Cravats. Top hats. Barongs. Striped pants. Wide, wide waistbands. Well-dressed men are on the prowl in Luneta, turning heads and inciting whispers. Let’s meet these fashionable fops, shall we? Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com Audio from Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me from New Line Cinema. References: Coo, Stephanie (2019). Clothing the Colony. Ateneo de Manila University Press. Silvestre, Ma. Patricia Brillant...
Aug 09, 2024•16 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Are you ready to plunge into the archives of Philippine history?
Jul 25, 2024•2 min
Last weekend, the book version of this podcast, 'Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves', was launched in a small event at Book Bar SG along Duxton Road in Singapore. Of course, I got into a funny little accident right before it happened. Listen to scenes from the Singapore book launch here! My publisher and I talk about how the book came into being, how The Colonial Dept. tries to teach history, and what my process is for writing episodes and essays. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTo...
Jul 17, 2024•26 min
Special episodes take you behind the scenes at The Colonial Dept.! In this bonus bit, I walk you through the book version of this podcast, which is entitled Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946. What's inside? How did I make it? How can you get it? Hopefully, I get to answer all your questions here. P.S. Tap here to read Peter Gordon's review on the Asian Review of Books. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept...
Jul 08, 2024•6 min
Special episodes take you behind the scenes at The Colonial Dept.! In this bonus bit, we talk a bit about my book Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves ( order here ). I also announce our new remastered episode initiative—take a listen at the teaser inside! Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com Find out more about the book on Faction Press....
Jun 09, 2024•7 min
Let’s take a look at the other side of the Galleon Trade. In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we track the exchange between the Philippines and Minnan—as well as the Chinese who made it happen. (Listen to S5E13 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Apr 27, 2024•5 min•Season 5Ep. 26
From 1762 to 1764, the British invaded and occupied Manila. When they left and returned the capital to Spain, the Castilians turned their wrath on the Chinese community, calling them traitors, apostates, and collaborators. But what was the real score? Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purcha...
Apr 20, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 25
In California, sympathetic judges allow a Filipino man to marry a white woman—at least until a new state law arrives. In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we check out the Roldan v. Los Angeles County case. (Listen to S5E12 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Apr 14, 2024•5 min•Season 5Ep. 24
In the early decades of the 20th century, scores of young Filipino men began migrating to the United States to work. In their spare time, they dressed in their best suits and nattiest shoes, then hit the clubs. But when these dance-hall romances blossomed into marriages with white women, the law stepped in to stop them. Central to the plaintiffs’ legal arguments was a dazzling trick question of pure pseudoscience: Was the Filipino a Mongolian… or a Malay? Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow...
Apr 05, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 23
After publishing Noli Me Tangere, Jose Rizal gets red-tagged… er, German-tagged by the Spanish authorities! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we check out the accusations against Rizal, and how he responded to them. (Listen to S5E11 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Mar 30, 2024•4 min•Season 5Ep. 22
Sea snakes and scientists, popes and Pacific islands all star in this wide-ranging episode. As Germany and Spain threaten to go to war over a chain of islands, the Spaniards feared that the diplomatic ruckus kicked up by the Caroline Crisis would also swallow up their colony next door: the Philippines! Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com P.S. My voiceover partner-in-crime, Anya, is on extended leave, so I’ll be voicing the e...
Mar 15, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 21
During negotiations with the besieging British, an English officer loses his head to Philippine lancers! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we zero in on this unexpected episode during the 1762 Battle of Manila. (Listen to S5E10 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Mar 09, 2024•4 min•Season 5Ep. 20
When the conquistadors arrive in the Philippines, the takers of gold come face to face with the takers of heads. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .) References: Tan, Narciso C. (2021). Púgot: Head Taking, Ritual Cannibalis...
Mar 02, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 19
During World War II, the Japanese-backed currency became a laughingstock in Manila! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we take a look at wartime currency. (Listen to S5E9 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Feb 24, 2024•4 min•Season 5Ep. 18
Sisid rice. “Star” meat. Loads and loads of kamote. Inside Japanese-occupied Manila, residents of the capital city must do what they can to fend off starvation. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .) References: Doeppers, Dan...
Feb 10, 2024•14 min•Season 5Ep. 17
Abducted from their homes, these slaves are plunged into their new life! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we discuss the lives of the slaves in Sulu. (Listen to S5E8 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Feb 04, 2024•5 min•Season 5Ep. 16
The panicked cries of a watchman, the desperate tolling of church bells, the cloud of masts appearing on the horizon. In the coastal towns of colonial Philippines, these can only mean one thing: the slavers have arrived. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version ...
