13th of August and its Meanings, and an invitation

13th of August and its Meanings, and an invitation

Good morning. Today, August 13,2025, I will be leading an interactive story circle about the August 13,1898, the so called Battle of Manila Bay.

It will be at Yerba Buena Center for the Art, (701 Mission St) screening room, from 1 pm to 3 pm.

I have curiosity sparking facts about August 13, 1898.

Why August is called August?

Originally Sextilis: In the early Roman calendar, August was the sixth month and named Sextilis, from Latin “sex” meaning six.

Renamed for Power: In 8 BCE, the Roman Senate renamed Sextilis to Augustus in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar, following the precedent of renaming Quintilis to July for Julius Caesar.

Symbolic Legacy: Augustus chose this month because it marked several of his military victories and political triumphs. Naming a month after him was a way to inscribe imperial permanence into the rhythm of everyday life.

Why the 13?

The Number 13: Indivisible, Transformative, Betrayed

Prime Number: Thirteen is indivisible, resistant to simplification—a metaphor for truths that refuse to be broken down or co-opted.

Numerology: In many traditions, 13 symbolizes transformation, rebirth, and spiritual awakening. It reduces to 4 (1+3), a number of foundations and structure

Cultural Tension: In the West, 13 is feared—linked to betrayal (Judas at the Last Supper). In other traditions, it’s sacred: in Sikhism, terah means “yours,” a surrender to the divine.

Why the Eight (?

The Number 8: Imperial Fortune and Cosmic Order

Chinese Symbolism: 8 (八 bā) sounds like fā (發), meaning wealth and prosperity. It’s the luckiest number in Chinese culture.

Imperial Timing: The 2008 Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 PM on 8/8/08—a deliberate invocation of fortune.

Cosmic Resonance: In Taoist cosmology, 8 links to the Bagua (eight trigrams), representing balance and natural forces.

My take: August 13, 1898: A Numerological Reframing

Let’s reframe the date as a numerical and symbolic cipher:

August (8): Empire’s month—renamed for Augustus, symbol of imperial permanence.

• 13: A prime rupture—indivisible, resistant, transformative.

• 1898: The year of conquest, choreography, and colonial forgetting.

Together, 8/13/1898 becomes:

A day when imperial fortune ( staged betrayal (13) to inaugurate forgetting (1898).

August 13, 1898 was a Wednesday in 2025. It was 127 years ago.

Let’s imagine this date not just as a historical echo, but as a cosmic recurrence—a moment when the energies of betrayal, transition, and cunning resurface.

August (Empire): The month of imperial renaming, of Augustus Caesar, of conquest.

13 (Prime): Indivisible, resistant to simplification—a number of rupture and transformation.

Wednesday (Mercury): The day of secret negotiations, clever maneuvering, and betrayal cloaked in diplomacy.

Mercury (Miercules) is the God of Communication.

Today, I am reintroducing my in popular education by an in-person interactive.

It’s a teaching-learning approach, a performance, a choreography, and a multi media presentation.

Join us for an insightful exploration of the August 13, 1898 Battle of Manila in 'Scripted War, Silenced Victory.'

This event delves into the colonial choreography of the conflict, highlighting the entrance of America during the Spanish-American War, the pivotal moments of intervention, and the ultimate exclusion of Filipino forces from the victory. Discover the untold stories and historical contexts that shaped this significant event in Philippine history.

This community lecture will feature a presentation by community historian MC Canlas with support from Oscar Penaranda and Kim Requesto. This event is part of the San Francisco Arts Commission Shaping Legacy Project and will include discussion about the Dewey Monument in Union Square.

Facebook post 8/13/2025