BRIDGING THE GAP
Traditional Chinese influences on Ilonggo life
One's knowledge of Philippine history tells him that among the foreign people that brought their culture to the country and to Western Visayas in early times were the Chinese. This was done through trade contacts between the two groups of people long before the coming of the Spaniards. As to when the initial contacts between the initial contacts between the Chinese and the Ilonggos occurred, nobody can tell for certain. As to when the initial contacts between the Chinese and the Ilonggos occurred, nobody can tell for certain. However, Philippine and Southeast Asian historical scholars are unanimous in saying that, based on archaeological findings, Chinese trade with other parts of Asia was already in full swing by the 10th and 11th centuries.
The rise in substantial Chinese trade with the Ilonggos coincided with the rule of the Sung Dynasty beginning with 960 A.D. up to 1280 and, later, of the Yuan Dynasty (1280-1368 A.D.). Panay archaeology reveals that the inhabitants of the island had already a well-established trade with the Chinese as early as the 10th century. This was more than 200 years before the supposed coming of the ten Bonean datus and their families to the island. The Chinese were trading with the Ilonggos through Molo, which was serving as the commercial port of Iloilo at that time. They bartered silk, porcelain wares and damasks with the natives, while the latter engaged in trading products from their farms, the sea and the forests. Through time, many Chinese settled down in Molo and took Ilonggo women as their wives. The descendants of these Chinese could be found among families in Molo named Consing, Ditching, Conlu, Ganzon, Guanzon, Jocson, Lacson, Layson, Locsin, Sianson, Yulo and Yusay.
It is claimed that among the legacies of the Chinese in Western Visayas was the introduction of a sugar cane variety called "Sakara", that was thought to have originated either from India or Saudi Arabia. The Chinese, subsequently, also taught the natives how to extract sugar juice from the canes and to transform it into solid granules. From sugar, the Chinese prepared a sweet delicacy known as "pinarak" and out of it, they manufactured an assortment of candies that became popular to the natives (Angayen 1973).
Aside from teaching the Ilonggos how to manufacture sugar, the Chinese also left a lasting influence in the culinary habits of the Ilonggos. Those prominent are: batchoy, bihon, hototai, kimlo, lumpia, pancit (including Pancit Molo), siomai and siopao. Then, there are the more expensive Chinese soup preparations that in English are known as "bird's nest" and "shark's fin", and are still popular today in the region's restaurants.
The other lasting influences of the early Chinese on Ilonggo life are the wearing of the "camisa de chino", which is claimed by some writers as the basis of the "barong tagalog", and of slippers; the popular recreational game of mahjong; the use of firecrackers in important family and community celebrations; and the observance of feng shui, or certain folk beliefs and practices that insure success, stability tranquility and happiness to the doer and his/her family.
With regards to firecrackers, La villa rica de Arevalo in Iloilo became famous all over Western Visayas for its awesome and beautiful fireworks or pyrotechnics. This particular district of Iloilo City was once part of the Parian (Molo), inhabited by the Chinese and was made famous as the home of Iloilo's firecracker industry.
One more lasting monument of early Chinese influences in the lives of the Ilonggos is Fundidor. Fundidor is the place of Molo going to Villa or Arevalo famous for its foundry shops initially established by the Chinese in early times. It was here where tools and utensils needed both in the house and in the farms, such as bolos, plows, knives, hoes, rakes and, later, church bells, were manufactured.
As one can see, the Chinese had made a permanent imprint in the culture and history of the Ilonggos. Many Ilonggo families today can even trace their ancestry to the early Chinese traders and artisans who, for love of Iloilo and its beautiful women, decided to settle down permanently in the area, engaged in trade and agriculture, raised children and grandchildren, and passed on their legacies to the succeeding generations.