Roger is right. Bullets have been bouncing of Pinoys for 500 years..

[Alibata]

Not because of no "A-side meth" though. Those guys are nuts...

Testimonies of the World about the Filipino Warrior
Throughout known history, the Filipino soldier earned
an honored place on the battlefield. The annals
of history are full of praise for the Filipino warrior
and soldier.

If we venture back to the writings of the Chinese
and Muslims, it may be that the ancient Filipinos
were mentioned in the notices of Sanfotsi, Zabag
and related kingdoms. This author explores this
possibility on a linked webpage
discussing the medieval Philippines.

Whether the Philippines constituted the kingdoms
mentioned, the latter certainly belonged to the
vast archipelago inhabited by Filipinos and our
Malay relatives. Thus, much of the characteristics
ascribed to the Sanfotsi or other warriors would
also apply, for the most part, to Filipinos.


The Chinese Testimony


Regarding Sanfotsi, the geographical encyclopedia
written by Ma Tuan-lin states:


"They are all very brave; in fighting on land or water
they are superior to other nations. They have a sea port
at the point where commerce passes and they compel the
merchants to stop there. If some should attempt to pass
without recognizing them, they would immediately launch
a naval assault against them. All would be ready to
take them without fail, no matter how energetic the
resistance. The result of this is that the port
of Sanfotsi is the entrepot of the merchants of all
countries." (Author's translation of D'Harvey St. Denis's
French translation)


Another medieval Chinese writer, Chau Ju-kua's wrote
concerning Sanfotsi:

"They are skilled at fighting on land or water. When
they are about to make war on another state they assemble
and send for the such a force as the occasion demands.
They appoint chiefs and leaders, and all provide their
own military equipment and the necessary provisions.
In facing the enemy and braving death they have not
their equal among other nations."
(Chu-fan-chi translated by Hirth and Rockhill)


The medieval geography of Chou Ku-fei says something very
similar regarding the warriors of Sanfotsi:

"...the people are skilled in fighting. When they are
about to fight, they cover their bodies with a medicine - What Roger was talking about
which prevents swords wounding them. In fighting on land
or on water none surpass them in impetousity of attack;
even the Kulin people come after them. If some foreign
ship, passing this place, should not enter here, an
armed party would certainly come out kill them to the
last."



The Muslim Testimony


The Muslim writers had pretty much the same impression of
the Malay people.

Ibn al-Fakih says of the Sanfotsi (Zabag): "...they are of a
great character resembling a nation of ferocious beasts." In a
way, this resembles, Draper's descriptions of the Pampangos
as a "fierce and barbarous people."

In describing the island of Niyan which was located somewhere
between Sanfotsi and Toupo, a Muslim writer states: "The
inhabitants are remarkable for their great energy and great
courage."

Another Muslim writer describes the same people as "of indomitable
character and hostile to strangers."


The Coming of the Europeans


When Pigafetta visited the island of Mindanao during the
expedition of Magellan he was impressed by an exceptionally
brave tribe of long-haired warriors living on that island.

Magellan was eventually killed himself in a battle with
the local raha, Lapu-lapu.

However, Magellan had started the process by which
the islands were eventually subjugated. He managed
to convert a local king and his subjects to Christianity.
And for awhile, he pitted the zealous new convert
against other local kings. When Legazpi came to conquer
the Philippines he did the same thing, but more
successfully. The main contingent during Legazpi's
invasion of Luzon was a force of Cebuano mercenaries
who provided their own native warships.


The Spanish Testimony

Even under foreign rule, the Filipino established
a reputation as an excellent soldier. One
Spanish writer declared that the Filipino soldier
was the bravest of all the subjects of the king
of Spain, at a time when the Spanish empire was
at its height.

Father Delgado, responding to criticism leveled
against the Indio stated:


"On the contrary, it must be said that
the Indians are those who defend us from
our enemies; for, in the presidios, who are
the soldiers, who sail in the war fleets, who
are in the vanguard in war? Could the
Spaniards, perchance, maintain themselves
alone in the country, if the Indians did not
aid in everything?"

