Filipino Martial Arts kick it way to Spain

 

SPAIN – Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) are becoming more and more popular in Spain.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jhonee Llandejar teaches the techniques of Laraw, Kali, Pamuok to both Filipino and Spanish students in Fitness Place Sports Center in Barcelona.

Laraw, Kali, Pamuok, explained Llandejar, is a type of Filipino Martial Arts that employs the use of weapons such as wooden sticks Arnis and dirty boxing techniques.

Laraw means picture or reflection of the Kali weapon and the warrior. Kali means the use of weapons like Arnis and dagger, and Pamuok, which refers to hand-to-hand street fighting or no rules boxing techniques.

This type of martial arts is not only for self-defense, but also develops patience and self-control.

“Napaka-kumpleto niya, pwede mong ituro sa bata, pwede mong ituro sa matanda…sa mga babae. At saka kailangang-kailangan natin kasi mga Pinoy tayo, maliliit tayo. Yung sistema na pwede nating atakehin ‘tong isang ganitong kalaking tao, pwede tayong mag-defend sa sarili natin. Hindi tayo magpapa-bully, basta basta,” said Llandejar, who underwent FMA training in the Philippines and earned the rank of Guro.

Barcelona-based Filipinos Morland Magnayi and Daven Baraquel Magboo attend the sessions for health and self-defense reasons.

“At least mayroong self-defense ba, habang nag-e-exercise ka may natutunan ka sa sarili mo,” Magnayi said.

“Habang nasa kalye ka, hindi mo alam kung bigla ka na lang nanakawan alam mo yung gagawin mo para ma-defend mo yung sarili mo,” Baraquel pointed out.

The martial art also attracted interest of Spaniards despite mastering other combat sports.

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Suntukan to the next level. Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) which include the use of weapons (sticks or kali/arnis and knives), dirty boxing, and street fighting techniques have long been offered in a number of fitness centers in Barcelona. According to Guro Jhonee Llandelar, its origin can be traced to the fighting techniques employed by Philippine hero Lapu Lapu when he killed Fernão de Magalhães the Portuguese voyager sent by then Spanish Empire to colonize the archipelago now called the Philippines. In the picture is Llandejar's Itak Tagalog Barcelona chapter teaching Filipino martial arts Laraw Kali Pamuok. FMA have already been used in movies such as Bourne Identity and Fast and Furious 7 #kali #arnis #arnisdemano #filipinomartialarts #laraw #pamuok #panuntukan #itak #selfdefense #martialarts #fight #artesmarciales #Barcelona #España #Spain #suntukan #boxing #dirtyboxing #streetfighting #bourneidentity #fastandfurious #furious7 #Filipinas #Philippines #culture #history #lapulapu #magalhães #upbeatsunday

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Ruben Salas, who teaches boxing, said: “Most of my friends are Filipinos and I consider it very interesting because it trains the body both internally and externally and provides more defense than boxing,” said.

Filipino-Spanish taekwondo instructor Pepe Manuel wants to know more about Filipino culture through FMA.

“My mother is Filipino (so) it’s something that I want to learn, and its teaching method is more fluid. Perhaps, Korean taekwondo (and) Japanese karate although (have similarities with FMA) are very static, very rigid, but Arnis is very fluid with different method and employs a lot of strikes. I like it,” explained Manuel in Spanish.

Llandejar added that Filipino Martial Arts can trace its origin from precolonial fighting skills. Philippine hero Lapu-Lapu already showed expertise in the use of shield and weapon against Ferdinand Magellan’s heavily armored forces.

Filipino Martial Arts have also gained more international exposure, thanks to action stunts used in Hollywood blockbusters like Bourne Legacy and Fast and Furious 7. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

PH artifacts part of newly-opened museum in Barcelona

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Bulul. 19th century figures believed by the Ifugaos to protect ricefields and bring abundant harvest. Part of the Filipino collection at Barcelona's newly opened Museum of World Culture. #culture #world #museum #Ifugao #Barcelona #Spain #Philippines #guardian #figures #rice #harvest #beliefs #sculpture #art #ancient #riceterraces #bulul

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SPAIN – Artifacts from the Philippines are included in the permanent collection of the newly opened Museum of World Cultures in Barcelona, Spain.

The Museu de les Cultures del Mon (in Catalan), which opened in February, holds a collection of artifacts from four continents—Africa, Oceania, the Americas, and Asia.

