SEVEN THOUSAND ISLANDS

SEVEN THOUSAND ISLANDS Some five hundred miles East of Vietnam The Phillipines is a multi-island archipelago Named in honour of King Phillip of Castile It was Spain’s mid sixteenth century deal But colonisation and ownership a farrago Won by Spain but then lost to Uncle Sam Conquered by Japan in Second World War Won Back by US but became independent Restoring a Filipino focus with some urgency And fighting regular communist insurgency In mid 60’s, Marcos was elected president After economic growth, he changed the law Since he escaped the country in disgrace It’s been ups and downs in the economy Marcos’ son, Bongbong, recently elected By Covid, all has been severely affected Yet few challenge the nation’s autonomy And as for its future, just watch this space