HBICs of history » S i m o n e t t a   V e s p u c c i

Simonetta (1453-1476) was an Italian renaissance noblewoman from Genoa and the wife of Marco Vespucci of Florence. She was renowned for being the greatest beauty of her age - certainly of the city of Florence - hence her nickname la bella Simonetta.

At the age of fifteen or sixteen she married Marco Vespucci who was a distant cousin of the Florentine explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci. Marco was accepted by Simonetta’s father, and he was very much in love with her, so the marriage was logical. Her parents also knew the marriage would be advantageous because Marco’s family was well connected in Florence, especially to the Medici family.

Simonetta was instantly popular at the Florentine court. The Medici brothers, Lorenzo and Giuliano took an instant liking towards her. Lorenzo permitted the Vespucci wedding to be held at the palazzo in Via Larga, and held the wedding reception at their lavish Villa di Careggi. Through the Vespucci family Simonetta was discovered by Sandro Botticelli and other prominent painters upon arriving in Florence. Before long every nobleman in the city was besotted with her, even the brothers Lorenzo and Giuliano of the ruling Medici family. Lorenzo was occupied with affairs of state, but his younger brother was free to pursue her.

At La Giostra (a jousting tournament) in 1475, held at the Piazza Santa Croce, Giuliano entered the lists bearing a banner on which was a picture of Simonetta as a helmeted Pallas Athene painted by Botticelli himself, beneath which was the French inscription La Sans Pareille, meaning “The unparalleled one”. It is unknown, however, if they actually became lovers. 

Simonetta died just one year later, on the night of 26–27 April 1476, probably from tuberculosis. She was only 22 at the time of her death. The entire city was reported to mourn her death and thousands followed her coffin to its burial. It is suggested that Botticelli was in love with her since he requested to be buried at her feet - his wish was in fact carried out when he died some 34 years later, in 1510.

(via mlq3)

Source: ashlynlily

carlosceldran: I sometimes just LOVE talking to US diplomats about PH politics/sociology. Some of them can get pretty defensive about their role in our history & try to frame our national shortcomings as a product completely of our OWN doing. At the end of the day, America hasn’t always had the Philippines’ best interests in mind and we’ve been screwed over on your behalf more than once (Philippine American War & Liberation of Manila as an example). And YET, as of this moment, we’re still staunch allies and even FANS of your culture. So seriously, USA & Mr. Diplomat. Just be glad we still even like you.
Pop-upView Separately

carlosceldran:

I sometimes just LOVE talking to US diplomats about PH politics/sociology. Some of them can get pretty defensive about their role in our history & try to frame our national shortcomings as a product completely of our OWN doing. At the end of the day, America hasn’t always had the Philippines’ best interests in mind and we’ve been screwed over on your behalf more than once (Philippine American War & Liberation of Manila as an example). And YET, as of this moment, we’re still staunch allies and even FANS of your culture. So seriously, USA & Mr. Diplomat. Just be glad we still even like you.

pinoytumblr:

Aquino-Cojuangco: “Facts They Don’t Want You to Know”

A viral animated video by Filipino artist Baron Buchokoy is already making its way around the Internet. The 15-minute piece gives a brief overview of the Aquino-Cojuangco’s family tree and their rise and stay in power.

The video comes in 4 parts:
I : Cojuangco Wealth - how the Cojuangcos aquired their fortune
II: Hacienda Luisita - the aquiring and conditions behind the land
III: Killing Spree - the killings related to the Hacienda
IV: Aquino-Cojuangco Forever - how local media portrays the family

According to Baron Buchokoy, the video was not meant to be anti Aquino-Cojuangco and that its only aim is to show the other side of the political clan that is often muted in local media. He says the video’s purpose is to educate the dumbed-down, ordinary Filipino citizen.

Disclaimer: Though several sources have been cited within the video, viewers are still recommended to check all the facts first.

I personally find it very informative but I agree that these “facts” still have to be verified. The video says that it’s not an anti Aquino-Cojuanco propaganda but the latter part of the video shows otherwise. I don’t believe that Ninoy Aquino fought so hard during the martial law period and even before that only for his political ambitions. Yes he was ambitious, it was quite obvious, he was charming and witty and he wanted to be in politics but I don’t think any man would endure what he did if it weren’t for a cause. What man would put his family through such an ordeal only for a shot at presidency? 

The video also DEMONIZES the Aquino-Cojuanco family. I’m not the biggest fan of Kris Aquino, I don’t see Cory as a saint and I want to see more from PNoy but I feel like this video is a propaganda of some sort.

If indeed accounts of this video are true, I do hope PNoy does what is right and give back to the farmers their lands and own up to what his ancestors have done. That’s one step to “daang matuwid”.

And yes, I agree. Enough of Kris Aquino. She’s everywhere!