GECLWR-18

The Life and Works of Rizal

Summer AY : 2021-2022

Prof. Lilibeth B. Cruz

GE Summer 1

MODULE 4:
ASSIGNMENT NO. 1

TIERRA, MONIQUE C.
TIERRA, MONIQUE C.
GECLWR-18 - The Life and Works of Rizal

Module 4: Assignment No. 1 The Ascendance of the Chinese Mestizo

This module presented the significant role of Chinese in Philippine history,

governance, and economy. It was also discussed in this module how the Chinese
influenced the character of Rizal who has Chinese roots. History back in 19th century
enlighten us about the important role of the Chinese in the nation building of the
Philippines as its economy were on the lifeline back then. Trading with China was the
beginning of a major influence and contribution of Chinese culture within the Filipino
society.

China has been the Philippines’ valuable partner for bilateral investments, imports,
and exports, all across priority sectors crucial for trade and development. In 2018, China
ranked first in foreign investments to the Philippines, amounting to US$975 Million, up by
2,072 percent from just US$ 47 Million in 2017. This growth was spearheaded by
businesses and companies from sectors like IT & communications, manufacturing, real
estate, and electricity. In 2019, China continued to show strong interest and ranked as
the second top source of investments, with US$ 1.7 Billion, translating to 32 percent of
total foreign investments and 174 percent growth in 2018. All of these resulted in a great
development of the country’s economy and society.

In current times, Philippines are continued to be uplifted by the China, however,

due to the recent disagreements with regards to improper maritime claims that China
have forcefully made, many Filipinos are in in disfavour of China. The relationship
between the two countries have been dominated by the territorial disputes in the West
Philippine Sea, which has escalated since the naval standoff over the Scarborough Shoal
in April 2012 and aggravated by issues of Chinese illegal occupation, unlawful
establishment of infrastructures, and incidents of incursions and encroachment within the
Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Despite the maritime and political issue, the
economic impact of Chinese culture in regards to business and commerce cannot be
ignored as it has significant impact of the Philippine society.

While reading numerous of articles about the relationship of Philippines and China,
I remembered the time that I am curious about the famous ‘Binondo’, which is a district of
Chinese in Manila. And now I have realized that it is because of the Spaniards mistreating
the Chinese. The Spanish colonial government employed the strategy of segregation,
hispanization, and expulsion on the Chinese which they were expelled and forced to live
outside the walls. These series of violent incidents in the relationship between the
Chinese in the Philippines and the Spanish colonial government partially subsided when
the latter intermarried with Filipino, and also their indispensable role in the Philippine
economy.

Some of Filipino today still consider Chinese as an ‘outsider’ or ‘essential outsider’

just because of its economic impact, but on my opinion, Chinese should not be mistreated
like this and should no longer sees as an ‘essential outsider’ but as an ‘essential part’ of
Filipino society.