This is in response to Patricio Mangubat‘s article “On The Bangsamoro Question” over at Filipino Voices.com. This was intended to be a comment on that article as well as a response to the other commenters. While I was writing the comment though, it turned out longer than I expected it. And because I didn’t want to appear as if I am writing a post there, I decided to write an entire post about it here on my blog. This is a preserved/unedited version of it. Here it is:
Hello everyone. Please excuse me for butting in. I saw this in my feed reader and thought it was an interesting read. And indeed it was. And while my thoughts maybe rather insignificant and naive as well compared to all of you guys, I managed to summon enough courage at this time to speak my mind.
While I agree with DJB Rizalist on the clamor for “disarmament” which may look like a very good slogan at this time, I also agree with Patricio that it is “idealistic” as proven by the MILF‘s refusal to lay down their weapons. And by all indications, not even a BJE MOA on AD will make them do it. So, while it is a good suggestion, I think it is currently not an option that is conveniently available to us.
Ding‘s thoughts “on our own leaders'(need to) rise beyond their petty and self-serving agendas” as necessary for resolving conflict and bringing about progress is a thought I share with him.
I agree with all of Cocoy‘s statements except for the “scenario planning” which may ultimately lead to the declaration of a national emergency which I consider as “thinking too far ahead into the future“. It could be that I dismiss this simply because I dread that scenario (thus making my mind reject the idea — as a form of defense mechanism) as many of us probably do. I support Cocoy‘s call for the presidentiables to step-up and show us their game plan in relation to this, should they win the elections. After all, if this progresses, the next President will be inheriting all the problems or benefits (whichever applies) brought about by this BJE anyway. Instead of them making early campaigns in the guise of product endorsements, why not channel their strength to something more realistic, relevant and beneficial to the country.
I see Maryse‘s point on her preference for coexistence. But in reality, this coexistence is limited to a few of them in other parts of the country. And just because they trade with us (as in Greenhills) doesn’t mean they are truly “integrating” themselves in a nationalistic or whatever level. It is mere survival, and let us not dismiss that glaring truth. Besides, these people the government is trying to create peace with are “extremists” in all sense of the word. It’s unlikely that they will be ready to integrate themselves into our government/society/norm in the foreseeable future.
I disagree however with Patricio‘s generalization that they don’t consider themselves Filipinos. Although there may be a few who think so, I believe that it is outnumbered by those who believe themselves to be Filipinos, otherwise, plebiscites would have shown a sweeping victory in favor of ARMM before.
In closing, I would like to answer Patricio‘s question. I have never experienced war. Never heard of the sound of gunfire. Never seen bodies blasted by grenades. And I never want to experience that in the future. Whatever the government’s true intention for sitting down with the MILF, I hope it serves us all well. Because in the grand scheme of things, Moro’s or Tagalogs or Americans — we all have but one basic instinct — survival. We all just want to live normal lives. And peace plays a vital role in our need to survive. And ironic as it may seem, history is replete with stories of peace gained through wars. God forbid that it happens to us, though. The price of peace is too steep. Yet if we truly want peace, why criticize efforts to gain it? Why hold back in “paying” for it. Why won’t we allow this peace process to progress and see how it plays out? If it doesn’t work out, we try again. Other means, other terms. We try and try. Because if there is something — one thing — that you truly desire, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get it. You just try over and over again until you get it right.
Let me ask you? Do you want peace? Do you want it so bad? If so, don’t hold back. This is our shot at it.
