers used during the era, since [more liberal] gun ownership is legal in the US," he lamented.
Still, the research that goes into designing articles of uniform and checking each prototype manufactured is rigorous.
"Before we came to the accurate replica of the Spanish Mauser webbing, we made five reproductions - of which four were incorrect," Mr. Javier said.
"But all [research and development] expenses were paid by Nonito and I, not the supplier — even if the error was on the part of the supplier or manufacturer — since, during the early days, we needed to take care of them since they were gracious enough to even consider helping us out to make custom prototypes," the software quality engineer recalled. "The manufacturers, too, sacrifice with their efforts to grant our request or to partner with us in production, since these items are not made commercially and prototype-making is very hard to do and sometimes even unprofitable on their part."
Correcting mistakes in design or production, however, has limits. "While some errors may still be rectified, some are far beyond any hope of repair, hence, we just have to make new prototypes," Mr. Javier said.
Mr. Javier recalled that, at the start, he and Mr. Flores were faced with few available resources when they decided to start researching, "then looking for fabricators and suppliers block by block, street by street, from north to south [in Metro Manila] — whoever would be capable and willing to reproduce militaria items of the late 1800s to the early 1900s."
"Most of the time, we were rejected, since we asked to produce only one to two sets and did not have actual samples — just historical photos," Mr. Javier said. "Most manufacturers we encountered wanted to have an item to copy, and wanted us to order in large quantities so they can have immediate or sure profit."
"Moreover, most of them did not want tedious, detailed instructions that are necessary to ensure that the prototypes are as close to original items as possible," he added.
"After that, we produced uniforms, bags, ammo pouches, [leather] webbings, flags... other BNKA and even non-BNKA members alike got inspired and began to purchase these items from Nonito and I. We also sent some of the items to our US counterparts," he said.
The research was so rigorous, that Messrs. Javier and Flores discovered minute differences between the Spanish and Filipino rayadillo uniforms, including the designs of pockets and uniforms.
"The Spaniards’ ammo pouches were square. The Filipinos captured a few, and found out that it was more practical to have a round bottom, so that bullets naturally bunch up at the bottom," Mr. Flores explained. "In the heat of battle, groping around for your remaining bullets scattered all over a square-bottomed pouch takes precious seconds that could spell the difference between life and death."
Lack of records
Messrs. Javier, Flores and Alojipan concede that the first problem encountered by researchers is inadequate written records by early Filipinos.
"Sometimes, you just have to glean or guess details like colors from faded period photographs," said Mr. Alojipan.
Mr. Javier explained: "Since the photos of the uniforms during that era were either only in sepia or black and white, it is very hard for us to know the right colors of the parts of the uniform In other countries, they have established their research and records, dating even back to ancient times. In Filipino history, research materials are very scarce. Filipino historians usually know only the stories of general history the details themselves are very scarce.
"Incredibly, many if not most of our authentic military equipment are in the US, made into war booty during the Philippine-American War," he lamented.
Not that such lack of recorded history poses an insurmountable obstacle to those with the passion to impart knowledge to the interested public.
Carlos P. Celdran, best known for his twice-a-day "Walk This Way" tours that open the eyes of participants to the little-known or long-forgotten past behind some of old Manila’s most-trodden streets and districts, said researchers should start their task by accepting the fact that much of early Philippine history consists of oral tradition, passed through generations of families by simple word of mouth.
"That, plus much of our history was written either by foreigners or by illustrados who had their own agenda," he explained. "So, you cannot always trust what is written to tell you the whole story.
"But that gives me some leeway to interpret history that makes it meaningful to those I talk to... every Filipino should have his own version of history," he said.
BNKA is now contemplating an online store, complete with a real-time payment facility, while an American friend who is an active reenactor of the US Civil War and of the Spanish-American War has included some of its items in his Ebay store. For now, however, the group caters primarily to collectors, who communicate with it via e-mail addresses bnk_ philippines@yahoo.com and historic_ militaria@yahoo.com.
"The sales do not make profit; we hardly break even," Mr. Javier said. "We do this for advocacy. As much as possible, we make quality reproductions for the purpose of educating people correctly about our history.
"When we do gain a small profit from our sale, we revolve the profit to investor in further research and development — and more new prototypes."
And all that trouble for...?
"Pagsasabuhay ng kasaysayan — to relive history," said Mr. Flores. "It’s one of the best ways to teach people about our past."