Jan 26, 2024•15 min•Season 5Ep. 15
The first pact signed between the US and the Sulu kingdom! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we discuss Charles Wilkes’ sitdown with the sultan. (Listen to S5E7 before listening to this one!) The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in Amazon .)...
Jan 20, 2024•4 min•Season 5Ep. 14
The “scientifics” of the so-called Ex Ex summit Mt. Banahaw in 1842, as part of their quest to survey the Philippine archipelago! What does this American scientific expedition find in our islands? Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com The book version of this podcast is called Silk, Silver, Spices, Slaves: Lost Tales from the Philippine Colonial Period, 1565-1946 . Purchase here . (An ebook version is also available in A...
Jan 12, 2024•16 min•Season 5Ep. 13
The search is on for the legendary mines of the north! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we discuss the early Spanish expeditions to what is now Benguet. (Listen to S5E6 before listening to this one!)
Jan 07, 2024•5 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Through extortion, occupation, and “tribute”, the Spanish conquistadors in the Philippines get to work looting and plundering that most precious of all metals: gold. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com References: Sitoy, T. Valentino, Jr. (1985). A History of Christianity in the Philippines: The Initial Encounter, Vol. 1. New Day Publishers. Newson, Linda A. (2011). Conquest & Pestilence in the Early Spanish Philippines....
Dec 23, 2023•12 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Clashes over cowboy country! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we discuss the conflict that raged over this Mindanao province during World War II. (Listen to S5E5 before listening to this one!)
Dec 16, 2023•5 min•Season 5Ep. 10
The Bataan Death March is rightly remembered as one of the worst atrocities in the Philippine theater of World War II. But it wasn’t the only death march. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com References: Frederick Marion Fullerton Collection (AFC/2001/001/15785), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress. Edgerton, Ronald K. (2009). People of the Middle Ground: A Century of Conflict and Central M...
Dec 09, 2023•15 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Witness the rise of the incubated duck egg! In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we present a short history of that signature Pinoy dish. (Listen to S5E4 before listening to this one!)
Dec 02, 2023•4 min•Season 5Ep. 8
In the 1890s, a wealthy Filipino family sits down to eat a “full Filipino breakfast.” Let’s run down the history of everything on their menu, shall we? Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com References: Doeppers, Daniel (2016). Feeding Manila in Peace and War, 1850-1945. Ateneo de Manila University Press. Legarda, Benito J. (1999). After the Galleons: Foreign Trade, Economic Change, and Entrepreneurship in the Nineteenth-Centur...
Nov 25, 2023•15 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Need labor, lumber, and loads of rice? The Spanish in Manila looked to Pampanga. In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we check in on one of colonial Philippines’ most important provinces. (Listen to S5E3 before listening to this one!)
Nov 19, 2023•4 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Kapampangan warriors! Japanese mercs! Spanish soldiers! Portuguese promises! Let’s set sail with the grand fleet of Governor-General Juan de Silva as they face down the Dutch. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com References: Borschberg, Peter (2010). “Luso-Spanish Naval Intervention.” In The Singapore and Malaka Straits: Violence, Security and Diplomacy in the 17th Century. National University of Singapore Press, 137-156. New...
Nov 11, 2023•16 min•Season 5Ep. 5
What was life like for this Sulu royal after her rebellion? In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we check in with Princess Tarhata’s life and legacy. (Listen to S5E2 before listening to this one!)
Nov 04, 2023•4 min•Season 5Ep. 4
From princess to flapper to schoolteacher to rebel, this is the extraordinary story of Tarhata Kiram. Follow us on IG: @thecolonialdept Follow us on TikTok: @thecolonialdept Email us: thecolonialdept@gmail.com Charbonneau, Oliver (2021). Civilizational Imperatives: Americans, Moros, and the Colonial World. Ateneo de Manila University Press. Leetaru, Kaleev (2004-2011). “Woman’s Building/Bevier Hall/English Building.” UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois. https://uihistori...
Oct 28, 2023•13 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Reformist… and politician. In this week's episode of Extra Credit, we look further at the legacy of the short-lived reign of Governor-General Carlos Maria de la Torre. (Listen to S5E1 before listening to this one!)
Oct 22, 2023•5 min•Season 5Ep. 2
