Great Asians, Cont. (August 4, 1995)
http://robots.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/95/0804/letters.html
Such a colossal
feat, I earnestly believe, deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Rodolfo Aquino's
accomplishment goes beyond national boundaries, touching the lives, health,
mouths and stomachs of approximately half the world population.
Interestingly, the
Chinese write the word "peace" with three characters: Even, Rice and
Mouth. The meaning: "There is peace if rice is shared equally by
people." The fruit of Aquino's work - rice - is at the center of the word
peace, and at the same time constitutes its very core. Hence rice is the
closest thing to the Nobel Prize.
Raymond T.
Sabio
Catholic Chaplain
Inchon, Korea
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Asiaweek.com March 14, 1997
http://www-cgi.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/97/0314/letters.html
LOOKING BACK ON YOUR year-end issue, it was a good
headline on the interview with the Philippine president: "Ramos wants his
agenda to outlast his term" [THE NATIONS, Dec. 27-Jan. 3]. There are two
striking statements in the interview. The first: "I am firm in the belief
that if I can perform my mission as president in a six-year term and turn over
the responsibility and the position to the next person, whoever he or she may
be, then I'll be happy. I would have fulfilled my mission." The second:
"Well, there are many who can make a good president."
If President Ramos could live by
these words and hand over the presidency on June 30, 1998, then history will
remember him as a great leader. When the Philippines makes a Mount Rushmore
counterpart, he will be assured of a spot next to President Ramon Magsaysay and
Jose Rizal and Ninoy Aquino -- an honor he could easily lose if he gives in to
those who want to amend the Constitution in order to implement a term extension
or a re-election.
Raymond T. Sabio
Inchon City, South Korea
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Showing the Way (Asiaweek.com)
http://www.asiaweek.com/asiaweek/magazine/2000/0818/letters.html
AUGUST 18,
2000 VOL. 26 NO. 32
"Making Good in Silicon Valley" [BUSINESS, July 21, 2002] is an
inspiring story for the Philippines. Credit goes to Diosdado Banatao, who in
spite of his high standing in information technology, is willing to invest his
time, energy and resources at home. I pray that more Philippine experts abroad
will follow his example. Credit also to Ayala Corp. chief Jaime Augusto Zobel
de Ayala for realizing Banatao's expertise in developing his cyberpark. I hope
that more capitalists will invest in IT, moving beyond shopping malls, fastfood
and movie houses, which do not advance the economy. IT is the last hope of the
Philippines to rise above dehumanizing poverty. The government can help in
making the price of computers affordable to the majority.
Raymond T. Sabio
Inchon City, South Korea
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