He noted that comments by passersby who stop to watch his group’s reenactments — like the one scheduled at 7:30 a.m. today at the Bonifacio monument in front of Vinzons Hall in the Diliman Campus of the University of the Philippines to commemorate Andres Bonifacio’s 144th birth anniversary — show a deep interest in details of Philippine history that they do not find in widely available books. "They say ’wow, is that so?’" Mr. Flores recounts. "What’s more, they say that kabig sa dibdib — with genuine astonishment and pride."
Mr. Celdran can relate, noting the growing percentage of Filipinos who take his daily tours.
"Right now, I’d say they [Filipinos] make up about 40%, and that’s a steady improvement from five years ago," he said. "It’s not as much as I would have wanted — I personally would like to see more locals participate.
"But, for me, being able to entice people from their daily routine — going, as usual, to the malls, for instance — is already an achievement," he added.
But it’s an uphill battle for those who have taken up this advocacy.
"There is a mentality among many Filipinos that we have an inferior culture. And they’re so happy when you help open their eyes to the richness of our past," Mr. Celdran explained.
"Every now and then, you meet someone who exclaims, ’you mean we have such a history?!’" he added. "And in that moment, you feel a sense of achievement... but it is also sad."
— Wilfredo G. Reyes
Photos:
Reenactors in their authentic reproduction outfits circa the Spanish-American war — Buhay Na Kasaysayan Association
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/focus.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/family.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/infantry.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/mail13.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/boloman.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/mail11.jpg
Best regards to everyone,
Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan
------------------------------------------
BusineessWorld, Vol. XXI, No. 89
Friday-Saturday November 30 - December 1, 2007: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
Focus, Weekender section, page S3/1.
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/index.php
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/main.php?id=focus1
Copyright © BusinessWorld Publishing Corporation.
Living History circa 2006-2007
Chances are that US Army Major General Henry W. Lawton, who vanquished the legendary Apache chief Geronimo, would never have imagined in his wildest dreams that he would meet his end at the hands of a Filipino revolutionary general, named Licerio Geronimo, at the Battle of Paye, near San Mateo, Rizal, on Dec. 19, 1899 — barely 10 months after he arrived in Manila to help in the campaign to crush Emilio Aguinaldo’s "insurgents."
And has any one ever wondered how — as basic history books would say — a band of mere bolo men ever managed to seize firearms from better-armed, better-trained Spanish troops at the outbreak of revolution in 1896? Practitioners of the ancient art of arnis/escrima should find in the answer to this an invigorating proof of an enduring Filipino martial tradition.
Those who count tinola as one of their favorite dishes may be surprised to know that it was standard fare in many 19th century households — only then, it was better known as sinabawang manok.
These and other long-forgotten, interesting tidbits and episodes of 19th Century Philippine history had prompted a group of enthusiasts — none of them historians by training or by profession — to pool their research efforts, grow their knowledge by exchanging information, and share their experience with the interested public by actually "reliving" — or better yet, reenacting — snippets of the lives of 19th Century heroes.
"It’s strange that Filipinos may now know more about that part of Korean history featured in [the Korean history-based television mini-series] Jumong than any episode of our own history," says Selwyn Clyde M. Alojipan, a call center agent and former technology journalist who is a member of the core group of the Buhay Na Kasaysayan (Living History) Association (BNKA).
"Our history is rich with equally interesting — even dramatic — episodes that would make good material for movies, television [shows] and other media widely patronized by the public."
Promoting history
A primer of BNKA, which describes itself as an organization to promote the living history of the Philippines and which has an affiliate in the US, says the organization is "devoted to bringing critical Philippine historical events to life by developing the capability to reenact them with as much authenticity as logistically possible."
For now, the organization — formed in February last year with six core members who include call center agents, software engineers, as well as an Army colonel and a major — focuses on reenacting "significant or memorable feats of arms" of Filipinos during the Philippine Revolution, the Spanish-American War, and the Philippine-American War. "This activity may later expand to other reenactments, theater presentations and other activities which pertain to significant events, incidents and happenings crucial to our nation’s history," the primer read further.
The enthusiasm of members of the group to learn as much as they can about the 19th Century revolutionaries has driven a number of them to actually take up arnis, research the lifestyles and details of insignia and uniforms, as well as civilian clothing of the period that they replicate for use in public reenactments.
By staging such reenactments, the group seeks to provide "an alternative medium of learning and entertainment so positive Filipino cultural and moral values can be promoted in mass media and other modes of communication," the primer read.
