Gen. MARIANO LLANERA by Rafaelita Hilario Soriano

From the Introduction by Blas Ople:
History is replete with accounts of Filipino heroes and their high achievements some in greater detail than others. In the chronicles of epic battles fought by leaders of the Philippine revolution against Spain in 1896, the names of Andres Bonifacio, Emilio Aguinaldo, Antonio Luna and Gregorio del Pilar, among others, stand out brilliantly as the pillars of courage, nationalism and patriotism.

They were accolades of which they were most deserving.

There were a few insurgent leaders no less daring and heroic but about whom there was a scant mention in history books of their names and exploits in that crucial episode of our struggle for freedom and independence. One such revolutionary was General Mariano Llanera, Nueva Ecija's "greatest contribution to the Philippine revolution."

The Manila-Acapulco Galleon: The Treasure Ships of the Pacific by Shirley Fish

During the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, the transpacific treasure sailed annually from Manila to Acapulco. In Manila, the vessel was loaded with the scented spices of the East, luxurious silks from China, exquisite hand crafted lacquerware from Japan and a multitude of Oriental goods that the Spaniards of New Spain longed to own.

     But [the galleons] … were vulnerable to a host of calamities and misfortunes. A fire on board the vessel or a terrifying storm could end the voyage and the lives of every one on the ship even before the galleon was able to reach land. Additionally, the commanders of the galleons were always threatened by lurking pirates and privateers who preyed on .the vessels and coveted the treasures they carried.
     The book describes in detail how the galleons were attacked at sea and how they fought against enemy vessels, as well as how many of the ships sank or were shipwrecked over the years. It also covers their management, construction, manning, weaponry, navigation, daily life on the ship, provisions, cargoes and voyages.
     The book contains an annotated list of the galleons sailing between the Philippines and Mexico from 1565 to 1815. This informative book is the first of its kind to cover such an expansive history of the Pacific galleons which up to this point had remained largely untold.

When Britain Ruled the Philippines 1762-1762 by Shirley Fish

The British invasion of the Philippines was the first challenge to Spain's control of the archipelago after 191 years of rule. The Royal Navy and British Army joined with the East India Company in Madras to capture Spain's Asian colony. In conjunction with the attack against Spain's key possession in the Americas, Havana, both settlements were successfully seized. However, in the Philippines whilst the expedition was launched as part of a plan to harass the Spaniards in their possessions, as well as for commercial gain and new territories, the military campaign led by General William Draper and Admiral Samuel Cornish, may have been launched under the guise of an invasion in order to gain prize money.
     The author describes the events as they unfolded at the Admiralty in London and at the East India Company in Madras, leading to the invasion and occupation of the capital Manila and the port city of Cavite. The capital was looted, a galleon was seized, and the British commanders imposed a ransom of four million dollars upon the Spaniards. The enormous sums. in prize money and valuables seized mainly benefited the commanders...

NOT ON OUR WATCH: Martial Law really happened. We were there.  EDITOR: Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon; WRITERS: Angie Castillo, Calixto V. Chikiamco, Jose Dalisay Jr., Manuel M. Dayrit, Jaime FlorCruz, Jay Valencia Glorioso, Diwa C. Guinigundo, Sol F. Juvida, Victor H. Manarang, Al S. Mendoza, Jack Teotico, Roberto Verzola, Vic A. Wenceslao; ILLUSTRATOR: Edd Aragon 

 

From the Prologue.  On October 10, 2010, members of the League of Editors for a Democratic Society (LEADS)—College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), circa 1969 to 1972, held their first reunion in forty years.

       The reunion brought back memories of their involvement in the life-and-death struggle many Filipinos waged against the Marcos dictatorship during that period. They recalled how, amidst the worldwide student protest movements of the 1970s, Filipino students staged their own revolt. Linking arms with other sectors of Philippine society, they launched a series of protest actions that reached the proverbial tipping point from late December of 1969 to the early months of 1970. That historical watershed came to be known as the First Quarter Storm, or FQS.

