A number of families in several communities are not talking with their neighbors because of petty disputes, some caused by simple chismis. It’s not only common in poor neighborhoods.
Even residents of middle-class or upscale subdivisions have disputes over edges of fences, drainage outlets, noisy and annoying pets, the use of road as parking areas and other non-observance of agreed subdivision policies.
Disputes are normal. When I was young my father was teniente del barangay and before the birth of Katarungang Pambarangay he used to settle disputes among neighbors about land boundaries, kin fighting over inheritance, couples who had jealousy and infidelity issues, and drunken brawls, among others.
In the government service, I saw the birth of the National Conciliation and Mediation Board for conflicts between workers and employers.
A major part of my work as director and labor attaché was on conciliation and we were taught about alternative dispute resolution to prevent strikes and lockouts, which affect the productivity of industries, and to unclog the labor courts (National Labor Relations Commission).
Still along conflicts, the war between Ukraine and Russia may not be unusual but it is also not common nor petty. After seven days of fighting, more than 800,000 have fled from Ukraine and became refugees in neighboring countries, mostly in Poland. Millions have been internally displaced. This war has destroyed infrastructures and historic buildings built over the years.
Hundreds, whether civilians or combatants, have been killed by bombings and missile attacks. Homes, not just houses, were torn apart. The women, elderly and children fled but the men were left behind to fight.
In a superb metaphor, my friend posted on his Facebook wall that the conflict with Ukraine and Russia is simply a Lover’s Quarrel. “Russia is a jilted lover who cannot move on when Ukraine decided to break up with him and chose to be with Uncle Sam. He wants to get her back even if she doesn’t want to. Uncle Sam is ready to be involved with Ukraine but is worried of the complicated relationship they may have because of Ukraine’s violent ex-bf.”
The President of Ukraine asked assistance from the west: USA, the NATO and the EU. The latter committed only to provide funding support and military hardware and impose economic sanctions against Russia, but not a single combatant will be sent to the frontlines to engage directly with the Russians.
A World War III would be very dangerous and destructive: It could decimate many nations from the face of the earth.
Sarcastically, a Siquijodnon cousin who was a former chief of staff of the AFP posted in his fb wall that, due to Covid-19, NATO and USA decided to “fight from home”.
With regard to the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China over islands in West Philippine Sea, the Chinese continue to sail in disputed waters, and are preventing our fisherfolks to make a living from our seas and even blocked and “water cannoned” the Philippine supply boats at Ayungin Shoal.
Our presence in that area may have been bolstered by our victory at the Arbitral Tribunal but China refuses to recognize it.
Still, our two countries continue to “talk” on trade and business, including the donation and purchase of Sinovac and Sinofarm vaccines for COVID-19. Some enterprising Filipino fisherfolks, barred by Chinese navy to fish in our waters, are earning good money by selling or bartering liquor/wine and cigarettes to the Chinese.
Many of us are not comfortable with China and we accuse it of allegedly sending us fake rice, noodles and other adulterated products. China still sells us simple products like bamboo toothpicks and dried flowers. If Japan has Sony and Mitsubishi products, the Chinese have their Sunny and Mitsubushi.
I was told before that China was very poor and when Mao Tse Tung gained power in China, Chiang Kai Shek and other nationalists fled to Taiwan. This was also the reason why many Chinese from mainland China migrated or evacuated to the Philippines. They ran away from the communists for peace and freedom including greener pasture.
Now, we cannot deny the fact that our economy is largely controlled by Filipino-Chinese. Filipinos admire the “rags to riches” stories of Lucio Tan, John Gokongwei, Lucio Tan and Henry Sy but these are stories of the 99 percent of the Philippine billionaires who are Chinese. We had our own Julio Sy in Negros Oriental.
How I wish that the Philippine conflict with China is just a lovers’ quarrel, even as a crime of passion may be more dangerous than ordinary crimes. In the olden times, kingdoms waged war because of love. Helen of Troy was the cause of the Trojan War. Helen was a Greek princess betrothed to the king of Sparta, Meneleaus, but secretly had an ongoing affair with Paris, prince of Troy.
President Duterte said that he “loves” China’s President Xi Jinping. DFA Minister Locsin Jr. said that China is like “an ugly oaf”.
Pilipinas, sino ba talaga, Ate? Filipinos, sino ba talaga, Kuya?
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