By Danilo P. Padua, PhD
It’s all over media. I mean many current problems in the country attributed to China or Chinese are either flagrantly displayed or are being uncovered.
The West Philippine Sea issue is already a well-known issue around the world. A brusque, bullying, dangerous and illegal tactics of China against the Philippines is displayed daily in that part of the water world.
What is not easy to understand is that there are many Filipinos who seem to side with the bully. They are in the mainstream media, in social media, and in other influential sphere of Philippine society. The wanton disrespect and disregard of our own sovereign rights in WPS appear to be borne mainly of China being a world power.
But more to the point, it now seem to show that China has already crept into our communities, and into our government agencies through government functionaries lured by a deceptive shine of metal. Could this have been brokered by some former high-ranking officials?
But everything of course, was played by non Filipino-Chinese, or masquerading Filipinos. This is why, whatever happens in the WPS, there will never be a backlash against the local Chinese. I mean those born here or got their Filipino citizenship the legal way.
What is happening now reminds me of a book given to me by the late Dr. Charles L. Cheng, the renowned Fil-Chinese and a Baguio boy. Dr. Cheng was not only a multi-awarded physician, he was also a sportsman, a philanthropist, an educator, a community builder, and many more.
Let me tell you a little about him, and the contributions of the Chinese in Baguio and Cordillera in general.
When you talk then to Dr. Cheng, you will be amazed by his forthrightness, by his brilliant ideas, his way of getting across those ideas to you, and his passion for contributing something to the betterment of the society in general. So much different from what his blood relations are doing in WPS.
In one of our heart to heart discussions, he was even telling me a lot of things agriculture. And I am an agriculturist! We were cooking up some research dealing with whether the academic performance of agriculture students is affected by the kind of fertilizers they are using in gardening. The doctor had done a number of researches on tropical medicine. What we were discussing would have been an important basis to come up with a proper medication for such students.
He told me about the contribution, including in the field of agriculture, of the local Chinese in the Cordillera. Among others, he was relating to me what Chinese farmers were doing even near their neighborhood in Baguio.
He mentioned though that he was giving me his book, co-authored by Ms Katherine V. Bersamira, entitled: The Ethnic Chinese in Baguio and in Cordillera Philippines: The Untold Story of Pioneers. From this book, am sharing some contributions of the local Chinese in the area of agriculture. Their contribution cuts across all 6 provinces of CAR.
The Chinese cabbage cultivation in Benguet was introduced by Chiang Kong Yu (aka Cheong Kong Yao) who arrived in the country in 1905.
The Chinese are one of the several nationalities who helped build Kennon road. After the road construction, most of them were also tasked to assist in the construction of the various facilities in Camp John Hay. After this, some of them looked for sources of livelihood and chose agriculture, while others were in mining. After surveying areas, they identified Guisad, New Lucban and La Trinidad for the purpose. They planted crucifers, leafy vegetables and fruit trees. So, as the gold mine flourished, so did the green gold.
They were the ones who introduced cultivation of Chinese cabbage, pechai, kuchai, batau, sitau, and kangkong among others
Huang Gui Yock farmed in Pico, La Trinidad, then went to Sayangan (Atok), then to Tabuk (Kalinga) where he planted potato, cauliflower, onions, garlic, coffee and beans. After which he went to Sinto, Bauko, Mtn Prov.
The name, Sayangan, which was then known simply as Km 53, was a contribution of Antonio Cheung Tong Kum. He went their in the early 1950’s to farm cabbage and other vegetables. He hired local farm hands. Every Saturday, they received their wages. After receiving, they indulged in unrestricted drinking spending practically their entire wages on liquor. Mr. Cheung thought that it was a- waste of money. So he coined the word Sayangan (from sayang, and the Chinese word, ngan-money)
Tai Kien was named as “Cabbage king” because he was able to grow a new variety of cabbage that no one did before. His son, Tai Pong was given the accolade, “Celery king” due to his unique way of cultivating celery and introduction of a new variety. The father and son tandem farmed in Old and New Lucban. There was also a “Brocolli king” in the person of Chan Kok Shiu for his introduction of a new variety and his exceptional work on the crop in his farm also in New Lucban. Then a lady Chinese farmer was called the “Gladiola queen” for her unequalled gladiola production.
There was the “Rose king” of Benguet in the person of Ruben Kantala, a Chinese male, for his grafting work on roses. Due to his experimentation work in his farm that produced a “new” variety, Mr. Puan Sing was dubbed the “Lettuce king”.
Down in La Trinidad, Luy Yiam (aka Wong Heng) became known as “Sotanghon king” for putting up a factory in Pico.
It was not highlighted in this piece but the local Chinese also did a lot of agricultural activities early on in Ifugao, Abra and in Apayao
So there, the legal local Chinese had very significant contributions to the agriculture sector in the Cordillera. Of course they were also very significant players in our local economy, even in politics. Thanks to them. May their tribe increase.
Salute to the late, well-loved Dr. Charles L. Cheng.**
