Whispering Shadows

I am the shadow from behind,
Always wondering what's on your mind,
Longing for you always on my sight,
Wondering if you'd allow me, if I might?

My voices that you're ignoring,
Leaves me in the limbo wandering,
Can you please see me as I am looking,
Behind you as you are walking?

I know you're busy with your life,
But I can't help but feel this strife,
I long to talk, to laugh, to share,
But you don't seem to be aware.

I beg you to hear my voice,
And let me enter your life by choice,
I promise to be gentle and kind,
And cherish you with all my heart and mind.

I'm not just a shadow, a mere reflection,
But a person with a heart, a soul, and affection,
Please give me a chance, to show you who I am,
And I'll prove to you, that I'm not just a shadow, a mere scam.

My heart beats faster every time you're near,
And I wish that you could just hear,
The love that's waiting here for you,
The passion, the fire, burning bright and true.

I'll wait for you, in the shadows of the night,
Hoping that someday, you might see the light,
And realize that the love you seek,
Has been right here, all along, waiting to peak.

I don't need fancy words, or grand gestures,
Just a simple chance, to show you my treasures,
The love, the kindness, the care,
All that I have, I'll give to you, my fair.

So here I am, still in the shadows,
Watching as you come and go,
Hoping that someday, you might see,
The love that's waiting here for thee.

Until that day, I'll keep on dreaming,
And keep on hoping, and keep on believing,
That one day, you'll turn around,
And see me here, waiting, without a sound.

And if that day should ever come,
I'll hold you close, and never let you run,
Together we'll walk, in the light of day,
And the shadows of the past, will fade away.

So, until then, I'll wait and see,
Hoping that one day, you'll notice me,
And let me into your heart and soul,
And together, we'll become whole.

The Reign of Darkness

I am the king in my own kingdom,
Ruling over my own domain.
My subjects, my thoughts, and feelings,
All bow down to my reign.

I am the master of my own despair,
Conquering my demons with ease.
I stand tall, unafraid of the darkness,
For I hold the power to appease.

I am the warrior in my own battle,
Fighting for what I believe.
I face the challenges with courage,
And in the end, I will achieve.

My kingdom may be small and humble,
But it is where I am truly free.
For I am the king, the master, the warrior,
And my fate is solely up to me.

I am the king in my own kingdom,
Ruling with an iron hand.
My subjects tremble before my wrath,
And bow to my harsh command.

I am the master of my own despair,
Trapped in a prison of my own making.
My thoughts and feelings, my only company,
A constant source of torment and aching.

I am the warrior in my own battle,
But the enemy is myself.
My mind, a battlefield of turmoil,
A war I fight with no help.

My kingdom may be grand and vast,
But it is a barren, desolate land.
For in my quest for power and control,
I have pushed away any helping hand.

I am the king of the kingdom of darkness,
A throne built on my own pain.
I rule over my own downfall,
A tyrant in my own domain.

I am the king in my own kingdom,
A tyrant ruling with fear.
My subjects tremble at my very name,
Their screams forever ringing in my ear.

I am the master of my own despair,
A slave to my own twisted mind.
My thoughts a labyrinth of madness,
My soul forever trapped, confined.

I am the warrior in my own battle,
A soldier in a never-ending struggle.
The battles rage on, my scars a testament,
To the pain and suffering that I suffer.

My kingdom is a wasteland of misery,
A realm of shadows and despair.
I am the ruler of this hellscape,
A monster, beyond all repair.

I am the king in my own kingdom,
A ruler of the damned.
A master of my own destruction,
My fate forever in my own hands.

Ang Paradox ng Summer Break

 Ang katagang "summer" ay karaniwang ginagamit sa Pilipinas upang tukuyin ang school break na tumatagal mula Abril hanggang Mayo. Ito ay panahon para sa mga mag aaral na magpahinga sa kanilang pag aaral, magrelaks, at makibahagi sa iba't ibang mga gawain. Gayunpaman, kapansin pansin na walang summer season ang Pilipinas, at least hindi sa paraang naiintindihan ito sa ibang bahagi ng mundo.

Hindi tulad ng nakararaming bansa, kung saan karaniwang nangyayari ang tag init sa pagitan ng Hunyo at Agosto, ang Pilipinas ay may dalawang natatanging panahon lamang: basa at tuyo. Ang tagtuyot ay tumatagal mula Nobyembre hanggang Abril at nakikilala sa pamamagitan ng mainit at tuyong panahon, samantalang ang panahon ng tag-ulan ay tumatagal mula Mayo hanggang Oktubre at nakikilala sa pamamagitan ng malakas na ulan at malakas na hangin.

Dahil sa mga pagbabago sa kalendaryong akademiko, nawala ang tradisyonal na ideya ng summer break bilang panahon ng maaraw na panahon para sa maraming mag aaral na Pilipino. Ang pagtatapos ng taon ng paaralan ay inilipat sa Hunyo, na ngayon ay bumabagsak sa panahon ng tag-ulan. Dahil dito, hindi lubos na nasisiyahan ang mga estudyante sa mga tradisyonal na aktibidad sa tag init tulad ng swimming, camping, at outdoor sports.

Mahalagang tandaan na ang kahulugan ng tag-init ayon sa pananaw sa mga bansang Kanluranin ay batay sa astronomiya. Ang kahulugang ito ay batay sa axis tilt ng Earth at kung saan ang Earth ay may kaugnayan sa Araw. Sa Northern Hemisphere, ang astronomical summer ay tumatagal mula sa summer solstice sa huling bahagi ng Hunyo hanggang sa autumnal equinox sa huling bahagi ng Setyembre. Ito ay nagaganap sa Southern Hemisphere sa pagitan ng vernal equinox sa huli ng Setyembre at ang winter solstice sa huling bahagi ng Hunyo.

