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 whats
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

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