When I discovered Sampaguita’s 1980 song Laguna, I was shocked to discover that it greatly resembled surf rock, only in Tagalog. It sounded like the kind of song that would play during the credits of a teen beach movie.
I’m three years into a Master’s degree in Philippine Studies, and there are still moments of serendipity whenever I learn something new about Philippine culture. Historical events, cuisine, customs and traditions - I keep having the sentiment “I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this”. It’s a constant delight in the mundane; something I think is key when appreciating Philippine culture. What seems pedestrian to us may, from a foreigner’s outside perspective, be actually unique and worth celebrating.
I’m reminded of the persona in the song Laguna, arriving at the province for the first time and being amazed by its sights despite it being right beside her presumed home of Metro Manila all her life. In her words: Nang ito ay marating ko / Para bang ako ay nagbago (“When I arrived, I felt like something in me changed”).
This is how I would feel every time I make a new cultural discovery. “It was right there, just waiting to be found.” I was experiencing a tiny epiphany, similar to my realization that I wanted to teach Philippine history rather than go to law school. Everything made sense: all my fandoms and side hobbies pointed to a career in cultural work, from writing Noli Me Tangere fanfiction in high school to creating Philippine mythology-themed tabletop games in college.
Learning something new about my culture never feels like breaking new ground or venturing into uncharted territory. It feels like uncovering something buried long ago, or finding something hiding in plain sight. It feels like a return. Whenever I explore Philippine history, I feel closer to my grandparents; I get a glimpse of what life was like for them. My grandparents on both sides come from the province, so connecting with ways of life outside Metro Manila feels like connecting with them. Nostalgia is a powerful force.
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