(Blair & Robertson, The Philippine Islands,
1493-1898, Vol. VI, pp. 270-271)


The records of the Spaniards were full of the daring
exploits of Filipino soldiers. In a letter by Juan
Grau y Monfalcon he wrote of the Filipinos:


"Those Indians, mingled with Spaniards,
serve as soldiers in war, and have proved
excellent therein. Especially are the
Pampangos valiant soldiers, who have performed
and are daily performing valiant exploits at
the side of the Spanish. They were at the taking
of Terrenate; and, whenever occasion offers, they
with other companies come to guard the city of
Manila."

(Conrado Benitez, History of the Philippines,
Boston, 1929, p. 258)

[Alibata]

When the British invaded Manila they encountered stirring
resistance from the Filipino defenders. Here is what
Draper says in his journal:


"Had their skill and weapons been equal to their
strength and ferocity, it might have cost us dear.
Although armed chiefly with bows, arrows, and lances,
they advanced up to the very muzzles of our pieces,
repeated their assaults, and died like wild beasts,
gnawing the bayonets."



Because of their dependence on Filipino soldiers, so Spaniards
worried about the possibility of revolt. Bernardino Maldanado
in his report to the king warns of this danger:


"They are a people of great boldness only needing a
leader whom they would recognize, and the are so many
in number that it is a matter that must be feared
considerably, and one of which your Majesty orders
us to be fearful and watchful."

(Conrado Benitez, History of the Philippines,
Boston, 1929, p. 248)



One of the finest compliments to the Filipino as a soldier
might be the following Spanish saying regarding the
people of Pampanga province:


"One Spaniard and nine Pampanguenos are more than
a match for ten men from any nation."

(Sturtevant, Popular Uprisings in the Philippines:
1840-1940, p. 90))



The Coming of the Americans


When the Americans engaged in a war of conquest against
the Philippines they met stiff resistance. Although
the ill-equipped Philppine Army was defeated after
two years, armed rebellion continued from 1902 to
1917. In particular, the Moros of Mindanao and the
Pulanjanis offered "fanatical" resistance.

However, even at the start of the conflict, the Americans,
like the Spaniards, had already recruited native allies in
the Macabebe, Igorot, Cagayan and Ilokano Scouts.

Later on, these initial scout units became the core of
the renowned Philippine Scouts of the U.S. Army. Like
the Spanish, the Americans quickly realized the value
of the Filipino soldier. In an article in the April
1905 issue of Infantry Journal, Major William
H. Johnson states:


"The Philippine Scouts fill an important role
and in that role are without an equal. For
service in the islands they can frequently be
of more service than American troops."


Americans serving with the Scouts often developed
a liking for the dedicated Filipino soldiers.
Colonel Edmund J. Lilly, CO of the 57th Infantry,
wrote:


"When I think of them (Philippine Scouts),
Kipling's words run through my head. "I
have eaten your bread and salt. I have drunk
your water and wine, and the deaths you died
I have watched beside and the lives you lived
were mine."

(The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation,
The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 107)


Many illustrious American military figures served
with the Scouts and they all had high praise. The
following comments from a an Army publication of
1949 illustrates this fact:


"You must be very proud to belong to an
organization that is famous among military
men throughout the world. Such distinguished
leaders as the late General of the Armies
John J Pershing, Major General Leonard Wood,
Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright, and General
Douglas MacArthur have given the highest
praise of the Scouts."*


(The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation,
The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 457)


The acts of bravery displayed by the Scouts during
World War II captured the imagination of the world.
General MacArthur was particularly moved by incident
he observed among the Igorot units:



"Many desperate acts of courage and heroism have fallen
under my observation on many fields of batlle in many
parts of the world. I have seen last-ditch stands and
innumerable acts of personal heroism that defy description,
but for sheer breathtaking and heart-stopping desperation,
I have never known the equal of those Igorots. Gentlemen,
when you tell that story, stand in tribute to these
gallant Igorots."


