08 March 2017 MEXICO CITY — The Philippine Embassy in Mexico hosted the launching of the book entitled “México y Filipinas: Culturas y Memorias Sobre el Pacίfico” (Mexico and Philippines: Cultures and Memories of the Pacific) at the Embassy’s Chancery on March 02.
The book is a collaborative work between the Colegio de Michoacȧn and Ateneo de Manila University. It compiles the research papers presented at an academic seminar held in November 2014 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in commemoration of the 450th year of the Legazpi voyage to the Philippines.
During the conference, researchers from the Philippines, Mexico, Spain, Argentina, and the United States presented papers on the close cultural and historical ties between the Philippines and Latin America, particularly Mexico. The organizers of the conference, Dr. Thomas Calvo and Dr. Paulina Machuca, edited and released the aforementioned book in an event hosted by the embassy.
The book aims to promote awareness and understanding of the long historical and cultural relations between Mexico and the Philippines, especially in light of the complex international political and economic environment. It highlights the cultural exchanges between the two countries as a result of the Galleon Trade (1565-1815) and also sought to explore the “lost years” – the period between Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 up to the Philippine Revolution of 1896, when both countries lost contact with each other.
Ambassador de Vega, in his message, noted how much Filipinos and Mexicans share, citing examples such as cockfighting (pelea de gallos), brought over Mexico from the Philippines; the tuba (coconut wine) in the Mexican state of Colima, also borrowed from the Philippines; and the similarities between the barong Tagalog and the Mexican and Cuban guayabera shirt.
He also remarked on how the same iconic Barong Tagalog would not exist without the Galleon Trade, as it is made from piña cloth taken from the pineapple plant that is native to South America.
Ambassador de Vega mentioned that although many Filipino languages and dialects contain Spanish loanwords, few know that many other Filipino words are taken directly from the Aztec language, Nahuatl. He noted that this is most evident in the children’s song “Bahay Kubo”, were many of the vegetables and fruits mentioned are not indigenous to the Philippines, but actually came from Mexico (such as jicama / singkamas, jitomate / kamatis, cacahuate / mani, etc.).
Dr. Calvo and Dr. Pachuca, in their remarks, said that their book’s objective was to foster learning and understanding of the historical and cultural ties linking our two peoples together, which serve to further strengthen and improve the ties between Mexico and the Philippines.
Also in attendance to offer their comments on the book were historians/academicians who shared with the guests historical and cultural facts about Mexico and the Philippines and affirmed the book’s relevance in strengthening Asian-Latin American relations.
A Mexican media outfit was also present and interviewed the Ambassador on the past, present and future of Mexican-Philippine relations. Other guests included Mexican academicians, friends, and members of the Filipino community. END
