Rise of Asia

If the rise of Asia in the world economy is a manifestation of the cycle of time and history repeating itself, can we then expect the Bangsamoro to return again to its historical glories of early times?

I recently attended the conference, “The Rise of Asia: History and Perspective,” organized by GRIC (Group of Research on Identities and Cultures) and the University of Le Havre, France in partnership with CHAC (Centre of History of Contemporary Asia) last March 22 to 25. The event sought to answer the question: “That Asia has ‘risen’ in the world economy since at least 1960, and especially since 2000, is a proposition that is widely accepted. But what does this mean? And what explains it?”

Looking back at the lectures and my learnings, I saw a semblance of historical pattern in Asia and the Bangsamoro in Mindanao.

In Asia, we had early civilizations with relatively good political and economic systems like in China, India, and Indonesia. However, their systems changed because of the influence and effect of Western colonization and invasion.

A shift in the political and economic landscape transformed the Western countries in Europe and the United States of America into world super powers. However, this world order may change in a few years or decades time.

Historically, the Bangsamoro takes pride in the different sultanates in Mindanao: Sulu, Maguindanao, Buayan, and the Pat a Pangampong sa Lanao. This political institutions showed a precolonial political system. Before Manila or Cebu became the economic and political seat, Jolo and Dulawan were the centers of trade in this part of Asia. But Spanish and American forces altered our own indigenous ways and systems.

What can the Bangsamoro learn from the rise of Asia? Asia and the Bangsamoro shared similar faith in dealing with the Western colonizers. Most countries in Asia became a colony of the West and they fought hard to gain their independence.

The rise of Asia can be attributed to the main output and contributions of the Bandung Conference and this is where the Bangsamoro can learn from. The discussion about the Bandung Spirit was one of the main highlights of the event.

The Bandung Spirit refers to the historical Asian-African Conference held in Bandung (West Java, Indonesia) in April 18 - 24, 1955 within the context of decolonization and Cold War and PostCold War. The Bandung Conference became a turning point in world history. Well-known leaders of newly independent countries of Asia and Africa at that time took part actively in the meeting.

The conference led to the signing and adoption of the “Final Communique” which included economic cooperation, cultural cooperation, human rights and self-determination, the issue of people in dependent countries, promotion of world peace and cooperation, as well as the adoption of the Declaration on Promotion of World Peace and Cooperation.

The Final Communique must be our inspiration in drafting and passing the Bangsamoro Basic Law. This law will free our people from the remnants of imperialism and colonialism, and recognize our right to self-determination. From then, we will start to see the “rise” of the Bangsamoro.--