Buzzfeed: 15 memorable facts about Filipino American history you should know

No. 5

KEVIN NADAL,  a Buzzfeed contributor and author of Filipino American Psychology, has come up with one of that seemingly never-ending lists, "15 Memorable Facts About Filipino American History You Should Know."

He asked Filipino/Americans from all over the country to share what they want the world to know about Filipino/Americans.

He got the responses that you would expect. Liz Casasole wrote, "One in five Asian Americans is Filipno-Americans."

"Filipinos have been on 'American' soil since 1587. The U.S.A. was founded in 1776 was EJ David's contribution.

Most of Buzzfeed's list are innocuous and non-controversial, meant to bring a smile. However, No. 5 created a bit of a stir. "The United States colonized the Philippines in 1898, and Filipinos fought hard to keep their independence and sovereignty during the Philippine-American War that lasted until 1913. We are here because America was there," which was Jessica Patelio's add.

One response said that No. 5 is something that shouldn't be celebrated. But other readers defended the item should be on the list. Nadal didn't ask for facts to be proud of but that impressions was given because the other 14 items on the list were cause for pride and that made No. 5 stick out.

I think the point that Jessica tried to point out is that Filipinos were fighting for their Independence, first against Spain, and then against the United States. 

RELATED: Truth be told - the story of betrayal that followed the original Philippine Independence Day

The war for the Philippines' independence lasted longer than the Spanish-American War, longer than WW1 and WWII. It did not end in 1902 as American history textbooks would have us believe. Some historians say the Philippine-American War lasted well into the 1950s after the U.S. gave the Philippines was given its "independence," in 1946.

For the complete list, click here. 

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Barack Obama knows how to use new media BuzzFeed video to sell Obamacare

The medium is the message

MARSHALL McLUHAN was right. Fifty years ago he was talking about the impact of television on American society. Today, if he were alive, he'd be referring to the Internet and the subsequent birth of all the social media aps that many people - mostly the younger people - rely on to connect with friends, family and anybody else who might discover their photo, video, blog or Tweet.

I only bring up because of the uproar over President Obama's use of Buzzfeed to deliver a message to young people, to enroll in Obamacare, otherwise knows as the Affordable Care Act or the U.S. watered down attempt at providing health care to those who could not otherwise afford it.

His critics - and we know who they are - claim the President is being "unpresidential" for using a popular medium to encourage enrollment in the national health plan. 

Others say the President and his staff understand young people better than the old traditionalist media users. Young people don't read the newspapers or the 6 p.m. news anchors. They get their information, vetted and unveiled, from Comedy Central, late night comedians, Youtube, and any number of social media.

His use of Buzzfeed allows him to reach young people where they hang out (virtually). I understand your needs. I understand how you communicate. 

The President understands today. And I betcha, if he is like me, a baby-boomer coming late to the party, he depends on his daughters Malia and Sasha a lot to find out what's hot, what's trending, etc. 

Unfortunately, I'll bet you also that his detractors will find to use the clip in such a way to demean, discredit or defame him.

The use of the video is brilliant. The medium IS the message ... it is also the massage!

Oh, yeah ... the enrollment deadline is February 15.