Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano views the Philippines and China as husband and wife – and what a relationship this is, as President Rodrigo Duterte marks his second year in office

MANILA, Philippines – Prepare your imagination… and hold your horses.

So, more than a century ago, the Philippines was born. Our parents were the Americans. When we came of age, we were ready for college. We had the right to choose our friends – even against the will of our parents.

We made friends with our roommates – the Chinese. We liked each other a lot, we got married to China.

Of course it’s not a perfect relationship. But there’s no need to shout at each other in public. How should husband and wife deal with conflict? As they say in Tagalog, “Makuha ka sa tingin (Get the hint).”

Stitched together, being college roommates, spouses, and basketball opponents were among the metaphors used by Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to describe our ties with our powerful neighbor.

But what a husband-wife relationship this is.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/205814-philippines-china-diplomacy-duterte-administration-second-year