This book is partly an answer to a member's lament that her children do not know her. She told the gathering how surprised her children were upon knowing that she had been editor in chief of her college newspaper, and at a time, too, when campus papers were in the thick of the national ferment.

…We decided to publish this book so that our children would know of us. Our children know us, certainly, but not many of them know how, during our tender years (some of us not past seventeen), we put our lives on the line and fought a deadly struggle with the Marcos dictatorship. How, as editors and writers of our college papers, we vigorously confronted martial rule and its excesses. How, as callow as were in years, many of us paid for our convictions by being jailed, with a number of us suffering unspeakable torture under interrogation. And how, just having stepped into our twenties, some of us were already made to pay the ultimate price--life itself.

"Socdem: Filipino Social Democracy in a Time of Turmoil and Transition, 1965-1995", Edited by Benjamin T. Tolosa, Jr.

From the back of the book:

Because a full-fledged study of Filipino social democracy has not been undertaken before, this effort at collective storytelling is valuable in itself as a way to recover political memories and draw out oral histories of this political tradition. The study also aims to document the history of Filipino social democracy both as an ideology (a social vision appropriate to Philippine conditions) and as a political movement (the organizations who have espoused it and their political praxis, including efforts at coalition building). From these stories, we can draw out distinctive themes and learning experiences that have relevance not just from the perspective of the past, but also for renewing political education and engagement present.

Regional Autonomy and Federalism: Concepts and Issues for the Bangsamoro Government

by Sukarno D. Tanggol

Blurbs:

"The publication of this book written by Professor Sukarno Tanggol is very timely in view of the renewed public interest in the possible resolution of the Mindanao conflict and the ongoing peace negotiations between the Philippines Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The postponement of the regional elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has given rise to a new level of public discourse on the kind of political arrangement that would address the clamor of the Bangsamoro people for self-determination without sacrificing the territorial integrity of the country." - Alex B. Brilliantes, Ph.D [Professor; National College of Public Administration and Governance, University of the Philippines.]

"Dr. Sukarno Tanggol's book is very timely. The prospects of a peace settlement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are much better compared to the past, and we have accumulated more than enough experiences and lessons since the Local Government Code was passed and implemented in 1991. His concerns as an academic and a Mindanawon are reflected in this well-laid argument favoring federalism as an option to the current state. Let the conversation over alternatives continue with all of us having this book on our side. - Patricio N. Abinales, Ph.D [Professor; Center for Philippine Studies, University of Hawaii-Manoa]

Crown, Cross and Crusaders: European Legacies in the Philippines/Krone, Kreuz und Krieger: Europäische Vermächtnisse in den Philippinen

by Dr. Reiner Werning

Dual language (English and German). Translated into German by Gisela, Richard, Sarah De Lorie & Wolfgang Bethge

"I shall establish a school and if you can bear the climate, then you shall be the director. I am sure all the young ones, the best in the country shall come to us; Blumentritt-Rizal will stay in the memory of the Filipino people like Goethe and Schiller, like Horatius and Virgil, like the Humboldts." - Extract from a letter of Jose Rizal to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt.

PRIMED AND PURPOSEFUL: Armed Groups and Human Security Efforts in the Philippines by Soliman M. Santos, Jr and Paz Verdadez M. Santos

Excerpt from the Introduction:
 
"At the center of this book are the 'primed and purposeful' protagonists of the Philippines' two major internal armed conflicts: the nationwide Communist insurgency and the Moro insurgency in the Muslim part of Mindanao. Steeped in firsthand knowledge of the conflicts and containing the most detailed, insider-informed group profiles available, this book offers a deeper understanding of the country's many armed groups --- from the ideologically driven and militarily strong to the opportunistic and criminal. This volume argues that while these non-state armed groups and their offshoots are undoubtedly part of the human security problem in the Philippines, they must also be part of the solution."


