Five (More) Misconceptions on Philippine History

The second book of Renato Constantino - The Continuing Past, along with lectures and discussion, made a completely different perspective such as:

1. April 9, the Bataan Day, is a commemorative day of the Death March, where many Filipinos died because of their bravery.

False. April 9 ought to be called the "Bataan Day rhetoric". The reason why the Japanese conducted the Death March was actually a 'lame reason'. The Japanese, when they invaded the Philippines, was expecting that we would be defeated in around six or more months. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case; Philippines capitulated (surrendered) within two months. Hence, there were A LOT of prisoners of war, and the Japanese had to find a way to dispose of the 'excess' prisoners of war. Indeed, they came up with a perfect way to dispose the excess prisoners of way - through the Death March. Yes, you can probably say that they did it for fun.

2. General MacArthur played a vital role in fighting against the Japanese.

False. His army only existed on paper. Manuel Quezon at first gladly accepted him and gave him 16 million pesos to build up his army. Later, MacArthur boasted of having a large army, which only existed on paper. The rest of the money is, well, "lost" in his hands.

3. Philippines finally got its independence in 1946.

False. As Renato Constantino quoted, we had our "Sham Independence" primarily because the Americans had already set up the neo-colonial blueprint using four agreements:
a. Bell Trade Act together with Parity Rights Agreement, where the US will still be allowed to exploit our natural resources for another 20 years, giving Americans and Filipinos equal rights to exploit resources.
b. Military Bases Agreement, which allowed the US to set up bases on Philippine soil but outside Philippine sovereignity.
c. The pegging of the Philippine peso to the US dollar.
d. Military Assistance Agreement
Therefore, we have liberty (political independence) but not total independence (political AND economic independence).

4. If Philippines would be conquered by China, the US will assist, side or help the Philippines.

False. We are a non-entity to the US. The US has this "Europe-first policy", where they won't even bother the Philippines.

5. Ferdinand Marcos played a major role in the industrialization of the country.

False. Ferdinand Marcos was responsible for halting the industrialization of the country. Being a collaborator of the Americans, he declared Martial Law. In fact, US President Lyndon B. Johnson congratulated Marcos for "adhering to the democratic principles of government". He closed the Steel Mill industries which were products of nationalistic Carlos P. Garcia's "Filipino First Policy". The Steel Mill industry is fundamental to industrialization and economic growth; that's why Vietnam, Taiwan and South Korea, despite being devastated due to recent wars, were able to quickly recuperate.

The following are other thoughts that were mentioned in the book:
* Manuel Roxas, Manuel Quezon, Benigno Aquino I, Ferdinand Marcos were all collaborators of the Japanese or Americans.
* Ramon Magsaysay was a bus line manager and a collaborator, made a president of the Philippines by the CIA of America. He was to "voice out American propaganda in Asian colors".