The Philippine-Chinese Image of the Filipino

Abstract

H ISTORICALLY, THE GREATEST ANTIPATHY and open conflict in Southeast Asia between Chinese and a host group occurs in Philippines.' While not so numerous as their compatriots in some other countries of Southeast Asia,2 Philippine Chinese have occupied a crucial economic position in Philippines since early Spanish colonial period. They dominate retail trade, much of wholesale and import trade, and most of cottage industries. Fearful and resentful of their dominant economic position, Filipinos have long sought through legislative actions and judicial interpretations to eliminate or at least restrict Chinese economic activities.8 The enforcement of such legislation and court decisions complicate a situation already characterized by cultural conflicts and social exclusiveness. In addition, such politico-economic considerations hopelessly obscure all socioeconomic statistics. All government statistics refer to alien Chinese who have registered as aliens. No official records exist for property holdings of ethnic Chinese. Thus, all official statistics understate actual Chinese economic power. Filipino anti-Chinese feeling, of long historic development, is largely but not entirely result of both Spanish and American colonial policies. In brief, Filipino likes to see himself as the most occidental of orientals and regards Chinese and other Asians with a definite ambivalence which couples fear with scorn and envy with ridicule.4 While serv-