On Burma and China

Something interesting is stirring in Burma.

For the past several days, Buddhist monks are going out of their monasteries to protest, something that lay people are afraid to do. At first, only monks were on the streets, and the monkeys in uniform who heads the military junta paid no attention to them. Ordinary people then began going out, at first just watching, and with courage joined the monks in protest. The monkeys are troubled, and began belching threats. The protests continued, and the monkeys, sensing that their grip on the bananas might slip, began cracking the whip. The monkeys ordered all protests dispersed, several opposition members and monks arrested, and a curfew announced.

I hope the Burmese people will hold on, and I hope they will have their own People Power moment.

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Miriam Santiago said something on yesterday’s Senate hearing on NBN-ZTE deal that, in olden times, might have caused war. He said in effect that China started civilization and corruption. Filipinos of Chinese origin are either offended or too busy watching Ateneo v. La Salle basketball game.

As a Filipino of Chinese descent, I am surprised by my own reaction to Santiago’s comment: NONE. As in nothing. Maybe because despite being half-Chinese, I did not grow up in a home infused with Chinese culture. The only Chinese traditions that I am familiar with is the All Saints Day celebration. We do not celebrate other Chinese festivals. I can’t read, write, nor speak Chinese.

Anyway, her comment must have put a dent at China-Philippine relations. After all, she is the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Her committee would be busy if a new treaty between the two countries was negotiated. Under our Constitution, any treaty entered by the country must be approved by the Senate of the Republic. How would she handle such?

I think her comment is unfair and uncalled for. This kind of talk is best reserved on a private audience. But no. Her comments were broadcast. Her comments form part of the transcript of the hearings. The effects of her comment remains to be seen. China must be peeved.

I am so glad our time is not the olden times. Otherwise, we would be preparing for war now.