Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth… (Revelations12:3)
2012 is the year of the Water Dragon. What exactly does this mean? In the first place, do dragons exist? Or are these mythic creatures represented by either actual persons, groups, countries and events in the world? Are dragons in various forms alive and kicking in the world of global politics, high finance, culture, and religion? Dragons don’t really appear as they are described in novels and as they are depicted in movies. The dragons in the world need to be seen and followed with the trained, cautious and discerning eyes of a proactive citizen of the world. A conversation with a perceptive Hong Kong Chinese opened my eyes to the exciting and challenging world of “dragons” in the year of the Water Dragon. Edith Woo shared the following insights with me.
The world is shifting. Leaders in big nations are about to be replaced this year. China, Russia and America will change their leaders this year. A new kind of global leadership is emerging. We should watch and be wary. Leaders affect the world for better or worse. The attitude of citizens is equally vital in shaping and steering world affairs.
The world is changing. Suddenly we are poorer in Hong Kong. Everything is expensive and we don’t have enough money the way we did before. Everything has gone up from fuel to electricity, from food to education, etc. Life is harder. We need to work harder. Look at that lady constantly running back and forth. She is doing the work of three. The moment she stops and gives up, someone just waiting out there will step into her shoes.
There are a lot of Mainland Chinese in this restaurant. They are high spenders. They have a lot of money. China is truly rich and powerful.
In the face of all these, education is paramount. This is why we in La Salle are working very hard. We are not only producing educated and successful professionals. They have to be men who know how to work, lead, find meaning and fulfillment in a world that has and continues to change.
My thoughts drift back to our country. I think of our leaders. I think of the Impeachment at the Senate. I think of the ordinary citizens, many of whom are poor and have lost interest in the incessant debate between the defense and prosecution. Shifting the discussion to Filipino does help in making more understand the technical and legal conversation taking place. But does this truly inspire deep interest and engagement in the majority? What and where are the dragons in Philippine Society? Do we have eyes that see them; minds to critically understand what they are saying and not saying; hearts that perceive their intentions; hands and feet ready to act peacefully in defense of the rights and dignity of all?
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