Indonesia is the largest and most populous country in the Malay world, a trinity of countries that used to be grouped under the Maphilindo (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia). Despite the racial bond and the fact that we are physically a smaller Indonesia (a smaller archipelago but just as prone to killer volcanoes, killer earthquakes and killer typhoons), there are no strong cultural and commercial bonds that tie the two countries.

The Laxamanas (the original version is Lacsamana) who have lived for generations in my own barrio in Lubao, Pampanga, and the Solimans—who have lived for generations in other Pampanga towns—are not even aware of their Indonesian heritage. And that they still carry the surnames of their Indonesian ancestors in an age that draw baby names from things cyber. For example, babies named Hashtags.

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