INTERNATIONALISM

Brunei Darussalam
Canada
Chile
People's Republic of China
Hong Kong, China
Indonesia
Japan
Republic of Korea
Malaysia
Mexico
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
Chinese Taipei
Thailand
United States
Vietnam

These are the countries to be represented by their heads of states and other officials in Manila at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation this November 2015. More than that aspect of establishing economic ties which should aim at equalizing the lives of everyone and not just a few towering over the many, the APEC should be an eye-opener for all of us, to know how the other people live in their own countries.

I would expect the media to be carrying out brief historical backgrounds of each country, defining their systems of government and giving us a view of their customs and traditions. At the same time, i would like to be able to know which economic system has given the best kind of life to a people -- whether communist or capitalist -- and why.

Now is the time for everyone to think "internationalist" no longer the narrow-minded view of "this is me, my, mine country." It is time for us to extend a handshake and ask the others, how do you find life now, at this time when terrorism is rearing its ugly head all over the worldsd, and most especially in Paris, France where more than a hundred people have been killed?

To be an internationalist is to forget our boundaries, no not necessarily forget but rather set it aside in order to see and learn from other peoples -- how they can stand the various critical situations that are facing all of us, from air- climate change -- to land -- the terrorists. It is not easy living during these times and we need to learn more and more from each other, from other peoples how we can maintain our sanity in the face of greed, authoritarianism, and dwindling sense of compassion.

Why has the world turned so -- yes -- we can ask our neighbors what they think of current times and how they are coping with the difficulties posed by tangible and intangible factors.

Internationalism has its downside though, when our kababayan have to go to other countries, experience better life, and be able to send back home enough funds to help their families tide over their basic necessities like food and education for their children. Internationalism has to recognize the inequalities and not let it rule our lives but instead make us see perspectives that would help alleviate the problems and make everyone equal on this side of the planet.

Lastly, I would ask the Singaporean representative, may I get the blood test of my son, who worked in your country for 8 years, then lost his job without any meaningful recognition by his company, and died mysteriously in his flat on July 28, 2014? Could you helop me, a mother, know the details of his demise, and if there was foul play, to help me get justice on behalf of my family?

My son had to get out of our country in order to find a good life for his children. He had to endure hardships, loneliness, and racist treatment in his company just so to be able to afford a good life -- with secure education especially-- for his children. Unfortunately, his company was not so kind to all the hard work he put in -- most of the time, even working while on vacation with them -- answering queries and the like for his superiors.

His name, Eugenio Zigmundo O. Demigillo III. May his soul find peace despite the shortcomings of this world in giving him a happy life.