Producing Rizal: Negotiating Modernity Among the Filipino Diaspora in Hawaii
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PRODUCING RIZAL: NEGOTIATING MODERNITY AMONG THE FILIPINO DIASPORA IN HAWAII A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE DIVISION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I AT MĀNOA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN ASIAN STUDIES AUGUST 2014 By Ai En Isabel Chew Thesis Committee: Patricio Abinales, Chairperson Cathryn Clayton Vina Lanzona Keywords: Filipino Diaspora, Hawaii, Jose Rizal, Modernity, Rizalista Sects, Knights of Rizal 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………..…5 Chapter 1 Introduction: Rizal as a Site of Contestation………………………………………………………………………………………....6 Methodology ..................................................................................................................18 Rizal in the Filipino Academic Discourse......................................................................21 Chapter 2 Producing Rizal: Interactions on the Trans-Pacific Stage during the American Colonial Era,1898-1943…………………………..………………………………………………………...29 Rizal and the Philippine Revolution...............................................................................33 ‘Official’ Productions of Rizal under American Colonial Rule .....................................39 Rizal the Educated Cosmopolitan ..................................................................................47 Rizal as the Brown Messiah ...........................................................................................56 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................66 Chapter 3 Reproducing ‘Rizal’: Emergent Philippine Nationalism and the Specter of American Neo- imperialism in post-1946 Philippines……………..……………………………………………69 The 1956 Rizal Bill and the Lingering Vestiges of American Imperialism in Post- Independence Philippines ...............................................................................................72 Rizal and the Official Discourses of Western Modernity ..............................................82 Filipino First: Rizal and Filipinization in the face of American Neo-Imperialism……78 The Intellectual Left Strikes Back ..................................................................................92 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................96 Chapter 4 Consuming Rizal: The Banal Na Angkan in Hawaii…………………………..……….…….98 Banal Na Angkan Katipunan “KKK” Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangan Katipunan ......99 History ........................................................................................................................99 The Banal Na Angkan in Honolulu ..........................................................................101 Beliefs .......................................................................................................................106 Sunday Services ........................................................................................................112 3 Analysis ........................................................................................................................121 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................134 Chapter 5 Becoming Rizal: The Knights of Rizal in Hawaii……………………………………………136 The Order of the Knights of Rizal ................................................................................138 History, Organizational Structure, and Demographics of the Order ........................138 Rituals and Rites .......................................................................................................146 Activities of the Order ..............................................................................................150 Knights of Rizal – The Hawaii Chapter .......................................................................152 Analysis ........................................................................................................................159 Motivations for Joining the Knights of Rizal: Social Capital, Prestige, and Cultural Experiences ...............................................................................................................159 Rationality and Education ........................................................................................169 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................171 Chapter 6 Conclusion: Rizal as an Enduring Symbol of the Philippines……………………………..174 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................181 Appendix 1 .......................................................................................................................188 Appendix 2 .......................................................................................................................189 4 I dedicate this thesis to the two most important women in my life – my mom and my grandma, who passed away as I was completing this thesis. It is surely no exaggeration to say that without the both of you, none of this would have been possible. 5 Acknowledgments It goes without saying that this thesis would not have been possible without the help and support of many people. First and foremost, I count myself extremely lucky to have found in Professor Patricio Abinales a most wonderful academic mentor any graduate student could possibly wish for. His constant encouragement and spot-on advice has made this thesis a far stronger one than it would otherwise have been. It helped as well that he possesses an incredible high threshold of patience when it came to dealing with the often frazzled nerves of this highly-strung graduate student. Thank you so much lah. I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to my committee members, Professor Vina Lanzona and Professor Cathryn Clayton. Not only did I benefit immensely from their thoughtful insights, questions, and comments at every step of the way, I am thankful to have received a solid academic grounding as a student in their graduate seminars as well. During my fieldwork in Hawaii, I was very fortunate to have met people who were willing to share with me their valuable time, as well as to offer me access to their lives and networks. I am heavily indebted to Nanay Serafina Baloran and Ponciano Balicao, who made it possible for me to attend the Banal Na Angkan’s services. I would also like to say a big heartfelt thank you to all the members of the Banal Na Angkan for making me feel so welcome each time I turned up at their Sunday services. Maraming salamat po. At the same time, I would like to thank the Hawaii chapter of the Knights of Rizal, in particular, Randy Cortez, Ryan Fernandez, Serafin “Jun” Colmenares, Geminiano “Toy” Arre, and Raymund Liongson. I really appreciate you taking time off your busy schedules to talk to me. I am also very grateful to Clement and Gina Bautista for all the help they have rendered on this project. Without them, I would never have stumbled onto the fascinating world of Rizalists and Rizalistas in Hawaii. Beyond academics however, I would like to thank some of the most incredible wahine for their love and encouragement: Veronica, Lawrie, Shari, Cindy, and Donna – thank you for being my family away from home. 6 Chapter 1 Introduction: Rizal as a Site of Contestation On December 30, 2012, as the first rays of dawn broke over the city of Manila, a grand funeral procession was slowly making its way towards the Luneta, where a dignified bronze-and-granite monument of Filipino national hero, Jose Rizal, stood. Accompanying the funeral urn were several stately-looking gentlemen clad in white military-esque uniforms that were decorated with a burgundy and yellow sash worn over the shoulder (see Photo 1.1). These guards of honor were members of the Council of Elders and the Supreme Council of the International Order of the Knights of Rizal, a civic and patriotic fraternity first established in honor of Rizal in 1911. The procession meanwhile, was a reenactment of the transfer of Rizal’s remains from Binondo to Luneta a hundred years ago.1 As the convoy arrived at the Luneta, it greeted a large crowd of Filipinos who had gathered to commemorate the 116th death anniversary of the Filipino martyr. The assembly comprised illustrious dignitaries from Filipino society, including Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay Jr., Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario, as well as Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. As the Philippine Armed Force Band struck up the opening bars of the Pambansang Awit (National Anthem), Benigno Aquino III, President of the Republic, Dr. Maria Serena Diokno, chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and Jessie Deloosa, Chief General of 1 NHCP, “116th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal, The 150th Celebration, January 24, 2013 <http://myrizal150.com/2013/01/116th-anniversary-of-the-martyrdom-of-dr-jose-rizal/> Accessed May 10, 2014. 7 the Philippine Armed Forces, proceeded to the base of the monument. Two soldiers followed, carrying a large wreath to be placed on the grave. As President Aquino raised his hand in a salute, a moment of gravity descended upon the crowd as twenty one gunshots rang out in memory of Rizal. This annual commemoration ended with the observance of the flag-raising ceremony, the red, blue and yellow colors