"Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China" Banners Make Us Feel Like We're in a Black Mirror Episode

IMAGE Facebook / Carol Pascual-Lopez

(SPOT.ph) President Duterte on February 19 made a controversial joke about making the Philippines a “province of China.” Today, July 12, people in the Metro were in for quite a shock as they spotted banners proclaiming "Welcome to the Philippines, Province of China," draped over several pedestrian bridges in various parts of the city, including Ninoy Aquino International Airport, along Quezon Avenue, and España Boulevard. So far, no one knows who is responsible for these tarps, but the fact that the move falls on the second anniversary of the United Nations Arbitral Tribunal's declaration on who has sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea is not lost on us.

Most people took online to react to the banners, and the reactions, as expected, are mixed.

province of china my ass https://t.co/tmcreuhQRs

— christian || ????G.A. (@gibyunchy) July 12, 2018

It seems like a bad dream when you first see it...and then you realize you're awake.

Welcome to Philippines, Province of China.

What an insult to every Filipino who worked hard to fight for Independence.

— tavias (@tavvias) July 12, 2018

Apologies to our forefathers.

Is this part of the pre-SONA destabilization plot?

The malicious tarpaulin bannering PHL as a "Province of China" is mounted on a footbridge in Quezon Ave. & D. Tuazon St., 2 blocks away from Banawe St. where a huge concentration of Chinese businesses is located. Coincidence? pic.twitter.com/o6KrMHj6SL

— Pinoytapsilog (@pinoytapsilog) July 12, 2018

The timing would make you wonder.

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal says tarpaulin mocking Philippines as province of China a “sign of protest” and “signals loss of support and respect” for administration when people joke about it

— Willard Cheng (@willardcheng) July 12, 2018

Hmm, something to think about.

Those province of china tarps are sarcastic. It’s effective protest.

— Jay Garcia (@bebemomoy) July 12, 2018

They are definitely eye-catching.

It's better to be a province of China than to be under the liberal party again. ???? https://t.co/4DtKpZhBMh

— Archerit (@VetArcher) July 12, 2018

Well.

It can mean two things: 1) welcoming the people from the Province of China to the Philippines, or 2) welcoming people to the Philippines as a province of China. But because the "PROVINCE OF CHINA" is hoghlighted, then maybe, it's the former. I hope. https://t.co/seUIoEsanv

— Elizabeth (@FindingBettyyy) July 12, 2018

We have to admit, we're confused too.

Getting dumped is heartbreaking but have you ever tried being a province of China?

— Hanina Britanico (@hellohanina) July 12, 2018

Point taken.

UGH Sobrang haba ng PHILIPPINES, PROVINCE OF CHINA 'pag ginawang intro na sa Miss U. I CAN'T.

— Patrick Marcelo (@ptrckmarcelo) July 12, 2018

LOL, he has a point!

Hindi naman ako na update mali pala ang fill out ko sa mga forms ko when i got my renewed passport ... province of China na pala tayo ... ulitin ko ba ang application ko ? ????????

— kimz sacdalan (@bashandelegance) July 12, 2018

Time to redo our paperwork...?