Amid Separatism and Bonds: Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day

Amid Separatism and Bonds: Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day

By: Marla Arielle B. So, AB POSC IRFS - ECON – 3

            On June 30, 2015, the IRFS 141 class of Atty. Archill Niña Faller Capistrano feasted on Hispanic hors d’oeuvres and history in honor of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. The classroom celebration — courtesy of a joint alliance between Team Hegemon and Team Titans — was conducted with much pomp, beginning with a Roman Catholic prayer and the playing of the national anthems of the two states. Student reporters covered several topics ranging from the significance of the date, to the methods of observance in both contexts, to comparisons between Filipino and Spanish culture.

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day commemorates the Siege of Baler, a nearly year-long military operation against the last Spanish hideout in the burgeoning Philippine Republic. On June 27, 1998, towards the end of the Spanish-American War, less than 60 Spanish soldiers barricaded themselves within the Church of Baler. Despite news of the surrender of Manila to the US, starvation in the face of dwindling rations and outbreaks of diseases, the troops held out for almost 11 months. They surrendered on June 2, 1899.

Loyalty, perseverance, military valor: all are ideals held by both Filipinos and Spaniards. Because of their display, the remaining Spanish soldiers earned the respect of the Philippine troops. President Emilio Aguinaldo granted the survivors safe passage to Spain. Furthermore, the Philippine government promulgated Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day through Republic Act No. 09187, series of 2002. The people of Baler, now the capital of Aurora Province, enjoy a special non-working holiday in commemoration of the two states’ bond.

Structuralism is an international relations perspective which sees institutions such as society and religion as the basis for action. Using structuralism as a lens, the interaction between the Philippines and Spain can be seen as a result of their shared traits. The theme for the 13^th year of the celebration is “Transitions, Trade, and Transpacific Changes.” Despite any bad blood caused by centuries-long colonialism, Spain is now the Philippines’ 28th largest trading partner. Both states have assisted in the preservation of each other’s economy and heritage sites. Similarities in culture are both active and abound.

Spain and the Philippines also have comparable separatist groups. Historically, Spain’s Reconquista led to the expulsion of non-Catholics from the state; in contemporary times, there are secessionist movements in the regions of Catalonia and Basque. During the initial colonization of the Philippines, the Muslim resistance in Mindanao led to the creation of dissimilar national views. The resulting conflict is still felt even in 2015. A question Atty. Capistrano threw to her class was “What can the Philippines learn from Spain on separatism?”

The IRFS 141 class capped off their celebration with a mix of authentic and fusion cuisine. It is easy to see the union of Spanish and Philippine influence when one digs into Spanish paella from Ipar's Restaurante Y Bar De Tapas, and loaded empanadas and leche flan from Homebakers, Inc. The food was coupled with videos showcasing the beauty of Spain and the Philippines: two countries with similar identities in the midst of an ever-changing world.

SOURCES:

Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. (n.d.). Presidential Museum and Library. Retrieved from http://malacanang.gov.ph/4148-philippine-spanish-friendship-day/.

After centuries-long colonial rule, PH, Spain ‘partners for life’ (2015). Inquirer News. Retrieved from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/701760/after-centuries-long-colonial-rule-ph-spain-partners-for-life