“The fight for the West Philippine Sea is not simply about territory; it is about who we are as Filipinos“
I HAVE dedicated my life to service, working with organizations committed to upholding the dignity of the Filipino people. I have attended countless events and spoken to many audiences.
Still, nothing prepared me for what I witnessed during the screening of the documentary, “Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea.” It was more than a film; it was a mirror that reflected the raw emotions of a new generation, and what I saw gave me immense hope.
As the scenes of our fishermen’s struggles and the harassment they face at sea unfolded, the atmosphere in the hall shifted.
Students who had walked in with a casual air were now leaning forward, their faces etched with a mix of disbelief and anger. I saw them whispering to each other, shaking their heads in silent outrage.
When the credits rolled and the lights came up, the silence was shattered. Questions erupted from every corner of the room—urgent, pointed, and fearless.
“What are we doing about this?” one young man asked, his voice shaking with emotion. Another followed up, “Why are we letting them get away with this?”
These were not the questions of a generation indifferent to politics. This was the voice of a generation that refuses to be blind. It was a call to action.
I have heard many lament the “apathy of the youth,” but what I witnessed was the complete opposite. I saw a deeper resolve born from outrage. Many young people stood up, speaking with conviction about their duty to act—to spread awareness, to talk about the truth, and to stand against the lies.
“We can’t just rely on others to fight this battle,” one student leader declared. “This is our fight too.”
For me, these moments were a turning point. We are witnessing history in the making. The so-called apathy of the youth is gone. What we see now is a generation unafraid to challenge lies and defend our nation’s dignity.
The documentary became a spark, and in their eyes, I saw a new fire—a sense of purpose and a hunger for justice.
The fight for the West Philippine Sea is not simply about territory; it is about who we are as Filipinos. Now that the youth are awake and carrying this fire in their hearts, I call on every Filipino to rise with them.
Let their courage inspire us to act, to speak, and to defend what is rightfully ours. The fight for the West Philippine Sea is not a battle for tomorrow; it is our responsibility today.
And as long as our young people carry this fire, I will never lose hope that our nation’s dignity will prevail.
(The author, who holds a PHD, is Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya, People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms, Liga Independencia Pilipinas, and Filipinos Do Not Yield Movement, through which he continues to advance the causes of sovereignty, reform, and the dignity of the Filipino people.)
