Of fire and ice
People and countries will always have differences, inevitably. But, regardless of these differences, harmony can still be achieved, as best-selling author Stephenie Meyer said: “Fire and ice, somehow existing together without destroying each other.”
Agood friend of mine describes her provincial address as a number with “a volcano in the backyard” as she practically lives right beneath the eyes of Mayon Volcano. Imagine hot lava flowing either in summer time or during the Christmas season like a photo-perfect centerpiece in a plethora of occasions. Owing to its location, ice or glaciers never visit Mayon Volcano.
In contrast, my brother Michael has spent a great deal of his adventurous life in Mount Rainier near Seattle, Washington, USA. My brother took me skiing there a few winters ago as he hikes that same mountain with his dog Pike almost every summer. For decades, Mount Rainier would spew fire while ice rests on its slopes. It has been known that this volcano and its large mass of ice coexist as a dynamic system, despite their contrasting fire and ice composition. When people say fire and ice don’t mix together, they don’t know that they do in Mount Rainier.
Similarly, the polarity between fire and ice resonates even in our inter- personal relations. The early Chinese settlers in the Spanish colonial Manila were wary about the Spaniards, describing their skin color as “white calcium,” and beards like “black gauze,” following the account of a columnist from a reputable national newspaper. Inter- group antagonisms have been ever present and taken different forms— racism being the most common. Because of race and ethnicity, a great divide has been shown to exist between “whites” and “blacks.” In the United States alone, large differences among racial and ethnic groups continue to suffuse the fields of education, employment, income, housing, criminal justice, and poll or election. Because of the differences, physical or otherwise, like that of fire and ice, various forms of dis
criminatory treatment persist and serve to emasculate the realization of equal opportunity.
Perhaps it all boils down (or freezes up) to the manner of treatment, say, the behavior of one towards the other. Filipinos are culturally hospitable and generous to a fault. Chinese are loyal, hardworking, and place much premium on family and dignity. Americans are known for their assertiveness, practicality, individualism, and innovation. These cultural differences can be managed by empathy and, more importantly, compassion. If you are invited to a party and you learn that all your friends, except for one, are invited, how do you think will the uninvited person feel? In reference to a relevant literature on “Understanding Other People,” as reviewed by Mary L. Gavin, MD, being able to predict or understand how other people might feel or react can “guide our interactions with them.” Hence, in our relations with our foreign neighbors, they being different in culture and political standpoint, we might as well start understanding how one would feel given the scenario of disparity we are all locked into. In the Bible, Zechariah 7:9-10 tells us to show mercy and compassion to one another and not oppress the foreigner, among others.
Like the lava and glacier of Mount Ranier co- existing in harmony, conceivably, nations can sit on a ground of accord where discernment, respect and sound judgment come into play. In intercountry relations, except for the seemingly irreconcilable differences between China and Taiwan, as well as the never- ending conflict in the Middle East between Israel and its Arab neighbors, harmony can be achieved through time. For instance, as Filipino American History month is celebrated in October in the United States, especially in Hawaii and California, relationship between the two countries started out with some deeds of distrust and betrayal. After all, then President Emilio Aguinaldo, who wanted to create a new republic soon after the end of the Philippine- Spanish War, ended up fighting his former ally in the Americans. Today, our country is the oldest ally of the US in Southeast Asia under a Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 and, more recently under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. In spite of these agreements, the relationship remains volatile, as President Duterte has been quite vocal in severing ties with the US.
In contrast, the relationship between China and Philippines seems to take the snakes and ladders route—referring to the illustrious board game, and not hinting at one nation turning traitor against the other like a snake. In recent history, a pleasant friendship bond has long been forged by China with ours, as with other foreign nations, which has led to Chinese tourists and investors coming over. After all, significant portions of our population have Chinese blood—my family included whose ancestors come from Xiamen. But it is likewise factual that certain vicissitudes have attempted to rip that relationship apart: cases in point are the issues on the West Philippine Sea (with China) and the proliferation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators in our territory but controlled by a foreign power. Following the route of the ladder in that board game, China and Philippine relations ascend to further the fruitful connection, notwithstanding our differences. But in like manner as the downward direction of the snake in the same plank of contest, our countries would suddenly develop sour relations and slip down to where we were once positioned: a place of distrust, difficulty and division owing to our distinct variation as different nations. As a result, there has been unnecessary friction between Filipinos and Chinese—fire and ice?
Thankfully, though, history is not bereft of any record accounting for a successful “blending” of disparate cultures ( like marriages), and of seemingly unequal and hostile nations (as in peace treaties). People of different ethnic backgrounds have found ways to live in harmony in the same way hostile nations do, every time they enter into peace treaties. In the Bible, Hebrews 12:14 tells all believers to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” People and countries will always have differences, inevitably. But, regardless of these differences, harmony can still be achieved, as best-selling author Stephenie Meyer said: “Fire and ice, somehow existing together without destroying each other.”
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
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