PH & Mexico: Linked by history, blood and spirit

On September 15, 1810, in Dolores, Mexico, Father Miguel Hidalgo cried out against the grave abuses of their Spanish colonizers and the many Criollos (wealthy Mexican mestizos) who benefitted from the colonial rule. The event, known today as Grito de Dolores (Cry of Dolores), marked the start of Mexico’s eleven year struggle for self rule. While Mexico finally gained its independence on August 24, 1821 following the ratification of the Treaty of Cordoba, Mexico considers Grito de Dolores as its true day of Independence.

The Philippines and Mexico are kindred nations. We are “siblings” from a common colonial parent, Spain. Even if we’ve gone our separate ways to seek our own fortunes, as most siblings do, no one can deny the many similarities in our history and the many ways we are intertwined.

As a salute Mexico on its day of independence, let me recount a few ways by which we are linked by history, by blood and by spirit.

Unknown to many, Mexico (known as the “Aztec Empire” in pre-colonial times) was conquered by Hernan Cortes de Monroy back in 1521, the same year that Ferdinand Magellan “discovered” and claimed the Philippines for the Spanish crown.

Following Magellan’s demise, the first Spanish expedition to the Philippines was led by Ruy Lopez de Villalobos. His fleet set sail from Jalisco, Mexico in November 1, 1542, not from Spain, as many believe. The expedition consisted of 400 men in six ships with the entire operation funded by Mexican money. Villalobos was responsible for baptizing our islands with the name “Filipinas” as an ode to then Prince Philip II.

Another expedition from Mexico sailed to the Philippines in 1565, this time, led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. Legazpi was a Spaniard of Basque origin who, before leaving for the orient, was the Governor of Mexico City. Legazpi landed in Cebu to formally claim the Philippines as a Spanish colony.

If certain historical accounts are to be believed, Legazpi was uneasy in the island of Cebu with the death of Magellan still fresh in everyone’s memory. It was too close to Mactan, the home of Lapu-Lapu’s militant rajahnate. Eager to relocate, he sponsored an expedition to find an alternative place in which to build a trading port. The expedition was led by Martin de Goiti and Andres de Urdaneta, a fellow Basque and Agustinian friar. Urdaneta was also responsible for plotting the navigational route between Mexico and the Philippines.

The expedition traversed Samar, Bohol, Mindoro and Batangas wherein blood compacts were sealed with each of the local Rajahnates. Sailing west from Batangas, the duo found the best possible bay in which to build a seaport. Within its banks where lush mangroves infested with Nilad plants (Scyphiphorahydrophyllacea). Henceforth, the bay was known as MayNilad Bay. In time, the expanse of land behind it would be referred to as the city of Maynila.

In 1571, Governor General Legazpi designated Manila as the colonial capital of the Philippines under the Spanish crown. Interestingly, however, the Philippines was governed not by Spain itself, but through the Viceroy of Nueva España (Mexico). In fact, records show that all the Governor Generals that succeeded Legazpi up until 1815 were all Mexicans. Archives further confirm that among the estimated 750 Spanish colonizers (educators, priests, civil servants, etc) sent to our shores, only 146 were true Spaniards, the rest were Mexicans.

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade was at the heart of PhilippineMexican relations. For 250 years, both colonies thrived from a virtual monopoly of Pan-American trade. More importantly, a transfusion of cultures, ideas and customs flourished between the two.

The gravy train ended in 1815 when the Mexican War of Independence ended Spain’s control over Mexican ports. But not even the termination of the Galleon trade got in the way of the close cooperation between Mexico and the Philippines. In fact, two Filipinos – Francisco Mongoy and Isidro Montes de Oca, – fought alongside Vicente Ramón Guerrero, the leading revolutionary generals in the Mexican war for independence.

After Mexico seceded from Spain in 1821, Spain tried to cut all ties between the Philippines and Mexico lest the idea of revolution spread to our shores. It was only then that the Philippines began to be governed by Governor Generals and politicians from Spain. Poignantly, sometime in the 1820’s, Vicente Ramón Guerrero was quoted as saying : “Now that we have gained our independence, it is our solemn duty to help the less fortunate countries, especially the Philippines, with whom our country has the most intimate relations with.”

Some 60 years before the Katipunan, historians attest that Mexico planted the seeds of revolution in the hearts of the Filipinos. They did so not only by teaching us how to do it but also by providing armaments and funding. So, just as Filipinos helped the Mexican revolution, so did Mexico help the Filipinos gain their independence.

In August 1896, members of the Katipunan led by Andres Bonifacio, rose up in revolt against Spanish colonial rule through a spirited speech in Kalookan. Bonifacio’s discourse has come to be known as the “Cry of Balintawak”. It was an event uncanny similar to Grito de Dolores.

The Galleon Trade opened the way for immigration, inter-marriages and transfusion of practices, customs and traditions. In time, the intermingling of our peoples caused us to imbibe each other’s character traits. Among the many common qualities we share are being family centric, matriarchal, loyal to our faith, fiercely patriotic (often overly defensive), expressive and long suffering.

In language, numerous Azetec words have made its way to Philippine dialects….achuete, bangueta, nanay, tatay, calabaza, tocayo, camote, palengque , calachuche, tiangui, zapote, are among them.

In the realm of commerce, the Philippines adopted the Mexican monetary standard, the “peso”, and not the “peseta” of Spain.

Our fanatical celebration of Christmas with all of its trappings and observances, is something inherited from Mexico as well. Even today, both still observe Misa de Gallo, Noche Buena and Las Posadas ( the Mexican equivalent of the Panunuluyan in the Philippines). Even the Philippine Parol (Christmas lantern), is an adaptation of the Mexican Farol.

From the Philippines, our very own palapa (palm leaf roof shelters) has made its way to Mexican architecture. It is commonly used in Mexico’s coastal town. Interestingly, it is also called “palapa”.

The Philippine mango was also exported to Mexico, which, until recently, was referred to by Mexicans as “Mango Manila”.

In terms of clothing, Mexico’s Guayabera Shirt is virtual replica of our Barong Tagalog. The only difference is that the Guayabera is made from cotton or linen and worn without an undershirt.

But perhaps the most significant contribution of the Philippines to Mexican society is the method of converting fruit saps into alcoholic beverages. Henry Bruman, a University of California geographer, documented how Filipino seamen on the Galleon Trade introduced the skills of Tuba (coconut brandy) making to their fellow Mexican seamen in the late 16th century. But since agave plants are more plentiful than coconut trees in Mexico, the technology was adapted to the agave saps. Hence, came the birth of Tequila.

Time and circumstances have caused our nations to trek different paths in the pursuit of our own destinies. Even if these paths seldom crossed in the last century, the ties between our nations endure.

Maybe things will change this century as more trade and cultural exchanges ensue between us. As it stands, Mexico was already the Philippines largest foreign investor in 2013 with investments made by FEMSA in Coca Cola Philippines and CEMEX Cement. Perhaps our best days are yet to come. Andrew is an economist, political analyst and businessman. He is a 20-year veteran in the hospitality and tourism industry. For comments and reactions, e-mail andrew_rs6@ yahoo.com. More of his business updates are available via his Facebook page (Andrew J. Masigan). Follow Andrew on Twitter @aj_ masigan.