FLIP

The word FLIP has come to mean the tendency for some Filipinos to go back on their word and "flipflop."

An excerpt from Talking Heads singer David Byrne's Journal:Facts talking about Philippine hero Emilio Aguinaldo as he would "flip" from side to side.

"A “hero” who fought against the Spanish colonial rule, Aguinaldo, felt that Bonifacio, the firebrand leader of the revolution, lacked the requisite military skills, and he broke ranks with him. Aguinaldo made a demand to the Spaniards that in return for peace and a promise that he would leave the Philippines a huge payment would be made in installments — climaxing in a final payment along with a public apology and the playing of “Te Deum” at the Manila cathedral.

In 1897 Aguinaldo signed the deal with Spain in a cave where he was holed up, and upon receiving the money he split, with the cash, for China (or Japan) and in the process suddenly declared his loyalty to Spain (!). What? After all that he just skipped off with the money? (To be fair, the Spanish did capitulate to the peace demands, but with some U.S. help) In ‘98 he returned, and disavowed his disavowal, and then pledged to fight the Americans, who had helped to oust the Spanish.

Aguinaldo resurfaced in the public eye again in 1935 when the Philippines became a quasi-independent nation. He ran against Manuel Quezon in the first election, but he lost. Anyway, the point is that he changed colors, back and forth, and no one seemed to mind, or they just took it in stride. He seemed just as passionate about whatever side he was on."

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