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38. TOLENTINO, MICHELLE S.

4F-PH

Bahay Tsinoy

“The Chinese Legacy in The Philippines” 

Bahay Tsinoy is a museum that is housed within the Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage

Center building. It is located at the walled city of Intramuros. The beautiful museum was

designed by Eva Penamora in collaboration with the late architect Honrado Fernandez in

1996, and completed and inaugurated in 1999. It was founded by a non-profit organization

named Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, Inc., headed by Tersita Ang See. The primary aim of

establishing this museum is to fully promote an understanding about the local Chinese and

Filipino communities and to uphold cultural identity and patriotism.

Last April 23,2016 we went to the Bahay Tsinoy to explore the historical and

cultural legacy of the Chinese in all aspects of Philippine life. The moment I entered I

already felt the simplicity of the place which stimulates my desire to know more what’s

inside. The first thing that caught my attention was the replica of a galleon which

showcased how the Chinese traders did participated in that popular market The Galleon

Trade. They brought with them porcelains and silks in exchange of golds and others. As I

seek more I learned that Chinese before and I know until know are really versatile people

they know carpentry, being a goldsmith, being a owner of a sari-sari store, being a cobbler

along the streets selling fishes and other foods. What I am so thankful for the Chinese is

that the types of food that they shared with us such as siopao, siomai, teas and pancit

canton which is my favorite. I also saw some well known merchants of the chinese

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community who became very rich because of their determination. “Sangley” are the term

for Chinese merchants, laborers and artisan during the Spaniards time and they became

the backbone of the economy. They also displayed some old books taken cared of by the

Kaisa, monetary bills of the Chinese people, the ancient photographs taken during the

world war and their mingling with the Filipinos. There is also a room about Chinese people

who contributed in the building up of the fortress of the Philippines some of them were the

late President Corazon Aquino, Cardinal Sin, Jose Marie Tan and Jessie Robredo. I also

admire how they presented the adaptation of the Chinese commodities in our daily life

starting with the food, clothes, utensils, business, and many others.

My visit in this museum was truly remarkable it made me understand that our

culture was really a mix-up from diverse people which really contributed to us greatly.

They shared their knowledge skills and talents that will be embracing in our traditions. All

I want to do now is thank the Chinese people for loving our country and up until now many

of them are still the backbone of the economy