Money, anyone?

MONEY, ANYONE?

Nicole L. Manano, A-105

                Money, money, money. Everywhere we look, money is always there. In negotiations, transactions and business, money is used. Nowadays, the value of money continues to go up and all things get more expensive. But money isn’t “money” in the olden times yet. It went a long process before money came about in the modern times. In the Money Museum at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the evolution of money is displayed step by step.

                In the ancient times, when money is not yet known, natives use shells for payments to buy goods and other products. As time goes by, the form of payment changed to metal then to porcelain. Every time, the mode of payment differs and it improves, making the products more expensive each day. During the time when Chinese traders came in the Philippines, jade was already used. Then time passes, natives and traders alike use jewel and then gold for payments. In the Money Museum of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the real gold used during that time was preserved there. It was still perfect to the eyes, and karats were also mentioned.

                Eventually, the Spaniards came in our country, and everything around us changed, even the form of payment. During their time, in the Galleon trade, they used their own currency, the reales. This currency of the Spaniards began the use of money in our country, and different styles and perspectives were used by the Filipinos of that time to create their own currency. In the time of war with the conquerors, the Philippine Republic had their own money. They have the resistance currencies, and in the various provinces in the Philippines differ from one another. Here are the provinces that used these currencies: Cagayan, Palawan, Mountain Province, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte and Negros.

                 When President Manuel L. Quezon is seated as president, the Philippines’ coinage also took place during the 1930s. There were coins that merge the United States and the Philippines, and medals too. In this period, the heroes that played a major role in the country’s historical background had their faces engraved in the Philippines’ currency. Until now, some of these heroes’ faces were still present in our currency. They are Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini and of course, our very own Dr. Jose Rizal.

                All throughout the years from the time of the Commonwealth, the improvement of the Philippine money also took place. It came in different forms, styles and shapes. Each coin and paper bill has a symbolic or historical account which reminds the Filipinos the wonders of the Philippines and the heroes and people who risked their lives for their country. As time goes on and on, bit by bit, the value of money increases. Before, there were paper bills for 10 pesos, 5 pesos, 2 pesos and even 1 peso, but today in the modern times, these paper bills of small amount of money were disregarded. Today, 2 peso and 5 peso bills are no longer present, but the 10 pesos and 1 peso were created as coins. Last year, the new set of Philippine paper bills and the new 1 peso coin were already issued. It changed to a new perspective and theme, but the colours still remained. Today, Philippine paper bills improved and had a more different theme. In the back of each paper bill nowadays, the Philippines’ natural wonders were designed, and it came to a new era.

                But, money is not just a mode of payment that people use all around the world. In our country, every part and design of the Philippine paper bill has its own symbolical meaning. Through these designs, our money is beautified in every detail. Here are some of the paper bills parts. First, we have the lacework design which is composed of criss-crossed line on the right side of the paper bill. It is in various colors and it is traceable even at the intersection. Next we have the vignette, which is distinct and sharp, and it has a varying color tone which gives a vivid look to the picture that makes it stand out of the paper. Then there is the portrait, and it appears life-like. Usually, the portraits in the paper bills are pictures of our selected Philippine presidents, and on the back page it shows the different wonders of the Philippines, heroes, and other historical events that shaped the Philippines’ background. These parts of the money also tells us the story of our country in only a single bill, and it is important for us to look back at all these events, because these also helped us Filipinos from what we are now today, and it also defines what Filipinos are really are.

                This collection of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is a very remarkable collection because they have traced the beginning of money from the time of the Chinese up until the present. These pieces of evidence show the improvement of money, the changes it undergo, and the different historical remarks that are embedded and printed on every single coin or paper bill.

                Money is meant to be spent, but money is also wisely kept. 

(This article is one of my write-ups that I passed for our final exams. It's been quite a while since I last updated my blog, so I think I'll start tonight. I hope you enjoyed it!)