2. The British in the Philippines (1762-1764) - A Memory Recall

There was a time when the British were in our native soil, which was from 1762 to 1764. That time, there was war in Europe known as the Seven Years’ war. France and Britain were at war whilst Spain was an ally of the former. Because of that, England launched its fleet against all Spanish colonies. The British set their eyes on the pearl of the orient sea as it was a key strategic location—securing it will cripple the Spanish trade routes. 

In September 1762, the British fleet sailed to Manila Bay. A Spanish archbishop led the defences of the walls of Intramuros but failed miserably—probably was engaged in siesta—as the archbishop was not a professional soldier. The British unleashed hell on the dawn of 6^th October 1762 and breached one portion of the walls of the fort in Manila. The artillery bombardment was devastating that Wikipedia (I have to double check if I remembered it right) reported that the British fleet unleashed over 20,000 cannonballs on the besieged city. Then came the pillaging, which the British commander reported was mostly because of the locals comprising the Chinese and Filipinos. I can imagine the behaviour that time of the local inhabitants in such dire circumstances after their masters got whipped by another empire. The British demanded a ransom with Spain to avoid causing further anarchy on the city.

Eventually, Manila fell.  I meant that city only. After two years, the British left after the Seven Years’ War ended. Just like that. It wasn’t exactly like Cornwallis leaving New York. It was just the British leaving and returning us back to the Spaniards—another century before the Americans took over. If they had not left, we would have been different today. 

Well, enough of that historical trivia. I want to set my eyes on making history—in a more personal sense, e.g. passing the RICS APC and it still involved the British. I am still working out the contract practice competency—it’s infuriating. I mean each time I go along fixing one sentence; I ask myself questions in an amateurish way of imitating an assessor and I would end up with some visceral feeling that I need to research more. I am forty-two and it’s upsetting whenever I forget or suddenly become ignorant of a certain principle or fact that should already be innate.

Last night, I sent a WhatsApp message to my friend to tell her I will pay my contribution for the 70-Riyal t-shirt for a charity cause; she told me it was only 55. I mean what was it? Memory loss? What is happening? Signs of aging? Two months ago, I went berserk after I forgot some basic grammar style rules, which lead me to revisiting all my copies of all style books from the Chicago one to the AP style book to the bespoke ones.

Is it work? Am I burned out after seven years of routine? Routine was not bad. I mean the experience is what I need at the moment to fill in my competencies write-up for the RICS APC. 

I took a breather for two weeks and did not read any APC related stuff. I started reading again on Saturday. But it wasn’t grand the feeling that I was expecting. But the interest is still there—I wouldn’t be inspired to adapt my new routine this week (reading in the evening, writing in the morning) if it weren’t. 

Maybe I just need patience. History, if one would look at it, was recorded by people of extreme diligence and patience. Hmmm. I wonder if historians would do good quantity surveyors.