On display in the Philippine section are 19th century Bulul, figures believed by the Ifugaos to protect rice fields and bring abundant harvest, Kalinga’s war shield kalasag, objects of daily use such as spoons and accessories from Isabela and Bontoc, karaban or a bamboo quiver that holds darts from Palawan, mamaan or betel nut boxes from Lanao, and 6th century burial urns from Sultan Kudarat.

 

 

Burial urns from Sultan Kudarat

These are one of the oldest collections the City Council of Barcelona has according to the Museum’s technical director Quim Vicente.

A part of it was brought to Spain during the Barcelona Universal Exposition of 1888 and some were donated by Folch Archaeological Foundation.

Barcelona-based Filipino resident Joel Sibay was surprised to see a Filipino collection in the museum.

“Maganda yung mga koleksyon natin na tinatangkilik sa ibang bansa at malaking bagay sa atin yan,” Sibay said.

Neighboring country Indonesia also has their Wayang Kulit marionettes on display.

Masks of all shapes and sizes from Africa, towering spirit figures bisj from Papua New Guinea, one of the few remaining pieces of fasting Buddha Gandhara, and a figure from Mexico that represents sports and human sacrifice are among the museum pieces that can also be seen inside.

With the help of interactive maps, more can be learned about the traditions and beliefs behind the collections.

“I really like the museum. I didn’t know what I was going to find and I’m very impressed. It’s very well organized. The figures, the little sculptures I think are very, very nice. I’m learning a lot,” museum visitor Marta Perez said.

The museum, housed by renovated medieval mansions Palau Nadal I del Marquès de Llió, can be found at the city’s Gothic Quarter right in front of the popular Picasso Museum. It used to be the location of Barbier-Mueller Pre-Columbian Art and Design museums. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

 

Pinoy, part of rising indie rock band in Spain

 

Photo grabbed from the band’s Facebook page

SPAIN – A local band with a Filipino drummer is gaining popularity in Spain. Their first album is also titled in a local Philippine dialect: Pangasinense.

The Prussians’ Filipino drummer Tino Lucena Bautista was born in Spain but still remains Pinoy at heart. His father is native of Santo Domingo, Nueva Ecija while his mother is from Urdaneta City, in Pangasinan.

“Sa mga ibang lugar, walang Pilipino kaya nagugulat sila. Parang taga-saan ka? Bakit perfecto, perfect ang Spanish mo, tapos Catalan? Kasi dito ako lumaki,” he said.

Bautista was the one who formed the band. Among his influences are the drummers of Yosha, Michael Alba and Vic Mercado of Bamboo.

“The Prussians” is composed of vocalist Dominic Masso, guitarist Jorge Alarcon, bassist Biel Abrines and keyboardist Ferchu Vallejos, who are all from the island of Mallorca.

“It’s nice that a lot of people come to your show and congratulating you after the show,” said Abrines.

The band just recently capped its national tour at the Barts Club in Barcelona.

“I really like it. I mean, they are really young people but I think they have a very good future,” said concert promoter, Inday Mercader.

The band held concerts all over Spain to promote their first album titled in Pangasinense called “Mul Mul”.

“We want to play in international festivals. We want to grow up all time. First of all festivals in Spain and then let’s see what happens,” said Alarcon.

Meanwhile, Masso mentioned that the band was supposed to be named “White Philippines”. But since they were already known as The Prussians, they decided not to change it anymore.

“We would love to go to Philippines on tour, for example. Philippine promoters, if you want us, we will be there. Girls, boys, we want to go to Philippines. You won’t regret it,” he said. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

Sinulog festivities warm up Europe

SPAIN – “Viva Señor Sto. Niño!”

Filipinos in Europe chanted while dancing and carrying the image of Sto. Niño, like it is done in the Philippines.

The colorful festivities in various European cities might not be as grandiose as those in Cebu, nonetheless, Filipinos found a way to continue with the tradition they grew up with and keep their devotions alive.

“Importante para sa atin yun, siya yung kauna-unahang santo na dumating sa Pilipinas. Maraming miracles na nangyayari,” said Helen Cervantes of Asociación Visayas y Mindanao, an association based in Barcelona, Spain.

Not minding below 10 degree temperatures, Filipinos in Barcelona choreographed a mini-Sinulog at the plaza of San Agustin Church. They danced in colorful costumes and dramatized the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

Batangueños also joined the celebration as Sto. Niño is also the patron saint of Batangas, whose name can be traced back to one of the Holy Child’s miracles, explained Barcelona-based Batangueña, Tina de Chavez.

