Secret Filipino Jews, Where are they?
In the year 1492, Spain implemented the Spanish Inquisition which continued during the Spanish empire for the next centuries. Spanish Jews (Sephardic) whom history shows us were a significant part of the rise of Spain after the defeat of the Moors; were forced to renounce their Jewishness and convert to Catholicism en masse and were referred to as “Marranos” or “Conversos.” Failure to convert or the discovery of secret Jews resulted in burning alive at the stake.
In the year 1521, The Philippines was discovered by Magellan and became the only Spanish Christian colony in Asia. The profitable Galleon Trade involved the ports of Manila and Alcapulco in Mexico. This enabled substantial wealth between Spain, The Americas and Asia. Spain prospered beyond anyone’s imagination at that time.
Although history of the Inquisition was selectively recorded, during Spain’s rule of the world; what was gleaned from ancient records from around the world is telling. Obviously, the Morranos could not reveal any tidbit of information about being Jewish or suffer the ultimate. They were however dispersed thoughout the empire and created new lives for themselves in very foreign lands. Records do exist sporadically of crypto-Jews being discovered and put to death.
Interesting, that information does exist about Morranos shipped to the Philippines, but very little information exist today. It is disclosed that the Philippines was a PENAL colony for Spanish Jews. So obviously, as such history would be much more suppressed due to the colony being the extreme location for Morranos. Also, history reveals that North Samar was a destination for these cryto Jews. Could it be that many Filipinos today possess the blood of Jews? This is not a bad thing, Jesus and his deciples were all Jews, this could be a blessing.
What does exist today are many lists of Spanish Jewish surnames, just as Jews today throughout the world are known by their family names denoting where in Europe they came from. This is a good place to start, for example, my mothers’s name is Veloso and that is a known Spanish Sephardic Jewish name. However it is not 100% proof that I have Jewish blood. In 2008, DNA studies were performed in Spain and the results were that 20% of the population are of Semitic origin.
I believe in my years of research that many Filipinos are of Jewish descent and this can be seen by the trait of the Filipino wandering around the globe. The ambition of majority of Filipinos to become educated foremost. The work ethic of Filipinos is widely known, just as Jews. And not to mention Filipinos have an innate ability to trade. However we look at this history of the Philippines, as with Spain, maybe we should do widespread DNA testing? An when you wash your face, in the mirror, ask yourself…am I Jewish?
Photo credit: newamericamedia.org
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Tags: filipino, filipino jews, Filipino people, heritage, History, jews
8 Responses to Secret Filipino Jews, Where are they?
What about the Latin Americans? Their descendants had intermarried with Spaniards and Portuguese. Probably some pockets of people in Asia including India could have Jewish blood too.
The Chinese are hardworking and many Chinese who had immigrated to other parts of the world are traders. Does this suggest that they have Jewish ancestry? What about the Japanese and Indians who highly regard education?
For me, it doesn’t matter what blood you have or from what race you have descended, or what level of education you have reached. If we have the resiliency of Israel, Japan and South Korea and the passion for industry of Singapore, the Philippines can be a great country again.
@Tate,
Very true, the Philippines is great. If you read my article about Filipinos: Philippines largest export , you can see the lead up to the wandering Filipino similarly to the wandering Jew. The Jewish diaspora is because after being dispersed from Israel, Jews wanders the globe seeking better lives, strange that the Filipinos are all over the world seeking better lives.
What about the Islamic descent, I heard that most of you where moslims, why you r not proud of Islam like you looks proud to be jews who killed Jesus,
Othman,
The subject is not Islam, we know who our Muslim brothers are in the south, the subject are Jews from Spain that were forced and banished to the Philippines. If you had interest in history, you would have read that the Muslims in Spain were also forced to convert and one time the cousins worked together, but you wouldn’t know that.
Please continue discussion on the forum: link
I have known some of them they were still expressing fearfulness their ancestor works in money matters they were still being hunted worldwide by the Spaniards who through these years still haunts them I can’t. image how cruel as enemies the Spanish are. As descendant you can see them in their beautiful faces perfect nose cream skin kissable lips. They were educators, in the Ministry, and businessmen. It’s a religious war? The art of their glorious past? Vengeance to be disobedient race? No doubt the katipunan still haunts them.
@Richard,
Interesting, please explain more about “I have known some of them” where were they from? What were there family names? Did they have ancient traditions different from the catholics?
the descendants didn’t. know the reasons their ancestors are being hunted all they know they are being hunted world wide whenever they may be found to this date engaging in some conflicts with the Spanish in Spain long time ago, surprisingly some are even devout Catholics now embracing other religion too they think Filipinos except for their reminiscing past, it’s easy to trace them they still maintain a Jewish surname and are tracing their relatives in Israel some have darker complexion but their portrait are same.
they were highly character-ed and disciplined, frugal and industrious, some are in Mindanao others are doing businesses in Manila, they are highly religious and clean personalities you can see them in their faces they fear doing evil are righteous and wise exampled of a good citizens. They can wait to prosper and patient in business like the Chinese.