WE'RE having our late lunch here at the NAIA 3 as we found it prudent to ensure we have already checked in before we pander to our human weakness called starvation. Of course, I'm exaggerating, but the hunger pangs were there alright.
We're going to Beijing and Chongqing, which will give me another chance to confirm my first impression two years ago that everything is big in China.
Two years hence, I still can't forget the awe of learning how far they've gone into the 5G technology, and how their engineers and scientists always look a century beyond.
What's in their psyche that makes them have that vision way beyond their lifetime? How did this come to be the norm among them, men of science?
True, we see and hear a lot of negative things about this giant world power, but... I'm old enough to remember that I have seen how news and movies are seemingly manipulated to let us think the same way against a specific country, depending on what period of time it is.
When I was in my primary school, it was a toss-up between the Japanese and German -- a throwback to World War II. There was nothing good about these two nationalities, especially their soldiers. Into my high school years, it was Russia. It was the Cold War and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was the bad guy. James Bond had a lot of Russian enemies, and we cheered every James Bond movie.
Looking back, after spending most of my adult years in the media industry, and seeing the crap that Rappler continues to churn out, I chuckle and smirk.
In the battle for world domination, there will always be the puppeteers, the puppets, and the crap they want to feed the masses.
I'd rather look at the positive traits of the different nationalities and pick through what can make me a better person, citizen, or leader.
One thing I am sure of... while I look with admiration at the different leadership styles and stance of today's world leaders, I have not seen any redeeming quality on the present US government, and I'm just so happy about that. Why? Let's call it my version of comeuppance for the haughtiness of all those who have always regarded the Americans as a breed above everyone else.
But then, it must never be about who's better or not. Rather, it must always be what's the good that we can adapt or learn from every culture.
In that way, we tamp down the hatred and negativities spawned by the social function of the Internet that has divided us into irreconcileable polarities.
In the meantime, I am looking forward to be witness to everything that is good and awesome. Those who have only negative things to say will just have to find their own venue to spew venom. Not here. As my co-columnist on Sundays would always write: Have a Happy Sunday!