“Dahil nga dun sa original na nakita ng Santo Niño sa batangan ng bahay, nung bumaha nga sa Batangas City, yung batangan ng bahay na lumulutang sa tubig nakita dun yung Santo Niño na nakapatong sa batangan kaya pinangalanang batangan.”

Associations such as Asociación Bisayan Ug Mindanaoan en España, Block Rosary, Hermandad, AFICAT, Immanuel, Amistad, Pastoral Youth Ministry, and Centro Filipino also participated in the celebration.

 

Paris-based Filipino devotees also expressed their gratitude to the Holy Child by holding Sinulog at Sainte Bernadette Church. And then they went to a restaurant where they crowned the Little Princess of Sto. Niño.

Filipinos from different parts of London, meanwhile, converged and held Sinulog at St. George’s Cathedral in Westminster Bridge.
Fr. Jake Dicto, organizer of the celebration, was very happy with the outcome of the event.

“Viva! Pit Senor!! Napakaganda po ng ating selebrasyon ngayon sa fiesta ng Sto. Nino sa London kaya po tayo nagkakasiyahan lahat ng mga Pilipino.”

Croydon Choral Group offered a serenade while Sydenham Pinoy group presented a Tagalog folk dance.

The Wadon Filipino community did a tribal dance while East London Filipino community had a dancing nuns’ production number.

“Napakasaya po ng selebrasyon ng Sto. Nino festival dito sa Central London sa St. George’s Church. Talaga ang mga Pilipino ay nagkakaisa,” said dance performer Leo Redoban.

Sinulog represents the Philippines’ acceptance of Catholicism brought by Spanish colonizers. This one of a kind Filipino festival is held on the third Sunday of January. – With reports from Bong Agustinez in Paris and Babo Gamboa in London. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

‘Kinilaw’ steals spotlight at food festival in Madrid

SPAIN – The Philippines’ very own raw dish in vinegar captivated food lovers and the world’s top chefs who participated in Spain’s important international gastronomy summit, Madrid Fusion.

It is a culinary milestone for the Philippines as this is the first time the country has been invited to showcase Filipino cuisine in an event considered as world’s most important chef’s congress, and a dream come true for superstar Filipino chefs Margarita “Gaita” Fores and Myrna Segismundo to put the country in the world’s culinary map.

Fores and Segismundo’s demonstration on how to prepare kinilaw received enthusiastic reception and praises from the public at the Palacio de Congresos Municipal in Madrid where the event was held.

Fores presented Negrense seabass kinilaw while Segismundo showed how to prepare Batangueño seafood kinilaw. They also prepared grilled pork and fish kinilaw called ‘sinuglaw’ and introduced some of the ingredients that can only be found in the Philippines such as tabon-tabon fruit, calamansi, and salt with coconut called ‘duldul’.

 

 

“Very innovative, I like it a lot. It has a mixture of new flavors, lot of spices, very spicy. It’s new for me,” Amanda Iglesias, a chef at Madrid five-star Hotel Orfila, said in Spanish after tasting kinilaw.

“I never knew that you could create this kind of acidity with this fruit that you have, so it’s amazing to me on how can you avoid to use lime or lemon and use this kind of fruit vinegar,” said Texas-based chef Juan Gomez.

Why kinilaw?

“When the Madrid Fusion people came to Manila, of course we were entertaining them and during the MOA signing, which was happening in Restaurant 9501, we had lechon, adobo, all other things, but it was particularly the kinilaw that caught their attention,” said Segismundo.

She stressed that kinilaw is a Filipino dish that doesn’t have any Spanish, Chinese, or foreign influence on it.

“Kinilaw is pure 100 percent Filipino (pero) international ang appeal,” she said.

Aside from kinilaw, attendees flocked to the Philippine booth strategically located at the venue entrance to have a try of Filipino delicacies such as pili and cashew nuts, chicharon, dried mangoes, and cocktails.

The Philippine delegation, headed by Department of Tourism director for Europe Verna Buensuceso with Agriculture undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, introduced five different Filipino flavors—maalat (salty) matamis (sweet), mapait (bitter), maasim (sour), and malinamnam (tasty).

Taking Madrid Fusion to Manila

Philippine cuisine will be further introduced to the world in the upcoming Madrid Fusion Manila, which will be held on April 24-26 at MOA SMX Convention Center in Pasay.