The following poem was written by 1st Lieutenant Henry
Lee, an American officer with the 12th Military Police
Company during the Battle of Bataan:


The desperate fight is lost; the battle is done.
The brown lean ranks are scattered to the breeze.
Their cherished weapons resting in the sun.
Their moldering guidons hidden by the leaves.
No more the men who did not fear to die
Will plug the broken line while through the din
Their beaten comrades raise the welcome cry,
Make way, make way, the Scouts are moving in!"

The jungle takes the long defended lines
The trenches erode; the wires rust away,
The lush dank grasses and the trailing vines
Soon hide the human remains of the fray.
The Battle ended and the story told
To open to the Scouts as they unfold
The tired little soldiers enter in.

The men who were besieged on every side
Who knew the dissolution of retreat
And still retained thir fierce exultant pride
And still were soldiers - even in defeat,
Now meet the vetrans of ten thousand years
Now find a welcome worthy of their trade
From men who fought with crossbows and with spears
With bullet and with arrow and with spade.

The grizzled veterans of Rome built upon
The Death-head horde of Attila the Hun
The Yellow Horror of the greatest Khan
The guardmen of the First Napoleon
All the men in every nameless fight
Since first Man strove against Man to prove his worth
Shall grett the tired Scouts as is their right
No finer soldiers ever walked the Earth.

And then the Scouts will be formed to be reviewed
Each scattered unit now once more complete
Each weapon and bright crisp flag renewed
And high above their cadence their feet
Will come the loud clear virile welcoming shout
From many throats, before the feats begin,
Their badge of Honor mid their comrades shout
"Make way, make way, the Scouts are moving in!"


(The Philippine Scout Heritage Foundation,
The Philippine Scouts,, 1996, p. 463)


After Independence

Filipino soldiers continued to distinguish themselves
in the Philippine military and as units serving with
the United Nations. Thus, the long, glorious traditon
of the Filipino soldier continues. In this respect,
we have not even covered the exploits of the Filipino
sailor.

At the present time (1997), Filipino veterans of World
War II are protesting the treatment they received after
such valiant service. Some veterans began a hunger
strike in Los Angeles demanding restitution for Filipino
veterans. Let's give them our support.

[Alibata]

Winston Churchill said in WW2 that the Filipino soldier is the greatest warriors in the world. For it was they who resisted the Japanese invasion for more than 50 days with no hope of victory. These men only surrendered because they were ordered to. Filipinos has a long history of resisting invaders but with little success. They deserve the title for they fought all occupiers the only reason why they failed was lack of unity. The Philippine Army can beet any army if they only manage to have the same weapons and training that of more advanced nations.

[Alibata]

"A-side" Meth. Yall *****s probably believe that

[GTR]

oh ****, how can the council test for this? random blood testing for magic?

hehehe now pac-mayweather is truly impossible.

its anting-anting, not meth hahahahahaa!

[-MAKAVELLI-]

Originally Posted by GTR

oh ****, how can the council test for this? random blood testing for magic?

hehehe now pac-mayweather is truly impossible.

its anting-anting, not meth hahahahahaa!

they're gonna have a shaman visit Manny randomly

[.Sakuragi.]

Originally Posted by Makavelli

they're gonna have a shaman visit Manny randomly

Random Shaman testing- floyd will surely ask this one LFMAO!

[GTR]

Originally Posted by Makavelli

they're gonna have a shaman visit Manny randomly

lmao i wonder if USADA or GBP has one on standby...

[Alibata]

Originally Posted by Makavelli

they're gonna have a shaman visit Manny randomly

Floyd is going to find away around that when Manny agrees to the shaman Floyd will make it so that the shaman will have to be flown in from the deepest rain forests of the amazon or else no fight. hahaha1

[BLooDCalibuR]

Every time I go back there for vacation, they always never fail at helping me maintain an undefeated underground martial arts/street fighting record.

Thank you Philippines for being such easy and weak combatants and bulking up my personal record.

*edit*
P.S.
And those anting-antings never helped them.