History Archives - Daydreaming in Paradise

Learning About Indonesia’s Ancient Culture in the Tana Toraja

James Gonzales History, Travel March 19, 2020July 26, 2021

Traveling is an opportunity to visit areas that are off the beaten path. With access to different areas in the world steadily growing thanks to improvements in transport and tourism, more people have the opportunity now to explore hidden gems. More than just seeing the sights or checking out the most Instagrammable spots, travelers should use the experience to enrich themselves and learn more about a place’s history and culture.

Previously on the blog, we’ve talked about ’10 Famous Mountains in the Philippines‘. Today, let’s dive into one of the richest cultures in Indonesia, Tana Toraja.

A List of Philippine National Artists for Visual Arts

Jane Adamson History, Lifestyle February 18, 2020July 26, 2021

The Philippines is home to a long and rich history of excellence in visual arts. This tradition started as early as the 19^th century with Damian Domingo, also known as the Father of Filipino Painting, who was the first Filipino to paint a self-portrait. He was followed by greats such as Juan Luna, who painted the world-renowned Spoliarium, andFabián de la Rosa, uncle and mentor to Fernando Amorsolo.

Mastery of the visual arts has been passed down through the decades, and the Philippine government has sought to reward that through the Order of National Artists. The Order of National Artists, also known as Orden ng mga Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, is the highest national recognition given to Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of arts in the Philippines. Jointly administered by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), it’s an honor conferred by the President of the Republic based on recommendations by both institutions. Here’s a list of the greatest names in Philippine visual arts who have been given this honor.

The Most Popular Traditional Filipino Drinks

Jonah De Jesus Food, History January 27, 2020July 26, 2021

Every culture has its own history of brewing and distilling liquor and spirits from local ingredients. When Ferdinand Magellan and the rest of the Spanish conquistadors first arrived in the Philippine islands, natives offered them local goods like fish, figs, and coconuts. They also gave them a jar of local alcohol, which historians claim was either arack, which is wine made from palm, or tuba, wine made from fermented coconut nectar.

The culture of drinking in the Philippines has continued into the present, with different bars, pubs, speakeasies, restaurants, and the like serving a wide variety of liquor and alcoholic concoctions. If you’re looking to explore locally-made spirits and wines made from native ingredients and rooted in cultural history and tradition, here’s a list of common Filipino drinks worth trying out.

The Best Universities in the Philippines

Jane Adamson History, Lifestyle October 30, 2019July 25, 2021

The University of the Philippines recently made headlines again, this time because the institution earned a spot in the top 500 universities worldwide. The list, made by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2020, covered 1,400 universities from 92 countries around the world. The performance of institutions was measured by the core objectives of teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and international outlook.

Areas in Southeast Asia Most Affected by Natural Disasters

James Gonzales History, Travel September 24, 2019July 25, 2021

Southeast Asia is usually seen as an idyllic area full of tropical beaches and sunny weather, but the reality of the region is more complex than that. Home to 8.5% of the world’s population, the World Economic Forum also describes it as the region that experiences the most natural disasters in the world.

Areas in the Philippines Most Affected by Natural Disasters

James Gonzales History, Travel September 24, 2019July 25, 2021

Last June 2019, PAGASA officially declared the start of the rainy season in the Philippines. Preparing for days, even weeks, of heavy rain is certainly something Filipinos aren’t new to — PAGASA says much of the Philippine climate is characterized by heavy rainfall. With a tropical and maritime climate, rain is something that all regions experience, but to varying degrees. For example, Baguio City, Eastern Samar, and Eastern Surigao usually experience the most amount of rain, while the southern portion of Cotabato experiences the least.

Weird Philippine Laws You Probably Didn’t Know About

James Gonzales History October 29, 2018July 25, 2021

Living in a society means that there are certain social rules or norms that you need to abide by in order to keep the peace. In a modern nation-state, these norms are codified into laws. According to the University of Melbourne Southeast Asian Legal Research Guide, the Philippine legal system in particular is a mixture of customary laws, civil laws, Islamic laws, and the Anglo-American system. The main sources of Philippine law are:

The 1987 Constitution – the highest law of the land
Statutes – Acts of Congress, municipal charters and legislation, court rules, administrative rules and orders, legislative rules, and presidential decrees or issuances
Judicial decisions – decisions of the Supreme Court, which are binding in all other courts

Given the Philippines’ rich cultural history, including influences from religious customs, Spanish rule, and American colonization, laws in this country can go from the standard rules that every society needs to function, to some truly wacky regulations. Let’s take a look at some of the laws still in force today that would make anyone reading them do a double-take.