A Tale Of Philippines Poem by Ahmad Shiddiqi

(dedicated to my all poet friends from Philippines at poemhunter)

Spanish colonization in 1521
trade with Chinese, Japanese
the construction of Intramuros
a 'Walled City', European buildings, churches
after 350 years and 300 rebellions
with leaders Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo
succeeded in winning their independence

the first and only colony of the United States
the Philippine-American War
fought alongside Americans during World War II
famous battle of Bataan and Corregidor
which delayed Japanese advance and saved Australia
a guerilla war against the Japanese from 1941 to 1945
the Philippines regained its independence in 1946

a sprinkling of Chinese, American, Spanish, and Arab blood
a long history of Western colonial rule
interspersed with the visits of merchants and traders
evolved a people of a unique blend
of east and west both in appearance and culture
the close family relations are said
to have been inherited from the Chinese

the bayanihan or spirit of kinship
and camaraderie to be taken
from Malay forefathers
the piousness comes from the Spaniards
who introduced Christianity in the 16th century
hospitality is a common denominator character
one of the few, English-proficient Oriental people

the sturdy and frugal llocanos of the north
the industrious Tagalogs of the central plains
the carefree Visayans from the central islands
the colorful tribesmen and religious Moslems of Mindanao
more than 111 dialects spoken
owing to the subdivisions of these basic regional and cultural groups
a true blend of cultures, truly in the Philippines, East meets West

the background of the people is Indonesian and Malay
Chinese and Spanish elements as well
the history of American rule
contact with merchants and traders
culminated in a unique blend of East and West

emotional and passionate about life
in a way that seems more Latin than Asian
the third-largest English speaking country in the world
The Spaniards introduced the Roman Catholic faith
succeeded in converting the overwhelming majority of Filipinos

a freedom-loving people
peaceful, bloodless revolutions
against corrupt regimes

a fun-loving people
throughout the islands
fiestas celebrated everyday

foreign guests are always
welcome to their homes
smiling nuances

the 12th most populous country
the 37th largest economy in the world
the most megadiverse countries in the world

Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
Davao, Baguio, Cotabato
Manila, Quezon, Cebu

Cagayan River, Pasig River
Mount Apo, Mayon Volcano
Mount Pinatubo, Taal Volcano

Davao Gulf, Moro Gulf
Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Subic Bay
San Juanico Strait, the islands of Samar and Leyte

Maka-Diyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa
For God, People, Nature and Country
My beloved Philippines