Blurb:

"Primed and Purposeful provides the political and historical detail necessary to understand the motivations and probably outcomes of conflicts in the country. The volume explores related human security issues, including the willingness of several Filipino armed groups to negotiate political settlements to the conflicts, and to contemplate the demobilization and reintegration of combatants into civilian life. Light is also shed on the use of small arms --- the weapon of choice for armed groups --- whose availability is maintained through leakage from government arsenals, porous borders, a thriving domestic craft industry, and lax regulatory regime." - David Petrasek, Author: "Ends and Means: Human Rights Approaches to Armed Groups

12 (1998-2012) YEARS OF THE PARTY LIST SYSTEM: Marginalizing People's Representation edited by Bobby M. Tuazon

Excerpt from the Foreword:

"The party-list experiment began as a reform measure to strengthen our demoncracy but, after more than ten years, has been abused to pervert it. This volume examines the whole range of difficulties faced by the party-list system, and the nature of these difficulties tells us a lot about the weaknesses of our democracy itself."

The Good Lawyer: 5 Keys to Lawyering With Integrity by Atty. Bobby Quitain

"Keeping Your Clients Without Losing Your Soul"

Blurbs on the back cover:

"[This] is an extraordinary book because of the extraordinary truth within its pages." - Atty. Theodore O. Te; UP Vice President for Legal Affairs

"I do hope the idealism expressed in Bobby's book will inspire not only the young but also the not-so-young lawyers to walk the straight and narrow path of the law profession and for them to realize that doing good and doing well while practicing law are not inconsistent with each other." - Atty. Simeon V. Marcelo; Former Ombudsman of the Philippines

"This is truly a wonderful book that every lawyer, law student, and law professor in our country should have as a lifetime companion." - Atty. Alexander Lacson; Author, 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country.

"heartbeat: Manila Hilton" edited by Marla Yotoko-Chorengel and Letty Jacinto Lopez

From the summary on the back cover:

The skyscraper of dreams - that was the Manila Hilton, at 22 storeys, the tallest building in the Philippines in the sixties and its first 5-star international hotel. It was here where foreign expatriate executives and locals worked together to create a unique multi-racial mix. It was a period when the Philippines enjoyed an energized campaign courtesy of the Hilton International chain's worldwide network, and the country's shores were graced by an influx of  overseas tourists.

Decades ago, the Manila Hilton vanished from the Manila horizon. But, during its lifespan, the hotel touched our lives like  prism that colored our working days within the hotel. The Manila Hilton lingers in the landscape of our memories and still lends its hues and intensities in our present, perhaps our future, too.

Rekindling the past, the spirit of our hearts is palpable. We offer no apologies for the unabashed exuberance of our personal reflections. Rather, we invite our friends of the Manila Hilton era to journey with us now to our shared yesteryears, and, who knows, to unleash some of their own endearing yesterdays. Together, we can wonder where all that magic came from, why the explosion of sentiments... imagine this!

"Unyonista: The Chronicles of a Social Justice Crusader" by Edmundo F. Nolasco

      Edmundo "Ka Ed" F. Nolasco was born in1921 in Dapitan, Zamboanga. He went to high school at the Ateneo de Cagayan (now Xavier University), and to college at the Ateneo de Manila, where he earned his AB degree and graduated class valedictorian in 1949.

     The social encyclicals, especially Pope Leo XIII's Rerum Novarum, and his Jesuit mentors, notably Fr. Joseph Mulry, S.J., and Fr. Walter Hogan, S.J., inspired him to take the road less travelled, a road the led to his lifetime work in the Filipino labor movement.

     "Unyonista: The Chronicles of a Social Justice Crusader" is a story of his journey through the changing historical circumstances of the Philippines in the 20th century and the the different ways he expressed his steadfast commitment to social justice—from fighting in the trenches of Bataan as an Ateneo ROTC volunteer during the Pacific War, to organizing workers to fight for their rights, helping build the nationwide movement against the Marcos dictatorship and today, working to address the plight of the forgotten war veterans and their families.

