Reclaiming Our Story
What started as a simple family visit turned into something unexpectedly and meaningful. My sister gifted me tickets to watch Fra Lippo Lippi this April 24, and even invited me for a quiet midweek day together. I didn’t expect it to feel like a gentle reminder of where I came from. I’ve always loved anything old and Filipino our stories, traditions, and history. The Philippines has a deeply rich culture that existed long before colonization: organized communities, thriving trade with neighboring regions, and diverse systems of knowledge and art. While colonial narratives often emphasized poverty and dependency, history shows a more complex and capable society. Maybe it’s time we reconnect with that fuller story. Not to reject other cultures, but to better understand our own so we can appreciate, preserve, and carry forward what is uniquely ours. There’s something powerful about remembering: we didn’t start from nothing and we don’t have to think small.