A Reaction Paper
on the Symposium
on “Asia Pacific Security,
Maritime
Terrorism and Spratlys:
Issues
on Asian Politics”
The over-all
performance showed between Prof. Rommel Banlaoi and Dr. Aileen Baviera were so
commendable for being highly informative.
Though it was a struggle for me to be early in school for catching up
the opening program because I had encountered a problem on my laptop that needs
further time to get fixed at downtown area, I felt that all those in-a-hurries
were worth in relative to the vast of knowledge that I learned on that
Saturday.
There was no
electricity to begin with. So I pondered upon the ceiling in my room on what it
might create to the awaited symposium at the 3rd Floor Library
inside UPVTC. I began scanning my cellphone with messages of my classmates
asking who went ahead in the venue. So much for the electricity problem,
grumbling stomach craving for food, I also carry the problem of my laptop not
operating well on that day. With all these bits of burden, I went to the campus
and joined all the students in semi-formal wears. Well, that was good enough to
set an atmosphere of a formal discussion between intellectuals.
Though the
program started late, I think it was forgivable given the failure of LEYECO for
not giving prior notice of the said brown-out. I saw how busy the organizers
were from the registration booth to the sound system adjustments and up to the
serious mitigation of braving the road given the formal attire in buying
gasoline for sustaining the generator. Anyway, I see myself in them. I know a
lot of fora, symposia, and things alike that awaits our efforts when we turn to
be seniors next year.
In
few minutes around 10 in the morning, I knew it was relieving to witness the
coming back of electricity. Immediately the program started. I had a thought
before that the venue cannot give as much as satisfaction when it would
otherwise be at the AS Conference Hall. Well, I proved myself that my
assumptions were all wrong. It was relaxing to be seated on the chair at the 3rd
Floor Library given the fresh air that comes from the nearby trees and the good
feeling that the venue was wide enough to comfortably fit a number of students,
and so much for that…
Moreover,
with all the contentment, I knew that the issue on Maritime Terrorism is rarely
met. I was just fortunate to be seated on the second row where the speaker
Professor Banlaoi was standing closely. It is already a privilege to diligently
pay attention to his lecture and witness him for he had already this experience
of talking to the world’s feared people- the terrorists. His expertise on
maritime terrorism which comprises the economically motivated piracy and
politically motivated terrorism gave the dichotomy of terms well understood and
cleared.
In
his discussion, we had gladly clarified our confused idea on the matters
regarding Spratlys. This particularly deals on what are the names of its few
islands and islets, who owned those, what are being built among those islands,
and how are some of the Islands in Spratlys that of which owned by China be
compared to those owned by Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Philippines.
I
think his photography efforts in capturing the beauty of Spratlys creates more
words that are self-pondering. The images of the islands owned by the
Philippines are too far in comparison to what those of China’s, Taiwan’s, etc.
These countries built concrete runways and concrete buildings on the islands
that they claimed. But the sad reality is the face of the Philippine Government
looking weak in claiming the islands. The arid runway, igloo-like structure,
and some bamboo fenced establishment built on some Philippine owned islands
reflects the level of competitiveness of the Philippines over other Asian
countries that continue to contest some of the believed rich islands.
To
add up the wisdom, Professor Baviera’s macro-political view in the name of the
international community, the superpowers, and the rising China was very
enlightening. It firstly gave me an answer to whether or not I should regret
the rise of China. Moreover, her facts and analysis were all striking. I find
it remembering to see USA as democratic internally and undemocratic
internationally with relative to China being undemocratic but acting
democratically in the global arena. Though the number one factor that lessens
the discussion on the burden proof was the time, I think all the details that
she bombarded were all enough to formulate an individual analysis on the rise of
China in Asia as a superpower globally.
 |
| Seated on the left wearing a polo shirt with a blue pen on my left hand, we were gathered together with my Political Science majors. :) |
Given
all the beauty offered by the symposium, I think what makes me to regret too
much is the wasted chance in asking both speakers. I had questions in me to
both speakers which were left hanging on my mind. Perhaps I just lack the
reinforcement and courage to bravely stand on the microphone and speak with the
guests.
Anyway,
it was fun. It was fun equivalently filled with knowledge supplied by experts. I
had a good time with my batch mates during the wave of presentations that began
after the all the presentations of the guest speakers.
Over-all,
the symposium was pretty good. I just hope to actively participate on some
other gatherings that happen to be also like that. I am hoping to learn more
from expert individuals on their specific field in politics. Furthermore, it
was just self-fulfilling and worthy to experience in attending such gathering.
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