Bagamat maaaring walang tipikal na summer season ang Pilipinas, nakikita naman ng bansa ang mga pattern ng panahon sa buong tag init na maihahambing sa mga nasa ibang rehiyon ng mundo. Ang pinakamainit na panahon sa Pilipinas ay tuwing tagtuyot, na tumatagal mula Marso hanggang Mayo. Ang katagang "tag init" ay madalas na ginagamit upang ilarawan ang panahong ito ng mainit at tuyong panahon, na paboritong panahon ng mga Pilipino na lumangoy, mag hiking, at mag picnic.

Sa kabila ng kawalan ng tipikal na summer season, ang kabalintunaan ng summer vacation sa Pilipinas ay nagbibigay diin sa pangangailangan ng paglihis sa mga gawain ng isang tao at paglulugod sa mga aktibidad na naghihikayat ng pahinga at pagpapahinga. Ang bakasyon sa tag init ay nagbibigay daan sa mga mag aaral na lumayo sa kanilang pag aaral, mabawi, at makibahagi sa mga aktibidad na maaaring hindi nila nagkaroon ng oras sa panahon ng akademikong taon, kahit na nangangailangan ito ng pag aayos sa isang bagong panahon.

 

Pag-unawa sa Inflation: Mga Epekto nito sa Tao at sa Ekonomiya

Ang inflation ay isang sitwasyon ng pagtaas ng presyo sa ekonomiya.  Ito ay ang patuloy na pagtaas sa pangkalahatang antas ng presyo sa isang ekonomiya. Ang inflation ay nangangahulugan ng pagtaas ng halaga ng pamumuhay habang tumataas ang presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo.

Isang halimbawa ng manipestasyon ng inflation sa Pilipinas ay ang taunang inflation rate. Ito ay umakyat sa 8.7% noong Enero 2023, mula sa 8.1% noong Disyembre 2022 at higit sa inaasahan ng merkado na 7.7%. Ang pinakahuling pagbasa ay tumuturo sa pinakamataas na antas mula noong Nobyembre 2008, higit sa lahat ay hinihimok ng pagtaas ng presyo ng pabahay, kuryente, gas, at iba pang mga gasolina.

Ang inflation ay nakakaapekto sa buhay ng mga tao sa iba't ibang paraan. Ang ilan sa mga epekto ay:

• ·  Nabawasan ang purchasing power: Isang epekto ng inflation ay ang pagbabawas nito ng purchasing power ng pera. Ibig sabihin, habang tumataas ang presyo, bumababa ang halaga ng pera. Dahil dito, ang mga tao ay kailangang magtrabaho nang mas mahirap at mas mahaba upang kayang bayaran ang parehong mga bagay na maaari nilang dati. 
• ·     Mas mataas na rate ng interes: Ang isa pang epekto ng inflation ay humahantong ito sa mas mataas na rate ng interes. Ito ay dahil ang mga nagpapautang ay humihingi ng mas mataas na pagbabalik upang magpahiram ng pera kapag mataas ang inflation. Dahil sa mas mataas na interest rate, mas mahal ang paghiram at nakakapanghina ng loob sa investment at consumption.
• ·    Disproportionately hurts the poor: Nasasaktan din nito ang mga may mas mababang kita. Ito ay dahil mas malaking bahagi ng kanilang kita ang kanilang ginagastos sa mga pangangailangan, tulad ng pagkain at transportasyon, na may posibilidad na tumaas nang mas mabilis kaysa sa iba pang mga kalakal at serbisyo sa panahon ng inflation. Bukod dito, mas mababa ang access nila sa credit at savings para makayanan ang pagtaas ng presyo.
• · Erodes retirement savings: Ang inflation ay maaari ring magwasak ng mga savings sa pagreretiro sa pamamagitan ng pagbabawas ng kanilang tunay na halaga sa paglipas ng panahon. Halimbawa, kung ang isang tao ay nag iipon ng $ 1000 ngayon para sa pagreretiro at ang inflation ay 10% bawat taon, ang kanilang mga ipon ay nagkakahalaga lamang ng $ 385 sa loob ng 10 taon. Samakatuwid, ang mga tao ay kailangang mag ipon ng higit pa at mamuhunan nang matalino upang mapanatili ang kanilang antas ng pamumuhay pagkatapos ng pagreretiro.
• · Panandaliang pagtaas ng trabaho: Ang inflation ay maaari ring magkaroon ng ilang positibong epekto sa buhay ng mga tao sa panandalian. Halimbawa, ang inflation ay maaaring magpasigla sa aktibidad ng ekonomiya sa pamamagitan ng pagtaas ng demand para sa mga kalakal at serbisyo. Ito ay maaaring humantong sa mas mataas na antas ng produksyon at trabaho habang sinusubukan ng mga negosyo na matugunan ang mas mataas na demand. Gayunpaman, ang epektong ito ay maaaring hindi magtagal kung ang inflation ay nagiging masyadong mataas o hindi mahuhulaan.

Ang mga rate ng implasyon ay nag iiba nang malawak sa iba't ibang mga bansa depende sa kanilang mga kondisyon sa ekonomiya, mga patakaran, at mga panlabas na kadahilanan. Ayon sa ilang sources, ilan sa mga bansang may pinakamataas na inflation rate sa 2023 ay:

• ·       Venezuela: 1,000% est
• ·         Zimbabwe: 300% est
• ·         Sudan: 100% est
• ·         Lebanon: 80% est
• ·         Arhentina: 50% est

Ilan sa mga bansang may pinakamababang inflation rate sa 2023 ay:

• ·        Switzerland: -0.5% est
• ·         Hapon: -0.2% est
• ·         Taiwan: -0.1% est
• ·         Denmark: 0.1% est
• ·         Singapore: 0.2% est

Ang Pilipinas ay may isa sa pinakamataas na inflation rate sa Timog Silangang Asya, na nasa 8.7% noong Enero 2023. Mas mataas ito kaysa sa mga karatig bansa nito tulad ng Indonesia (4%), Malaysia (2%), Thailand (1%), at Vietnam (3%).

