FORWARDED FRIENDSTER MESSAGE.

Dear fellow "Filipinos,"

I am not an Australian (maybe part of me wants to be or maybe I WAS an"Australian" aborigine in a previous lifetime) but yesterday, I am extremely elated and overwhelmed by the Canberra/Prime Minister'sapology to the indigenous peoples of "Australia." Right now, I amthinking that maybe the "Filipino" people should set up a similarcampaign to ask Spain (the monarchy and the government), the US(government) and Japan (Imperial Army and the government) for anapology for:

1) the plunder of our resources;

2) the rape of our womenand death of hundreds of thousands of natives during the colonialperiod and World War II;

3) the violation of our "dangal" (dignity) and

4) the destruction of our "pagkatao" (humanity)-- for treating us and having instilled in us the mentalities of "indios," "little brownmonkeys," and "parausan" (sexual slaves).

These colonial mentalitiesstill continue (to wreck havoc) today making us feel less human andunworthy to be called equals with others (especially with othercitizens of the world) and making us feel un-proud to be a (Filipino)people.I think it's also time for us to start taking the first step.

I know that for many of us who live in these islands called the Philippines, it's hard to accept being a Filipino because Moros and many indigenous peoples, for example, those who were not (literally) conquered by Spain find it difficult to accept the name "Philippines"because it was after King Philip of Spain and being "Filipino" meant being part of a people whose identity is a product of colonization. But whatever campaign it will be, I would like to say that overall we have to be critical of the message and the campaign strategy. I am proposing this idea because I think we need to move on as a people. The wounds of the past will not heal and the ghosts of yesterday will continue to haunt us if we are not ready to stand up at ask for their simple apology. I also think that the future will be a lot brighter ifour today is a product of our recollection and learning from the pastand its lessons.

What do you think?

For a free and dignified humanity,
--Bruce Portugal Amoroto
Team Pilipinasteam-
pilipinas@ googlegroups. com
(+63)-916-2826781