Cuban Game of Thrones

Source: Babalublog.com

So the post-Castro Cuban story has begun with the retirement of Raul Castro, or so it seems. While former Vice President Miguel Diaz Canel has been elevated to the position of president at a relatively young age of 58 years old, I happen to believe that the Castro clan isn't done yet. Diaz Canel, I believe, is just warming up the seat for another Castro.

A New Journey Begins in Timor-Leste

Dili's iconic Cristo Rei,  a 27-meter statue of Jesus Christ on top of a mountain.

Life in the Foreign Service is full of twists and turns. There is no telling about what's gonna happen to us. We may plan ahead, but life always gives us unexpected surprises. After nearly three years of stint at the Home Office, I had a choice on whether to obtain a post-graduate degree or get a new Foreign Service posting. Frankly, my first choice to obtain a masters degree in international relations at the Escuela Diplomatica in Madrid with the program supposedly commencing in August 2016. Read More ...

An Ode to Fidel Castro

(Source: miami.cbslocal.com)

Fidel Castro is finally dead. It was an eventuality that Cubans have been waiting to happen for a very long time. I am not a Fidel Castro fan. Never was. Never will been. And I see much commonality with the Cuban diaspora who yearn to be back to their homeland. However, I would like to pay homage to someone when it merited. Fidel Castro, a giant in Latin American history, deserves that homage. Read More ...

Remember the Cubans

Interwoven flags: Cuba and the Philippines (source: CubavsBloqueo).

I am constantly reminded of the fact that I am probably the lone gatekeeper of information pertaining to Philippine-Cuban relations at the Department. Basically, I was our last man in Havana. I was tasked with closing down the now-defunct Philippine Embassy in Havana, which closed down for good on 31 October 2012. Read More ...

The Mexican Connection, Part 2: The Subversives and Deportees

The great rebellion of the Manila Datus in 1587-1588, led by no other than Legazpi's own creole grandson.

By the time the Spaniards have established themselves in Manila in 1570, the mobility of human resources between the two far-flung septentrion provinces of the Viceroyalty of New Spain (present-day Mexico) became fluid. There was a new-found need for moving people around. Mostly, it was because of economic nature. Later, Spanish authorities found it wise to transfer subersives and deportees between its new colonies because of brewing political upheavals. Read More ...

Dia de Los Muertos Diaries: Communing with the Dead in Patzcuaro

Tarascan family in the Island of Janitzio honor their ancestors with offerings.

Mexico is one place in the world where the Dia de los Muertos is celebrated way too seriously. Sure, most former Spanish colonies in Latin America have their own little variations of this festival. Many of these were created by the fusion of indigenous folk beliefs with Roman Catholic traditions. Mexico, however, has one of the liveliest variants. Dia de los Muertos in Mexico is a unique syncretism of ancient Aztec veneration of the Goddess of Dead and Catholicism. The epicenter of this amazing celebration in Mexico is in a place called Patzcuaro. Read More ...

The Mexican Connection, Part I: Commonalities Between Mexico and Philippines

Postage stamp issued in 1965 by SEPOMEX commemorating 400 years of Philippine-Mexican links.

My first impression of Mexico when I first visited the country in 2008 was that it felt so familiar. Since then, I have lived in Mexico for almost two years from 2012 to 2014 and this impression has been largely confirmed. The Philippines and Mexico are basically similar countries separated by a vast ocean. Read More ...

Raul Castro’s Legacy 2.0

Caricature of the Castro brothers, Fidel and Raul, by Carlos Vilchez Navamuel (http://www.carlosvilcheznavamuel.com/)

It is always difficult to grow up in the shadow a more illustrious sibling, especially one who demanded singular attention and adoration. That is what Raul Modesto Castro Ruz had to deal with all his life. One can only imagine how much it affected his psyche and ego in his formative years. In the eyes of many, Fidel will always be better than his younger brother Raul. Read More ...

Ties that Bind: Philippines and Mexico renew historic trade links

Philippines and Mexico commemorates the 450th anniversary of the arrival of the Legazpi Expedition to the Philippine Islands this 2015.

For foreigners doing business in another country, their foremost concern is cultural adjustment. This, however, is not a problem when it comes to the Philippines for Mexican investors. The country that prides itself as Asia’s friendliest is culturally and temperamentally more attuned to the Hispanic culture because of its Spanish colonial heritage. Mexicans immediately feel at ease among Filipinos because of similarities in disposition and demeanor. Read More ...

A Tale of Two Explorers: Magellan and Serrano

Portrait of Magellan. None exists for Serrano, reflecting their respective place in history.

Rarely in history do we find two friends whose interlinked lives would dramatically affect contemporary history. This is the tale of two Portuguese explorers, Fernão de Magalhães (Magellan) and Francisco Serrão (Serrano), who would both leave lasting imprints on Philippine history. In commemoration of their 495th death anniversary this year, we look back on their respective incredible life journeys. Read More ...