Maraming posibleng dahilan ng mataas na inflation sa Pilipinas. Ilan sa mga ito ay:

• ·      Supply shocks: Nakaranas ang Pilipinas ng ilang supply shocks na nakasira sa produksyon at pamamahagi ng mga produkto at serbisyo.  Halimbawa, ang pandemyang COVID 19, ang mga kalamidad tulad ng bagyo at pagsabog ng bulkan, pagsiklab ng African swine fever, at mga paghihigpit sa kalakalan ay nakaapekto sa supply ng pagkain, gasolina, kuryente, at iba pang mga kalakal.
• ·         Demand pressures: Naharap din ang Pilipinas sa malakas na demand pressures na nagpataas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at serbisyo.  Halimbawa, ang mga hakbangin ng pamahalaan upang suportahan ang ekonomiya sa panahon ng pandemya, tulad ng mga paglilipat ng pera at paggastos sa imprastraktura, ay pinalakas ang paggastos ng mamimili at pampublikong pamumuhunan. Bukod dito, ang muling pagbubukas ng mga negosyo at pagluluwag ng mga lockdown ay nagtaas din ng domestic demand.
• ·       Depreciation ng exchange rate: Ang piso ng Pilipinas ay bumaba laban sa US dollar ng mga 10% mula noong Enero 2022. Dahil dito mas naging mahal ang importasyon at mas mura ang exports para sa mga foreign buyers.  Dahil malaki ang inaasahan ng Pilipinas sa pag aangkat para sa pangangailangan nito sa konsumo at produksyon, mas mahinang piso ang nag ambag sa mas mataas na inflation.
• ·         Mga Inaasahan: Ang mga inaasahan sa inflation ay maaari ring maka impluwensya sa aktwal na inflation. Kung inaasahan ng mga tao na mas mabilis na tataas ang mga presyo sa hinaharap, maaari silang humingi ng mas mataas na sahod at dagdagan ang kanilang paggastos ngayon. Ito ay maaaring lumikha ng isang propesiya na natutupad sa sarili kung saan ang mas mataas na mga inaasahan ay humantong sa mas mataas na implasyon. Ayon sa ilang survey, malaki ang itinaas ng inflation expectations ng mga Pilipino nitong mga nakaraang buwan dahil sa kanilang karanasan sa mataas na inflation.

Mga Salik, Pangyayari at Kahalagahan ng Nasyonalismo sa Pagbuo ng mga Bansa sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya

Ang nasyonalismo ay isang ideolohiyang pampulitika na nagbibigay diin sa kahalagahan ng isang ibinahaging pagkakakilanlan, kultura, kasaysayan, at teritoryo sa isang grupo ng mga tao, na kilala bilang isang bansa. Hangad nitong itaguyod at protektahan ang interes at adhikain ng bansa at ng mga mamamayan nito, kadalasan ay may layuning makamit ang kalayaan o soberanya sa pulitika.

• Ang passive nationalism, na kilala rin bilang defensive nationalism, ay nailalarawan sa pagnanais na mapanatili at mapanatili ang pamana ng kultura at kasaysayan ng isang bansa, nang hindi kinakailangang ituloy ang agresibong expansionist goals. Ang ganitong uri ng nasyonalismo ay may posibilidad na tumuon sa pagtatanggol ng mga pambansang hangganan at ang pangangalaga sa pambansang pagkakakilanlan, sa halip na hangarin na palawakin ang teritoryo o impluwensya ng bansa. Kabilang sa mga halimbawa ng passive nationalism ang:
•  Ang nasyonalismong Bengali sa India noong 1700s at 1800s ay kinakitaan ng pagnanais na mapanatili ang Bengali language at kultura mula sa kolonyalismong British. Hinangad ng mga intelektwal at manunulat na Bengali na itaguyod ang paggamit ng wikang Bengali sa panitikan at magtatag ng isang natatanging pagkakakilanlan ng kultura para sa mga Bengali sa loob ng mas malaking konteksto ng India.

 

·         Ang nasyonalismong Pashtun sa Afghanistan noong huling bahagi ng 1800s at unang bahagi ng 1900s ay nailalarawan sa pagnanais na protektahan ang pagkakakilanlan at awtonomiya ng tribong Pashtun mula sa kolonyalismong British. Ang mga lider ng tribo ng Pashtun, tulad ni Abdul Ghaffar Khan, ay nagtaguyod para sa di marahas na paglaban at mga reporma sa pulitika upang maprotektahan ang mga interes ng Pashtun.

 

Ang aktibong nasyonalismo, na kilala rin bilang agresibong nasyonalismo, ay nailalarawan sa pagnanais na palawakin ang teritoryo at impluwensya ng bansa, kadalasan sa pamamagitan ng mga pamamaraang militar. Ang ganitong uri ng nasyonalismo ay may posibilidad na maging mas assertive at agresibo sa paghahangad ng mga pambansang layunin at maaaring maiugnay sa mga imperyalista o expansionist na patakaran. Ang mga halimbawa ng aktibong nasyonalismo ay kinabibilangan ng:

• Ang nasyonalismo ng India noong dekada 1800 at unang bahagi ng 1900s ay kinakitaan ng pagnanais na wakasan ang kolonyal na pamamahala ng Britanya at magtatag ng isang malayang estado ng India. Ang kilusan na ito ay pinamunuan ng mga numero tulad ni Mahatma Gandhi, na nagtaguyod ng di marahas na paglaban at pagsuway sa sibil bilang isang paraan ng pagkamit ng pampulitikang kalayaan
• Ang nasyonalismong Ottoman noong huling bahagi ng 1800s at unang bahagi ng 1900s ay nailalarawan sa pagnanais na gawing makabago at palakasin ang Imperyong Ottoman, na ilang siglo nang bumabagsak. Ang mga pinuno ng Ottoman tulad ni Mustafa Kemal Ataturk ay nagtaguyod ng sekularismo at modernisasyon at naghangad na lumikha ng isang nagkakaisang pambansang pagkakakilanlan ng Turkey na maaaring magsilbing batayan para sa isang malakas, modernong estado.