The country has been chosen to host the event to rekindle cultural and gastronomic ties with Spain, which has strong influence on many Filipino dishes.

“They realized also that for European chefs, for Western chefs, their inspiration now comes from Asia, and our cuisine is so rich, the ingredients are unique,” added Fores.

Eight Spanish Michelin-starred chefs and top Asian chefs will travel to the Philippines to demonstrate and discuss with top Filipino chefs latest techniques and innovations that are transforming the global culinary scene.

“It will be a fusion of chefs of all over the world but also with the Philippines, and I’m looking forward [to it]. I’ve never been to the Philippines. I really want to go for many many years,” said chef Elena Arzak of three-starred Michelin and three-starred Repsol restaurant Arzak in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN.

Fores could not contain her excitement and believes that this will further boost Philippine tourism.

“To come to the Philippines and discover all these new things. I think that they’re really looking at not only our food but at our beaches, our hospitality,” Forés said.

“Alam nyo mga kapamilya, bihirang mangyari ito sa atin sa Pilipinas, sa kasaysayan ng ating kulinarya, ika nga,” said Segismundo. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on The World Tonight, ABS-CBN:

Why Pinoy food was served at top Madrid hotels

MADRID, Spain — For two consecutive nights, all-time Filipino favorites such as sinigang, adobo, ginisang munggo, kinilaw were served for dinner at two 5-star hotels in Madrid.

The two-night Filipino banquet was part of the city’s Gastrofestival 2015’s “Dinner with the Stars”.

Star chefs from around the world including top Filipino chefs converged to prepare dinner at the Spanish capital’s most important hotels and restaurants, where residents and tourists can have a taste of diverse gastronomic experience for a special price.

The elegant 1886 mansion Relais & Chauteaux Hotel Orfila was the first to play host to an equally elegant Filipino dinner held on the evening of February 3.

ABS-CBN Restaurant 9501’s Chef Myrna Segismundo with the assistance of Bale Datung’s Chef Claude Tayag took over Jardin de Orfila’s kitchen.

They prepared chicken inasal, tinapa, and sisig for appetizer. Fish and seafood kinilaw were served for the second course, ginisang munggo for third course, pork ribs adobo with papaya and green mango atchara and steamed rice for main course.

For dessert, they served ginataang bilo bilo and turon with chocolate tablea.

 

Kapeng barako, salabat, and calamansi liquor were also offered to the guests after the meal.

On the following night, Cibo’s chef Margarita Forés with the help of an all-Filipino crew made food artistry and special treats for the Goya Restaurant of the chandelier-clad Ritz Hotel.

Forés prepared fish kinilaw, barquillos, Negrense kadyos, and chicharon for appetizer.

Sinigang na hipon at isda sa batwan was served for the second course, pancit guisado with mushroom and chorizo for third course, sugpo sa taba ng talangka with adlai and calamansi ice cream for fourth course, before ending with beef short ribs adobo with atchara, gata, and Cordillera rice.

Dessert featured mango with latik, maja blanca, and melted pastillas de leche with chocolate.

 

Segismundo and Forés also also introduced ingredients that can only be found in the Philippines such as calamansi, chocolate tablea, kapeng barako, adlai, and heirloom rice from the Cordilleras.

“It has been a very excellent opportunity to be able to promote Philippine cuisine, Philippine gastronomy… We are trying to promote more Spanish tourists to go to the Philippines and gastronomy is one of the ways to do it,” said Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos Salinas, who was present in the dinner together with his wife Isabelita, agriculture and tourism officials, and Spanish and Filipino press.

It was first time for Spanish Alfredo Garcia Reyes, food writer for El Mundo’s YoDona magazine, to try Filipino cuisine.

“The quality of the product, the flavors, (it’s) very different from the Spanish food but (there) are similarities between Spanish cooking and Filipino cooking,” said Garcia.

The Gastrofestival 2015 coincided with international food summit Madrid Fusión where Segismundo and Forés also made history with their participation as presenters of Filipino cuisine “kinilaw”.

The two are looking forward to further promoting Philippine gastronomy in the holding of Madrid Fusión in Manila, which is slated on April 24-26 at Mall of Asia SMX Convention Center. Daniel Infante Tuaño, ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

 

 

2 Pinoy boys join one of Europe’s oldest choirs

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

BARCELONA – Two Filipino boys in Spain successfully passed the auditions of the prestigious and oldest boys’ choir in Europe.

