The Irony No One’s Talking About
Look, I’m no political guru. I’m just an observer. I don’t analyze military tactics for breakfast or write think pieces on international relations. But I pay attention. I remember. And lately, I can’t help but notice something so glaringly ironic that it’s almost funny—except no one seems to be talking about it.
The Philippines’ self-proclaimed “righteous” crowd—the Yellows, the Pinks, the light Blues, whatever color they’re wearing this week—have made hating China their entire personality. And I don’t mean just disagreeing with their policies. I mean full-blown, veins-popping outrage. Every Chinese ship near the “West Philippine Sea” is treated like an act of war. Every Coast Guard encounter sparks a frenzy of hashtags, fiery tweets, and even calls for Uncle Sam to come save us.
But here’s the kicker. The woman they worship—their literal political saint, Cory Aquino—was of Chinese descent. Yeah, that Cory. The democracy icon. The EDSA Revolution matriarch. The face on their protest banners and social media tributes.
She traced her roots back to Fujian, China. She even visited her ancestral village as president, stood in her family’s temple, and proudly called herself a daughter of that place. No secrecy, no shame—just open acknowledgment of her heritage.
Fast-forward to today, and the same people who idolize her are the ones spewing venom at anything Chinese, barely pausing to consider that their beloved Cory was, by blood, part of what they now rage against.
Did We Just… Forget?
Now, don’t get me wrong. Cory’s heritage doesn’t mean China gets a free pass—criticism is fair when it’s due. But that’s not the issue here.
The issue is how a movement built on legacy, symbolism, and moral grandstanding can just… ignore something as basic as where their hero came from. If a politician today had Chinese roots, they’d be called a puppet, a traitor, or worse. But with Cory? It’s like collective amnesia. An inconvenient fact stuffed in the back of the closet behind all the “People Power” memorabilia.
America First, Bloodlines Second
And let’s be real—this isn’t just about forgetting. It’s about priorities. Somehow, blind devotion to America has become more important than ancestry. Cory’s Fujian roots? Irrelevant. What matters now is how hard you can scream about sovereignty while secretly (or not-so-secretly) hoping the U.S. cavalry rolls in. This isn’t nationalism. It’s patriotism with a PR team.
Can We Handle the Truth?
I’m not here to lecture. I mean, who am I? Just a poor citizen. A nobody. I’m just calling out what I see. And what I see is a glaring double standard.
If you’re going to build your identity on virtue and nostalgia, at least own all of it. Admit that your icon was part Chinese. Acknowledge that being Filipino has always been a mix—sometimes messy, sometimes beautiful, and yes, sometimes tied to China. The world isn’t black and white. History isn’t either. So why pretend otherwise?
Endnotes:
- “Tree Cory planted in Chinese village foretold PNoy presidency.” GMA News Online, September 4, 2011. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/231415/tree-cory-planted-in-chinese-village-foretold-pnoy-presidency/story
- Carlos, Ricky. “Cory’s Chinese roots.” The Philippine Star, September 11, 2011. https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2011/09/11/725496/corys-chinese-roots
- Kristof, Nicholas D. “Aquino Reaffirms Ties to China.” Los Angeles Times, April 17, 1988. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-17-mn-2134-story.html
- Kristof, Nicholas D. “Aquino Visit Opens Doors to China.” Los Angeles Times, April 14, 1988. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-04-14-mn-2090-story.html
- “Cory Aquino: The Daughter of Hongjian.” Guangming Daily (translated via en.gmw.cn), December 22, 2023. https://en.gmw.cn/2023-12/22/content_37035044.htm