In this way, the group said it hopes to instill or enhance patriotism among ordinary Filipinos by helping them rediscover pride in the country’s history and traditions, "to be passed from generation to generation."
"Reenactment of different eras of history is a hobby, even a tourist attraction, in other countries," says BNKA co-founder Pedro Antonio V. Javier, senior quality assurance engineer at semiconductor manufacturer Amkor Technology Philippines. His realistic dioramas and collection of photographs, as well as of genuine and reproduction insignia and articles of uniforms of Filipino warriors throughout the ages have been featured in public exhibits like Kasuotang Filipino 2007 at the Museo ng Makati last September to October, and during the commemoration of Jose Rizal’s 145th birthday at the Rizal Shrine in Intramuros, Manila from June to July last year.
Reenactors’ societies in the United States and Europe offer packages wherein tourists can experience the life of early colonials — living for a few days in restored 17th to 19th Century forts, dressing in the attire (sometimes rough, to the point of being itchy, plus shoes that did not conform exactly to the shape of one’s feet), eating the food (i.e., stonehard, tasteless biscuits that easily got worm-infested) and feeling what the daily routine was like for people of those eras (no electricity and no plumbing).
"That’s our dream [to stage massive reenactments which can involve the public]," says BNKA co-founder Nonito Raymundo T. Flores. "But we’re just starting with few members... so, we’re taking things little by little, step by step."
Researching uniforms
Messrs. Flores and Javier conduct much of the research that results in well-designed insignia and other articles of 19th Century uniforms that one can otherwise find only in rare photos in a few coffee-table books.
And that, BNKA members say, can be quite costly.
Mr. Alojipan, who dons the blue Spanish uniform of one of Gen. Geronimo’s Tiradores del Muerte (Marksmen of Death) — composed of Filipinos recruited into the Guardia Civil who later on joined the fight against the Americans, and killed Gen. Lawton and 13 other US officers near San Mateo — said a complete set, from straw hat and uniform with proper insignia, to leather belts and boots, could cost anywhere from P6,000 to P8,000.
Messrs. Flores and Javier have been selling these items to era-specialized collectors both here and abroad who consider the brass Katipunan insignia prized finds since these are much harder to come by in the global collectors’ market than most other articles of the Spanish-American War. Prices are reasonable for collectors, with various brass pins with the embossed revolutionary sun — with or without crossed bolos — going for P200-P300 each, and three types of Katipunan headgear priced from P750-P900 each.
The reenactors improvise where legal or practical constraints deny them access to other resources. Authorities, for instance, frown on even just replica firearms which are not made to fire. Hence, the authentic-looking 19th Century firearms with old-style bayonets seen in the group’s photos were made using reconfigured, broken BB guns.
"Anyway, the revolutionaries made use of whatever they could lay their hands on — from captured Spanish stocks to various paltiks [home-made guns]," Mr. Flores said.
Mr. Javier noted that this is where local reenactors will pale in comparison with more-established foreign counterparts. "It’s better in the US, since they are allowed to own real Spanish Remington rifles and Spanish Mausers used during the era, since [more liberal] gun ownership is legal in the US," he lamented.
Still, the research that goes into designing articles of uniform and checking each prototype manufactured is rigorous.
"Before we came to the accurate replica of the Spanish Mauser webbing, we made five reproductions - of which four were incorrect," Mr. Javier said.
"But all [research and development] expenses were paid by Nonito and I, not the supplier — even if the error was on the part of the supplier or manufacturer — since, during the early days, we needed to take care of them since they were gracious enough to even consider helping us out to make custom prototypes," the software quality engineer recalled. "The manufacturers, too, sacrifice with their efforts to grant our request or to partner with us in production, since these items are not made commercially and prototype-making is very hard to do and sometimes even unprofitable on their part."
Correcting mistakes in design or production, however, has limits. "While some errors may still be rectified, some are far beyond any hope of repair, hence, we just have to make new prototypes," Mr. Javier said.
Mr. Javier recalled that, at the start, he and Mr. Flores were faced with few available resources when they decided to start researching, "then looking for fabricators and suppliers block by block, street by street, from north to south [in Metro Manila] — whoever would be capable and willing to reproduce militaria items of the late 1800s to the early 1900s."
"Most of the time, we were rejected, since we asked to produce only one to two sets and did not have actual samples — just historical photos," Mr. Javier said. "Most manufacturers we encountered wanted to have an item to copy, and wanted us to order in large quantities so they can have immediate or sure profit."
