Sunday, June 14, 2026
Felipe de Brito e Nicote--
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Filipe de Brito e Nicote — Portuguese Mercenary in 16th‑Century Southeast Asia
Filipe de Brito e Nicote (c. 1566 – April 1613), also known as Nga Zinga (Burmese) or Nga AngGaa (Arakanese), was a Portuguese adventurer and mercenary of partial French descent who played a notable role in the politics and conflicts of 16th‑century Southeast Asia Wikipedia+1.
Early Life and Origins
Born in Lisbon to a French father, Jules Nicot (possibly the brother of Jean Nicot, the French diplomat credited with introducing tobacco to Europe), de Brito entered Southeast Asia as a cabin boy on a Portuguese ship grokipedia.com. His Portuguese designation “de Brito” likely reflected maternal ties or early integration into Portuguese society grokipedia.com.
Career in Southeast Asia
De Brito first served under Min Razagyi, King of Arakan (Mrauk‑U), becoming Governor of Syriam (modern Thanlyin) in 1599 with three frigates and 3,000 men Wikipedia+1. He encouraged Portuguese settlement, built forts, and fortified the port, eventually declaring independence from Arakan in 1603. In 1605, during the Syriam battles, he captured Arakan’s crown prince, Min Khamaung, as a hostage Wikipedia+1.
He then married the daughter of Bannya Dala of Martaban, aligning himself with the Kingdom of Ayutthaya (Siam) Wikipedia+1. In 1602, returning to Goa, he was awarded the titles “Commander of Syriam”, “General of the conquests of Pegu”, and “King of Pegu” by the Portuguese crown Wikipedia+1.
Controversies and Actions
De Brito’s regime was marked by religious desecration, including stripping gold from Buddhist pagodas such as the Shwedagon to fund defenses. He is recorded as removing the Dhammazedi Bell from the Shwedagon and melting it down for cannon production Everything Explained Today. These acts alienated local populations and drew Burmese opposition grokipedia.com+1.
Downfall and Death
In 1613, forces of King Anaukpetlun of the Toungoo dynasty besieged and razed Syriam. De Brito was captured and executed by impalement, reportedly taking three days to die Alchetron. His son was also executed, and over 400 Portuguese were taken prisoner Alchetron.
Legacy
De Brito’s story is part of the history of the Bayingyi — a community of Portuguese descendants in Myanmar who served in the Burmese armed forces and preserved a Portuguese identity and Catholic faith www.portuguese.asia. His career reflects the role of European mercenaries in the volatile politics of 16th‑century Southeast Asia, where alliances shifted rapidly between regional powers.
Are there still people named De Brito?
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Are There Still People Named De Brito?
Yes — there are still people with the surname De Brito in the United States, though it is a relatively rare name.
Current population and popularity
According to MyNameStats, De Brito is ranked around 242,160th among U.S. family names, with an estimated 70 people bearing the name nationwide MyNameStats.com. This equates to roughly 0.02 people per 100,000 Americans. The name is used almost exclusively as a last name (100% of the time) MyNameStats.com.
State distribution
The highest concentration is in New Jersey, where about 52 people have the name, giving a rate of about 0.58 per 100,000 residents MyNameStats.com. Other states with notable counts include California, New York, and Florida Whitepages.
Historical trends
Decennial U.S. Census data shows the surname’s popularity has grown modestly:
2000: 440 people, rank #45,735, 0.16% of the population
2010: 581 people, rank #38,155, 0.20% of the population discover.23andme.com
This represents a 32% increase in count and a 25% increase in proportion per 100,000 people.
Ethnic and cultural background
De Brito is of Portuguese, Galician, and Spanish origin, typically a habitational surname meaning “from Brito” Ancestry+1. Census data shows a mix of ethnicities, with a majority historically White, but also notable Black and Hispanic populations in recent decades discover.23andme.com.
