Would you like your country to be colonized?
By djoyce71
@djoyce71 (2511)
Philippines
October 11, 2008 2:20am CST
To all Filipinos:
Spaniards, Americans and Japanese. They were very influential in the Philippines during each of their colonizing epoch. They have contributed much to what Filipinos have become.
During the Spanish period, development was focused more on religion. They spread out Catholicism.
Americans influenced the Philippines by their system of education. The Filipinos learned how to read, speak and write English. Through education, the Americans influenced the Filipinos in terms of the way they eat, to love the American culture and most of all, to prioritize American products. Many roads and bridges were constructed. New technologies were introduced to the country. These technologies helped the Philippines' industries and agriculture.
During the arrival of the Japanese, the Filipinos lost their freedom of speech and expression, development of art was stopped, Filipinos greatly feared the "zoning", where Filipino spies were hired by the Japanese to point those who were suspected of being part of the guerilla or Hukbalahap movement. The Japanese also made some changes in the system of education.
There are still many influences brought about by the colonizers. What influences did you like or hate?
Did it do any good to the country?
What do you think about colonizing?
2 people like this
7 responses
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
I guess there are plenty of advantages and disadvantages on being colonized. The cultural exchanges that have occured and that got assimilated to the colonized country became part of that country's identity.
With all of the good things that anyone could state about being colonized, there are still some things that would be the bad things as well. Even now that we have claimed our own independence, I really find the colonial mentality very disappointing at times when we often prefer foreign products that those that are made locally. The sense of patriotism seems dormant.
I agree with you. We were educated by the Westerners to love what they have. It's just so sad that we sometimes forget what we have, which are great, too.@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
12 Oct 08
If only the sense of nationalism was imposed in a discreet way, our fellow countrymen would develop that sense of patriotism, even bit by bit.
By discreet, the government could enact policies that could help develop such patriotism. Sad to say, its more inclined to having good relations with foreign trade as of the moment.. (-_-")
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
Great or rich country colonize smaller country to have them as their market for their goods, oh well it is all about capitalism and sort. and I think would want to be colonized with any country. The Spaniards who colonized us capitalized the religion very well, until now their influence are all over. It is actually not the Japanese who take away our freedom of expression, it is the Americans but they did it very subtle, remember our national hero? who chose Rizal? they do, they chose him as our national hero because they want to us to have the idea that we should be peaceful etc. and if not for the US we have not been included on the war with the Japanese. so my answer is no, I would never want us to be colonized but as if I had a choice no? in reality we are still under the US
Rizal was the most prominent advocate for reforms in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era.
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
13 Oct 08
I think it would be okay with me if we get colonized again by another country but it must be a very progressive country. Like what happened with Hongkong when it was colonized by Great Britain. It became a great nation...however, it is just too bad that it has been restored to China and you see how Hong Kong suffered after the turnover. China will not of course admit but Hong Kong's economy was devastated after the turnover. Now with the Philippines, (although perhaps some nationalistics would vehemently disagree with me),for as long as it will be good and friendly colonizer, I would prefer to be colonized by a strong and rich country like Britain so that our country and our people will get financial benefits in the process.
1 person likes this
@dong1970 (1572)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
Colonization in our country way back years ago help a lot for us,They taught us some lessons that we experience to be a better country in terms of education and also in our economy,but there was also a disadvantage for they are so many filipinos had been a victim of human right violation.I think our country is not yet free from cololonization.We are still colonized by POVERTY
1 person likes this
@rainmark (4302)
•
11 Oct 08
One thing that i don't like to in colonitionwas the violence and taking advantages to us as filipino and treating us like a slaves, and having a negative perceptions towards on us. That's why Filipinoes during colonization period made a revolutionary action against them. But there's also a positive aspects that colonizers influence and contribute to us, like the education, building a good infrustractures and improve our indsutries.
Happy posting.
1 person likes this
That's a sad part of our history. Violence and slavery in our own country because of colonization.
@king4aday (680)
• Philippines
13 Oct 08
I would rather be ruled by a dirty Filipino Politician rather than a honest foreign leader. Philippines are for Filipinos. Sure our economy could have been better if we were colinized by America but could we call Philippines our own if that happened? We lost a lot of natural resources when we were invaded. And if we were not colonized by the Japanese, Spaniards or the American, I don't we would still be nomads. One of our good traits are that we are resourceful, hardworking and we have a great poll of intellectual minds. The only problems is that we don't support ourselves. Corruption is a foreign trait and so is crab mentality, padrino system. Off course in terms of religion and technology, the foreign invaders taught us that. But if we could go back in time, I don't think I would want to colonized
1 person likes this
@yellowpaisley (71)
• Philippines
11 Oct 08
The Spaniards did not spread catholism in our country, they shove it down our throat! If the locals do not follow or be baptized, they will be killed by these conquistadores. They use this religion to tow us in line.
