9/24/08

12. A place so nice, they destroyed it twice

In the more colonial parts of the country, especially in the historical areas around Manila, you will find that our country has a rich and diverse history full of innovation and influence.

And it was all destroyed at least two or three times.

The oldest church in the Philippines, Saint Augustin, originally erected in 1571, has been burned and pillaged at least twice each by the Spanish, the Chinese, the British, and the Americans. You can read for yourself its colorful history.



Look at how the church looks in the picture. Look at it now:



It’s been destroyed so many times, they didn’t even bother putting up a second tower.
Now I’m not one of those pseudo activists who’s gonna scream “it’s cause we’re brown” in the case of a few colonial overpowerings. But let’s not bullshit. My country was pretty much fucked by every other surrounding nation, and it saddens me to think of all that. It’s a sad history, and well, damn dude, it sucks. But regardless, it’s our history, and let’s hope that during World War III, the Americans won’t come back and trample the livelihoods of thousands of Filipino citizens.

“And to your right, are jail cells where Spaniards imprisoned many Filipino revolutionaries. Today, it is a bar.”
-The calesa driver

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