7. SAN ANDRES, DE SAYA AND BONIFACIO’S COIN

SAN ANDRES, DE SAYA AND BONIFACIO’S COIN

Dr. Troy Alexander G. Miano

30 November 2016

For the past 104 years, the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle is being celebrated in my hometown in Cabatuan, Isabela. Our ancestors from Bacarra, Ilocos Norte brought their patron saint to their new settlement in south central Isabela in 1912 together with their Aglipayan religion now formally known as the Independent Church of Filipino Christians (ICFC). In 1949, when Roman Catholicism was formally preached by the La Salette missionaries, they adopted the same patron saint and both religion celebrated the feast day of San Andres Apostol in their own unique way. Though there were many instances that their procession criss-crossed in the poblasyon, the Christian Cabatuanenses practiced their faith in peace and harmony. I remember the present San Andres statue at the Roman Catholic Church which was donated by my mother during the time of Fr. Ingeño Rapadas at the turn of the millennium. Mom had the first statue made in Betis in Guagua, Pampanga, however, the priest finds the sculpture rather small and mom had a bigger one created. The undersized version, which is permanently stationed at our house, is being borrowed and used during processions on special occasions such as patronal fiestas.  

According to Google, Saint Andrew is the Catholic patron saint of fishermen who founded the Church of Byzantium, an ancient Greek colony on the site that became Constantinople, and later Istanbul in Turkey. His birthdate and place of birth are unknown. During his lifetime, he became a disciple of John the Baptist, one of the Twelve Apostles, and the first of Christ’s disciples. Saint Andrew and his brother Simon Peter were recorded in the New Testament as having been declared “fishers of men” by Jesus after he asked them to cast their nets. Saint Andrew was crucified circa 70 in Patras, Achaia, Greece. According to the Catholic calendar, aside from Saint Andrew, five other saints have their feast day on November 30. They are: St. Constantius, St. Joseph Marchand, St. Maura, St. Trojan, and St. Tudwal. Aside from Cabatuan and Bacarra, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Parañaque in Metro Manila has Saint Andrew as their patron.

The Feast of Saint Andrew on the last day of November is concurrently a regular holiday in the Philippines popularly known as Bonifacio Day, commemorating the birthdate of Andres Bonifacio (1863-1897), the Father of the Philippine Revolution. Connected with this holiday is the sad Filipino phenomenon - andres de saya or the henpecked husband. Originally “ander de saya”, which in English literally means "under the saya (Filipino skirt)", is a Filipino term used on husbands who are dominated by their overbearing wives. The mental image conjured is of a man with no "balls" to lead his family. The woman is the "kumander" (commander) of the unit or family. He has no say, he has no voice and he better not speak his mind or else he will get a good tongue-lashing.

I remember, about five years ago, a weekly sitcom of GMA Network starring Cesar Montano and Iza Calzado entitled Andres de Saya. I browsed the internet and made some researches and found out that it was first introduced as a form of comics, written by Carlo J. Caparas. Later on, in 1980, it was adapted into a film with Vic Vargas on the title role, and Gloria Diaz as his wife. After which, two parts of the said movie followed. The second and third part of the movie which was shown in 1982 and 1986, respectively, were titled, Andres de Saya (Mabagsik na daw!) and Anomalya ni... Andres de Saya with Vargas and Diaz reprising their roles. Themes like these are usually for comedic purposes, which sometimes are funny, but in reality is no laughing matter. A man who always say yes to his wife is called andres de saya. It is just a joke for us Filipinos but in many cases it is really happening in the metropolis and in the countryside. It is also a common joke to greet husbands a “Happy Birthday” every November 30 and they are sometimes given a new name or alias - “Andres”.

As a numismatist for over 30 years, I am updated through the net with all coins being released by different nations. In 2013, Gat Andres Bonifacio celebrated his 150^th natal day and the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) released a 10-peso legal tender bearing the portrait of the Filipino revolutionary hero. The BSP minted 10 million pieces and has the same diameter (26.5 millimeters), weight (8.70 grams), and bimetallic feature as the 10-peso coin currently in circulation. Etched on the obverse side (front) are Bonifacio's portrait and name, along with the markings "10 Piso," "Republika ng Pilipinas," and "2013." On the coin's reverse side are the new BSP seal, the Bonifacio monument in Caloocan City, Bonifacio's signature, and the markings "Dangal at Kabayanihan," "150 years," and "1863-2013." A regular 10-peso coin features the portraits of Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini (1864-1903) on its obverse side and is in circulation since Year 2000. Bonifacio’s image first appeared on money on a 20-Peso bill together with the illustration of Emilio Jacinto (1875-1899) under the “English Series” from 1951 to 1974.  This was followed by a 5-peso bill under the “Pilipino Series” and “Ang Bagong Lipunan (New Society) Series” circulated from 1967 to 1993. In 1997, under the “New Design/BSP Series”, a 10-Peso banknote was issued bearing the images of Bonifacio and Mabini until the paperbill was changed to coin.

Filipinos never fail to remember November 30 as a holiday for this is one of the most coveted day of the year for the working class and students to enjoy being free from regular routine. This is also the mark on our calendars when teasers enjoy picking on andres de sayas. The BSP may have immortalized the Supremo of the Katipunan on a metal piece but his legacy must be permanently inculcated in the minds and hearts of the young Filipinos through additional and fair teaching of his life, works and writings.