Filipinos have so much to offer: in nature, culture, tradition. The more proud you are the more you’ll shine.’
JULIO CAMARENA VILLASEÑOR AMBASSADOR, MEXICO
Over a glass of tangy, zesty margarita, (this is what an authentic Mexican alcoholic drink should taste like, by the way, so say this Mexican in Manila), Ambassador Julio Camarena Villaseñor talks about how he has made his home in the Philippines. Although he’s only been here a year, the ambassador feels like he’s been here forever, with many facets of Philippine culture—from the food to the language and the telenovelas—echoing his own. It’s like he never left Mexico. What’s next for the ambassador? “I am the citizen of the world. I believe I can make the world a smaller place by making cultural connections. Solamente dios dira (Bahala na ang Diyos, leave it to God),” he says. Ah, very Filipino.
What makes Mexico and Philippine ties important?
I don’t know if you are aware, but for Mexico, the Philippines is very important. Our cultural ties go back 500 years. Many people would say in fact the Philippines was linked so closely to Spain, but what people do not know is the link that goes back 500 years ago was through Mexico. The Philippines was linked to the crown of Spain for a period of 350 years, but the first 250 years you were linked to Mexico, which was at that time called the New Spain or the Kingdom of New Spain. The first governor of the Philippines, Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, was the governor of Mexico City. But it wasn’t just a political link, it was also a commercial and cultural link.
How much do we have in common?
Our nations are close in language, religion, and culture, among others. For example, people don’t realize that 30 percent of Tagalog is Spanish in origin. A lot of the fruits and vegetables that you eat—sayote, chico, tsokolate—are derived from our language. For example, tiangge is from the Aztecs of Mexico. Same goes for traditions like binyag, which is a typical Mexican tradition. Our patron Saint of Mexico is Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is also one of your patron saints.
So you feel at home here?
Yes, definitely. It wasn’t hard because the traditions of the Philippines are so similar to that of Mexico’s. Although the Philippines is in Asia, it feels more like Mexico. When you travel to other Asian countries, it feels different. The Philippines feels like a second home.
While most of the Tagalog words are borrowed, what original Filipino words do you know?
“Kamusta ka?,” “Mabuti,” “Mabuhay,” I use them every day. But the thing is you have so many words in Tagalog that are borrowed from Spanish, like pantalon, zapatos, tinidor, la mesa, kutsilyo, plancha, resibo, silya. Of course I use them all. I may not know everything that’s been said but I can get a hint of what’s being talked about. For example, I was telling our assistant that some of the plants needed water and I saw that the lady was telling the cook something about the jardinero so I immediately understood that the jardinero was not coming today. The more words I learn, the more I see the similarities.
What do you miss most about home?
It’s difficult because there are so many items similar to Mexico. Of course, you miss your family and friends but you are very happy to be here, making new families and friends. Bu what I really miss are those big, green Mexican lemons and spices in Mexican food. Also the variety of Mexican chili peppers! On the other hand, there’s the wonderful hospitality of the Filipinos that makes me not miss home that much.
Speaking of food, have you tried any Pinoy delicacy?
I’ve tried lechon, adobo, pancit, and all the wonderful seafood. We also have mangoes and bananas in Mexico. You have some fruits we don’t have like durian and mangosteen, but then we have different versions of grapefruits and lemons. I’ve tried durian in Davao but not balut, but yes, I am open to trying it.
Have you been to our tourist spots?
One place I consider breathtaking is Palawan. I’ve seen Puerto Princesa, but the islands of Palawan are the most fascinating. I’ve been to Davao’s Pearl Farm and coco plantation. I’ve also been to Mactan, Cebu, and Batangas. And of course, Boracay. I took my wife and daughter there. I haven’t been north though. The next location would be north, definitely.
What about Mexican spots Filipinos should visit?
Mexico offers more three types of tourism: Colonial, pre-Hispanic, and beach resorts. For colonials there are cathedrals and colonial towns like San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Zacatecas, Morelia—they look like European towns. Then you have pre-Hispanic spots where the Aztecs, Mayans, Incas, Zapotecas, and other cultures existed before the Spanish came. There are pyramids and temples like the Teotihuacan where the Pyramid of the Sun is. Up north there’s Monte Alban. And then the beach resorts like you have in Boracay and Palawan, like Cancun in Mexican Caribbean, Playa del Carmen, and, of course, the Sea of Cortez, which we call the aquarium of Mexico, where you’ll find whales, fish, and dolphins.
How about in sports? We’re not much into football and soccer but we love boxing!
Manny Pacquiao is probably one of the most loved boxers in Mexico. He’s Filipino but we claim him as ours. When I watch boxing and Manny Pacquiao is playing against a Mexican, of course, I have to root for the Mexican (laughs), but when Manny is playing against anybody not Mexican, I go for Manny.
Besides food and language, perhaps, we also share a penchant for the telenovela. Yes?
Ah, you have many telenovelas here. When I turn on the TV, there’s Marimar, Maria Mercedes. I think it’s cute. It makes me proud.
We share the same love for music, too!
I’ve been amazed by the competency of the Filipinos. All the Filipinos can sing and dance. We have good dancers and singers but I cannot say that all Mexicans are good! (Laughs) I love all the Filipino choir singers and folk dancers.
How do you spend your time off?
I’m a big swimmer. I swim every day, but the problem is I don’t have free time. As much as I want to spend it with my family, my wife Ana Maria Romandetto and daughter Flavia are based in Vienna, Austria. They’ve been here four times and we speak on a daily basis through WhatsApp or Viber.
Filipinos also have close-knit families.
Our culture stems from the same past and therefore we share customs, religions, tradition—and this is where the concept of the family comes in. This tradition is very vivid in Mexico and Philippines. And when you’re raised that way, with close-knit family, you feel at home even though our language is not exactly the same. That’s why when you go to our country you’ll feel so much at home. I never feel lonely in the Philippines.
Are there things we are not on the same page with?
I am very fond of the Philippines but I have one piece of advice: We Mexicans celebrate all our indigenous and colonial aspects, all the beauty of Mexico. We are proud of our heritage. Filipinos, too, have so much to offer: In nature, culture, tradition. Try to be as proud of yourselves as we are proud of ourselves. The more proud you are the more you’ll shine. Don’t imitate the US or Spain or whatever. Enjoy your culture, and enjoy who you are.
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