Filipiniana

This collection of original poems attempts to capture Philippine history and culture through the beautiful language of poetry. The Filipinos are a poetic and sentimental people. They are both traditional and modern. The Philippines has undergone several waves of change due to colonization by foreign powers - Spain from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, Japan from 1940 to 1945, and America after WWII until it gained its independence in 1946. Today, the Philippines is a Republic, free from any foreign domination, thanks to the sacrifices of its heroes and patriotic citizens. This book aims to honor the legacy of those heroes who fell in the night to protect and defend the nation's freedom. It also showcases the beauty of the Philippine islands and the enduring spirit of its people - their capacity to laugh and celebrate, sing songs of God's bounty, and their genuine humanity, generous hospitality, and oneness with nature. In the face of adversity, they stand strong because of their faith in God and each other. It is also a challenge for today's generation of Filipinos to carry the baton of freedom that their forebears willingly laid down their lives for. It is a sacred duty and an honor to be a Filipino.