China’s best friend forever

WHEN Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. labeled China as the “best friend forever,” or BFF, of President Rodrigo Duterte, many just took it as another one of Harry’s attempts to humor us by trying to speak the language of the chic and trendy. However, a good number also took it as an attempt to normalize and put a spin on what can be construed as an admission of what many already know. It affirms the fact that the President is so enamored with China that his spokesman can unabashedly refer to it in terms that one would for a person with whom one shares secrets. And the “forever” is what serves as the icing, as it implies an undying loyalty. President Duterte may no longer be president after 2022, but his devotion to China will be forever.

And Harry Roque, in his earnest attempt to be funny, fails to realize that forever is in fact scary. But it is also real.