Conclusion
While De Brito is uncommon, it is still present in the U.S., especially in New Jersey, and has shown a slight upward trend in recent decades. If you are looking for someone with this name, New Jersey, California, and New York are the most likely places to find them.
Friday, June 12, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026
How to feed a dictator--
In his latest film, How to Feed a Dictator, which premieres at the Tribeca film festival this week, five private chefs recount their intimate experiences serving some of the world’s most feared dictators and the ever-present dangers that came with the job. Based on the 2020 book by the Polish journalist Witold Szabłowski, the 95-minute documentary probes the fraught terrain between morality and survival, asking viewers to consider the choices these chefs made – and the choices they never really had. Structurally, the film is something of a tasting menu, serving up sobering morsels of human atrocity within the trappings of a decadent cooking show. It makes for especially uneasy viewing on an empty stomach.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Iran strike on Israel--from BBC. Partial copy and paste.
The Islamic Republic emerged from the war weakened in some respects but also with a stronger sense of its own resilience.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly72ryrd1jo?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Despite extensive Israeli and American military pressure, economic sanctions and a US naval blockade, the state survived. The government is still in power, its security apparatus remains intact, and no mass uprising materialised despite repeated predictions from its opponents.
That experience may have altered Tehran's calculations.
Monday, June 08, 2026
Sunday, June 07, 2026
Sri Lanka --set magnificent novel--Highly recommended
Nihal da Silva's Road to Elephant Pass.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Road-Elephant-Pass-Nihal-Silva-ebook/dp/B006RM676Q
Author was killed in a landmine blast in 2006--near the Wilpattu National Park where this story is set.
His profession was manufacturing mineral water, he started writing fiction after his retirement.
Winner of 2003 Gratiaen Prize set up by Michael Ondaatje--
Already translated into Sinhalese--
If you are interested in translation--I suggest you contact the publishers in Sri Lanka.
My copy is a print copy,seventh reprint 2008.
There is also an excellent film of the same name.
Kyi May Kaung
6-7-2026
Gov. vs Science & Truth--scientists/doctors ejected fr Diabetes Confce for distributing journal reprints.
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/06/scientists-ejected-from-diabetes-conference-for-distributing-journal-reprints/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
Just get on social media and distribute them that way--post in the mail.
Saturday, June 06, 2026
It should be called--Black in a White World--
but it's 6 AM and I have been up since 11 PM--so--
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=movie+something+thelordmade&view=detail&mid=770E1C6A94DB0B0E4E77770E1C6A94DB0B0E4E77&churl=&ru=%2fsearch%3fpc%3dMOZI%26form%3dMOZLBR%26q%3dmovie%2bsomething%2bthelordmade&mmscn=vwrc&FORM=WRVORC
It shld be called Being Black in a White World.
Like To Kill a Mocking Bird and other movies.
Looks like late Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Dr. Blalok.
Mississipi Burning--another must see.
https://tubitv.com/movies/358575/mississippi-burning
***
Rom Coms with orthopedic doctors and patients--Patch Adams also
was on stage as a clown, and I saw him once.
Bing search results--below:
medical challenges with heartfelt romance.
Notable Films
A Taste of My Own Medicine
This film follows a surgeon who becomes a patient, leading him to rediscover empathy and form a romantic connection with a fellow patient. It is inspired by Dr. Edward Rosenbaum's book and stars William Hurt, Christine Lahti, and Elizabeth Perkins, highlighting personal growth and romance in a medical setting cinemaroo.comcinemaroo.com+1.
Patch Adams
Starring Robin Williams, this film tells the story of a medical student who becomes an orthopedic surgeon. His unconventional approach emphasizes emotional well-being and humor, and he develops a romantic relationship while caring for patients, blending comedy, romance, and medical drama cinemaroo.comcinemaroo.com+1.
Romantic Hospital Dramas
Other films in curated lists of romantic hospital dramas feature surgeons and patients forming connections under high-stakes medical circumstances. These movies often explore love, personal growth, and the emotional challenges of healthcare professionals cinepicker.comcinepicker.com.
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