An atypical comic book

Even our national hero, Jose Rizal, recognized that life lessons can be taught through storytelling. His retelling of fables like “The Monkey and the Turtle” and “The Moth and the Lamp,” the latter through a lesson taught him by his mother, are still cherished and required reading today.

In these stories, Rizal conveyed important moral and nationalistic messages. For example, he used an adaptation of William Tell’s story as an allegory for the struggle against oppression, a theme that mirrored his own fight for Philippine independence.

Rizal stressed the significance of comprehending national battles and the ideals that form a nation’s identity. He taught that young people should develop a sense of patriotism while recognizing their responsibility to defend justice and freedom.

Along this line, the recent publication of a comic book called “The Stories of Teacher Jun” by the Philippine government, while not stated expressly as having been influenced by Rizal, carries on his tradition of using literature to inspire and educate.

The 40-page comic book explores the complexities of maritime rights and the significance of protecting Philippine resources, especially in light of the South China Sea issue, by following Teacher Jun and his students.

The comic book aims to explain these complex issues to young Filipinos, likely targeting a late elementary to middle school audience. While we have yet to get a copy of the book itself to provide specific examples of plot or art style, it is understood that the narrative focuses on clarifying the Philippines’ position on the West Philippine Sea.

Sure, the government’s decision to utilize a comic book to convey these urgent topics is a clever and entertaining strategy to help a younger audience understand these difficult and important subjects. It supports our continuing attempts to refute the false information being peddled by China that it has rights to nearly all of the South China Sea, which overlaps the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

On the contrary, particularly in light of the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s historic 2016 decision, there is a need to spotlight the ruling’s recognition of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the WPS being wantonly violated by Beijing using its coast guard, navy and militia vessels.

China’s criticism of the book, which it described as “political manipulation,” highlights how successful this teaching strategy is. The comic book gives Filipinos, especially the younger generation, a forum to learn about their rights and obligations with regard to the disputed waters while directly challenging China’s attempt to change the story of the South China Sea.

In addition to educating readers, the book aims to inculcate a sense of patriotism and the importance of defending our rights.

With this project, the government is making it apparent that protecting the country’s resources and maintaining the national sovereignty are matters that call for the knowledge and involvement of the future generations through the use of an innovative and approachable media.

This comic book is a reenvisioned tool that encourages young Filipinos to actively participate in the defense of their nation’s sovereignty and to make sure that the struggle for freedom and justice continues for generations to come, much like Rizal used literature to foster the spirit of nationalism and justice.