Peter C. L. Yu–cfbci’s venerable honorary president and a prominent figure in the hardware and construction industry–was a member of the powerful Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry for 27 years until he felt its ideals went adrift in a tide of self-interest. Four years ago, Yu towed along directors and officers of the Federation "who felt we could do a lot more on our own to serve the community" and founded the cfbci.
The club immediately attracted 150 members. Among his first endeavors was to get the Naturalization Law passed allowing Filipino-born aliens (majority of them Chinese) to acquire Filipino citizenship–the quest eventually took 1,010 days. "I started that in my term," he says. "To get a law through Congress is not that easy."
While Chinese-Filipinos have histori-cally experienced discrimination in this country, Yu feels racism is no longer the contentious issue it once was. "Before, there were great misconceptions about Filipino-Chinese businessmen. I’ve been through it myself, but in the last ten years or so, it is more or less gone. I think it has changed–we are all Filipinos who want to chip in to help our country and Filipino brothers," he says.
Dante Go, cfbci’s incumbent president, declares that part of the club’s agenda is to integrate the local Chinese-Filipino into the mainstream of Filipino society. He believes this progressive assimilation will dispel any lingering misunderstandings. "People think that the Chinese control the trade, banking, and restaurant industries," he says. "But this is only a perception. Why? Most of the local Chinese are in small-medium enterprises–these are the small groceries, small drug stores, small appliance stores, sari-sari stores. People don’t think about who are the manufacturers of the products sold by these small and medium enterprises. The goods sold are mostly owned by the Americans, big conglomerates, or by foreign entities."
2001 was a banner year for the CFBCI and Go is understandably proud of its achievements under his tenure, which ends this January 24. Steering the club as deftly as he did his own Sugarland Corporation (sold to San Miguel for nearly P3 billion), Go has scored numerous, attention-grabbing coups. On April 23, 2001, CFBCIorganized President Macapagal-Arroyo’s historic visit to the streets of Chinatown, the first ever such visit by an incumbent Philippine president. Typically, she did not mince any words in her speech–she clearly grasped the profound emotional import of the event as well.
"I believe such an assurance is important to you and the Filipino Chinese community because you are a community that, because of your historical vulnerability, has been the favorite victim of assorted criminal syndicates, of unscrupulous politicians, and of corrupt public officials…I intend to make sure that my administration will serve you rather than harass you," said the President to a visibly moved audience.
Trade missions to Guam, Singapore, Taiwan and China have also raised the group’s profile. "When Pres. Arroyo visited China last October, we sent a follow-up trade mission to China three weeks later," recounts Go. "What we learned is that the Chinese really want our agricultural products, our service industry, as well as tourism. One thing holding them back right now is the peace and order situation. I think Pres. Arroyo has already tackled this problem and I’m happy to say that, for the last two months, the kidnap-for-ransom cases is at very manageable levels–it’s practically non-existent. Also the situation in the South has been improving."
One CFBCIinitiative that has encouraged the Chinese families of kidnap-for-ransom victims to seek law enforcement help is the appointment of a representative lawyer to liaise with the police. Moreover, the group has fostered a close relationship with Justice Secretary Hernando Perez and National Anti-Crime Commission Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (naktaf) Chief Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., replacing an era of distrust with a resolve to apprehend the criminals.
"We are very happy now that under the leadership of Sec. Perez and naktaf Chief Ebdane, the victims are now courageous enough to come out and testify against their kidnappers. We are very optimistic because the naktaf is gathering information in neutralizing kidnapping syndicates before these groups can strike," says Go.
Incoming CFBCIpresident Aw Peng Lam vows to continue the good work begun by Yu and Go. Already, a hundred classrooms, a hundred personal computers all equipped with Pentium III processors and built-in software, a million pesos to our soldiers in Basilan, fire trucks and even blood have been donated. Aw will introduce a few unorthodox measures of his own: "I would also like to push for the accreditation of the Chinese herbal doctors and the use of cheaper Chinese herbal medicine, which could greatly help our poor people."
Aw has firm ideas about how the Philippines can attract more foreign investments. From a business point of view, he says, there are three main reasons why the country is languishing. "One, peace and order; two, labor problems; and three, infrastructure. You know, what businessmen fear most is instability and not red tape. Not even the risk of losing in the venture, but not being able to plan well and to pursue their plans due to forces beyond their control like kidnapping, the Abu Sayyaf and the constant coup rumors. It is a pity because of the (misguided) idealism of a few and the politicking, the common people have to suffer the consequences."
The past, present and future CFBCIpresidents all believe in the intrinsic advantages of globalization, although Yu feels there must be safeguards in place. Aw believes the challenge must be met head on. "Through globalization, a lot of countries have benefited from foreign investments. There are improved product standards, more jobs are created, and the ripple effect flows down to their improved standards of living. But we should encourage our people to buy Philippine-made products. Be nationalistic and patronize your own."
Go is the true optimist among the three. He says, "I feel that within six months to a year we will be at par with our Asian neighbors."
The Chinese visited our shores some 5,000 years ago. Over the millennia, they have been accused of aloofness and insularity. The cfbci, with its persistent civic work and contagious optimism, is slowly redefining what it means to be a Chinese Filipino. Small steps at a time, says Aw Peng Lam.
As it gets set for its second national convention this week (January 24-25 at The Manila Hotel with the theme "Globalization: challenges in the 21st Century"; President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the keynote speaker during opening ceremonies in Malacañang), the young organization has achieved a credibility beyond its years. Says Dante Go, "We are non-political and work for the common good of the country. We support the institution and not the personality. When we commit to certain things and to assisting persons, we really do it."
Perhaps it is patriotism that is being redefined.