He casts a giant shadow

THERE are those among us Filipinos who would dare ask: In the grand scheme of things, does ailing South African anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela count?

Yes, South Africa is so very far from the Philippines, and there are not enough links between the two countries for Filipinos to have more than a passing interest in Mandela. But there is a reason why United States President Barack Obama calls Mandela a “hero for the world.”