Celebrating Manila Day: Tracing over four and a half centuries of history and culture

Manila is celebrating its 453rd founding anniversary today, June 24, with a declaration from President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. making it a special non-working day in the city. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, authorized by the President, signed Proclamation 599, giving Manileños the opportunity to fully participate in the festivities.

The proclamation emphasized the significance of the day: “It is but fitting and proper that the people of the City of Manila be given full opportunity to participate in the occasion and enjoy the celebration.”

The bustling capital of the Philippines, Manila is the heart of the nation’s economic, political, social, and cultural activities and it has been for all those 453 years.

Founded on June 24, 1571, by Spanish conquistador Miguel López de Legazpi, Manila has a history as rich and diverse as a city only more than four centuries of existence can have. Its story stretches back far before the arrival of the Spanish.

A popular, but now debunked, theory about the city’s name was that it was once known as “Maynilad” to the indigenous Tagalog people, with “Maynilad” being derived from the nilad plant, a type of shrub that grew abundantly in the mangrove swamps around the area.

This has been disproven as it does not make linguistic sense according to many experts, with documents uncovered by famed historians Ambeth Ocampo and Joseph Baumgartner supporting the repudiation.

A more accepted theory for the name is that it originates from the phrase “may-nilà,” which means “where indigo is found.” The word “nilà” comes from a Sanskrit term referring to indigo dye and the plants from which this natural dye is extracted. Over time, the name Maynilà was Hispanicized, becoming the Spanish “Manila.”

In any case, long before Legazpi’s arrival, Manila was already a thriving economic and cultural settlement situated along the Pasig River, acting as a crucial nexus for trade among neighboring regions and distant lands like China. Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Arab traders exchanged all manner of goods like rice, wine, jewelry, gold, textiles and even metals like iron.

This flourishing trade network fostered a sophisticated society, complete with its own system of governance under local chieftains known as “rajahs” and “datus.” The prosperity of Manila during this period was evident in the bustling markets, skilled artisans, and the diverse cultural influences that permeated daily life.

When the Spanish came, they also brought a dramatic transformation for the settlement. On June 24, 1571, Mr. Legazpi formally declared Manila as a city and the capital of the Spanish East Indies, heralding the start of an era that would shape the city’s destiny for centuries.

The Spanish established Intramuros, the walled city, as the administrative and religious center. Intramuros, with its massive stone walls and fortifications, became the seat of Spanish colonial power, housing government buildings, churches, and schools.

The strategic location of Manila made it a key player in the Galleon Trade, a vital economic route that connected the Philippines to Acapulco, Mexico across the Pacific.

This trade route not only expanded the trade of goods like silk, spices, and silver in the city, but also enabled a significant cultural and intellectual exchange between the East and the West. The influence of Spanish culture, religion, and governance left an indelible mark on Manila and the rest of the Philippines, as still seen today in the country’s architecture, language, and traditions.

With the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1898 came the end of Spanish rule, when the Spaniards ceded the Philippines to the United States. The Americans, much like their predecessors, changed Manila significantly, with the introduction of modern infrastructure, public education, and new governmental systems.

The Americans embarked on an ambitious urban planning project led by architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham, who envisioned Manila as a modern city with wide boulevards, public parks, and grand civic buildings. Many of these developments, such as the iconic Rizal Park and the Manila Hotel, still stand today as testaments to this transformative period.

During World War II, Manila faced one of its darkest chapters. The city was occupied by Japanese forces from 1942 to 1945, enduring severe hardship and brutality. The Battle of Manila in 1945, aimed at liberating the city from Japanese control, resulted in the death of at least 100,000 civilians and the complete devastation of the city, including the historic Intramuros.

The post-war era saw Manila rise once again as the capital of an independent Philippines. Reconstruction efforts, fueled by a spirit of nationalism and resilience, transformed the war-torn city into a bustling metropolis. The city experienced rapid urbanization and population growth, becoming the political, economic, and cultural heart of the nation.

Manila today is a testament to its storied past and vibrant present, where centuries-old churches stand alongside towering skyscrapers, and where diverse cultures blend seamlessly. The city’s rich heritage is celebrated through numerous festivals, landmarks, and traditions that reflect its unique identity, as is evident in this year’s celebration of its foundation.

This year’s “Araw ng Maynila” promises to be a grand celebration, with a series of events lined up to honor the city’s rich heritage.

Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah “Honey” H. Lacuna-Pangan has announced a packed schedule of festive activities leading up to the main event on June 24.

“I am inviting all Manilans to take part in the said activities and celebrate our beloved city’s founding anniversary with us. These are all being offered at no cost to the people of Manila,” Ms. Lacuna said.

The celebrations kicked off with “Tunog Maynila,” a series of free concerts held at the Kartilya ng Katipunan beside the Manila City Hall. Scheduled for June 1, 8, 15, and 22, these concerts showcased 12 of the country’s top bands, each event concluding with a spectacular lights and fireworks show.

Complementing the musical festivities is “Lasa Maynila,” a food bazaar by Mercato Central, which is open from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout June. This food bazaar will feature a wide array of local culinary delights, offering a true taste of Manila’s diverse food culture.

Moreover, every Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., there is “Musiko Maynila,” a free concert featuring Metro Manila’s top marching bands. Following this, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the city will host “Talentadong Manileño,” a talent contest presented by the ‘Bekshies ng Maynila (LGBTQ).

On Sundays, “Move Manila” brings the community together with a dance competition dubbed “Zumba Manila,” organized by the Manila SPTA. Held along Roxas Boulevard, this event promises to get everyone moving and grooving in celebration of the city’s anniversary.

As Manila gears up to mark its 453rd year, the city invites everyone to join in the celebrations and experience the unique charm and spirit of the Philippine capital. With a month-long lineup of concerts, food bazaars, talent shows, and dance competitions, Manila Day 2024 promises to be a memorable tribute to the city’s long history and dynamic present.

From its early days as a bustling trade port to its modern-day status as the nation’s capital, the City of Manila continues to be at the heart of Filipino culture and spirit.

Source: Business World

Direct liability of sublessor to lessor

In the Philippines, even though the sublessee is not a direct party to the contract between the lessor and the lessee, the sublessee still bears direct liability to the lessor for actions related to the use and preservation of the leased property. Specifically:

• Use and Preservation: The sublessee must adhere to the terms stipulated between the lessor and the lessee regarding the use and maintenance of the property. If the sublessee fails to do so, the lessor can take legal action directly against them.

• Exception to the Rule: While the general rule in contracts states that the sublessee can only be held liable directly to the sublessor, Article 1651 of the Civil Code provides an exception. The lessor may bring an action directly against the sublessee if they do not use and preserve the leased property in accordance with the agreement or the nature of the property.

• Rent Obligations: Additionally, the sublessee is subsidiarily liable to the lessor for any rent due from the lessee. However, this liability is limited to the amount of rent owed by the sublessee according to the terms of the sublease at the time of the lessor’s extra-judicial demand.

In summary, the sublessee has both direct liability to the lessor for property-related matters and subsidiary liability for rent obligations.

Source: Ziggurat Real Estate Corp.

The Downside Of Delayed Gratification

We’re all told that it pays to be disciplined in our spending and consumption. But the advice can backfire.

THE PROVERB says, “Good things come to those who wait.” But could there be such a thing as too much waiting? At first blush, that might seem an absurd question. We are told repeatedly about the benefits of delayed gratification, of being more disciplined and less hedonistic. The grasshopper and the ant, and all that. And no doubt, for many that lesson is an important one: Learning to save for the future and to know our spending priorities can be extremely useful. But, in reality, many people lean in the opposite direction. They are a bit too disciplined, and have a nasty habit of putting off the sweet things in life—potentially until it’s too late. It’s a lesson that is just as important to learn as the lesson of delayed gratification.

A candle we never smell

My interest in the subject started in graduate school, when I wondered about the possessions that we all have lying around the home, that we like just fine, but we never use. Why does it feel like we are taking ordinary things—an inexpensive bottle of wine, a basic T-shirt, a nice-smelling candle—and treating them as if they are too special to use?

So, I joined with Jonah Berger at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania to conduct a series of experiments to explore this pattern of behavior and the psychology underlying it. In one experiment, we had participants imagine buying a bottle of wine. We asked half of them to imagine that they considered opening the bottle one night but then decided not to, while the other half didn’t imagine this scenario. We later asked the participants how special the wine seemed and how likely they would be to open it at the next available occasion.

