Note: Below please find the December 2019 speech by Dr. Rainer Werning given in the Netherlands at the International Office of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). His speech was presented at the launching of the new book by the Filipino scholar José Maria Sison entitled, ‚Reflections on Revolution and Prospects: Interviews by Rainer Werning‘ .
Dr. Werning, of German descent, has been engaged in Filipino activism for decades. His sentiments about the remarkable activism and organizing work of Filipinos in response to the oppressive colonial and military dictates by the United States and the many tyrannical Filipino politicians since the beginning of the 20th century, echo much of my experience and observations as well. This was from my short time in the Philippines in 1989, when I was fortunate to travel the length and breadth of the Philippines, while being guided by remarkable Filipino organizers. As Dr. Werning notes, regarding the Filipinos:
… the rather open, relaxed manner, combined with a good portion of (self-)irony, in which political work took place within the very convivial left-wing groups that I became acquainted with….the uncomplicated attitude to patriotism combined with a deep-seated desire to develop genuinely national(ist) politics.
I completely concur with Dr. Werning’s opinions regarding the Filipino activists and I honor them as well.
At the end of his written speech, please find a video of his presentation.
Heather Gray
January 16, 2019
Justice Initiative
(Link to article)
Five Decades of Solidarity with the Filipino People
in Search of Justice, Freedom, Democracy
& National Liberation
Speech by Dr. Rainer Werning, delivered at
The International Office of the
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)
in Utrecht (The Netherlands) on Dec. 21, 2019,
on the occasion of Launching the Newest Book of José Maria Sison
‚Reflections on Revolution and Prospects: Interviews by Rainer Werning‘
Dr. Rainer Werning and Professor José Maria Sison
Utrecht (The Netherlands) on Dec. 21, 2019 (NDFP)
Those speaking before and after me today will be talking about macro-political issues and revolutionary projects, both in the Philippine and the international context. However, I was asked by the organizers of this afternoon’s event to focus on less spectacular matters, such as how I first came upon the Philippines, my first acquaintance with and perception of the country and its people, and what ultimately led me to remain committed to international solidarity with the Philippines for half a century.
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