FILIPINOS have never been insular in the sense of staying within their archipelago. Early accounts of Filipino delegations going to China, with some participants staying there or meeting death for whatever cause, i.e. natural, martyrdom, etc., are on record. Our two recognized Catholic saints were evangelizing in Japan and Guam when they met their Maker.

The Manila Galleon brought Filipinos to the Americas and there are records of Filipino settlements in Mexico and Louisiana, even California, as well as cultural diffusion of Filipino customs and native plants as a result.