The Ties That Bind by: Teresita Ang-See (Mini-book review)

   Last week my order of the mini-book, "The Ties That Bind" (The Saga of the Sultan of Sulu in China). This is the 2nd edition, written by well-known, and respected Filipino-Chinese writer, and academian. Known in the Philippine media press, as an anti-crime crusader. She is also also one of the founders (along with her late husband Prof.Chinben See) of Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, and Kaisa Heritage Center.

From tulay.ph: 

"The Ties that Bind – the Saga of the Sultan of Sulu in China (Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran, 2017, 109 pp.) uses references and resources from China and the Philippines – including valuable photographs – to document the historic visit of the Sultan of Sulu to pay tribute to the imperial court of Ming Emperor Yong Le in 1417. The booklet is published in commemoration of this most significant event which highlights the enduring friendship between the Philippines and China."

You can order online, and have it shipped to your place. Just follow the instructions of their staff. I also contacted them through their Facebook account, and Ms. Meah See, director now of Kaisa, and the daughter of the author was really accomodating. You can finish the book in one-sitting. The book is printed in glossy pages, and the photos are rich, with colorful pictures. As a supporter of the Philippines and China's positive and harmonious relationship,  and as a member of the Philippines - China friendship club. This mini-booklet is full of interesting facts, and details about the long-standing relationship, and friendship of the two countries. Did you know that the Sultan Padaka has living descendants up to now? They have also visited the Philippines.

The story of the Sultan of Sulu, and the Emperor of China was made into a movie wayback. The title was 'Hari sa hari, Lahi sa lahi,' the international English title was 'King and Emperor.'

If you are a Chinese culture enthusiast like me, or if you are interested in culture and history, you should definitely grab a copy of this book. I got my 2 copies for P140.00, plus additional shipping fee. I also requested for the book to be signed by the author. I have not met the author personally, but I'm looking forward for a chance in the near future.

Or you can visit Kaisa, located in Intramuros, Manila. They have a gift shop there when I visited them wayback. They sell t-shirts, and various educational books about Filipino-Chinese culture and history. You should also check out their museum also located in the same building. It is a museum of the Chinese in the Philippine life. It is a definitely must-see. I really enjoyed touring the museum before.

(Fast forward to year 2026, I finally met Ma'am Teresita Ang-See through my new doctor who is her sister.)

For orders and inquiries: 
You can contact them through their facebook page Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran or you may email them at info@kaisa.org.ph 

KAISA Heritage Center (Bahay Tsinoy)

           The Philippines is our country. it is the land of our birth. the home of our people.

      Our blood may be Chinese, but our roots grow deep in Filipino soil.

  Our bonds are with the Filipino people.

      We are proud of the many cultures, which have made us what we are. 

       it is our desire, our hope, and aspiration -- that with the rest of our people, we shall find

        our rightful place in the Philippine soil 

                  ~ Kaisa Credo ~

    We cannot deny that our country has not only a rich history, but also a cultural melting pot. (colonized by Spaniards, Japanese and Americans.) We are not colonized by the Chinese, but we can see that their culture and tradition have assimilated and became our own, through the Filipino-Chinese. Our society is imbued by these distinct group of Filipinos, known to us as the Filipino-Chinese. In my previous article before, (pls. see The Filipino-Chinese Surname blog post), I have defined who are the Filipino-Chinese, When we say Filipino-Chinese it can either mean of Chinese descent;mixed blood, of Chinese and Filipino descent, that is, the mother or the father is Chinese, or their ancestors (grandparents are Chinese). We say Chinese Mestizos, if the father is a Chinese and the mother is a Filipina. As I've mentioned before in one of my articles, the Germans (Goethe), and the French (Alliance Francaise) has their own cultural centers here. While the Spanish mestizos, like the Ayalas, have their museums. Now, the Filipino-Chinese also have their own. It is located in Intramuros. I have been in this museum thrice, and I really feel at home here. I guess I'm among the few who really enjoys going to the museum, and I really never get bored. During my college days wayback, we had a tour here as part of the requirements for our foreign language class which is Basic Mandarin II. I haven't visited the museum for more than 10 years now. I still remember I got some good books there, a Mandarin language book that includes a cd, and a shirt from their gift shop located at the ground floor. I still have in my possession a postcard from Kaisa, 10 years ago. I even urged my former Mandarin teacher,(who's a mainland Chinese) He Zhuo, to visit the museum while he's still here in the Philippines. 