Jomari Chavez and Kevin Marquez, both 10, are now part of the l’escolania de Montserrat or the Montserrat Boys’ Choir.

Jomari Chavez Edan Galino, one of two members of Filipino descent of Montserrat Boys’ Choir

Kevin Marquez Lilagan singing at a benefit concert with the Montserrat Boys’ Choir.

They were part of the recently concluded benefit concert held at the Iglesia de San Agustin.

Aside from singing and learning to play musical instruments, they must also study elementary and high school at the Montserrat monastery.

The monthly tuition is more than 500 euros or about P27,000, but the two were granted financial support. They won’t have to spend education, food, uniform, fares, as well as expenses related to overseas concerts.

They will live in Montserrat and would be allowed to go home every weekend to their parents.

This kind of arrangement first made Malou Chavez hesitate to enroll her only son there. But the school’s security, quality of education and the disciple they instill in children put her at ease.

“Natutuwa yung amo ko kasi ang sabi niya kung pera ang batayan, maraming mayayaman ang mag-aaral doon. Ang batayan doon talaga ay boses,” said Mrs. Chavez.

For her part, Dolores Marquez fully trusted the institution as her eldest son, Mark Kenjie, had been a part of the boys’ choir.

Mark Kenjie was the first-ever Filipino member of the l’escolania de Montserrat.

“Maganda naman ang buhay nila doon pero talagang mahirap. Pero talagang maganda, para sa kanila, para sa kinabukasan nila. Sacrifice lang dahil mahihiwalay,” said Marquez.

Mark Kenjie is now a member of a popular Catalan choir, the Orfeo Catala.

“Alam na po nilang magbasa ng music, isang instrumento po kung mas maganda pag mayroon silang alam, tapos yung boses po pinaka-importante,” Mark Kenjie said to Pinoys aspiring to become choir members.

Mark Kenjie Marquez, the first Filipino member in the history of L’Escolania de Montserrat with his brother Kevin.

School prefect Fr. Sergi d’Assis Gelpi is happy with his Filipino students and urged more Pinoys to join the choir.

“We would love to have more Philippine boys because the experience we have with these families is so nice. They are very nice people, very catholic people. They love music. So if there’s any Philippine boy who has a good voice, it would be great to join our choir and to share with us the experience at Montserrat,” he said. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report aired on Balitang Global, TFC, ABS-CBN:

Cabalens bring art of parol-making to Spain

Apalit, Pampanga-native Jerry Santos proud of his Philippine flag-inspired Christmas lantern.

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – Pampanga is considered the Philippines’ Christmas lantern capital, as it produces the country’s most beautiful and colorful parols.

The symbol of Filipino Christmas is displayed in the homes of Filipino residents in Barcelona for quite some time, but for the first time Cabalens, they brought their creativity and craftsmanship to Spain as they made their first-ever parol.

“Ito ‘yung produkto ng Pampanga kaya kailangang ipresenta namin ‘yung maganda naming parol,” said Ramina Espinosa, president of newly formed Pampangueño association Kapampangan Abe Abe Tamu.

The giant parol, which resembles the Philippine flag, is made of gift wrapper, wooden sticks, paper and battery-powered Christmas lights.

In the future, they promised to bring materials from the Philippines so they can make parols like the ones found in Pampanga which are mainly made of capiz shells.

It took two weeks for Apalit, Pampanga-native Jerry Santos to finish the parol.

“Kailangan meron dating, parang tayong mga Filipino makita rin nila na may talent din tayo, hindi yung puros pinagpapasensiyahan lang, mabilisan, hindi ganun,” Santos said.

The parol was offered to the Filipino Personal Parish and is now on display, together with other parols made by Filipino associations, at Iglesia de San Agustin in Barcelona. ABS-CBNnews.com

Barcelona-based Pampanga association Kapampangan Abe Abe Tamu.

Two Pinay-owned businesses lauded in Barcelona

The Oriental Jasmine
Carrer de Muntaner, 88, 08011 Barcelona http://www.orientaljasmine.com

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – Two Filipina-owned businesses were among the 12 small and medium enterprises recognized for excellence by the city council of Barcelona.

Asian-inspired day spa The Oriental Jasmine and New York-style manicure and pedicure salon The Pink Peony were chosen to be part of “Nou i Bo”, a local government initiative that compiles high-quality establishments owned by foreigners in Barcelona.

