MANILA, Philippines —  In a major victory for the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) confirmed that the Chinese floating platform previously monitored inside the lagoon of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal) has been removed, following sustained diplomatic action, maritime monitoring and the Philippines’ firm assertion of its sovereign rights. This latest development underscores a powerful truth at the heart of “The Unsinkable Spirit,” a new three-part documentary that tells the story of how generations of Filipinos have defended the West Philippine Sea not through confrontation, but through courage, unity, diplomacy and an unwavering commitment to international law. Nearly a decade after the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling, the removal of the platform demonstrates that this patient practice of lawfare — the steady, principled assertion of legal rights — continues to produce results. The series opens with Episode 1, “The Thin Blue Line,” which recounts the 2012 Scarborough Shoal standoff and the difficult choice the Philippines faced between military confrontation and international law. Episode 2, “Hearts, Minds and the High Seas,” follows the Philippines’ path from maritime crisis to historic legal victory. It examines how the struggle for the West Philippine Sea affects the daily lives of Filipinos through its impact on food security, energy independence, environmental protection and economic development. By connecting the story to the country’s growing blue economy, the episode shows how the sea remains central to the nation’s future and prosperity. The trilogy concludes with Episode 3, “Our Inheritance, Our Promise,” which looks beyond the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling to spotlight the continuing responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s maritime rights. Featuring fisherfolk, youth leaders, civil society groups and peaceful civilian missions, the episode highlights how ordinary Filipinos are helping shape the future of the West Philippine Sea through unity, participation and national action. It is a story of hope, stewardship and a shared commitment to future generations. The documentary features firsthand accounts from the fishermen who endured harassment in the West Philippine Sea at the hands of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese Navy, as well as from military experts. Among the many distinguished figures who gave in-depth interviews are retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who helped file the case against China before the Arbitral Tribunal and Atin Ito co-convenors Edicio Dela Torre and Rafaela David, who helped lead the civilian convoy that traversed the West Philippine Sea despite China’s presence. “The Unsinkable Spirit” may be viewed online via Facebook and YouTube every Sunday at 6 p.m. — Episode 1 on June 28, Episode 2 on July 5 and Episode 3 on July 12. The series will also air on free television via RPTV Channel 9 every Monday at 10 p.m., beginning June 29 and continuing on July 6 and July 13, with replay broadcasts on succeeding days. It will likewise be shown on ALIW Channel 23 beginning June 29 and July 6, with additional replay schedules throughout July.

Feeling patriotic last June 12, the Philippine Independence Day, I thought I’d celebrate the date by watching “Mabining Mandirigma.”

The event commemorated the 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence and the 51st year of bilateral diplomatic ties, and over a thousand years of Philippines and Chinese friendship.

Over 1,200 people packed the hall of the SMX Convention Center last week when the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry hosted a reception to celebrate the country’s 128th Independence Day and the 25th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.

The June 12 Independence Day holiday should have given many of us time to pause and wonder what went wrong over the past 80 years since we supposedly became independent from a colonial power.