The diplomatic problem that we are now experiencing in Scarborough Shoal is a good opportunity for our government leaders to show our children how to stand up to bullying by a bigger and more powerful person, which in this case is represented by China.
Our government should not allow China to get away with abusing our rich natural resources. It should stand up to China to show that country that we will not allow ourselves to be trampled upon. As we have learned in school, bullies will continue to push us around until we muster the needed courage to show them that we are ready to fight back.
Sadly, there have been many times in our history that we allowed other countries to push their weight around and abuse not only our national resources but also our people. It is no wonder why up to now, many Filipinos believe that we are inferior to other countries and cultures.
For lessons, we need not look farther than the experience of Vietnam during its war with the United States. The Vietnamese people gallantly fought and defeated the Americans who were trying to control their country. Now, that same sense of nationalism is propelling Vietnam to become one of the fastest-growing nations in Southeast Asia.
For us Filipinos, now is a good opportunity to teach our young people about the necessity of standing up to bullies and, at the same time, instill in them a sense of national pride.
—HARVEY S. KEH,
lead convenor,
Kaya Natin! Movement for
Good Governance
and Ethical Leadership,
harveykeh@gmail.com