 

II. Mga Salik na Nag ambag sa Nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya

 

A. Kolonyalismo:

Malaki ang naging epekto ng kolonyalismong Europeo sa nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya noong ika 17, ika 18, at ika 19 na siglo. Ang mga kapangyarihang Europeo tulad ng Britanya, Pransya, at Portugal ay nagpataw ng kanilang pamamahala sa rehiyon, na nakakagambala sa mga tradisyonal na istrukturang panlipunan at nagpapahina sa lokal na awtoridad sa pulitika. Ito ang naging dahilan ng paglitaw ng mga kilusang nasyonalista na naghahangad ng kalayaan at pamamahala sa sarili.

 

• Halimbawa, ang British East India Company ay nagtatag ng isang trading post sa Surat, India noong 1608, at pinalawak ang kontrol nito sa teritoryo sa susunod na ilang siglo, sa huli ay humantong sa kolonyal na pamamahala ng British sa India. Ang panuntunan na ito ay minarkahan ng pagsasamantala sa ekonomiya, panunupil sa kultura, at pampulitikang panunupil, na nagudyok sa mga kilusang nasyonalista tulad ng Himagsikang Indian ng 1857 at ang Indian National Congress.
•  Ang iba pang kapangyarihang kolonyal na nagkaroon ng impluwensya sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa panahong ito ay kinabibilangan ng Dutch East India Company, na may kontrol sa Indonesia, at ang Imperyong Portuges, na may mga kolonya sa Goa at Macau.

 

B. Relihiyon:

Ang relihiyon ay naging sentral na salik sa pag unlad ng nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa loob ng maraming siglo. Sa maraming mga kaso, ang pagkakakilanlan ng relihiyon ay ginamit upang makilala ang pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng mga grupo at tukuyin ang mga pambansang hangganan, na humahantong sa mga salungatan at dibisyon sa pagitan ng iba't ibang mga relihiyosong komunidad.

 

•  Halimbawa, ang Imperyong Mughal ang namuno sa India mula ika 16 hanggang ika 18 siglo, at ang kanilang mga patakaran ng pagpaparaya sa relihiyon ay nagbigay daan sa Hinduismo at Islam na magkasamang mabuhay. Gayunpaman, sa huling bahagi ng ika 17 siglo, ang pag usbong ng Imperyong Maratha, isang kaharian ng Hindu, ay hinamon ang awtoridad ng Mughal at humantong sa isang serye ng mga salungatan sa pagitan ng mga Hindu at Muslim. Sa huli ay nag ambag ito sa pagbagsak ng Imperyong Mughal at paglitaw ng kolonyal na pamamahala ng Britanya.
•   Ang iba pang mga halimbawa ng salungatan sa relihiyon sa panahong ito ay kinabibilangan ng mga digmaan sa pagitan ng Imperyong Ottoman at Imperyong Safavid, na pangunahing itinulak ng mga pagkakaiba sa pagitan ng Sunni at Shia Islam.

 

C. Wika:

Ang wika ay may mahalagang papel sa pag unlad ng nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa loob ng maraming siglo. Maraming kilusang nasyonalista ang nakatuon sa pagtataguyod at pangangalaga ng mga lokal na wika bilang paraan ng paggigiit ng pagkakakilanlan ng kultura at pagkilala sa kanilang sarili mula sa mga dayuhang kapangyarihan.

• Halimbawa, noong ika 18 at ika 19 na siglo, ang wikang Persiano ang opisyal na wika ng Imperyong Mughal at malawakang ginagamit sa India. Gayunpaman, sa pagtanggi ng awtoridad ng Mughal at pag usbong ng kolonyal na pamamahala ng Britanya, ang wikang Hindi ay naging lalong mahalaga bilang isang paraan ng paggigiit ng pagkakakilanlan ng kultura ng India. Ito ang nagdulot ng paglitaw ng kontrobersiyang Hindi Urdu, kung saan hindi nagkasundo ang mga nagsasalita ng Hindi at Urdu sa katayuan ng dalawang wika.
•   Ang Kilusang Wikang Bengali: Noong huling bahagi ng ika 19 na siglo, nagsimulang magtaguyod ang mga nasyonalistang Bengali sa British India para sa pagkilala sa Bengali bilang isang hiwalay na wika mula sa Hindi at Urdu, na siyang mga nangingibabaw na wika sa hilagang India. Nagkaroon ng momentum ang kilusan na ito sa pamamagitan ng paglalathala ng panitikang Bengali at pagtatatag ng mga paaralan at unibersidad na nagtuturo sa Bengali. Noong 1905, hinati ng pamahalaang Britanya ang Bengal sa dalawang lalawigan, isang paglipat na nakita bilang pagtatangka na pahinain ang kilusang nasyonalistang Bengali. Ito ay humantong sa malawakang protesta at welga, at ang paghahati ay kalaunan ay binaligtad noong 1911. Ang Kilusang Wikang Bengali ay itinuturing na isang mahalagang sandali sa kasaysayan ng nasyonalismong Indian, dahil kinakatawan nito ang isang matagumpay na hamon sa dominasyon ng wika at kultura ng mga British at hilagang Indian elites.
•  ·         Ang Parsi Revival: Ang Parsis ay isang komunidad ng Zoroastrian na lumipat sa India mula sa Persia noong ika 8 10 siglo. Noong ika 19 na siglo, ang ilang mga intelektwal na Parsi ay nagsimulang magtaguyod para sa muling pagbuhay ng wika at kultura ng Persia bilang isang paraan ng pangangalaga sa kanilang pagkakakilanlan at pamana. Nagkaroon ng momentum ang kilusan na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtatatag ng mga lipunang pampanitikan ng Parsi at paglalathala ng mga pahayagan at aklat sa wikang Persian. Ang Parsi Revival ay itinuturing na isang mahalagang sandali sa kasaysayan ng nasyonalismo ng Parsi, dahil ito ay kumakatawan sa isang matagumpay na pagsisikap na mabawi ang isang pakiramdam ng pagmamataas sa kultura at pagkakaiba sa harap ng kolonyalismo ng Britanya at mga presyon ng asimilasyonista.

