|
By Go Bon Juan
Editor’s note: The Sixth Dr. Jose P. Rizal
Awards for Excellence awarding ceremony will be held on June 14,
2008, 7 p.m. at the Kaisa-Angelo King Heritage Center on Anda and
Cabildo streets, Intramuros, Manila.
Ongpin is the main street in Manila’s
Chinatown and, one can say, the symbol of this historic district.
The street is appropriately named after Roman
Ongpin, the famous Chinese mestizo philanthropist who contributed
greatly to the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards. Although
many people know about Ongpin’s contributions to the Philippines,
few people, including the Chinese community, are aware that his
father, Simon, likewise made great contributions to the Chinese
community.
While researching on three Chinese markers of
1879 at the back of the Zong Hok Tong temple at the Chinese cemetery
in La Loma, I found out that Simon Ongpin (Ong Yak Pin), father of
Roman, was once a Capitan Chino who also served as director of the
Chinese Charitable Association (Comunidad de Chino).
Even Simon Ongpin’s son-in-law was mentioned
in the marker on “Rules and Regulations of the New Cemetery.”
[Don Doroteo Dekapo (the marker is written in Chinese, and the name
has been translated into Chinese based on phonetics. We failed so
far to ascertain the correct name even in consultation with the
Ongpin family.), a Filipino, had helped build the new Chinese
cemetery.] In exchange, he requested that he, his mother, his wife,
son, brothers, nephew and grandchildren be allowed burial there.
At the time, the new Chinese cemetery catered
exclusively to the Chinese community. So it was very unique for the
board of Comunidad de Chino to cite Don Doroteo’s contribution,
and even specify that he and his immediate relative sought burial in
the Chinese Cemetery.
Don Doroteo’s name was also included in the
board of Comunidad de Chino along with another Filipino, Severino
Sacario (also based on Chinese phonetics). Based on those three
markers of 1879, the board members of Comunidad de Chino then
comprised of 18 Chinese and two Filipinos.
Few people know about these facts, including
those who suggested that Sacristia Street be renamed Ongpin in 1915.
Given that both father and son made great
contributions to the Chinese community, it is but appropriate to
name the main street of Manila Chinatown after the Ongpins.
What a delightful coincidence?
|
