Confusing color of nationalism

I have really lost tract of several of their names probably because they have adopted other labels. I am referring to the many organizations in our midst that are capable of expressing their sentiments, collectively, on matters affecting the state and public welfare.Just like the one I was with in my youth, MalayangPagkakaisangKabataang Pilipino, these groups are usually named with Tagalog-sounding words like Bayan Muna, AnakBayan, AnakPawis,andmgaMaralitang etc.Aside from the kind of Filipinism that started with the late Pres. Manuel L. Quezon, there must be some historic importance for their insistence in using non-Visayan words in calling their respective associations.

They assemble to express their thoughts no matter what adverse weather there may be. Whether a day is with a burning sun or biting cold, we see them on the streets, at times in huge numbers and noticeably fewer at other times, discussing nationalistic issues and themes with such depth and profundity that embarrass even the erudite among our acknowledged educators and high-strung politicians.Their leaders, indeed, seem to be knowledgeable although the language is strikingly identical from one person to another as if to suggest that they must have come from a common teach-in camp.

The incident involving the death of transgender Jennifer Laude was, perhaps, the latest issue that highlighted the nationalistic character of these groups. Because of our suspicion that American Pemberton,killed the Filipino in Philippine soil, they have all rallied us to unite behind the family of the murder victim.And a majority of us, non-aligned, did. The mass action involved such a sensitive issue that the confrontation between the demonstrators, on one hand, and police contingents on the other hand led into the man handling of some marchers.

As we took hold of the situation, eventually, we realized that it was not Pemberton that was the focus of our indignation. Rather, it was US of America! I assumed that the shift of the object of our attention from one person (Pemberton), to a country (USA) arose because, national dignity, this time equated with the fundamental context of sovereignty, was, still is, at stake. We thus, had to rise as one humble nation wronged by a world military power.

But, to me, there is a far more imperialistic assault on our sovereignty. This is the continued occupancy of some Philippine islands by People's Republic of China. Quite recently, pictures of the on-going constructions of what could become an airport and a wharf by Chinese within the Freedomland were printed on national papers and shown on television. This invasion, by any means, on Philippine territory by super power China is much bigger than the death of one Filipino citizen in countryman Laude.

I really thought that Bayan Muna, and other similarly nationalistic organizations would be angered by this late territorial violation. If they acted true to their patriotic form, they should have organized countrywide demonstrations, in bigger volume and heavier intensity, to denounce China's unilateral annexation of parts of Philippine territory.

Truth to tell, I was expecting vehement protests by Bayan Muna and kindred groups to be staged not only in front of the Chinese embassy. And, I would have proudly locked arms with them. Bringing the issues in centers of urban population would have been a good way of arousing the sentiments of Filipinos. The persuasive leaders of these forces of nationalism could have explained, in details, how our country has been violated by a militarily mighty country.

Alas, they (Bayan Muna, et al) fell silent. I have not heard a single word of their anticipated protest. If the boom of Bayan Muna's supposed massed action is likened to Alistair Maclain's Guns of Navarone, its evident inaction is more deafening than Simon and Garfunkel's Sound of Silence. Their preferring to be absent from their usual display of activism only indicates a pretense at nationalism and what they have failed to do what I expected of them only succeeded to confuse their patriotic color. End.