WELL, the Olympic torch skipped Manila in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics because of geographical reasons. I say, did we even mount a campaign to host a leg here, given its significance for our country’s image on security, need for investments and tourism and our continuing support for the games despite never bagging a gold? That is what is called putting our country on the map. We are a nation 90-million strong and the 12th most populous in the world, surely we can carry a flame from the Luneta to The Fort?

In the public arena, there is no debate on whether we are for or against Tibet and democracy as is currently framed by the Western media. There are no protests on the streets ala leftist rallies and transport strikes. Is it because we support China? Neither is there talk on boycotting the Games because of alleged human rights abuses by Beijing. These are good because it is the height of hypocrisy not to condemn the United States for the continuing violence in Iraq.

It is strange indeed for us not to comment given our tendency to sensationalize and to talk about everything under the sun without taking action. There ought to be an explanation for the silence.

Apathy perhaps. We do not relate to the Tibetan people because they are far too remote and inconsequential to us. Ignorance maybe. We can’t tell where Tibet is. Power and politics it is. China is too big and powerful we dare not. Busy schedule, we are preoccupied with our scandals. Hunger as a cause because we need more rice.

For other cities in other countries, notably Paris, the flame has been turned to a fight between good and evil, of pro-China or anti-China, pro-Tibet or anti-Tibet, or a combination thereof, of democracy versus history, of human rights against national unity. It is used to signify the plight of a minority in a country of 56 minorities.

This leaves a bad taste in the mouth to hostage the flame and the Olympic spirit it signifies to political causes. Yet, in a sense, it is also an avenue to articulate issues which would not see the light of day if not linked with fire.

Backlash cuts both ways. French companies and French products are being targeted for boycotts. Chinese patriots are seen as a rabid lot for going ballistic and acting barbaric.

The simple key is to condemn violence of any sort. You can climb trees and wave banners and hold flags high; you cannot attack the torch-bearer. You can shout and chant and rave; you cannot snuff out the flame. There is room for dialogue and even confrontation—that is the point of being human beings and not otherwise, even without the context of the reason for the Olympics.

What’s in the flame? What say you fellow Filipino? Take a stand on the issues. Read up first and find out what they are. Go out of your way to support the Olympics and what it represents—the brotherhood of men and the community of nations across borders, beyond races, above causes. It is the unity of mankind that is the heart of the movement with sports as the medium.

And so we send our delegation again after the required training. Do we have hope to land at least a medal? Is our performance directly proportional to the state of our country’s progress or health? We practice and pray; we practice praying; we pray practice. Indeed, what’s in a flame?