Political Vengeance & Societal Perdition by Atty. John R. Castriciones

From the back cover:

“In this book, Atty. John Castriciones examines his experience of public service, Catholic and Christian teachings, law and history. From this background, he reflects on the importance of governance or leadership: it can continue the prevailing culture and politics of vengeance or be accountable to the common good beyond family and clan interests. People in power can exert tremendous influence on issues of education, health, land, international trade and justice; or just miss the opportunity to make a difference in the life of the poor and the nation. John is inviting us to reflect not just on what leaders say but what they witness with their lives. John deserves to be heard and read especially on contemporary issues in the Philippine setting.”

– Fr. Teodulo P. Gonzales, SJ

Center for Family Ministries

Ateneo de Manila University

A Country Imperiled by Cecilio T. Arillo, Ph.D

The book presents a bold and factual perspective on the presidency of deposed President Ferdinand Marcos, his wife Imelda Romualdez Marcos, the martial law period, the EDSA Revolt, the regime of President Cory Aquino and the subsequent administrations until until that of Cory's son, who is now President Benigno “Noynoy” Cojuangco Aquino.

A Country Imperiled follows Arillo's tradition of factual narrations of history as it seeks to primarily demystify the Aquino couple, former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. who is hailed as a martyr and Cory Aquino as an icon of democracy.
It also dissected the several allegations leveled at the Marcos couple through a fair recounting of their actions most of which were culled from declassified government documents.

The book primarily seeks to set the record straight for the new generation of Filipinos who may have to rely on historical accounts to appreciate the characters of the nation's previous leaders.

[Taken from the book's Facebook fanpage]

Ideas, Principles and Lost Opportunities by Homobono A. Adaza

Excerpts from the Introduction of the book:

“This is a personal story – of moments which, in my view, could have influenced the drift of contemporary Philippine history, if I had made the right decisions. This conclusion could dangerously lead many to uncontrollable laughter, if they do not know me. Worse, a parade of detractors will continue charging me of desperately trying to lift my chair, if they still do not know me. But I am not new to these charges. They have dogged me all the days of my life. And I enjoyed every moment of it, and still do, thus this book.”

“This book is an attempt to educate the young on the power of ideas, the value of principles, and the need to grab opportunities that present themselves to an individual, who has to make a definitive choice between principles on the one hand and the interest if the people and the country on the other. Many Filipinos view efforts to change the existing systems — political, social and economic — as quixotic, considering the embedded cycle and culture of corruption in the country. This idea of being quixotic runs against the grain of historical developments.”

That She May Dance Again by Sister Nila V. Bermisa, MM

Sister Nila unlocks the web of sexual violence in the Church and allows women-in-pain to become women subjects of their lives and destiny. She narrates the psycho-social and spiritual impact of abuse committed by the clergy and how traditional theology, ecclesiology, and spirituality legitimate the past and current behavior of Church authorities. The only way out is to allow women to name their experiences and become part of the on-going rethinking of the Church’s teachings on women and men. “That She May Dance Again” is an attempt to see women’s experiences and wisdom as integral parts of total renewal in the Church. Without their voices, we shall remain impoverished in living the subversive memory of Jesus who calls us to be friends and disciples and never as lording over others.

- Fr. Percy Bacani, MJ

The voices of those who have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of priests and other church officials is set at the heart of this book. Faithfulness to their experience and a passion to contribute to the empowerment of these women and to the transformation of the Church is what guides the author of this book. Sister Nila Bermisa combines a phenomenological approach with insightful understandings of the connections between abuse of women in the Church, patriarchy in church and society, and colonization. Aiming to contribute to an understanding of the “fullness of life,” what in religious-theological language is called salvation, Sister Nila calls the institutional Church to unequivocally sustain the victims of sexual abuse and facilitate their healing. From this study arises fresh understanding of soteriology, ecclesiology, and pastoral ministry.