As the BPI Bank TV ad aptly puts it — which, by the way is the best commercial for one who suffers the “paraly<p>This is in response to <b>Patricio Mangubat</b>’s article “<a href=”http://www.filipinovoices.com/on-the-bangsamoro-question” mce_href=”http://www.filipinovoices.com/on-the-bangsamoro-question” target=”_blank”><b>On The Bangsamoro Question</b></a>” over at <a href=”http://filipinovoices.com” mce_href=”http://filipinovoices.com” target=”_blank”><b>Filipino Voices.com</b></a>. This was intended to be a comment on that article as well as a response to the other commenters. While I was writing the comment though, it turned out longer than I expected it. And because I didn’t want to appear as if I am writing a post there, I decided to write an entire post about it here on my blog. This is a preserved/unedited version of it. Here it is: <img src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif” mce_src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif” alt=”” class=”mceWPmore mceItemNoResize” title=”More…” /><img src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif” mce_src=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif” alt=”” class=”mceWPmore mceItemNoResize” title=”More…” /></p> <p>Hello everyone. Please excuse me for butting in. I saw this in my feed reader and thought it was an interesting read. And indeed it was. And while my thoughts maybe rather insignificant and naive as well compared to all of you guys, I managed to summon enough courage at this time to speak my mind.</p> <p>While I agree with <b>DJB Rizalist</b> on the clamor for “<b>disarmament</b>” which may look like a very good slogan at this time, I also agree with Patricio that it is “<b>idealistic</b>” as proven by the <b>MILF</b>’s refusal to lay down their weapons. And by all indications, not even a<b> <a href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/beginners-guide-to-understanding-bangsa-moro-judirical-entity-bje-moa-ad/” mce_href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/beginners-guide-to-understanding-bangsa-moro-judirical-entity-bje-moa-ad/” target=”_self”>BJE MOA on AD</a></b> will make them do it. So, while it is a good suggestion, I think it is currently not an option that is conveniently available to us.</p> <p><b>Ding</b>’s thoughts “on our own leaders'(need to) rise beyond their petty and self-serving agendas” as necessary for resolving conflict and bringing about progress is a thought I share with him.</p> <p>I agree with all of <b>Cocoy</b>’s statements except for the “<b>scenario planning</b>” which may ultimately lead to the declaration of a national emergency which I consider as “<b>thinking too far ahead into the future</b>”. It could be that I dismiss this simply because I dread that scenario (thus making my mind reject the idea — as a form of defense mechanism) as many of us probably do. I support <b>Cocoy</b>’s call for the <a href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/2010-presidentiables-and-surveys/” mce_href=”http://adayinthelifeofrj.com/2008/08/2010-presidentiables-and-surveys/” target=”_self”><b>presidentiables</b></a> to step-up and show us their game plan in relation to this, should they win the elections. After all, if this progresses, the next President will be inheriting all the problems or benefits (whichever applies) brought about by this <b>BJE</b> anyway. Instead of them making <a href=”http://www.onepoliticalfilipino.com/2008/05/campaigning-tad-too-early-only-in.html” mce_href=”http://www.onepoliticalfilipino.com/2008/05/campaigning-tad-too-early-only-in.html” target=”_blank”><b>early campaigns in the guise of product endorsements</b></a>, why not channel their strength to something more realistic, relevant and beneficial to the country.</p> <p>I see <b>Maryse</b>’s point on her preference for coexistence. But in reality, this coexistence is limited to a few of them in other parts of the country. And just because they trade with us (as in Greenhills) doesn’t mean they are truly “<b>integrating</b>” themselves in a nationalistic or whatever level. It is mere survival, and let us not dismiss that glaring truth. Besides, these people the government is trying to create peace with are “<b>extremists</b>” in all sense of the word. It’s unlikely that they will be ready to integrate themselves into our government/society/norm in the foreseeable future.</p> <p>I disagree however with <b>Patricio</b>’s generalization that they don’t consider themselves Filipinos. Although there may be a few who think so, I believe that it is outnumbered by those who believe themselves to be Filipinos, otherwise, plebiscites would have shown a sweeping victory in favor of <b>ARMM </b>before.</p> <p>In closing, I would like to answer <b>Patricio</b>’s question. I have never experienced war. Never heard of the sound of gunfire. Never seen bodies blasted by grenades. And I never want to experience that in the future. Whatever the government’s true intention for sitting down with the <b>MILF</b>, I hope it serves us all well. Because in the grand scheme of things, Moro’s or Tagalogs or Americans — we all have but one basic instinct — survival. We all just want to live normal lives. And peace plays a vital role in our need to survive. And ironic as it may seem, history is replete with stories of peace gained through wars. God forbid that it happens to us, though. The price of peace is too steep. Yet if we truly want peace, why criticize efforts to gain it? Why hold back in “<b>paying</b>” for it. Why won’t we allow this peace process to progress and see how it plays out? If it doesn’t work out, we try again. Other means, other terms. We try and try. Because if there is something — one thing — that you truly desire, it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get it. You just try over and over again until you get it right.