Author: F. Sionil Jose
Year Published: 2000
Publisher: Solidaridad Publishing House (531 Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila, Philippines)
Ricaredo Demeretillo was right when he said that F. Sionil Jose "has spoken the awful truths and grappled with the fearful realities that centrally confront us" because while I was reading this book, I was amused with the fearless words written, about his views of Philippines and Japan, and the relationship of the two nations. This book has spoken of the good and bad Japan just as it developed in me admiration with the strength of the "Land of the Rising Sun" as well as developed critical consciousness of its movements in economy, politics and more specifically in 'foreign aid' (ODA).
For the development of Philippines
From this book, I learned that "modernization is not only defined by one country's industrialization but by the change in the social structure as well as the change in thinking of each individual living in that nation or society". An overhaul of the social systems would be a waste if the people who would be the building blocks of that system would continue to have the values of the past system such as individualism, colonial mentality, pessimism, social irresponsibility, and lack of consideration of the good of the majority.
First and foremost, modernization would start with agrarian reform, (just as what happened in Japan at the time when McArthur was there). Truly, "ang lupa, ang lupa, ang lupa ang dahilan!".
"Modernization in the Philippines and in many Asian Southeast Asian countries is obstructed by corrupt power structures, by educational systems that do not emphasize technology, by the absence of a national language that should be the language of science, of culture and the same time the language of the people."
About International Relations
In just half a century, Japan successfully became the nation with world's 2nd largets economy, which in turn one of the world's greatest power. However, this success wouldn't be achieved without its relation with her Asian neighbors. This books has told me the reality that Japan couldn't last a year if it does not put efforts in its aggressiveness in trade Really she is, as the proliferation of Toyota and Honda cars & Sony appliances abounds in Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian nations. "Japan, a nation whose land area is far smaller than that of California, she must trade or die." Probably, this is the reason behind foreign aids and continual relationship-building with other countries. As a people, we should be critical of the foreign aid - if it does really benefit us or would it bring back more benefit from the foreign country giving the aid?
However, I see the changing personalities of the Japanese exposed to realities of Philippines through the same-aged Japanese students I meet in ACCESS study tour. With their growing criticism of their own country, and our own criticism in the social structures of our country and the world, I believe this generation would be the prime movers of social change with regards to international relations. Surely, "global education" has a long way to go but as Kuya Tito often say "it is the already and not yet" - we can see the fruits and we'll be seeing more if we work harder.
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