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 ...