Sea Concert on Pag-asa Island Sends Message of Peace Amidst Chinese Shadowing

Pag-asa Island Concert Defies China's Shadowing: A Symbol of Peace and Solidarity in the West Philippine Sea On May 28, 2025, a sea concert was held at Pag-asa Island, a territory claimed by both the Philippines and China. The event, featuring artists from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and the Philippines, proceeded despite the continuous presence of Chinese Coast Guard ships shadowing the M/V Kapitan Felix Oca, the vessel hosting the concert. The concert was organized as a civil mission, demonstrating the Philippines' resolve to assert its presence in the region while promoting peace and solidarity. "The message to China is clear: we want peace in the West Philippine Sea, and this peace is not just desired by Filipinos, but by our neighbors as well," stated Rafaela David, Mission Commander, in an interview shown in the video. The concert, described as the "first-ever sea concert for peace and solidarity," included performances by various artists, including music from Indonesia, Malaysia and South Korea. The video also showed the Philippine Coast Guard's continued monitoring of the Chinese ships throughout the concert. The successful completion of the concert, despite the challenging circumstances, serves as a powerful symbol of resilience and the pursuit of peace in the face of geopolitical tensions.