</p> <p>Let me ask you? Do you want peace? Do you want it so bad? If so, don’t hold back. This is our shot at it.<br /> As the <b>BPI Bank TV ad </b>aptly puts it — which, by the way is <b>the best commercial for one who suffers the “paralysis of analysis”</b> — it says:</p> <p><span class=”mceItemObject” classid=”clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000″ width=”425″ height=”349″ codebase=”http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0″><span name=”allowFullScreen” value=”true” class=”mceItemParam”></span><span name=”src” value=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ey9CxYEFiaA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1″ class=”mceItemParam”></span><span class=”mceItemEmbed” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”425″ height=”349″ src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ey9CxYEFiaA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1″ mce_src=”http://www.youtube.com/v/ey9CxYEFiaA&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1″ allowfullscreen=”true”></span></span></p> <p>”Stop talking about the future.</p> <p>Stop studying the possibilities.</p> <p>Stop exploring all options.</p> <p>Stop weighing the odds.</p> <p>Stop waiting for the perfect time.</p> <p>Stop wishing.</p> <p>Let’s begin.”</p> <p>So now, I enjoin you. “<b>Let’s begin</b>.”</p> <p><img class=”alignleft” src=”http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/rjmarmol/sig_1217605896.jpg” mce_src=”http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/rjmarmol/sig_1217605896.jpg” border=”0″ alt
=”” width=”181″ height=”38″ /></p>
RJMarmol.com 
7 responses to “Let’s Begin”
Here is a lil essay I wrote last month on Abe Lincoln and Mindanao you may find useful to your own ruminations on this subject.
http://philippinecommentary.blogspot.com/2008/07/lincolns-message-also-applies-to.html
There are also two recordings I included there of some historical material that may also be of interest to you. Good luck and more power to you. I’ve put RJ on my blogroll, but reciprocation is not necessary.
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Being a Zamboanguena who has always considered myself as being Filipino, and having Muslim friends who have never thought of themselves as being otherwise, I felt quite miffed with his generalization of people from our area in Mindanao. It’s also because of statements like Patricio’s that some Muslims, who do not consider themselves as being different from everyone else, become convinced that they need to separate themselves from the rest of the country because they’re not accepted for who they are. I remember being asked countless times by people I’ve met, when I tell them I’m from Mindanao or Zamboanga, if I was Muslim (with that cautious, unsure note in their voices). Would they have treated me differently if I was?
CandyQs last blog post..Simplifying.
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@Dean,
hello and thank you so much for the links. i am reading and listening to it now. i appreciate you suggesting and educating me on this topic. there is much to be learned about this and i’m sure there’s no such thing as too much information. i find these very informative and helpful in understanding the story behind all this.
i’m delighted that you have added me to your blogroll. i’ve also added you to my “daily reads” blogroll — it’s where i put links to sites i visit every morning as i drink coffee. from now on, i’d be a daily lurker on your blog. i am tempted to comment, although i find the the heading “x number of insightful comments” pretty difficult to live up to..so maybe i should content myself to reading entries for the meantime :)
your “reading poetry aloud” blog is good. you should keep on updating it. :) cheers!
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@CandyQ, hello! :)
thanks for the visit and comment!
oh, i know what you mean. although i also don’t want to judge people merely by measure of a few statements from them. i’m pretty sure he has a good explanation about that, and i think there actually is on the backlink at filipinovoices.
i guess we can all agree that Moro or not, as long as we were born here or born of Filipino parents,(jus loci and jus soli), we can call ourselves Filipino by all merits. and should be accorded equal rights and treatment.
i know it sounds cheesy, but we are but one country, one nation. if and when separation become necessary and inevitable, it will not change the fact that we are held together by blood, race, culture and even diversity. we are all Filipinos.
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Peace… we must find peace in ourselves and then will find peace all around us… but how to help others to find peace? By helping them to better understand and feel peace… And this can be better done through Social Media…
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