America cut short Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Our national educational system originally began with 3, Thomasite American teachers who helped introduce the public school system. To augment the need for teachers Filipino Grade VI graduates were allowed to teach until the country would be ready to complete the ladder of education.
The country then began to absorb American culture over and above the Spanish culture. Hundreds of pensionados travel grantees in various fields were sent to America to prepare us for independence. Unfortunately, the war overtook these developments. The famous American architect Daniel Burnham who drew up the plans of the San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition designed Ionic, Doric and Corinthian architecture for the elegant massive buildings in the heart of Manila.
It is hard to imagine Manila without a walk along Admiral Dewey Boulevard now Roxas leading to Luneta where whole families would walk every July 4 to watch the exquisite firework display. Across this is the Metropolitan Theater and the Ice House. I was four when my father, Atty. Calixto C. Silverio, former Justice of Peace of Paombong, Bulacan, would take me for a walk pointing to his office at the Justice building.
The shining white building filled me with pride. The memory of Papa holding my hand and pointing to the beautiful buildings that then housed the Philippine government offices remains vivid even today. Simultaneously, the Americans established the summer capital of Baguio. Horticulturists covered the cool mountain climate and soil with pine trees that dominate the landscape. They were rooted well to the clusters of the Cordillera mountains to prevent landslides and erosion.
In Burnham Park, a lagoon and cemented walks were bordered with a wide assortment of flowers such as Snap Dragons, Hollyhocks, Asters, Columbines, purple Bellflowers and Clematis. In fact, the Sweet Williams, Everlasting, Delphiniums, Foxgloves, white Easter Lilies and Calla Lilies made Baguio one of the most romantic places in the country, and a special favorite for lovers and honeymooners. Close to Wright Park is the rustic Baguio Country Club built with pine logs, established by the first American residents.
It was a joy to visit Camp John Hay, built as a recreational center for American families and soldiers, with its golf course that was considered one of the best in Asia. Baguio has gradually deteriorated in the fifties for lack of maintenance from the national and local governments.
Gone are the piney scent of the conifer trees which have thinned out along Kennon Road and all over Baguio. As a child, I used to think the yearly harvest of fresh Christmas trees, not the maintenance problem that caused the denudation of the Baguio conifers.
Even before the devastating earthquake, it has been said that former Mayor Jun Labo granted , lowlanders the illegal privilege of squatting on any exposed land, in exchange for their votes.
In a broadcast on 9 February , Churchill spoke with confidence and conviction:. That is a warning which no one should disregard. Therefore, I drop one word of caution. A Nazi invasion of Great Britain last autumn would have been a more or less improvised affair.
Hitler took it for granted that when France gave in we should five in; but we did not give in. Publications Pages Publications Pages. Recently viewed 0 Save Search. Read More. Your current browser may not support copying via this button. Subscriber sign in You could not be signed in, please check and try again. Username Please enter your Username. Password Please enter your Password. Forgot password? Don't have an account?
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