“Nou i Bo”, which is Catalan for “New and Good”, aims to highlight the good quality of businesses owned by new residents and demonstrate society’s gains from social, linguistic and commercial diversity.

A video clip in Catalan on “Nou i Bo” project:

The Oriental Jasmine, which offers hilot, manicure, pedicure and facial services, hasn’t celebrated yet its first year anniversary but it already got the nod of the selection committee.

That’s why co-owner Maya Khasmine Valencia was ecstatic upon getting the nomination and recognition from the government.

“I’d like to say, so this is how it feels to be Miss Universe. It’s overwhelming, kasi I did not expect it,” Valencia said.

The Pink Peony, meanwhile, is not new in the business. In fact, this six-year-old beauty salon has two branches and has already made its mark in the beauty scene in Barcelona catering to various clienteles from tourists to local and international models and actresses.

No wonder it was also selected.

The Pink Peony
Passeig de Gràcia, 100, 08008 Barcelona http://www.thepinkpeony.com

“I couldn’t believe that we actually achieved our objective. I always tell the girls that we want to be the best in the category that we are in and this recognition sort of confirmed that. So for me, it was an achievement of The Pink Peony girls, all the Filipinas that worked hard every day to give the best that we can,” said owner Peony Herrera Sy.

Kathleen Lopena Ortega, The Pink Peony’s spokesperson, emphasized the “winning formula” of the salon namely “Asian hospitality, American customer service and the European elegance.”

Asian hospitality comes from none other than its Filipino staff.

The Pink Peony, which currently has 35 employees mainly Filipinas, aims to provide more labor opportunities to Filipinos in Barcelona said staff Anna Felipe.

The Oriental Jasmine and The Pink Peony showed the exemplary attribute of Filipino women to put up and manage high-quality businesses and their concern and solidarity to create jobs for fellow Filipinos amidst the difficult employment situation in Spain. ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the related TV report in Filipino as aired on Balitang Global:

Why Filipino students excel in Barcelona

Raval, a neighborhood where many migrants, including Filipinos, reside. Photo courtesy of Rodel Juacalla

By Daniel Infante Tuaño

SPAIN – Fourteen-year-old Lara Mercado almost got a 100 point average grade in all subjects. She’s also one of the best students in her class and used to be a class valedictorian in the Philippines.

High school student Jasper Villena Cordero received consistent high grades along with commendations from her professors.

Mercado and Cordero are two of many Filipino students who excel in schools abroad.

In Barcelona alone, Filipino students have already earned a good reputation either in academics or in sports.

The reason behind this has been explained in a study entitled “La comunidad silenciosa”. Migraciones Filipinas y capital social en el Raval (Barcelona)” (The silent community: Filipino migrations and social capital in Raval, Barcelona) by German medical anthropologist Eva Maria Marxen.

The study focused on Filipino high school students in Raval, a neighborhood in Barcelona where many Filipinos reside.

Interviews conducted by Marxen with high school teachers say that Filipino students are generally respectful, well-disciplined and hard-working.

Such values can be attributed to strictness and putting a premium on education on the part of the parents and the Filipino community.

“First of all, some of the adolescents already had parents who themselves had been to college, so they would very know the performance at school. Then the parents were very strict in these cases, and some cases, severely strict. The value of education was very much transmitted from parents to children and also within the community,” Marxen explained.

Cordero’s mother, Emmalyn Cordero Manalo admits that she has to be strict with her daughter.

“Kasi nga yun sinasabi sa akin ng teacher nya, na masyado akong mahigpit sa anak ko pero para sa akin hindi higpit yun eh, kasi sa kinabukasan rin naman kasi nya yun,” Cordero said.

Jay Aragones Mercado, Lara’s father, stresses the importance of education in escaping poverty.

“Kung may sapat kang edukasyon, diyan ka uunlad at siyempre pag mahirap ka yun lang talaga ang susi mo para medyo umangat ng konti ang buhay natin,” he said.

Marxen also pointed out the shared responsibility and objectives among parents, teachers and the Filipino community which have also helped the students do well in school.

“I also want to stress the subject of co-responsibility, which I observed among the high school, themselves, their teacher, the parents and the community. They have the same motivation, they have the same goals that children would finish at least finish high school, (and) also (to be) successful.”  ABS-CBNnews.com

Watch the TV report in Filipino as aired on Balitang Global: