CHAPTER 23

OUR AMERICAN HERITAGE

DIET AND DRESS. The Westernization of

Filipino diet and dress which spain
began, was further fostered by
America. During the America
era,Filipino diet was enriched by
delicacies such as ham and
eggs,oatmeal,sandwiches,hamburger,b
eefsteak,vienna sausages,hotdogs,pan
americano,tomato catsup,spare ribs
etc.

AMERICANIZATION OF MANNERS.
Influenced by the casual boldness of
americas, Filipinos soon lost their stiff
and formal bearing inherited form the
spanish. Men and women learned to
address each others asMrandMiss.
They no longer deferentially kissed the
hand of priest or slouched when
addressing a white man.

DEMOCRACY, AMERICAS GREATEST

LEGACY.
The greatest legacy of America to the Filipino
people is democracy, just as Christianity is
Spains greatest legacy to us. It is true that prior
to the coming of the americans the filipinos
already had some idea of democratic political
government. The government which Aguinaldo
established was popular, representative
,alternative and responsible,

FAMILY LIFE. The close family ties, which the

people inherited form their pre-spanish
ancestors and which were strengthened by
Christian Spain,deteriorated to a certain
extent due to the impact of american
influenced. The old family custom of praying
together every night gradually disappeared.
The beautiful tradition if kissing the hands of
parents and elders by the children as an
expression of filial piety vanished.

EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN. One good

legacy of America to the Filipinos is the
emancipation of the women form the
social and political restrictions of
Spanish times. In the first place,they
were no longer secluded within the
narrow confines of the homes and of
the colegios for ladies.

POPULAR EDUCATION. Another major

contribution of america to the people is
popular education. For the first time in
history, education was no longer the
priviledge of a few rich families. It
became tke right of all people, rich and
poor, to be educated. During the
americans regime many poor children
were able to become physicians,
lawyers,engineers,etc,.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS UNDER AMERICA.

Phillipine educational progress during the
america period (1898-1935) was amazing.
For the first time, the blessings of
education were given to all people,
irrespective of social position and wealth.
Sons and daugthers of the poor peasants
and artisans attended classes in schools
and universities with the scions of wealthy
hacienderos and industrial tycoons.

FILIPINO PENSIONADOS TO AMERICA. In

1903 the first group of 104 bright
young filipinos was sent to the united
states as government pensionados to
study in america colleges and
univesities. In subsequent years, more
pensionados were sent. Form 1903 to
1908, approximately 200 pensionados
had studied in united states.

SPREAD OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. Aside

form introducing populareducation, the united
states propagated the english language.
Assuming the conquerrors right,she set aside
the language of vanguished spain and
imposed her own touge on the filipinos.
English became the language of instruction in
all Phillipine schools and universities, official
language of the government, the language
business and social circiles, and virtually the
common language of the masses.

FILIPINO LITERATURE IN ENGLISH. A new

typeof literature basically Filipino in
material and sentiments but expressed
in the english language, blossomed in
the philippines. The new generation of
english speaking writers portrayed in
english the glories of their land,the
thoughts and feelings of their race,and
the problems of the times.

VERNACULAR LITERATURE. The folk literature written in

the native dialects and languages persisted during
the american regime. Taglog poetry
flourished,despite the popularization of the english
language. The poetric art of balagtas was carried on
by Jose Corazon de Jesus (Batute), Florentino
Collantes, Cirio Panganiban, and other tagalog poets,
On April 6, 1924 the first balagtasan (tagalog poetric
joust) was held in manila. The term was derived form
balagtas, the Prince of Tagalog Poets. Among the
ilokanos the poetical joust is called bukanegan, after
bukaneg, the Father of Iloco literature.

JOURNALISM. The first american newspaper to

appear in the Philippines was the bounding
Billow, which was published at irregular
intervals on board Deweys flagship
Olympia. Its issue on June 1898 (Vol.1,Nov.5)
was a victory issue commemorating
Deweys victory at Manila Bay. The first
american daily newspaper to be published
in Manila was the american soldier, whose
fisrt issue dated september 10, 1898 .

MUSIC. The introduction of American jazz

and swimming music brought about
the decadence of native music.

SCIENCE. There was remarkable scientific

progress in the Philippines during the
american period. Modern techniques and
research in medicine,pharmacy,biology and
technology and other western science
sprang in the philippines. In 1933 the
National Research Council was established
by the Philippine goverment,. Eminent
scientist who were celebrities in their fields
of research , were appointed to this body.

PROTESTANT CHRISTIANITY. Just as Spain

brought Catholicism to the Philippines,
so did america introduce Protestant
Christianity. For the first time, filipino
learned about the gift of salvation by
faith in Jesus Christ and about the Bible
as the Word of God.

ENRICHMENT OF RECREATIONAL LIFE. America

enriched the recreational life of the people.
She introduced the Hollywood silent movies,
and later the talkies;radios which broadcast
not only news but also musical and
educational program; indoor games, such as
bowling, billiards,ping-pong,poker,black jack
and other card games and outdoor sports,
notably baseball,softball, calisthenics,
football, and valleyball.

FIESTAS AND HOLIDAYS.

PUBLIC HEALTH.

AMERICAS CONTRIBUTION TO THE

FILIPINO NATIONALISM. Under America,
the Filipinos were gradually trained in
democracy and prepared for
independence. The Filipinos were
eventually permitted to display their
own flag, play their national anthem,
celebrate their heroes days and to
enjoy such freedom as speech, prss,
religion, societies and petition..

THE END OF CHAPTER 23