This flag is certainly one of greater than 4,200 Filipino artifacts on the Burke Museum.
The air grew crisper with every door we handed, and strolling by the archival room felt extra like being in a hospital than a museum. Rows of weapons, and numerous artifacts stuffed the house just like the hundreds of islands that dot the Pacific Ocean.
This tour of the Burke Museum, led by assortment assistant Gabbie Mangaser and Oceanic and Asian Cultural Assortment curator Holly Barker, supplied me a uncommon alternative to attach with my Filipino tradition.
Mangaser identified that there are over 4,200 Filipino cultural belongings housed on the Burke. That is no small quantity in a metropolis with a wealthy Filipino historical past and tradition. In 2019, Seattle ranked because the ninth largest metropolitan space for Filipinos within the US. Many—like me—left their homeland looking for higher alternatives. With the quickest one-way journey to the Philippines taking on 11 hours, it may be difficult for Filipino People and immigrants to remain related to their tradition, even throughout Filipino American Historical past Month.
However of the 4,200 Filipino artifacts on the Burke, there was one I particularly needed to see. It lay inside an unassuming white field in the midst of the warehouse-size room. The pre–World Warfare I Filipino-American Warfare flag has turn into a bridge for a lot of Filipinos in Seattle longing to reconnect with their motherland.
Donated in 1912 by Lewis P. Newman, the flag was produced from scraps throughout the struggle, and captured by American troops throughout the first battle of Santa Cruz, Laguna, in 1899. Comprised of material scraps of assorted supplies and stained with blood, Mangaser defined that it symbolizes the resourcefulness of Filipinos throughout the struggle. Nevertheless, little is understood about Newman or how he obtained the flag. Recordkeeping round 1912 was not substantial, says Barker.
The flag was donated by Lewis P. Newman in 1912—however not a lot is understood about him or how he got here to have it within the first place.
This uncommon wanting flag follows the design of Philippines’ first president, Emilio Aguinaldo, with eight rays of the solar representing the unique eight provinces that revolted towards Spanish rule, and three stars representing the three most important islands of the Philippines. A blue stripe signifies freedom, and a pink braveness.
To any Pinoy, it might look acquainted—this is similar design as the current flag of the Philippines. However with one essential distinction. In occasions of struggle, the flag was flown with its pink stripe on high.
Within the Philippines, the time period “lukso ng dugo” (leap of blood) describes an inexplicable bond, a deep connection felt with somebody you’ve simply met. Upon seeing this flag for the primary time, I skilled that bond—not with an individual, however with historical past itself. The response was each bodily and emotional.
This caught me off guard. I wouldn’t describe myself as being notably patriotic or eager for a deeper connection to my cultural roots. But, Barker assured me that my response was common.
“I do not assume anyone is available in anticipating to have that response,” Barker stated. “I believe that flag has absorbed some tears from guests, and that sort of looks as if an necessary a part of its ongoing story, and it is necessary to group members.”
For a lot of Filipino People, notably these born within the US or introduced right here at a younger age, that connection to the mom tradition might be onerous to search out. Mangaser, a first-generation Filipino American, says the flag holds deep which means for her as nicely.
“I believe it is very highly effective that it is right here and in addition sort of shocking as a result of I believe rising up right here, you do not actually take into consideration Filipino American historical past. Like, it is not one thing that you simply’re essentially taught. It is simply one thing that I want we had after we had been very youthful.”
The bloodstains on the flag are a reminder of the legacy of colonial powers Spain and america within the Philippines.
The bloodstains on the flag solely deepen its influence.
In a technique, it’s unlucky that Filipinos would possibly see it and be reminded of how our tradition and heritage was bastardized by the Spaniards and People, however in one other gentle, Filipinos can replicate on this piece and really feel a way of delight and honor, that regardless of all odds, our ancestors fought until dying, within the identify of liberty and justice.
It’s been 10 years since I immigrated from the Philippines to Seattle, and as a lot as I could not all the time concentrate on it, there’s all the time part of me that longs to be dwelling, part of me that may all the time be Filipino. It’s outstanding how historical past can rekindle a way of belonging and connection, even if you’re hundreds of miles away or centuries aside from it.