- Dr. Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Professor, Drew University, USA

The Enemy Within by Glenda M. Gloria, Aries Rufo & Gemma Bagayaua-Mendoza (NEWSBREAK)

Excerpts from the book:

Conflicts fed a war economy. After Marcos, the military was given the chance to rid itself of corruption, but faced with battles and the whims of civilian leaders it never got around to doing it. The situation gave rise to a long-running motivation to perpetuate the status quo. A retired commander said, “A bad system will always kill itself.” – Glenda M. Gloria, “In the Name of War” 

The real estate properties and bank deposits that ex-military comptroller Carlos Garcia supposedly surrendered in the plea bargain deal were already garnished since these were the subject of two forfeiture cases in another division in the Sandiganbayan. Indeed, the general knew how to bargain hard — and got away with it. – Aries Rufo, “How the Big Fish Got Away" 

Corruption persisted in the military because its internal systems and needs had escaped in-depth examination. Civilian leaders and institutions failed. Said a budget and management official: “We taught them to lie to us and to fool us. It would have been for the benefit of all if there was full disclosure. – Gemma Bagayaua-Mendoza, “Epic Failure” 

Instead of UN reimbursements passing through the Philippines’ permanent mission to the UN in New York, the AFP asked that the money be wired directly to a bank account in Makati. The government allowed the military to take full control of the UN fund without civilian oversight. – Aries Rufo, “Making Money, Making Peace”

The Seven Deadly Deals by NEWSBREAK

I n The Seven Deadly Deals, NEWSBREAK tells the stories behind seven of the costly and crooked contracts and projects undertaken by the admin¬istration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo that help explain the overall dismal state of infrastructures and government services:

• The delayed and costly North Luzon Railways (Northrail).
• The muddle over the full opening of Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
• Cost-overruns in the construction of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.
• The huge government subsidies going into the private sector-built Metro Rail Transport 3.
• The collapse of the Quedan and Rural Guaran¬tee Corp, (Quedancor),
• The divisive tender for joint development rights for Mt. Diwalwal, the country's biggest gold-rush area.
• The chaotic procurement of essential defense equipment.
      In the chapters on each of the seven messy and contentious deals, we tell the full story of what went wrong and why, who were responsible, what steps were taken to remedy the problems, and how the administration of President Benigno Aquino III is trying to clean up the mess.
     Whether Aquino likes it or not, it is now his responsibility to solve the problems and clean up the messy projects left behind by Arroyo. This book is as much about the challenges facing the new administration as it is about the failures of the past government.

The Philippine Informal Sector: Policies, Practices and Perspectives by: Isagani Antonio F. Yuzon

Foreword.In the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Kenya Mission Report, the concept of the informal sector was introduced as that segment whose ?way of doing things was characterized by (a) ease of entry; (b) reliance on indigenous resources; (c)family ownership;(d) small scale operations;(e) labor intensive and adaptive technology; (f) skills acquired outside of the formal sector; (g) unregulated and competitive markets?. Over time, the concept's definition has evolved.it cannot be denied that the informal sector performs a significant yet contentious role in society. While it has provided jobs and reduced unemployment and underemployment, most informal jobs are low-paying and offer almost no job security at all. Encouraging entrepreneurship to help alleviate poverty, the informal sector by its very nature, has exhibited low compliance with labor standards and tax regulations. Increasing in size and role especially in economic crises and periods of transition, this informal sector is estimated to be about 4%-6% in developed economies to almost 50%-70% in underdeveloped and developing countries.

The Roots of the Filipino Nation Vol.II by O.D. Corpuz

The Roots is above all a Filipino story.
It begins as the story of our ancestors, their differentiation into Muslims and non-Muslim, and then the division of the non-Muslims into Christians and non-Christians.  It tells of their separation for centuries, and then of how the natives, Chinese and Spanish mestizos, and even some full-blooded Spaniards born in Filipinas, united to form the Christian Filipino nation. It tells of the imperfect joining of Christians and Muslims during the American colonial regime, as distinguished for the vision of Rizal and Aguinaldo of a fraternal, all-archipelago union.