Behrens, Ana Teresa N.

Arkiyoloji 1-Prof. Victor Paz

2009-78825

Reaction Paper

Bahay Tsinoy

Bahay Tsinoy is a museum which presents the story of the Chinese in Philippine History. Bahay
Tsinoy is filled with well crafted, life sized exhibits documenting the history of tsinoys. It was
orderly organize that will take you through the early contacts in pre-history, to the Spanish
period and to the current day involvement of the Filipino-Chinese in the country. Filipinos of
Chinese ancestry have been a critically important factor in the development of the Philippines.
The Bahay Tsinoy helps us trace Chinese influences on the Philippines from the earliest days to
the present. As we enter, a huge Galleon Ship with a three life sized exhibit people struck me
out. The Galleon Ship is the means of transportation used by the Early Chinese while conducting
trade with the Early Filipinos. I read there that Sangley, the term used by Spaniards for Chinese,
means frequent visitor. They are called Parian, for they were separated by the Spaniards from the
rest of the community and in separate quarters. A crafted life size exhibit shows the main
occupation of the Merchants and Laborers like selling food on the street and repairing, and up
until now the tsinoys can be relied on for business like sari-sari store. It was also represented
there the typical mestizo house. Early Chinese were also known as artisans. Some of them helped
in constructing parts of San Agustin Church. Part of the museum includes the Porcelain Gallery
with artifacts, and I notice the Chinese peddlers selling wares beside the San Agustin Church
facade. It was also featured in Bahay Tsinoy a cool hologram of a tsinoy telling the story of the
transformation of the early Filipino Chinese, to modern day tsinoys. It was well represented there
that Chinese contribute many traditions and other things they used to do. Today, Tsinoys are
very well integrated into the Filipino society serving as leaders in their respective business and
professions. With all that I observed, I learned and realized that Chinese became a big part of the
daily lives of the early Filipinos. It was clearly represent the influence of Chinese to the Filipinos
that as of today, we are doing.