LANS visits Pag-asa Island and urges Filipinos to stand for the West Philippine Sea

July 24 ------ Educational content creator and veterinary student LANS, whose real name is Louise Anne Nagal, is using her online platform to raise awareness by traveling to Pag-asa Island to inspire patriotism and to highlight the importance of fighting for the West Philippine Sea.

Through an invitation from the Philippine Air Force, LANS joined members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on a trip to the island, hoping to better understand the experiences of the Filipino community living there amid the ongoing maritime dispute and overlapping territorial claims in the West Philippine Sea. Pag-asa Island serves as the largest island and the seat of government of the Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan.

In a vlog uploaded on July 19, LANS documented her journey, from boarding a military aircraft for the first time to meeting local residents, teachers, students, fishermen, and soldiers stationed on the island. "Sa manlulupig, HINDI TAYO PASISIIL 🇵🇭," she wrote in the caption.

Even before arriving on the island, LANS became emotional as she reflected on the significance of the experience. "Naiiyak ako kasi 'yung hope na meron sila and 'yung bravest soldiers natin na nandoon [ay] ipinaglalaban 'yung karapatan natin sa West Philippine Sea, well in fact, sa atin naman talaga siya. Also, kapag nakikita ng community na may mga soldiers tayo doon, nabi-bring back 'yung hope, 'yung moral natin, na dapat talaga natin siyang ipaglaban."

She added: "Hindi lang ito laban sa territories [pero] laban natin ito para sa buong bansa and para sa future generations." She admitted that while onboard the aircraft, the weight of the responsibility she carried began to sink in, making her emotional. Upon landing on Pag-asa Island, LANS was welcomed warmly by members of the community. "Kitang-kita ko sa mga mata nila 'yung pag-asang mapakinggan sila at 'yung hope na sana maging maayos na rin lahat sa kanilang lugar," she shared.

Throughout the vlog, LANS emphasized why she believes Filipinos should continue protecting the West Philippine Sea. Beyond being part of the country's territory, the waters provide food, livelihood, and natural resources that can benefit generations of Filipinos. She also spoke with one of the island's fishermen, who shared how increasingly difficult it has become to catch seafood because of competition from large foreign vessels, illegal commercial fishing methods, and restrictions preventing local fishermen from accessing their traditional fishing grounds. Because of this, many fishermen now earn significantly less, while some return home without any profit at all.

Aside from the fishing community, LANS also spent time visiting families in their homes, interacting with students and teachers at the island's lone school, and meeting AFP personnel stationed on Pag-asa Island, highlighting that the island remains home to hundreds of Filipinos. She stressed that the advocacy of fighting for their rights is not about provoking conflict with other countries. "Ang goal naman ay hindi tayo makipag-away sa ibang bansa or makipaglaban. Ang pinaka-goal natin is maipaalam sa kanila, maging aware sila, na hindi natin isusuko 'yung parte ng bansa natin."

LANS also reminded viewers that the Philippines' rights over the West Philippine Sea are recognized under international law and by the United Nations. Seeing foreign vessels operating near the island firsthand, however, left a lasting impact on her. "Nakita ko mismo 'yung aktibidad na ginagawa ng ibang bansa sa mga kapwa nating Pilipino na nandito. Tinatawag natin 'yang ICAD – Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, at Deceptive. Deceptive sila sa kabuuan ng bansa. Marami silang misinformation na pinapalaganap to the point na siguro nawawalan na tayo ng moral na 'yung sariling atin. Pero we have to be here. Kaya nandito 'yung coast guard, army, navy, ang ating air force, kasi... we have to raise awareness lalo na para mabuksan ang mga mata nating bawat Pilipino na meron tayong laban dito at laban nating lahat ito," she maintained.

A local government employee also explained to LANS that residents simply want to live peacefully within their jurisdiction, continue earning an honest livelihood, and see Philippine laws and environmental regulations respected by everyone operating in the area. Moved by what she witnessed, LANS became emotional once again. "Kaya naman ganon na lang 'yung claim natin na sa atin ang West Philippine Sea at may karapatan ang community na ito na mangisda doon nang walang threat sa buhay nila at nakukuha nila 'yung resources na dapat naman para sa ating lahat."

She also visited the island's only school, which currently serves around 150 students. A teacher shared that despite the territorial dispute, the children remain dedicated to their education and are already aware, even at a young age, of the challenges surrounding their community. Toward the end of the vlog, LANS encouraged more Filipinos to become informed and involved. She also expressed hope that more content creators and visitors would share stories from Pag-asa Island to help spread awareness. "Sana mas marami pa tayong ma-touch na soul. 'Yung patriotism natin bilang Pilipino is mabuhay ulit kasi laban natin itong lahat." "Karagatan natin ito. Karapatan natin ito. Para sa kinabukasan natin ito. Atin ang West Philippine Sea," she concluded.

LANS ended her vlog by thanking everyone who made what she described as a "Journey to Hope" possible. She likewise clarified that she was not paid to participate in the advocacy. Following the release of the vlog, many netizens and fellow content creators praised LANS for using her platform to promote patriotism and educate Filipinos about the realities faced by communities in Pag-asa Island.

One commenter wrote: "Hindi lahat ng content ay para lang sa views. May mga content na gumigising ng pagmamahal sa bayan... Maraming salamat, LANS, sa pagpapaalala na ang tunay na impluwensya ay hindi lang nakikita sa dami ng views, kundi sa kakayahang magmulat, magbigay-inspirasyon, at magpasiklab ng pagmamahal sa sariling bayan."

Another added: "Anyone can create content, but only few can create PURPOSE. This is what real influence looks like. Using your platform to promote patriotism is on another level of 'This is Laaaaannnnnsss'. Hindi ko alam, pero may kumurot sa puso ko after ko mapanood tong vlog mo naluha ako legit. Thank you, LANS, for using your platform to remind us that beyond the headlines and social media noise are fellow Filipinos living, serving, and standing their ground in the Pag-asa Island."

As of this writing, LANS's vlog has already garnered 1.2 million views and continues to reach more viewers online.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com