Passing of Senator Shahani

We deeply mourn the passing away of Sen. Leticia Ramos Shahani. We send our condolences to her family, friends and all Filipinos who share a profound sense of loss at her death.

More than being an accomplished diplomat, legislator and women’s rights advocate, Sen. Shahani was a nationalist who harbored a fierce sense of patriotism. In the later years of her life, her advocacy for an independent foreign policy led her to be a convenor of P1NAS.

Together, we fought against China’s incursions into the West Philippine Sea and the United States’ increasing military presence in the country. We shared her strong position that the Philippine interest should not be held hostage to the imperialist designs of either China or the US.

Even as she was suffering from her illness, she took every opportunity to speak out and act to defend Philippine sovereignty through what she called “People’s Diplomacy.” She actively participated in P1NAS’ events even joined a fact-finding and solidarity mission to Zambales to support Filipino fishermen in their struggle to assert the country’s rights in Panatag Shoal.

Sen. Shahani will surely be missed, especially at this time of confusion on the Duterte government’s foreign policy direction. On one hand, President Duterte appears to have softened its position on Panatag Shoal, Benham Rise and other areas over which the Philippines exercises either territo- rial or sovereign rights. On the other hand, he has reneged on his promise to reduce US influence and military presence all over the country.

Maraming salamat at mabuhay Sen. Letty! Ipagpapatuloy namin ang inyong adhikain para sa soberanya at makabayang interes ng bansa!-- Pilipinong Nagkakaisa Para sa Soberanya (P1NAS)

LGBTQ fight

The population of the LGBTQ community is growing, but the fight for equality continues, especially now that President Rodrigo Duterte is against same-sex marriage.

I say one’s sexual orientation comes with his/ her birth. What is behind the quirks in God’s supposed infallibility in creating life on earth poses a challenge that’s for everyone to ponder. Anyway, it is apparent that homosexuality cannot be altered and will remain throughout one’s life.

Some people can suppress their sexual orientation with some success, but their attraction to the same sex will manifest throughout their lives.

Apparently, advocates of same-sex marriage have realized that homosexuality can’t be altered and the better alternative is to lend some legality to their practices, like same-sex partnership.

Whenever the disagreement on the issue of homosexuality is, I always remember what my straight friend said: “Ang mga bakla (at tomboy) ay hindi dapat kamuhian kundi dapat kaawaan.”-- Gilbert G. Apura Jr., psychology student, USC