700,280

Wat Maha That Ruins, Ayutthaya, Central Thailand

Point of discussion:

So when Pinoys want to look to something - a concrete site, a built place or object - to imbibe pride in their race, their history, their culture, what's to look at?

Off the top of my head, Intramuros - but doesn't it just remind us of 300+ years of Spanish colonization?
The Banaue Rice Terraces? Possibly. But somehow I can't relate because I'm not Ifugao (i know, mababaw).
Angono cave paintings? But everyone did that!

I envy the Thais their ruins. Not because it's a major international tourist attraction that earns them a lot of money, but because they have a quick reminder of their struggles as a race, and what greatness their ancestors - and so they - are capable of. Imagine, to have built these wonders in the 1400s. What were we doing then? Not that our culture failed to flourish through our own fault (yes, blame others, haha). but i realize that it's not just now, as i've already noted, in infrastructure, malls and international act concerts where "napag-iwanan tayo." Even then it seems, 600 years ago, our Asian neighbors were ahead.

Ack, this is a depressing thought. I'll stop now.
So we're a young, evolving culture, there are advantages to that. Right?