Those who had imagined holding off on opening it just once were less likely to open it at the next available chance. And this was because they had started to think that they had been saving the wine, making it more special, more fitting for a fancy occasion. We also asked participants when would seem like the right occasion for the bottle.

While participants who hadn’t imagined passing it up gave exceedingly ordinary descriptions—a normal Tuesday night, drinks with friends—those who had imagined passing it up once gave ratcheted-up occasions: a birthday dinner, celebrating a promotion, a first date. All of our participants were imagining the exact same, completely ordinary, bottle of wine. But the mere act of saying “not now, maybe later” triggered an instinct to keep putting it off, and waiting for a better moment.

An endless cycle

We found this pattern time and again, and we ended up labeling it the “specialness spiral”: When people decide not to use something at one point—for whatever reason— the possession will start to feel more special. And as it feels more special, you want to protect it and wait for a slightly better occasion.

So you don’t use it, again, and it becomes a little bit more special. And every time you don’t use it, it becomes more tempting to hold out for an even better occasion. The less you use it, the more special it feels, and the cycle continues. The implications for the way we spend money—and the pleasure we get from our purchases—are profound.

We all know the high price we pay if we spend without thinking about long term consequences, just to get the rush of immediate gratification. But our findings suggest that specialness spirals also can take a toll on our emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing. It can prevent us from enjoying the things we buy and the experiences that await us. What’s more, when specialness spirals take hold, not only are we waiting for an occasion that may never arise, but we are also accumulating clutter.

Eventually, this can turn into hoarding. By not using our possessions until beyond their “best by” date, so to speak, we’re wasting our own money, contributing waste to the environment, and furthering cycles of overproduction.

The wrong head space

Saving something for a special occasion isn’t the only reason we may fail to take advantage of the opportunities around us. We might also believe we’re not in “the right head space” to savor or enjoy something nice. In this case, we aren’t delaying enjoying something we’ve bought, but delaying buying it in the first place.

Consider this scenario: You are in the middle of an extremely busy time of year, and you have an unused gift certificate for a massage, which you can book for the next day. Would you do it? Even though an opportunity like this might be exactly what would rejuvenate and relax you, you perhaps wouldn’t go ahead with it, reasoning that because there is too much going on in your life, you wouldn’t really be able to enjoy it.

In a recent paper, I’ve looked at people’s reluctance to treat themselves to purchases and experiences that make them happy— something we call “self-gifting”— because they feel too constrained.

With my co-authors Kelly Gullo Wight of Indiana University and Keisha Cutright of Duke University, we conducted a series of experiments and found a robust pattern: When we’re pressed for time, low on cash, or even burned out mentally, we tend to eschew opportunities to care for ourselves through small purchases and activities— be it lighting a candle, listening to music, or having a small sweet treat.

And this is because when people are feeling constrained, they assume that they wouldn’t be able to derive the enjoyment or relaxation benefits. So they pass on these opportunities. The unfortunate irony, though, is that these small self-gifting moments are precisely what will lift our spirits in times of stress.

Our experiments support this. In one, we had half of our participants feeling time-crunched, and the other half feeling time-abundant. Then everyone engaged in a self-gifting experience—watching a short, relaxing YouTube video— and we measured how they felt before and after.

While everyone experienced a lift in their mood and stress-reduction from watching the video, it was the time-constrained participants who experienced the biggest well-being benefits. Contrary to the expectation, going through this moment of me-time—right at the moment they felt most crunched for time— made them feel less stressed and more relaxed.

Not now

Much like with the specialness spirals, there seems to be a deeply ingrained drive to push off the sweet things in life. We should wait for a better occasion. We should wait until we’re in a better mood and have more bandwidth.

Wait, wait, wait. The reason, perhaps, is something fundamental and intrinsic: For many of us, it just doesn’t feel OK to take advantage of something great that’s right in front of us. We are told to strive to be the ant, not the grasshopper. But my research shows that a more socially acceptable, highly disciplined, delay of- gratification way of operating can carry a high price as well. It can take a toll in terms of well-being and stress, and puts us at risk of falling into cycles of overconsumption and accumulation.

More significantly, we lose out on the chance to invest our time and money in experiences that will enrich us, fulfill us, and create lasting memories to sustain us in the years to come. Delayed gratification has long been put on a pedestal. By all means keep it there. But maybe also understand that it isn’t always the answer.

Source: WSJ