"Moreover, most of them did not want tedious, detailed instructions that are necessary to ensure that the prototypes are as close to original items as possible," he added.
"After that, we produced uniforms, bags, ammo pouches, [leather] webbings, flags... other BNKA and even non-BNKA members alike got inspired and began to purchase these items from Nonito and I. We also sent some of the items to our US counterparts," he said.
The research was so rigorous, that Messrs. Javier and Flores discovered minute differences between the Spanish and Filipino rayadillo uniforms, including the designs of pockets and uniforms.
"The Spaniards’ ammo pouches were square. The Filipinos captured a few, and found out that it was more practical to have a round bottom, so that bullets naturally bunch up at the bottom," Mr. Flores explained. "In the heat of battle, groping around for your remaining bullets scattered all over a square-bottomed pouch takes precious seconds that could spell the difference between life and death."
Lack of records
Messrs. Javier, Flores and Alojipan concede that the first problem encountered by researchers is inadequate written records by early Filipinos.
"Sometimes, you just have to glean or guess details like colors from faded period photographs," said Mr. Alojipan.
Mr. Javier explained: "Since the photos of the uniforms during that era were either only in sepia or black and white, it is very hard for us to know the right colors of the parts of the uniform In other countries, they have established their research and records, dating even back to ancient times. In Filipino history, research materials are very scarce. Filipino historians usually know only the stories of general history the details themselves are very scarce.
"Incredibly, many if not most of our authentic military equipment are in the US, made into war booty during the Philippine-American War," he lamented.
Not that such lack of recorded history poses an insurmountable obstacle to those with the passion to impart knowledge to the interested public.
Carlos P. Celdran, best known for his twice-a-day "Walk This Way" tours that open the eyes of participants to the little-known or long-forgotten past behind some of old Manila’s most-trodden streets and districts, said researchers should start their task by accepting the fact that much of early Philippine history consists of oral tradition, passed through generations of families by simple word of mouth.
"That, plus much of our history was written either by foreigners or by illustrados who had their own agenda," he explained. "So, you cannot always trust what is written to tell you the whole story.
"But that gives me some leeway to interpret history that makes it meaningful to those I talk to... every Filipino should have his own version of history," he said.
BNKA is now contemplating an online store, complete with a real-time payment facility, while an American friend who is an active reenactor of the US Civil War and of the Spanish-American War has included some of its items in his Ebay store. For now, however, the group caters primarily to collectors, who communicate with it via e-mail addresses bnk_ philippines@yahoo.com and historic_ militaria@yahoo.com.
"The sales do not make profit; we hardly break even," Mr. Javier said. "We do this for advocacy. As much as possible, we make quality reproductions for the purpose of educating people correctly about our history.
"When we do gain a small profit from our sale, we revolve the profit to investor in further research and development — and more new prototypes."
And all that trouble for...?
"Pagsasabuhay ng kasaysayan — to relive history," said Mr. Flores. "It’s one of the best ways to teach people about our past."
He noted that comments by passersby who stop to watch his group’s reenactments — like the one scheduled at 7:30 a.m. today at the Bonifacio monument in front of Vinzons Hall in the Diliman Campus of the University of the Philippines to commemorate Andres Bonifacio’s 144th birth anniversary — show a deep interest in details of Philippine history that they do not find in widely available books. "They say ’wow, is that so?’" Mr. Flores recounts. "What’s more, they say that kabig sa dibdib — with genuine astonishment and pride."
Mr. Celdran can relate, noting the growing percentage of Filipinos who take his daily tours.
"Right now, I’d say they [Filipinos] make up about 40%, and that’s a steady improvement from five years ago," he said. "It’s not as much as I would have wanted — I personally would like to see more locals participate.
"But, for me, being able to entice people from their daily routine — going, as usual, to the malls, for instance — is already an achievement," he added.
But it’s an uphill battle for those who have taken up this advocacy.
"There is a mentality among many Filipinos that we have an inferior culture. And they’re so happy when you help open their eyes to the richness of our past," Mr. Celdran explained.
"Every now and then, you meet someone who exclaims, ’you mean we have such a history?!’" he added. "And in that moment, you feel a sense of achievement... but it is also sad."
— Wilfredo G. Reyes
Photos:
Reenactors in their authentic reproduction outfits circa the Spanish-American war — Buhay Na Kasaysayan Association
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/focus.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/family.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/infantry.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/mail13.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/boloman.jpg
www.bworld.com.ph/Weekender113007/photos/mail11.jpg
