A historical development of the Chinese integration efforts to Philippine Society

Abstract

The increasing wealth of the Chinese in the Philippines is such a phenomenon explained by their characteristics of thrift, industry and perseverance. The Philippines' history with them is such a long one, dating back to the Pre-Spanish period. The many legislations passed against them, their endeavors to fight for their rights, their ever growing number and the impact they left are part of this bittersweet struggle to have ‘a rightful place under the Philippine sun. This research tackled the Chinese integration efforts by presenting the different socio-civic projects of Manila-based Chinese organizations; the observance of selected Chinese school to the motives of the Filipinization policy in 1973; the consciousness of selected respondents towards integration; and the relevance of their efforts and awareness to Philippine society. The organizations and schools though composed of mostly Chinese members and students definitely do not exclude non-Chinese from linking with them. It has been blatant that the existence of such are to cater the needs of the whole Philippine society and not just the Chinese community, especially the Manila Chinatown community. Respondents were able to manifest high rate of having awareness to the needs of the society and even take on majority of the mainstream's features -- religion, choice of schools and place of birth. Mixed parentage (that of a Chinese and a Filipino) has been observed to almost half of the respondents, only showing that intermarriage has been a phenomenon not just of yesteryears but of the present. The languages most commonly used by today’s Chinese in conversing, writing and reading are English or Tagalog/Filipino. Again, solely by the language aspect, integration of the Chinese to Philippine society is vividly perceived.