Double Ten Isn't Taiwan's Birthday

It's often a mistake for people to think that Double Ten is Taiwanese independence day. Actually, it was December 7, 1949, which was when Taipei became the capital of Taiwan. Instead, the real history of Double Ten can be

From the Taiwanese Community Center, we can read this interesting tidbit about Double Ten and why it still matters for Taiwan:

So what is this holiday all about?
October 10th is Taiwan National Day, but it is not Taiwan’s birthday.
Instead, it commemorates October 10, 1911, which was the start of an event called the Wuchang Uprising in China. This uprising led to the Xinhai Revolution which brought about the fall of the Qing (Ching) Dynasty, the end of the Chinese dynasties, and the founding of the Republic of China in 1912.
At this time, Taiwan had been under the rule of the Empire of Japan since 1895, and it was not until the end of World War Two in 1945 that Japan was forced to relinquish control of the island to the Republic of China.
Meanwhile, back on the Mainland, things were not going so well for the government of the Republic of China. They were fighting the Chinese Communist Party in the Chinese Civil War on and off between 1927 and 1949. Eventually, the government of the Republic of China lost control of the mainland and retreated to the island of Taiwan.
October 10th is still observed on the Mainland by the People’s Republic of China as the Anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution, but in Taiwan, it has become National Day — a day where pride in Taiwanese identity is celebrated across the island.

Hare are more details on the Wuchang Uprising and the Xinhai Revolution from OFTaiwan:

Wuchang uprising marks the start of the end of the Chinese dynasties. Unhappy with the Manchu controlled Qing dynasty, revolutionaries in China were gathering to overthrow the Qing dynasty. Amongst these revolutionaries was Dr. Sun Yet-Sen, who helped found the Tongmenghui (同盟會.) Sun Yet-Sen spent much of his time overseas trying to get funding for the uprising. This was also because Sun was exiled from China since a previous Guangzhou uprising (1895.)
After many provinces ceded from the Qing Dynasty, Sun returned to China and was elected the first president of the Provisional Government of the Republic of China on Jan 1, 1912.
The end of the Qing Dynasty was finalized with the last emperor Puyi abdicating his throne on Feb 12, 1912.

The Taiwanese were celebrating the end of the corrupt Qing Dynasty instead of liberation from the Communist Party of China (CPC). The theme of the fall of the Qing Dynasty may be a popular theme in Taiwanese entertainment and Chinese entertainment. It's akin to how Filipinos celebrate June 12 as liberation from Spain day. I guess the Taiwanese have more sentimental value to the fall of the Qing than the fall of the Empire of Japan or independence from the Chinese government.

The Spicy Revolution of Sichuan

When I started doing some research on Chinese food, I got curious about the food of Communist Chinese revolutionaries. I guess it's time to cook with Communism. I tasted Yang Hero at Ayala Central Bloc IT Park. The soup sizes were rather huge so I just went for the rice bowl. It was a full house and I got to taste the food of the revolutionaries. I went for a smoked pork belly rice bowl which I believe was one of Chairman Mao's favorite foods. Mao himself had Sichuan braised pork which is spicier than the Filipino version of humba. Humba is derived from hóngshāoròu which the latter is spicier. I was laughing when I read this interesting piece of information about Mao's love for spicy food as written by Otto Braun : The shrewd peasant organizer had a mean, even “spiteful” streak. “For example, for a long time I could not accustom myself to the strongly spiced food, such as hot fried peppers, which is traditional to southern China, especially in Hunan, Mao’s birthplace.” Th...

Ifugao OFWs in Taiwan and Discovering More About One's Common Austronesian Roots

I was doing some research on Taiwan finding out that the natives are indeed Austronesians . It seems that Indonesians and Malaysians may have also settled in Taiwan aside from the Philippines. A look at Mt. Alishan and Banaue Rice Terraces have a similarity. Taiwan has its famous tea terraces. Banaue has its famous rice terraces. Both are cultural heritages that must be preserved! I soon found an article which Ifugao OFWs in Taiwan. Not surprisingly, these Ifugao OFWs can point out several things that are pretty similar. An article called " A Gotad Picnic With Ifugaos Living in Taiwan " would tell of Armand Camhol, an Ifugao OFW, who met with other Ifugaos in Taiwan. Gotad is a thanksgiving festival for the Ifugaos. The News Lens International Edition What was noted by Armand at the end of the article is: The people of Ifugao value hospitality, and as a symbol of friendship, they shared their holiday with their invited guests, who, in return, sang, joined the dances, and made...

Don't Fear Martial Law, Only Fear It Can Be Misused and Abused

Today is September 21 and it's often remembered as the dark era of history. It's because the late Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. declared martial law. Some people demonize martial law without knowing what it means. Even worse, some people who demonize martial law also say that the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is "the best in the world". What they don't realize is that martial law can be done, when required, such as when former Philippine president, Atty. Rodrigo R. Duterte declared it during the Marawi siege. Also, martial law is part of the provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines : Section 18 . The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of...

Martial Law Under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

September 21 paints a grim picture, especially for what's often called the martial law victims. I remember panicking back when I was 11 years old. It was possible that the late Fidel V. Ramos may declare martial law at any time. However, researching the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines can help. It can help Filipinos determine what needs to be revised to fit the current times. Article VII Section 18 says the following about martial law: SECTION 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the p...

Today in History: Hanoi's Liberation Day

Vietnam Times October 10 is mostly associated with Double 10 in Taiwan. However, Communism has its celebration with Hanoi Liberation Day . I got this information from the Vietnam Times on what the day is all about: Along with the victory of Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Geneva Agreements on armistice in Indochina was signed. After many days of struggling in the Geneva Conference, agreements on transfering Hanoi to the Vietnamese people were finally signed on September 30th and October 2nd 1954 in the United Armistice Center Committee. Following the Resolution on September 17th 1954 of the Government Council, the City Troops Committee of Hanoi was established with General Vuong Thua Vu, the commander of the Pioneer Division, as the Chairman and doctor Tran Duy Hung as the Vice Chairman. The City Troops Committee of Hanoi had the task of taking over and managing the city. The Military Commanders ordered the Vietnamese soldier units to take over the city of Hanoi and abide by the policies ...

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