 

D. Lahi:

Ang etnisidad ay isa pang mahalagang salik sa pag unlad ng nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa loob ng maraming siglo. Maraming kilusang nasyonalista ang naghangad na igiit ang interes at pagkakakilanlan ng mga pangkat etniko sa loob ng mas malalaking bansa estado, na humahantong sa mga salungatan at dibisyon sa pagitan ng iba't ibang mga komunidad ng lahi.

Halimbawa, sa panahon ng ika 18 at ika 19 na siglo, ang komunidad ng Sikh sa India ay naghangad ng higit na awtonomiya at pagkilala sa kanilang natatanging pagkakakilanlan sa loob ng mas malaking komunidad ng Hindu at Muslim. Ito ay humantong sa pagtatatag ng Imperyong Sikh sa ilalim ni Maharaja Ranjit Singh, na tumagal mula 1801 hanggang 1849.

 · Ang iba pang halimbawa ng alitan ng mga etniko sa panahong ito ay ang labanan ng mga Pashtun Uzbek sa Afghanistan, na itinulak ng pagkakaiba iba ng lahi at tribo, at ang paghahati ng Balochi Sindhi sa kasalukuyang Pakistan, na kinakitaan ng tensyon ng lahi at pakikibaka para sa kapangyarihang pampulitika.

 · Sa kabuuan, ang mga salik ng kolonyalismo, relihiyon, wika, at lahi ay pawang may mahalagang papel sa paghubog ng pag unlad ng nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa panahon ng 1600 1900. Ang mga salik na ito ay patuloy na nakakaimpluwensya sa mga kilusang nasyonalista at mga pakikibaka sa pulitika sa rehiyon ngayon.

 

III. Mga Pangyayari sa Kasaysayan na Nagpalakas ng Nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya

 

A. Pambansang Kilusan ng India:

Ang Pambansang Kilusan ng India ay isang serye ng mga kilusang pampulitika at panlipunan na naglalayong masiguro ang kalayaan ng India mula sa kolonyal na pamamahala ng Britanya. Nagsimula ito noong huling bahagi ng ika 19 na siglo at nagkamit ng momentum sa unang bahagi ng ika 20 siglo sa pamumuno ng mga numero tulad ng Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, at Subhas Chandra Bose.

Malaki ang naging papel ng Pambansang Kilusan ng India sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay inspirasyon sa iba pang kilusang nasyonalista at nag ambag sa pagwawakas ng kolonyalismo sa rehiyon. Humantong din ito sa pagbuo ng Republika ng India at Pakistan na nagkaroon ng malaking epekto sa pulitika at ekonomiya ng rehiyon.

 

B. Rebolusyong Iran:

Ang Rebolusyong Iranian ay isang serye ng mga pangyayari na humantong sa pagbagsak ng dinastiyang Pahlavi at pagtatatag ng isang republikang Islamiko sa Iran noong 1979. Ito ay pinamunuan ng lider ng relihiyon na si Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini at kinasangkutan ang malawakang protesta at welga laban sa pamahalaan ng Shah.

Malaki ang naging epekto ng Rebolusyong Iranian sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay inspirasyon sa mga kilusang Islamista at iba pang nasyonalista sa buong rehiyon. Nagdulot din ito ng pagtaas ng tensyon sa pagitan ng Iran at iba pang mga bansa sa rehiyon, partikular na ang Estados Unidos at Israel.

 

C. Digmaang Kalayaan ng Turkiye (Turkey):

Ang Digmaang Kalayaan ng Turkey ay isang alitang militar na nakipaglaban sa pagitan ng mga nasyonalistang Turko at ng mga kapangyarihang Alyado pagkatapos ng Unang Digmaang Pandaigdig. Nagsimula ito noong 1919 at nagtapos sa Treaty of Lausanne noong 1923, na kinilala ang kalayaan ng Turkey.

Ang Digmaang Kalayaan ng Turkey ay makabuluhan para sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya dahil humantong ito sa pagtatatag ng Republika ng Turkey, na naging modelo ng iba pang mga kilusang nasyonalista sa rehiyon. Nakatulong din ito upang hubugin ang mga modernong institusyong pampulitika at pang ekonomiya ng Turkey.

 

D. Hidwaan ng mga Arabo at Israeli:

Ang Arab Israeli Conflict ay tumutukoy sa patuloy na pagtatalo sa pagitan ng Estado ng Israel at iba't ibang mga estadong Arabo at mga grupong Palestino tungkol sa mga karapatan sa lupa at pulitika sa Gitnang Silangan. Nagsimula ito noong unang bahagi ng ika 20 siglo sa pag usbong ng nasyonalismo ng mga Hudyo at kilusang Zionist, at kinasangkutan ang maraming digmaan at pagsisikap na diplomatiko.

Ang Arab Israeli Conflict ay nagkaroon ng malaking epekto sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng gasolina sa mga tensyon at salungatan sa rehiyon, pag ambag sa pag usbong ng Islamist at iba pang mga kilusang nasyonalista, at paghubog sa pampulitika at pang ekonomiyang tanawin ng rehiyon. Ito ay nananatiling isang pangunahing isyu sa pandaigdigang pulitika ngayon.