     The museum was a brainchild of the late Prof. Chinben See, the husband of Mrs. Teresita Ang-See, the founding president, and one of the spokesperson of Citizens Action Against Crime. KAISA's aim is to bridge the two cultures. The museum has beautiful life-sized dioramas that depicts the way of life of Chinese in the Philippines, and also the Filipino-Chinese (Tsinoys) back then. This is really my favorite part of the museum. There is also a library that specialized in the ethnic Chinese in the Philippines and abroad. The former president of KAISA Sir Joaquin Sy (multi-awarded Filipino-Chinese translator, speaker, writer, consultant of a Filipino-Chinese magazine Nin Hao), told me that  I can research about the origin of surnames at Kaisa. Also, there were  displays of old ceramics, collections of ancient coins, a hall dedicated to prominent Filipino-Chinese (now and then), who made incomparable contributions to the Philippine society. 

     You will really learn a lot when you visit Bahay Tsinoy. I remember I also enjoy getting the back issues of Tulay fortnightly (sort of a Filipino-Chinese culture digest) which is free. I am just not sure if they still give these away for free now. I also suggest that you get a copy of the coffee-table book entitled, Tsinoy, The Story of the Chinese in the Philippine Life (P2,500.00). It's really a collector's item, and a wealth of information about the Chinese in the Philippine life, then and now. I got mine from Fully Booked bookstore. If you've enjoyed the museum tour, I'm also sure you'll enjoy reading this book. From the beginning until now, truly, the tie that binds.

--

KAISA Heritage Center (Bahay Tsinoy)

32 Anda St, Intramuros, Manila, Metro Manila

(02)527-6083

One Step Closer to my Dream

          Yesterday morning, I had a nice surprise of my life when I got an email from Mr. Joaquin Sy. I met Mr. Joaquin Sy, wayback at Bahay Tsinoy (Filipino-Chinese museum) Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros, Manila. Such fond memories back then. KAISA is one of my favorite places to visit in Manila. During my college days we had a tour there as a part of our activity in our Foreign Language class, Basic Mandarin. Sometimes I also visit the place to buy Chinese language cd's, books published by their office, also to get free back issues of Tulay, and just to check out anything in their gift shop.

I applied before for the position of a museum guide in KAISA. I remember, sending an email to Mrs. Teresita Ang-See (husband of the late Prof. Chinben See, (a library was named in honor of him), Mrs. See was really kind enough to forward my email to a KAISA staff even if she doesn't know me personally, (I would like to take this opportunity and thank her), and then I was introduced by the staff to the President of KAISA at that time, which was Mr. Joaquin Sy. Well, to cut the story short I 'chickened' out and I didn't push through with it.

               In 2007, I had another chance to visit Mr. Joaquin Sy when I tried applying as a part-time writer in a Filipino-Chinese newspaper which is the Philippine Chinese Daily. Mr. Sy was the manager and director of the said newspaper. Since I have contributed various articles online (tsinoy.com and slrfccc Filipino-Chinese Catholic website, sadly both websites are non-existent now) with regards to Chinese topics (cuisine, origin of Filipino-Chinese surnames, etc.). I gave him a Korean gold plated bookmark, and he gave me a Chinese phrasebook, entitled '300', and was kind enough to sign his books for me. Up to now, I also keep the business card that he gave me. I'm really such a pack-rat!

I'm really glad that I have met Mr. Sy. I know him as a writer and a former president of KAISA. According to my research he has authored a lot of books, a scholar and an expert in translating Filipino(Tagalog) to Chinese, vice-versa, a notable speaker and was invited to speak in various schools like in Ateneo de Manila University and various organizations. At present he holds positions in PSB and Manila Doctors Hospital. 

             I came to know the Manila Doctors Hospital newsletter because of Mr. Sy. I was really happy seeing my comment printed on a newsletter. I'm thankful to Mr. Sy for sharing with me the newsletter of Manila Doctor's Hospital. Everyday, I believe that I'm one step closer to my dreams with the help of the people around me, and of course with GOD's guidance.

             I can say that yesterday was truly Nin Hao! (good day) 您好!