Chinese-Filipinos on deck
GLIMPSES
Jose Ma Montelibano
A
very busy schedule trying to make up for an extended absence due to a
trip abroad made me miss a most interesting article written by F. Sionil
Jose . The truth is, I have not read it yet.
But some Facebook friends posted two rebuttals to the F. Sionil Jose article(click the link below)
one from a Clinton Palanca, and the other from columnist Boying
Pimentel. I read their reactions to the article in question and a common
feature was that both Palanca and Pimentel apparently regard F. Sionil
Jose highly. That made their own responses very amicable, very
courteous, but very clear as well. It is so refreshing to find contrary
views so civilly expressed when the issue could be very hotly debated.
F.
Sionil Jose's controversial opinions is like a can has been opened
publicly, a can that has been open since 2012 when China first grabbed
Scarborough Shoal. I can almost call this can a can of worms but that
would be inaccurate on my part as of yet. Yes, it can be a can of worms,
or it can be much worse. It is simply that delicate.
The bullying of China, not just claiming what we also claim as ours, but actually occupying the disputed reefs and islets, now even building structures on them, structures widely believed to be of military use as well, is triggering not just anger against a government but also against the Chinese people. Wrong or right, it remains a fact. And those who don't think so, especially Chinese-Filipinos, would fare better not to be so defensive but more reflective.
The bullying of China, not just claiming what we also claim as ours, but actually occupying the disputed reefs and islets, now even building structures on them, structures widely believed to be of military use as well, is triggering not just anger against a government but also against the Chinese people. Wrong or right, it remains a fact. And those who don't think so, especially Chinese-Filipinos, would fare better not to be so defensive but more reflective.
I
am not talking about who is right and who is wrong. What is so
historical and cultural can have so many nuances that no debate will
ever end to collective satisfaction. I am not saying there is good
reason for Filipinos to resent Chinese-Filipinos, or do not. I am saying
that there is a quiet resentment that is more general than selective.
At
the height of the China-Philippines controversy in 2012, I was
requested to meet with a small group of businessmen, all
Chinese-Filipinos. They were not from Metro Manila and I remember flying
to a provincial city and had a quiet and somber exchange of views over a
long and slow meal. The main menu was not the food, it was about China
and the emotional response of a growing number of Filipinos.
I
am no expert in Filipino-Chinese relations, historically and
culturally. I guess I know enough as most other people, but that would
be enough. Because the slow boil on the ground is not fuelled by expert
knowledge, although there is history and culture involved there. What I
brought to the table was what I have been experiencing as a social and
political advocate for 30 years, of being a ground worker for causes
that directly engage people and communities, especially the poor.
It may be that the relationship between the Spanish authorities and the Chinese during the colonial period had not been mostly friendly. We are all aware of the stories about how the Spanish government here at that time had, from time to time, been very harsh with the Chinese in the Philippines, whether in Manila or Batangas. At particular times, the treatment had been very violent, described in some historical accounts as "massacres."
It
is not strange, as well, that locals who had long been subjects of
Spanish rule would often be very influenced by what the foreign masters
do. Even Christianity expanded quickly without theological acceptance by
their native converts, but by the desire or mandate of a State that was
married to the Church. It stands to logic that when the State and the
Church would move one way, most natives would follow. I do not refer to
the very small minority of rebels who were not able to mount a
nationwide rebellion until after 300 years.
If
the State, and I believe the Church, too, during that period, had been
prejudiced and suspicious of the Chinese for whatever reason, native
Filipinos were influenced enough to grow their own prejudice against the
Chinese. And in the last century without Spain, I do not see any reason
why such a prejudice would go away. I do not remember any overt
campaign by Chinese-Filipinos to reach out and try to dismantle the view
of native Filipinos about them. Maybe, it hardly mattered then. Maybe,
it matters much more now.
I
remember the 1998 riots in many cities and provinces of Indonesia. What
started out as student protests unfortunately happened during an
economic slump. In short, rioting broke out and many commercial
establishments were looted, mostly owned by Chinese-Indonesians. The
security forces of the state tried to quell the riots and looting, and
thousands died in the process, mostly protestors and looters. But many
Chinese-Indonesians were killed and raped in the process, sending a
chilling aftertaste that was more than just political or economic among
Chinese-Indonesian families.
Like
Indonesia, collective anti-Chinese sentiments have roots in politics
and economics. Like Indonesia, the majority of Filipinos are poor, and
the majority of Filipino-Chinese are seen as rich. Poverty seeks to find
blame elsewhere because poverty cannot be blamed on natives who were
simply born poor. Authority will be blamed, The rich will be blamed. And
rich Chinese-Filipinos will be easier to blame.
Having
Chinese blood in our family (for more than 250 years) and a history of
rebellion against Spain and Japan, I can testify that Filipino
nationalism can be a fact for some. Unfortunately, Filipino-Chinese are
on deck because China is generating so much ill will against all
Chinese. It might be a good move if Filipino-Chinese communities and
organizations make overt public expressions of their loyalty. That way,
if and when we have to deal with Filipino traitors, we will not be
distracted.
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