  

V. Mga Hamon at Kritika sa Nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya

A. Etnosentrismo at Hindi Pagpaparaya

Ang etnosentrismo at hindi pagpaparaya ay tumutukoy sa ideya ng pagtingin sa sariling pangkat etniko o pambansa bilang higit na mataas sa iba, na kadalasang nagreresulta sa diskriminasyon o pagbubukod ng mga saloobin at pagkilos sa ibang mga grupo. Sa konteksto ng nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya, ang etnosentrismo at kawalang pagpaparaya ay naging isang makabuluhang hamon, dahil ang mga kilusang nasyonalismo ay kadalasang inuuna ang interes ng isang pangkat etniko o relihiyon kaysa sa iba.

 Ang mga halimbawa ng etnosentrismo at kawalang pagpaparaya sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya ay kinabibilangan ng sistemang caste sa India, na may kasaysayan na marginalized ang ilang mga grupo at nagpapatuloy ng diskriminasyon, at ang pag uusig sa mga Muslim na Rohingya sa Myanmar, na sumailalim sa karahasan at mga patakaran sa pagbubukod ng karamihan ng populasyon ng Buddhist.

 

B. Alitan at Karahasan

Ang hidwaan at karahasan ay kadalasang nauugnay sa nasyonalismo sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya, partikular na ang mga kilusang nasyonalista ay naghangad na magtatag ng mga malayang estado o palawakin ang kanilang mga teritoryo sa kapinsalaan ng iba pang mga grupo. Ito ay humantong sa maraming mga labanan at digmaan, kapwa sa pagitan ng iba't ibang mga nasyonalistikong grupo at sa pagitan ng mga nasyonalistikong grupo at estado.

 Ang mga halimbawa ng hidwaan at karahasan sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya ay ang patuloy na hidwaan sa pagitan ng India at Pakistan sa pinag aagawang teritoryo ng Kashmir, ang digmaang sibil sa Sri Lanka sa pagitan ng pamahalaang pinangungunahan ng mga Sinhalese at minoryang Tamil, at ang Digmaang Sibil ng Syria, na bahagyang pinalakas ng mga nasyonalista at sektaryang dibisyon.

 

C. Hindi pagkakapantay pantay at marginalisasyon

Ang nasyonalismo ay kadalasang pinupuna dahil sa pagpapatuloy ng hindi pagkakapantay pantay at marginalisasyon, partikular ng mga grupong minorya na hindi kasama sa pambansang pagkakakilanlan o hindi akma sa dominanteng pangkat etniko o relihiyon. Ito ay maaaring humantong sa hindi pantay na pamamahagi ng mga mapagkukunan at mga pagkakataon, pati na rin ang panlipunan at pang ekonomiyang marginalization.

Ang mga halimbawa ng hindi pagkakapantay pantay at marginalisasyon sa Timog at Kanlurang Asya ay ang diskriminasyon na kinakaharap ng mga Dalit at iba pang mga marginalized na grupo sa India, ang pagsugpo sa pagkakakilanlan ng Kurdish sa Turkey, at ang marginalization ng Hazara at iba pang mga grupo ng minorya sa Afghanistan.

 

SHORT STORY: The Last Days

Andrew and Lawrence had known each other since their days spent attending the same seminary. They were both deeply devoted to their religion and had shared the same lifelong goal of one day serving as priests. On the other hand, as they progressed in their education, they started to have doubts about some of the more established dogmas of the church.

They came to the idea that they were less interested in mindlessly adhering to the doctrines and more interested in investigating the scientific and logical aspects of theology. Because of this, they both decided that it was best for them to abandon their religious beliefs and concentrate on their studies instead.

Andrew went into the field of biology education, while Lawrence entered the field of history education. They continued to talk about topics related to their shared interests in theology and science throughout their friendship.

Their discussions frequently centered on the concept of the "end of times," and they would spend hours debating the various interpretations of the Bible and the various theories that underpinned them.

Andrew and Lawrence were sitting in the living room, which was lit only by the dim light of a single lamp, which cast shadows on the walls. As they reminisced about their time spent in seminary, the weight of their conversation filled the room, making the atmosphere feel dense and heavy.

Andrew mused, with a heavy dose of melancholy in his tone of voice, "It's funny how things turned out." "Before we became teachers at a high school, we were both planning on becoming priests,"

Lawrence gave a short nod while keeping his attention focused on the flickering flame of a candle. "Yeah, it's not at all what we anticipated, but there's not a single thing about it that I would change," she said.

Before continuing, Andrew waited for a brief period of silence to pass. "Neither do I, and I believe that departing from the church was the wisest choice my family has ever made."

The expression of perplexity on Lawrence's face was clear. What exactly do you mean by that?

Andrew explained, with a trace of enthusiasm in his tone, that they were able to explore their interest and passion for theology in a way that they would not have been able to as priests. "We were able to explore our curiosity and passion for theology in a way that wouldn't have been possible as priests." And rather than just unquestioningly adhering to dogma, we were able to integrate scientific principles and logical reasoning into our coursework.

The grin on Lawrence's face indicated that he agreed. To put that into perspective, it's encouraging to consider the possibility that we can maintain our religious beliefs while also questioning established dogma and being open to novel concepts.

Andrew beamed a grin, and one could see a spark of pride in his eyes. Even though none of us have chosen to become priests, we are still carrying out God's will in our own unique ways.

When the two men started talking about a subject that was fascinating as well as unsettling, the conversation took a different turn. When Andrew mentioned the signs of the end of time, Lawrence began to shift uncomfortably in his seat. This was a direct result of Andrew's statement.

Andrew asked, in a tone that was grave and subdued, "Do you remember when we used to discuss the signs of the end of times?"

