ON THE surface, it seems odd that the Philippines celebrated the Lunar New Year Tuesday, drawing much from its affinity with China with the usual fanfare, while also navigating a problematic relationship with our giant neighbor to the West.
The relationship is far from neighborly these days, given the latter’s forays into the West Philippine Sea, its harassment of our fisherfolk and military personnel on duty, its insults to our officials merely defending our rights, and the slew of disinformation aimed at distorting the narrative that very clearly points to our established sovereignty.
Nonetheless, the day was declared a holiday, and many of our officials issued New Year statements to mark the entry of the Year of the Fire Horse.
Centuries of dealings between the two peoples warrant the widespread celebration of the New Year. The cultures have blended instead of clashed over time. Much is shared in terms of trade, traditions, and beliefs.
In a message to the public, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invoked movement and courage symbolized by the horse, and the element of fire that challenges complacency.
Then again, whether it’s a horse or any other animal, or fire or any other element, Chinese or any culture, a new year is always auspicious because it brings a fresh perspective, a clean slate, and an opportunity to look back on the past with the benefit of hindsight.
Certainly, what is happening in our country calls for introspection. Why have we not triumphed over ills that have been plaguing us for decades anyway – corruption, systemic problems in health and education, and so on?
It would be good to mark the beginning of the new lunar year with renewed purpose, especially since our country faces multiple challenges on numerous fronts. And even if vested interests, bad blood, and recrimination always seem to be par for the course in Philippine politics, it may not be too ambitious to imagine a future that is driven by good intentions and genuine public service.
Usher in the new year, all right, and do away with the negative attachments that have kept us from achieving our true potential as a people and as a nation.
