There is now a brouhaha of protest over the song “Isang Dagat” composed by the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Huang Xilian. The song was dedicated to the Filipino people to help ease the suffering they now experience, and to reemphasize that the sea that sets us apart is one, that we in Asia are living in one planet, sharing a common future. The song was simple and should not have been interpreted to create confusion. Rather, it should have been seen as extending the hand of friendship by a brother in this trying time when our people need it most.

Kapunan, R. (2020, May 2). Grossly misinterpreting ‘Isang Dagat’. Manila Standard, p. A5.