When Lawrence thought back on the arguments they had had in the past, he focused his eyes and narrowed his brow. "Of course, I do. Back in the day, we used to argue for hours about the myriad of theories and interpretations that can be applied to the Bible."

Andrew's voice became more solemn as he continued to discuss the current situation in the world. "Well, it appears as though we may currently be observing some of those signs," the speaker said.

As Lawrence listened to Andrew's words and allowed the weight of what they implied to sink in, he felt a flutter in his chest. What exactly do you mean by that?

Andrew then went on to say, "Take a look at what's happening with this pandemic." People are getting sick, economies are collapsing, and there is chaos everywhere; it's as if the whole world has come to a standstill.

As Andrew's words continued to reverberate through space, everyone in the room fell silent. As Lawrence attempted to comprehend the seriousness of the situation, his thoughts raced rapidly.

Lawrence protested feebly, "But this isn't the end of times," hoping to calm his own nerves as much as Andrew's. "But this isn't the end of times," "This is just another pandemic; we've experienced pandemics in the past."

Andrew gave a resolute chuckle and shook his head while maintaining a determined expression. "Yes, but this is different. It is affecting the entire world, and it is not just a health crisis. It is causing political unrest, and it is creating economic instability. It is like the beginning of the end."

As Lawrence listened to Andrew, his stomach began to churn with anxiety as he listened to what he had to say. He desperately wanted to have faith that things would get better and that they were overreacting to the situation. But he was aware, somewhere in the depths of his being, that there was a chance that Andrew was correct.

Lawrence gave in and agreed that they should keep an eye on the situation and be ready to help if they could. His tone was filled with a sense of urgency. "We should keep an eye on the situation and be ready to help if we can," he said. Although it may not be possible for us to stop the end of the world as we know it, each of us can still make a difference in the lives of those around us.

During the time they were in the faculty room grading papers, Andrew saw that there was something peculiar about the sky outside. As a result, their conviction grew stronger. The sun was setting a good deal earlier than it did on a typical day, and the sky was taking on a peculiar hue of red.

Andrew had no trouble recognizing the signs as they were described in the book of Revelation, and he tried to explain it to Lawrence. However, his initial reaction was one of skepticism because he believed it to be nothing more than an unusual weather occurrence.

Andrew said to Lawrence, "Lawrence, look outside! The sun is setting earlier than it normally does, and the sky is turning red. This is it; this is what we've been talking about all these years. The end of time is coming."

Andrew: "Come on, it's probably just a weather anomaly or something. Don't jump to conclusions so quickly." Lawrence: "Come on. It's probably just a weather anomaly or something."

Andrew: "I know what I saw, Lawrence. This is exactly what the Bible describes in Revelation. The sky turned red like blood, and the sun darkened. We need to prepare ourselves." Lawrence: "I know what I saw."

You're making it sound like we have to get ready for the end of the world or something, Lawrence. "Prepare ourselves for what?"

And now, the sky is turning red. We need to be ready for whatever is coming. Look at what is happening with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a sign of the times. And now, the sky is turning red.

"Okay, okay. Maybe you are right. But what can we do? We are just two high school teachers. How can we prepare for the end of the world?" Lawrence replied. "Okay, okay."

Andrew: "We need to warn people, Lawrence. We need to make them understand what's happening and how they can prepare themselves. We need to spread the word, no matter how crazy it sounds. We need to make them understand what's happening and how they can prepare themselves."

"And how do you propose we go about doing that? Who would listen to us?" asked Lawrence.

Andrew: "We begin with the news stations. We tell them what we've seen and what it means. We spread the word, and we hope that eventually, people will start to listen."

As more time passed, they couldn't help but feel as though they were trapped in a nightmare of their own making. The warning signs that they had researched and shared with others were materializing right in front of their very eyes.

Everything in the world was a mess. Natural disasters were occurring more frequently and with a greater degree of severity. Various parts of the world were ravaged by natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis. However, that was only the beginning of it.

Panic and economic instability were brought on by the rapid spread of a new illness that had not yet been identified and which had begun to affect Asia. Large numbers of people were losing their lives, and the governments of the world appeared helpless to stop it.

In the meantime, across the ocean in the Americas, the assassination of a dictator in South America sparked a number of secessionist movements in addition to political unrest. The entire continent was a time bomb ready to go off at any moment.

And in both Europe and Africa, a severe famine had taken hold, leading to the deaths of millions of people due to starvation. A refugee crisis of unprecedented proportions was caused because of people fleeing their homes to find food and shelter for themselves and their families.

Lawrence entered the faculty room while maintaining a gloomy expression. Andrew lifted his head from his work and noticed the look on his friend's face as he looked at him.

Andrew questioned, "What's the matter?"

"I just saw the news on VVPatrol," said Lawrence. "I just saw the news."

The end of the world is taking place, what with the illness in Asia, the political unrest in the Americas, and the famine in Europe and Africa. "Things are getting worse out there."

Andrew nodded slowly. He gestured toward the window as he spoke and said, "I've been seeing signs too." According to what is written in the book of Revelation, the color of the sky has been turning red.

Lawrence's eyebrow raised. "Come on, Andrew. You can't take it seriously to believe that all of this is because of some biblical prophecy, can you?"

"I do," Andrew said firmly. "I've been researching this topic for years, and all of the signs are pointing to the end of time. We ought to get ready for it, and we ought to warn others."

The question that Lawrence posed was, "But how can we possibly warn others?" Nobody will pay attention to what we have to say because they will consider us to be insane.

Andrew remarked that we ought to try. "We have a responsibility to help others and spread the truth, despite how challenging it may be. We cannot just sit here and watch as the world falls apart around us."

In spite of all of their efforts, no one was listening to them or taking their warnings seriously. They tried to spread the word, but they were met with accusations that they were spreading fake news and inciting unnecessary fear.

