by Bernie V. Lopez
As seen on the September 2019 issue of The Philippine Sentinel
We Filipinos are in a dilemma how to deal with China. She can bully us around because we are small. We can fight back but it’s a losing battle. The option of international courts has failed. China simply ignores D’Hague and deals with Duterte.
There is one avenue of recourse that has not yet been thought of yet ━ making China benevolent instead of belligerent.
Tall order, you might say, but not really.
How do we make China have a change of heart and use gentleness, not force?
There is the story of a big grumpy giant. When he enters the room, everyone cowers in fear. But a child approaches with a smile with no semblance of fear.
CHILD: Hi, would you like some candy?
GIANT: No.
CHILD: How about a piece of cake?
GIANT: No. Get away.
CHILD: Okay then. Let me see. How about we become friends? She offers her hand and the giant, lonely for so long, feared by everyone, takes her hand, the beginning of a long-lasting friendship.
Eventually, the giant is no longer feared and gets more friends. Lesson of the story ━ benevolence is just as contagious as belligerence.
/BVL