Souls on the Shoals

VIEW FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
Herman Tiu Laurel
5/14-20/2012



Souls on the Shoals
 
The issues of vitality
Are still: the pricing of electricity
The issues of the China Sea
And parochially, fears of the Tsinoy community;
 
I have heard fears expressed
As one Tsinoy to me confessed
Of a list the military allegedly is making
Of Tsinoys who are opining
 
That Filipinos are overreacting
To the points China is explaining:
That China's claim to the China Sea
Has basis in long recorded history
 
There is no point in acrimony
In China and the Philippines' diplomacy
As peaceful dialogue and mutuality
Will win the day for each party
 
Indeed the Philippines must simply proceed
To discuss, negotiate on how to proceed
With joint projects of oil and gas explorations
Like Vietnam does with India, Russia, and other nations
 
Seeking new arms for "credible defense"
From the US departments of State and Defense
In the eyes of neighbor China is seen as an offense
A provocation by the US across the geopolitical fence
 
My own take of all the acrimony is this:
It's not the people-to-people relations that's amiss
It's the US exerting geopolitical pressure
That its monopoly over Philippine territory it may ensure
 
It is known among those in the know
Like those on Embassy Row
How some Philippine officials have been tepid
In receiving China's friendship bid
 
A standby loan offer of $1.6 billion
For instance, has been kept in oblivion
Gray steel hulls greet Hainan fishing expeditions
In age-old "commons" sea--now disputed dominions
 
Ironically, some Philippine government officers
Gladly expend from the national coffers
Funds for their inexplicable injudicious orders
For obsolete US Hamilton cutters
 
'Tis the US and its tandem Britain
Monopoly over RP they would retain
Like Malampaya gas hogged by Shell and Chevron
And mere ten percent share for the Philippine population
 
I told my Tsinoy friend that if there is
Being made such a Tsinoy blacklist
It would really be by the US imperialist
For the "Project for a New American Century" to persist
 
'Tis the US that conquered these islands
And buried a million Filipinos across its seas and lands
Carted off the Balangiga Bells now at a US Air Base,
And continue looting to the present days
 
China and Tsinoys must realize
That the US and Britain operate in perfect disguise
Behind "democracy" and "independence" of neo-colonies
And promote from behind the antipathies
 
Sovereignty for an ancient nation
Is sacred today as in Shi Huang Ti's coronation
UNCLOS exists less than a generation
But can cause so much consternation
 
The 1300s Ming dynasty "nine line" map shows
Embrace of Scarborough or the Huangyan shoals
The Philippines in '65 planted flag and a lighthouse did light
Yet uncaring Filipino leaders left flag and light fade out of sight
 
By either side from dusk to dawn
Maps and histories will be shown
Yet from these debates no benefits can ever be drawn:
Only by mutual exploitation shall the fruits be known
 
Genuine Filipino patriots must come to the fore
Unbridled by the "colonial mentality" lore
And speak the truth of imperialist stories from yore
And imperialism today again returning to fore
 
Filipinos, like Vietnamese, Malaysians, and more
Must move ahead--join and explore
With India, Russia, China, and Iran too
To tap the common Sea's boon to the people due
 
60/40 Filipinos must declare
The Filipino people should have the lion's share
Unlike US/Britain's ten percent spare
In Malampaya for the Filipino's fare
 
China if it is to be Big Brother
Must share more with Little Brother,
Rest assured China will reap more bother
If Little Brother conspires with the Other
 
Let Tsinoys and Pinoys take from history
Lessons that should always be in living memory
Colonial and imperial wars have come and gone
Always no good to people's lives they have done
 
Meanwhile the Filipino nation
Must deal with its continuous "electrocution"
No point in jawing or warring of territorial demarcations
While the "highest power cost in Asia" bring ruination.