If they wanted to have any chance of getting people to listen to what they had to say, the two were well aware that they needed to reach a larger audience. They reached out to the regional news outlets in their area and begged them to cover their story. They were initially ignored or refused service, but they continued to ask for it anyway.

They started off by going to 24/7 Oras, which is one of the news programs that get the most viewers in the country. They were delighted to receive an invitation for an interview because it provided them with the opportunity to finally present their findings. However, things did not turn out the way we had anticipated. They attempted to explain the science and theology that supported their theories, but the news anchors would not listen to them. The news anchors ridiculed them and made fun of what they called their "baseless prophecies." The interview turned out to be a miserable failure in the end.

They did not give up and tried once more, this time with the news program VVPatrol, which is also extremely popular. They were successful in obtaining an interview, but it did not go any better than the previous one did. They were ridiculed as conspiracy theorists and fearmongers by the anchors, and the interview was edited in a way that made them appear to be incompetent.

Andrew walked in a frantic circle; his hands clenched into fists the whole time. It was easy to feel both his frustration and disappointment at the dismissive response from their peers. Lawrence sat down next to him, his face showing obvious disappointment.

Andrew muttered to himself, "It's as if we're invisible," and added, "It's as if they don't want to hear what we have to say."

Lawrence gave a satisfied nod, his eyes reflecting the same level of exasperation as those of his friend. "Despite the fact that we have poured our hearts and souls into this research and are fully aware of the outcomes, they continue to treat us as though we are insane."

The muscles in Andrew's jaw tensed up. It's possible that they're too afraid to face the truth, or that they don't want to believe that the end of the world is getting closer.

The astonishment in Lawrence's eyes grew. What if they are right? What if we're wrong? What if we're just two crazy guys trying to predict the end of the world? "What if we're just two crazy guys trying to predict the end of the world?"

Andrew whirled around to face him, the fire of determination blazing in his eyes. "Look around you, Lawrence. The world is falling apart. The signs are there, and we're the only ones who can see them." "We're not crazy. Look around you. The world is falling apart."

Lawrence sat back in his chair and creased his brow in an expression of concern. But what if we cannot persuade anyone, and we're the only ones who are aware of what's going on?

Andrew ceased his pacing and sat down next to him on the bench. "We have to keep trying; we can't give up. Maybe there's another way to spread the word, to get people to listen. We can't just sit back and watch as the world crumbles around us," she said.

Lawrence gave a satisfied nod, and his face began to relax. "You are absolutely correct. We must maintain our efforts. We owe it not only to ourselves but also to the rest of the world to continue fighting and to keep attempting to warn people."

Andrew reached out and put his hand on the shoulder of his friend. "We'll figure something out, Lawrence. We will get them to see things our way because we must,"

Both felt like they had lost. They had hoped that the news would assist in spreading the word and getting people to listen, but no one was willing to take them seriously. They returned to their classrooms, resigned to the fact that they would have to observe the events leading up to the end of the world without receiving any significant assistance from society.

People went about their day-to-day activities as usual, paying no attention to the warning signs that were growing ever more obvious. They watched in horrified disbelief as the world that they had always known fell apart around them. Even though they were aware that they had been correct about the end of time, this did not provide any comfort to them. They had issued a warning, but no one had heeded their words of caution. It was too late to turn back now.

People eventually came to the idea that they needed to face the facts of the situation as time went on. People prayed in what appeared to be vain inside the numerous churches and temples that were packed with worshippers. The world's governments failed, and society descended into anarchy as a result. The procedure was drawn out, excruciating, and gruesome all at the same time.

A rumbling sound could be heard in the distance, and it became impossible to ignore the signs that the end of time was approaching. With each passing day, it grew louder and more intense, until it was abundantly clear that a dormant volcano in the nearby mountains had abruptly roused itself from its slumber and was beginning to erupt. As the volcanic eruption started to get more intense, the ground began to shake, and the air became filled with ash and smoke.

People started screaming out of fear and desperation instead of praying. The sun disappeared, and a violent earthquake shook the ground below. Buildings were brought crashing down, and fires burned out of control throughout the area.

As they watched the world around them burn, they clung to each other for support. They were aware that their time had come to pass, and the only thing left for them to do was to accept their destinies.

People's spirits were consumed by the knowledge that they were unprepared for the end of the world as it erupted into a raging inferno alongside the world's destruction. However, the two were aware that they had completed every task within their power to save the greatest number of people.

Lawrence's heart was thumping in his chest as he clung to Andrew for support. In the midst of the rumbling sound coming from the ground, he yelled out, "What do we do now?"

Andrew gave his friend a firm grip on his hand while maintaining a serious expression. His voice could hardly be heard above the din of the chaos as he responded, "There's nothing left to do but accept our fate."

But how could we give up now? Lawrence cried out in protest while he stood there with tears streaming down his face. "There has to be some action taken!"

Andrew gave him a look that conveyed his sorrow. "There is nothing that can be done on our end. This is it, Lawrence, the conclusion. The conclusion of all things."

They were in the same place at the same time, both watching in horror as the world around them burned. When Lawrence realized that everything they had known and loved was gone for good, a wave of hopelessness washed over him. He felt as though there was no point in trying to get it back. At that precise moment, he had the impression that he was entirely by himself, except for the hand of his friend that was holding onto his own.

It was barely audible, but he managed to utter the words "thank you" to Andrew. "For being with me in this place."

Andrew gave a slight nod as tears began to well up in his own eyes. "At all times, my close friend. Always."

In the end, there was nothing left but a trail of destruction and carnage. Andrew and Lawrence remained standing as they awaited the end, fully aware that they had just seen the end of the world as it was predicted in the Bible. Soon enough, the raging, hot smoke engulfed the two, transporting them to the location that was rightfully theirs.

 

The End.